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Thank You! Dear Friends of KCTA: The 2026 Give Big Kern campaign has officially concluded, and we have much for which to be thankful. We received support from the community at a level never seen before. We exceeded our goal, surpassed our record for GBK donations by 40%, and, perhaps most important, we increased our donor base by 60%. That resulted in KCTA ranking #7 overall (out of 149 organizations), #1 in Volunteer Led organizations, and #2 in Education & Youth Development. We are proud of the confidence that shows you have in our work. The statistics are great, but far more important is what this support will enable us to do for young people in our community. During the coming year, we will provide over 600 pairs of shoes, 300 racquets, 5,000 practice balls, and many thousands of pieces of clothing and other gear to local student athletes. We will also sponsor up to 15 hours of professional instruction for over 400 kids. Most would not be able to participate without this support that keeps them healthier, happier, out of trouble, and more focused in the classroom. This recent note from a Highland player says it better than we can. "Without you guys, I wouldn't be able to play tennis. KCTA has really improved my social life in high school by making it possible for me to play on a team." Thank you, KCTA Board of Directors Testimonials All Videos-----Thank-you @joefike68 SNAPS! — Kern Community Tennis Association Boys Tennis Season Kickoff Bakersfield Life Feb 28, 2025 By Lisa Kimble Read Article UPCOMING EVENTS Aug 22 - KCTA Players' Drills at BRC. Sept 12-13 - Stockdale Invitational at SCC. 2026 Event Calendar Friends of KCTA, KCTA hosted our 7th Girls' Drills to launch the 2026 high school tennis season on Saturday, August 22. BRC and its members were kind enough to again share their facility. The event was sponsored by Tennis Serves Others and lunch was provided by Little Caesars. We provided two hours of court time for 351 girls with local teaching professionals, and the Shopping Spree distributed 2000 articles of gently-used clothing and tennis gear. As always, our success was made possible by many hard-working volunteers. More than 50 people devoted their morning (and/or previous afternoon) to delivering and staging gear, registering participants, over-gripping racquets, ensuring smooth traffic flow, providing tennis instruction, feeding the masses (135 pizzas), and restoring BRC to its original condition. Every girl was provided stretching/strengthening instruction by Glinn & Giordano staff members who volunteered their time (photo attached). This was our first Blue Zones Project (BZP) event - BZP is a national initiative to promote healthier lifestyles based on studies of regions with exceptional life spans. We were also joined by special guest Ryan Tos, CIF Central Section Commissioner. This week we will deliver racquets, shoes, sports bras, shorts, socks, and visors to fulfill requests from schools across Kern County and give several hundred student athletes the opportunity to compete with quality gear. Thank you, KCTA Board of Directors Stockdale Invitational Sept. 12-13 Players' Drill 7th Annual Girls' Season Kickoff 2026 Girls' Drills IMG_6352 2026 Players' Drills to Kickoff Girls' Season 2026 Girls' Drills 1/12 2025 KCTA Impact Report Read Full Report BAKERSFIELD RECOGNIZED AS USTA SOCAL'S FIRST TENNIS TOWN! Read Here Proclamation Our tennis community and tradition were recognized in a brief ceremony on BRC's center court during the BTOpen. Trevor Kronemann, SCTA Executive Director, presented an award to local leaders recognizing Bakersfield as its inaugural Tennis Town. Receiving the award on behalf of our tennis community were Mayor Karen Goh, Tracy Burrell, Hank Pfister, Mark Fredriksz, Zach Gomez, Dave Krueger, and Robert Limpias. In response, Mayor Goh issued a proclamation declaring March 17 - 23 to be Bakersfield Loves Tennis Week. Learn more by clicking on the links to read the article, proclamation, or watch the video.

The 2025 Tracy Macnair Burrell Sportsmanship Award winner is Kermina Rashed from Independance High School Tracy Macnair Burrell with Kermina Rashed. Eighteen outstanding senior girls were recently recognized with $3,200 in college scholarships for their outstanding accomplishments on and off the court in a dinner and awards ceremony at Hodel's Country Dining. Tracy Macnair Burrell, for whom the award is named, shared her thoughts as we celebrated these impressive young women before a crowd of nearly 100 that included families, coaches, and teammates. Each of these young women is a winner in tennis, academics, and service to others, so the Board was challenged to choose an overall winner. The winner of the 2025 Tracy Macnair Burrell Sportsmanship Award is Kermina Rashed from Independence High School. The selection process also identified six finalists: Liberty’s Kara Campoy and Emily Cove, Cesar Chavez’s Elliora Ignacio, Shafter’s Yarelly Moran Martinez, and East’s Joselin Sandoval. Article Here FRONT ROW (LEFT TO RIGHT) Deyanna Garcia, Independence; Elliora Ignacio, Cesar Chavez; Joselin Sandoval, East; Valentina Garcia, East; 2025 Winner Kermina Rashed, Independence; Kammie Lau, Frontier; Kimberly Gomez, Cesar Chavez; Nahomy Ramirez, Cesar Chavez BACK ROW (LEFT TO RIGHT) Marely De Arcos Esmerio, Shafter; Emily Cove, Liberty; Maddie Power, Liberty; Kara Campoy, Liberty; Keira Murphy, Frontier; Tracy Macnair Burrell; Yarelly Moran Martinez, Shafter; Hayden Hernandez, Frontier; Nicole Harootian, Frontier; Briana Yolanda Chiquito, Mira Monte; Danna Trinidad, Cesar Chavez

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2022 - 2023 KCTA Burrell Sportsmanship Award Presented Past Recipients 2007-08: Julie Hutton & Aaron Dobie 2008-09: Carly Tucker & Nick Jacobs 2009-10: Lily Schuler & Tyler Thoms 2010-11: Zoe Tucker & Blaine Davenport 2011-12: Isabel Donaldson & David Perez 2012-13: Carlee Henderson & Tim Roe 2013-14: Taylor Touchstone & John M. Flores 2014-15: Grace Booth & Zach Gomez 2015-16: Madeline Kuney & Jack Han 2016-17: Madison Swaney & Raguvir Kunani 2017-18: Erica Paradise & Moses Jimenez 2018-19: Tiffany Chau & Juan Contreras 2019-20: Sofia Zaletel & Tyler Howard 2020-21: Monika McKenna & Sage Nguyen 2021-22: Natalie Tun & Alexis Ordaz 2022-23: Breanna Hiebert Congratulations to Breanna Hiebert of Bakersfield Christian High School - the 2022 KCTA Burrell Sportsmanship Award Winner! Breanna with her mother and father, Darrin and Nikki, her brother Cade and grandmother Carolyn Rosales, Sadie Padilla, Alina Garcia, Kylee Limpias, Tracy Macnair Burrell, Lindsay Young, Breanna Hiebert, Hannah Kratz, and Mailee Francisco Not Pictured: Galilea Villasenor, Itzel Franco, and Angela Rubio De La Torre On December 7, 2022, KCTA recognized twelve student athletes for their sportsmanship and leadership. The winner of this year’s Tracy Macnair Burrell Sportsmanship Award is Breanna Hiebert from Bakersfield Christian High School. Bre is an outstanding student with a 4.3 GPA who is described by teachers as hard-working and respectful. She picked up her first racquet at the age of 4 and, under the early guidance of her great-uncle Frank Thiessen, she was named the #1 player for BCHS her freshman year and each year thereafter. She ended her high school career by finishing in 2nd place for the Sectional Singles title and finished in the top 3 spots in doubles the two preceding years. In addition to working on her own game, Bre has helped her teammates and younger children develop their skills using patience and kindness. That kindness is on display in her own matches where she treats opponents with respect and is known for fair line calls and overall great sportsmanship. Bre says that she "always treats her opponents with respect because she realizes there is more to the game than just the competition." Joining Breanna as finalists for this year’s award were Rosales, Sadie Padilla, Alina Garcia, Kylee Limpias, Tracy Macnair Burrell, Lindsay Young, Breanna Hiebert, Hannah Kratz, and Mailee Francisco, Galilea Villasenor, Itzel Franco, and Angela Rubio De La Torre . All were excellent nominees, and we wish them the very best as they graduate this year.

2026 SPRING KCTA LADIES' CLINIC May 12, 2026 @ Stockdale Country Club A heartfelt thank you to everyone who played, volunteered, donated, and supported the KCTA Ladies Clinic. Your kindness and generosity made this event so special and will help provide opportunities and equipment for local junior athletes. We truly appreciate our amazing tennis community and all you do to support the KCTA both on and off the court.

Three spots on the KCTA Board of Directors open each year: Directors serve a 3-year term Monthly Meetings and Service Opportunities to help grow tennis for juniors and adults New ideas and love of the sport are all that is required! Nominations with 10 signatures is due by December 6, 2023- Voting on the nominations will take place in December, 2023 with new terms starting in January, 2024 We would love your input and involvement - please consider fellow players and yourself as possible candidates! The KCTA is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. Board Members must be sponsored by tennis community members and are elected to their positions. Jerry Matthews President Melissa Sweaney Vice President Heather Tkac Treasurer Zach Gomez Secretary DIRECTORS Noel Dalton Clare Gilliam Nikki Hiebert Sal Moretti Paul Yanez Contact Information Admin@kctatennis.org (661) 747-4873

KCTA is providing Tennis Scholarships to high school players KCTA began sponsoring professional instruction for high school players in the summer of 2021. Since that time more than 400 student athletes have benefitted from up to 15 hours of small group instruction. This has been made possible through the support of our sponsors and partnerships with local teaching professionals and Bakersfield’s four private clubs. These scholarship lessons are available to players from every high school in Kern County, but the request must come through the team coach. Player eligibility will be determined by a demonstrated commitment to the sport, agreement to attend at least 90% of the sessions, and financial need. There is no cost to the players or their schools. For more information, contact Jerry Matthews at jerrymatthews004@gmail.com

KCTA 2024 Annual Report Kern Community Tennis Association Our Purpose The Kern Community Tennis Association (KCTA) is a non-profit, volunteer based organization established in 1965 to develop and grow the game of tennis at all levels for both juniors and adults. The KCTA has a particular interest in partnering with high school tennis programs to help coaches and players acquire the racquets and other equipment they need to be successful. We sponsor free drills for jr. high and high school players as well as younger kids. The KCTA also coordinates and supports a schedule of tennis events and tournaments culminating in the Grand Prix Masters Championships for adults. Want to Participate? We encourage anyone interested in serving on the Board of Directors to contact the KCTA at bkuney@kerntennis.org for more information. The Board of Directors meets periodically throughout the year via e-mail or physical meetings. We also need and warmly welcome volunteers who want to help in the drills we offer to juniors or other outreach programs - please let us know if you are interested! Nominations will be accepted for 2026 KCTA Board positions in November Nominations for 2026 will be accepted in November of 2026 with voting taking place in December 2026. You may nominate yourself or someone you feel is interested in promoting tennis for juniors and adults right here in Kern County. Ten signatures are needed for each nomination. The deadline for the nominations is Monday, December 6, 2026. Refurbished Used Racquets Get A Chance to Shine Again! Thank you to all of you who donated racquets. They were lovingly restrung and regripped and handed over to young men who needed a good racquet to play their best. They now know that they are supported by many men and women they've never met, but who share their love of tennis. Thank You All So Very Much! Tennis Serves Others (TSO) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that unites tennis ladies to organize and promote charitable activities. TSO is partnering with KCTA by collecting gently-used tennis clothing and shoes to support the "Shopping Spree" that is part of our launch of the high school girls' tennis season. This year the Shopping Spree provided over 1500 items to nearly 400 girls. Jerry Matthews receiving a small portion of the gear donated from Kelley McBride, TSO CEO. Advancements In Women's Tennis Article regarding girl's and women's tennis! Read More

Players Drills Tournament Website Read More The Kickoff of the Girls' 2024 Tennis Season is complete. We hosted 20 coaches from 14 schools for a clinic at Stockdale Country Club on August 19. Players' Drills at BRC on August 24 were attended by a record 388 girls for two hours of instruction, lunch (courtesy of Little Caesars), and a "Shopping Spree" that delivered approximately 1500 articles of clothing. The Equipment Distribution on August 29 fulfilled requests from 22 schools for gear with a retail value of nearly $100,000. That gear included 150 racquets, 305 pairs of shoes, 610 pairs of socks, over 1000 sports bras, 381 pairs of compression shorts, 252 visors, 129 tennis backpacks, and approximately 3000 practice balls. This is made possible through the generosity of members of our community, partnerships with key suppliers, support of the high school coaches, and the hard work of a great many people. That last group is listed below, and we sincerely apologize if we have failed to include anyone. -KCTA Board of Directors VOLUNTEERS Randy Crider, Dan Rutherford, Manny Gonzales, Tom Curran, Al Johnson, Megan Carnegie, Laurie Haagsma, Minda Owens, Rhonda Slegers, Linette Holliday, Agnes Dejong, Ashley South, Natalie Chene, Trellis Green, Ella Periera, Kaylee Periera, Janet Strandberg, Beth Kuney, Scott Kuney, Jon Raichelson, Sal Moretti, Zeb Duket, Tammy Duket, Adrian Araya, Lauren Mayhew, Brian Yanez, Joe Fike, Edgar Pankey, Jonni Seymour, Mark Windes, Marty Crider, Marjorie Levin, Camille Hanson, Andrea Ames, Eli Jimenez, David Rous, Kristen Villa, Cannon Creese, Tiffany Gill, Patrick Henderson, Sandy Matthews, Melissa Sweaney, Nikki Hiebert, Heather Tkac, Zach Gomez, Noel Dalton, Ashley Periera, Paul Yanez, Jerry Matthews & Robert Limpias. COURT INSTRUCTORS Ryan Chavez, Mark Fredriksz, Zach Gomez, Manny Gonzales, Bre Hiebert Bob Kelly, Hannah Kratt, Abraham Maldonado, Jay Manibo, Eli Noel, Hannah Purvis, Art Sherwyn, Jonni Seymour, Buddy Turl & Anthony Renteria.