Rotary donates $500 to NMITA

The Saipan Rotary Club did its tiny bit in helping in the development of youth tennis in the Commonwealth.

President Jeff Schorr yesterday handed a $500 check to NMITA president Ed Johnson during the weekly Rotary Club luncheon at the Hyatt Regency Saipan.

Johnson said he appreciates the donation made by the Rotary Club and said it would go a long way in helping the tennis association’s grassroots tennis program.

“We would use the money to buy new tennis balls and tennis racquets. We have initiated a program to involve public school kids in the sport of tennis and this donation comes in pretty handy,” Johnson said.

He specifically extended his appreciation to Rotary Club treasurer and Bank of Hawaii vice president Verna Felipe for making the donation to NMITA possible.

“I’m very grateful for the assistance Verna has given NMITA through the years. She was very instrumental in bringing the NMITA junior development to the attention of the Rotary Club for their consideration. I also would like to thank president Jeff Schorr, the Rotary officers and the rest of its membership for the donation.”

He further said that NMITA started its grassroots tennis program targeting public schools last March when it teamed up with the Saipan Tennis Association.

During the effort, the two tennis associations had USTA recreational tennis director Arnold Yuen fly in from Hawaii to do the rounds of Saipan schools. Yuen went on to teach tennis fundamentals and fancy tennis drills to hundreds of elementary school children.

“Our expectations are great and we hope that we would finally get more local players to learn the sport and enjoy tennis. In fact, we already have 10 new kids learning the ropes. They were attracted to the sport because of Arnold’s clinics and after watching a number of our tennis tournaments at the American Memorial Park tennis courts,” he added.

Johnson also said he hopes the Rotary Club donation would only be the start of the civic association’s involvement in youth tennis.
“I look forward to working with the Rotary Club in future endeavors concerning youth tennis.”

He is also urging other organizations and the business sector on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota to help in the development of youth tennis by helping out on NMITA’s programs.