BWSF Youth Participate at 2022 US Open Net Generation On Court Experience in New York

Labor Day 9/5/2022: Black Women in Sport Foundation had the pleasure of hosting 20 youth for the US Open Net Generation On Court Experience in New York.

BWSF Coaches & Youth Pose for a Commemorative Group Photo following their Net Generation On Court Experience Demonstration

Philadelphia, PA Sept. 2022)  Black Women in Sport Foundation (BWSF) was invited to participate in the 2022 US Open Net Generation On Court Experience, Labor Day, September 5, 2022, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Flushing Meadow Corona Park, Flushing NY 11368.

“We are thrilled to have your program participate this year and hope this experience will create memories for a lifetime. We cannot wait to welcome you on the courts at the 2022 US Open!” – US Open Net Generation Representative.

The Net Generation Kids On Court Experience celebrates programs from across the country that are dedicated to growing the game of tennis in their local community. BWSF’s 20 players, ages 6-12, and coaches took the court 10 minutes prior to the opening match and participated in a demonstration using red balls, youth size racquets, and pop-up nets.

BWSF youth had the rare opportunity to play on the Wilson court of the Arthur Ashe Stadium. BWSF Board Member Torrie Browning, Coaches Maxine Joseph and La’Verne Webb cheered on the youth as they took a lap around the stadium waving to the audience and during their on-court tennis demonstration. With music playing and an emcee on the court, players had the experience of a lifetime. US Open media conducted an on-court interview with Youth Avory Butler. BWSF also had the opportunity to select one deserving player to toss the coin for the opening match. Youth Paige Williams tossed the coin for BWSF for the Men’s Singles 4th Round match between 7th ranked Cameron Norrie and 9th ranked Andrey Rublev. Butler and Williams are with BWSF affiliate program Bringing Everybody Together (BET).

Following lunch, BWSF Coach and Tennis Official Marvin Hill guided our group to other highlights of the trip which included playing games at the Net Generation Kids’ Zone and the fan zones; an educational and cultural experience at the Arthur Ashe Legacy at UCLA exhibit; watching a live women’s double’s match between (6th) D. Krawczyk & D. Schuurs vs (11th) M. Kostyuk and S. Zhang; watching the Nadal vs Tiafoe match on the jumbotron outside the Ashe Stadium; and seeing the world statue, and the US Open trophy cups up close. BWSF Board Members Shannon George and Browning, and BWSF Program Coordinator Germaine Edwards were hands on during the event. Coach Jill Casella and all BWSF chaperones did an outstanding job making sure the youth were safe and enjoying the experience.

Black Women in Sport Foundation (BWSF) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to increase the involvement of Black women and girls in all aspects of sport, including athletics, coaching and administration. For more information, go to www.blackwomeninsport.org.

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BWSF wishes to thank The USTA Net Generation, Bringing Everybody Together, and all of our amazing chaperones--parents, coaches, board members, and volunteers. #USOpen2022 #mybetfamily [Additional photos courtesy of USTA Net Generation]

(Center) Youth Paige Williams Coin Tosser for match between Cameron Norrie and Andrey Rublev. (Photo Courtesy of USTA Net Generation)