USTA Jr. Team Tennis is the largest junior recreational tennis league in the country. This is the “Little League” for tennis. As the players grow into their skills, the format is adapted to best meet their needs whether using the QuickStart format or playing traditional tennis. JTT is a combination of practice and match play with an emphasis on skill development, fun, teamwork and friendly competition. The local season consists of competing against other teams of similar age and ability level. Teams can choose to participate in a Championship series and try to advance all the way to a national championship.

There are five levels of JTT ranging in age from 8-18. There are also novice, intermediate and advanced divisions. The teams are coed and consist of at least six players – three boys and three girls – based on similar ages and skill levels. Matches include boys singles, girls singles, boys doubles, girls doubles and mixed doubles and all matched are determined by a total-games-won format.

Last year, almost 2,000 kids participated in USTA Northern JTT, up nine percent from 2007. There were also 207 teams who played JTT in 2008, an increase of 30 percent. Of those teams, 82 were from outside the Twin Cities area and for the first time in program history, teams from North Dakota and Wisconsin competed at the Section championships. Other firsts for the program included Area Championships at seven different locations around the Section earning teams the opportunity to play at the Section Championships, Section Championships for 8s & 10s using the QuickStart format and 12s, and winter league play opportunities for teams.

The program continues to grow in 2009 as all players receive the following when they register to play JTT!
• A one-year USTA Junior Membership which entitles you to
o A subscription to Smash Magazine
o Ability to participate in USTA Sanctioned Tournaments
o Access to scholarship opportunities
o Access to retail discounts
• An official team uniform courtesy of NIKE!
• Access to Tennis Link – the online player registration and tracking system
• Team matches
• Opportunities for your team to advance to Area, Section and possibly National Championships

“Jr. Team Tennis allows kids who drill together to play together,” Life Time Fitness – Fridley JTT organizer and JTT parent Brian McCoy said. “This key concept brings a spirit of camaraderie and kinship that is great for players and programs.”

For more information about playing Jr. Team Tennis or starting a program, please visit www.northern.usta.com/jtt or contact Christine Buysse at Buysse@northern.usta.com or at (952) 358-3290.