Our Mission
To grow and promote the lifetime sport of tennis for all to enjoy a happier, healthier community.
About The Billings Tennis Association
Formed in the early 1950s, the Billings Tennis Association (BTA) began as a social club. By 1986 the club attained its 501 (c)(3) status and has grown to become the catalyst of the Eastern Montana tennis community. Although its primary focus was social tennis, the BTA began hosting tournaments and expanded our focus to include youth, junior and adult programs and assistance to outlying communities. The USTA and TIA (Tennis Industry Association) national grant funds have historically been matched locally with multi-media, corporate and individual sponsorships.
The Billings Tennis Association works to introduce and provide quality structured programs in parks, schools, and at the Big Sky Pickleball & Tennis Club. Our greatest challenge is to provide organized and affordable tennis programs for all ages and abilities.
The BTA works with the Big Sky Pickleball & Tennis Club (the only indoor facility available in Billings) to provide scholarships for junior lesson programs, subsidizes the YMCA's summer tennis camp, and hosts Adult League for women, men, and mixed doubles. Additionally, The Billings Tennis Association provides tennis socials for all BTA members in the summer. The BTA was instrumental in raising money for the installation of lights to the upper courts at Pioneer Park as well as resurfacing of the courts. The BTA volunteers help with court clean up and maintenance of city courts.
The BTA worked to get the Big Sky State Games Junior tournament sanctioned in 2003, and hosts five additional USTA-sanctioned tournaments per year. Billings is the only sanctioned tournament site in Eastern Montana, encompassing 70,000 square miles. We attract a considerable number of participants from surrounding states and Canada.
The BTA and many of its members contributed substantially their time, talent, and money to make the Big Sky Picklesball & Tennis Club (formerly the Elks Tennis Center) a reality.
BTA Board of Directors 2024:
- Cyndy Desin - President
- Kellie Saville - Vice-President
- Brenda Dugas - Treasurer
- Carol VanTuinen - Website
- Sarah Bach - Socials
- Eileen Pinkerton - Past President
- Laurie Riley - Sponsorships
- Kristi Hepburn - Scholarships
- Jim Shaffer - At Large
- Jodie Adams - At Large
Secretary for the Board: Amber Sparks
