YOUTH DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION
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Mission Statement
YDA has adopted the new United States Tennis Association Mission Statement: Growing tennis to inspire healthier people and healthier communities everywhere.
About This Cause
Youth Development Association, Inc. (YDA) is North Alabama’s only National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) Chapter and Huntsville’s only NET GENERATION Service Provider to public schools for the United States Tennis Association (USTA) and USTA Foundation (USTAF). We've impacted over 16,000 students in schools and communities from Cullman, AL to Winchester, TN. YDA serves students at Dr. Mae Jemison High School and its feeder schools (Ronald McNair Jr. High; Highlands, Lakewood, James Dawson, and Rolling Hills Elementary Schools). As the 2004 and 2022 "Community Tennis Association of The Year" for the Alabama Tennis Association, our common cause remains to bridge the health, wellness and education gap in low to moderate income families. YDA also works with Alabama A&M University's Men's & Women's Tennis Teams and high school tennis teams providing an internship/career opportunity. Student/athletes are trained and hired to mentor, serve as reading buddies, offer STEM activities and on court tennis coaches aides at our spring/summer/fall clinics and camps. NOTE: ALL STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS ARE REQUIRED TO BE SAFE PLAY APPROVED BY THE USTA. We provide a safe and inclusive space where every young person can soar in academics, athletics and their authentic self while embracing the values of integrity, accountability, diversity, leadership, and mentorship. These values guide every program, every interaction, and every decision we make, ensuring that we remain steadfast in our commitment to the youth we serve. YDA is unwaveringly committed to empowering youth from all backgrounds through the transformative power of tennis, education, and mentorship. Cognitive Benefits of Playing Tennis Tennis offers a range of cognitive benefits, many of which stem from the physical and mental demands of the sport. Overall, playing tennis can provide a holistic cognitive workout, offering benefits for concentration, problem-solving, mental agility, stress reduction, spatial awareness, memory function, and brain health. Here are some of the cognitive benefits of playing tennis: 1. Improved Concentration: Tennis requires players to stay focused and alert throughout the match, tracking the ball's movement, anticipating their opponent's shots, and strategizing their own plays. This continual engagement helps improve concentration and attentional control. 2. Enhanced Problem-Solving Skills: Tennis involves rapid decision-making and problem-solving as players must quickly assess the trajectory of the ball, choose an appropriate shot, and adjust their positioning on the court. This constant mental stimulation enhances cognitive flexibility and decision-making abilities. 3. Increased Mental Agility: The fast-paced nature of tennis demands quick thinking and adaptability. Players must constantly adjust their tactics based on their opponent's moves, the court conditions, and their own performance. This helps enhance mental agility and cognitive processing speed. 4. Stress Reduction: Engaging in physical activity like tennis can help reduce stress levels and improve mood by promoting the release of endorphins, which are neurotransmitters associated with feelings of pleasure and well-being. This can have a positive impact on cognitive function, including memory and cognitive performance. 5. Improved Spatial Awareness: Tennis requires players to constantly judge the position and movement of the ball in relation to their own position on the court. This enhances spatial awareness and proprioception, which are essential for coordinating movements and maintaining balance. 6. Boosted Memory Function: Tennis involves remembering past experiences and applying them to current gameplay, such as recalling an opponent's strengths and weaknesses or remembering successful strategies from previous matches. This continual engagement of memory processes helps improve memory function over time. 7. Stimulated Brain Growth: Regular physical activity like playing tennis has been shown to stimulate the growth of new brain cells and improve connectivity between existing neurons. This neuroplasticity is essential for maintaining cognitive function and preventing age-related cognitive decline. COMMUNITY TENNIS ASSOCIATION PARTNERSHIPS: YDA - NET GENERATION, NJTL, Junior Team Tennis, High School Tennis Teams, High Performance Player Development / USTA Tournament Players Alabama A&M University Men’s & Women’s Tennis Teams (Mentoring & Coaching) Actions Kids Summer Camp at Alabama A&M University (HBCU) Huntsville City Schools - Target Schools are Priority (failing) Schools as identified by State Dept. of Education North Alabama Boys & Girls Club G.A.B.B.I – Girls Against Being Bullied, Inc. Girls, Inc. Alabama Home School Community/Coop Richard Showers Center of Parks & Rec Huntsville, AL Lakewood Community Center Par Excellence Golf & Education USTA, USTA Foundation, Southern Tennis Patrons Foundation & ATA – Grant Funding Global Ties Alabama 2024 YDA Sponsors/Donors: USTA Foundation - Capacity Building, $28,000; Programming, $35,000 Dick's Sporting Goods Foundation/Black Leadership Network, $20,000 Huntsville Utilities Community Grant - $ 5,000 Southern Tennis Patrons Foundation, $3.500 Redstone Federal Credit Union - $1,200 The Ivy Center of Madison County Foundation, $1,000 PayPal Giving Fund, $400 In-kind Partners: Allstate Insurance Home Depot Costco Walmart Garrett Tennis Academy