Play it Forward Project: A Three-Year Journey
Ann Taylor
An Initiative by the NWTO Philanthropy Committee
In 2021, the NWTO Philanthropy Committee embarked on an initiative known as the Play it Forward Project. The primary objective of this project was to identify and implement innovative techniques to enhance participation in Level 2 to Level 5 tournaments, which often face challenges of under subscription. This collaborative effort placed much of the heavy lifting on the shoulders of the tournament directors, their staff, and dedicated volunteers.
Despite operating with a limited budget, the tournament directors were creative and resourceful. Each was tasked with developing and trying out new ideas at their tournaments. The results varied: some ideas produced significant outcomes, while others did not; some required considerable implementation time, while others were more straightforward.
To foster community engagement, each tournament was asked to choose a local charitable organization to receive a monetary grant, thereby celebrating the partnership between NWTO and the tournaments. This philanthropic gesture further underscored the community spirit of the Play it Forward Project.
Following three years of effort and experimentation, the culmination of the project is presented in the Play it Forward Report here. This comprehensive document provides insights, outcomes, and lessons learned from the project. It can be accessed at any time by visiting the Tournament tab of our website, nwto.us, and clicking on Improving Tournaments.
We encourage you to read the report thoroughly and share it with your local tournament directors and tennis advocates. Your support in forwarding this valuable information can significantly contribute to the ongoing success and improvement of tournaments.
Furthermore, we invite you to extend your support to the following tournaments that were integral to this project:
Les Grandes Dames, Palm Beach Gardens, FL
NWTO Daniel Island, Daniel Island, SC
Pacific Coast Family and Seniors, Berkeley, CA
Asheville Tournament, Asheville, NC
Together, let us continue to play it forward, strengthening our tournaments and enriching our communities.