Community Corner
Deb Andrews is Top League Coordinator
By Benjamin Snyder, snyder@eastern.usta.com
Deb Andrews, the Local League Coordinator for the Metro region, is one of the top three most successful section coordinators in growing the game nationwide!
According to statistics released by USTA National, Andrews helped Manhattan gain an 18 percent increase in new, unique players throughout 2013.
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In celebration of her commitment to increasing participation in USTA Adult Leagues, Andrews has earned an all-expenses paid trip to Arizona or California. There, she will work at a USTA League National Championship. Additionally, the Eastern section celebrated her efforts by giving her tickets to the BNP Paribas Showdown at Madison Square Garden.
“Honestly, I was shocked,” said Andrews about finding out she had been so successful during 2013.
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Andrews helped to dramatically increase the number of players in the Manhattan region by inspiring 26 new teams to play in the 40 & Over Adult Leagues. “There were some people who came back who hadn't played in a long time,” she said. “It was really nice to see some of these players.”
She also said the numbers will be just as high in 2014 as more teams look to compete for a coveted National title.
Andrews attributes word-of-mouth advertisements as one reason for so many teams joining. She also says adults simply enjoy playing in a league in which they can thrive and play competitive tennis.
About the recent creation of the 40 & Over League, Andrews said, “It was really a good thing, and gave us [people in that age bracket] a way to compete again feeling like we had a chance.”
Having started her work as a coordinator eight years ago, Andrews said last year’s increase in players was the Metro region’s biggest since she started. Her goal: to make it as easy as possible for team captains to have fun and to welcome new players to participate.
Never content with the status quo, especially in light of her recent recognition, Andrews said she’s committed to further improving Adult Leagues in the Metro region. For 2014 and beyond, she hopes to bring increased awareness about joining Adult Leagues, help competitors enjoy themselves while playing, and focus on the captains’ needs.
Andrews enjoyed the opportunity to watch Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, the Bryan brothers, and the McEnroe brother play at Madison Square Garden. A longtime fan of tennis at the Manhattan venue, Andrews watched the players and reveled in her 2013 successes on World Tennis Day. “It’s just fun tennis,” she said.
