Financial Assistance for BCTA Programs

The Carol White Tennis Program Scholarship waives all or part of the BCTA program fee for youth athletes interested in tennis, but whose families are not able to afford this opportunity.  For information and an application form, email buckscountytennis@verizon.net. 

Scholarships are limited and are granted at the sole discretion of the BCTA on a case-by-case basis for one five-week BCTA season.  Applicants can request renewals after each season. Scholarships are not awarded retroactively and must be applied for at the time of registration.

All requests will be held in complete confidence and based on the situation, the age of the child, extent of support, etc.

An applicant's family may be asked for the following:

1. Explanation/proof of need.
2. Tennis essay/thank you written by the recipient of the scholarship.  
3. Participation in the BCTA Youth Leadership Development Program or other volunteer involvement.
4. Additional clarification as appropriate.

The tennis program scholarship is named in memory of Carol White, a local tennis player, coach, BCTA volunteer and dear friend. Carol's obituary follows. The BCTA sincerely thanks her family and friends who generously contributed to make this scholarship possible.

Carol Anne White, 58, died peacefully on Thursday, February 28, 2019 at her home in Jamison, PA.  Carol was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pa., the youngest child of William and Mary Thorn. Carol is predeceased by her brothers Joey and Steve. She was a devoted wife and mother, a compassionate and caring member of her community, and a highly accomplished Accountant, Tennis Coach and Player.

She attended St. Christopher's Grade School, Archbishop Ryan High School and graduated from La Salle University, subsequently earning her CPA.

Carol’s accounting career included teaching at Mount St. Joseph High School, LaSalle University and several accounting jobs ending at Goldman Law Firm in Doylestown this year. Carol, an excellent tennis player, was an Instructor and a coach for over twenty years. She was a tennis instructor for Bucks County Tennis Association.

She also coached the girl’s tennis teams at Central Bucks West High School before moving on to become the head Women's Tennis Coach at Cabrini University which ended last year. 

Carol played on several tennis teams and valued all the friendships that she developed over the years. She volunteered at Special Olympics, Bucks County Tennis Association and Delaware Valley Veterans’ Home and enjoyed her Book Club, Mahjong, Golf, Pickle ball and vacationing in Stone Harbor.

Carol is survived by her loving husband, Jim, of 33 years; 2 wonderful children; Tim and Ryan; and her beloved dog, Riley; her brothers, William Thorn (Joanne), Jack Thorn (Janet); and sisters Mary Jo Miller (Chuck), Betty McDonnell (Ron), Kathy Peterson (Wayne), Joanne Alexander (Rich).  She will be missed by her brothers and sisters in- law Eddie, Pat White (Lori), Larry White, Estella Plewes (Jim), and Marge Matysik (Bill) and many loving nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. 

HOW TO APPLY for the Carol White Program Scholarship

Requests must be submitted through the Carol White Tennis Program Scholarship application. After receiving a competed application, the BCTA may also request supportive documentation such as: 

• The first 2 pages of the most recent federal income tax return
• W-2 Wage and Tax Statement
• Department of Public Welfare (DPW) statement/COMPASS account benefit detail
• Unemployment, Disability or SSI Benefits Planning Query letter
• Last 3 pay stubs

Please submit this information only if requested. All application records will be kept confidential.

Scholarship Recipients

Daria "Dasha" Zhukova

Thomas Cronin 

Joseph J. Canfield Youth Leadership Development Program   

Joe Canfield was a very active community volunteer and leader in his local community. In addition, he volunteered many hours for the USTA Middle States section during its office moves and re-organizations 1990–2002, and more recently, repaired pop-up portable nets for school and  public park tennis programs run by BCTA. 

In Joe’s honor, the BCTA has established the Joseph J. Canfield Youth Leadership Development Program, which is aligned with the vision, mission, and values the Bucks County Tennis Association and is based on a “learning by doing” approach.

While volunteer “helping hands” are always welcome and appreciated, the year-round Youth Leadership Development Program is for high school students who can commit to a level of volunteer service to the BCTA in order to fulfill their required school volunteer hours and/or simply build their resume, self-confidence, and skill set for future work opportunities. Selected candidates gain valuable leadership and communication experience while making an important contribution to the organization and the community by working side-by-side with experienced BCTA Coaches delivering on-court tennis programs to youth and adults. Some off-court leadership opportunities may also be available.

Priority (although not exclusive) consideration will be given to candidates who participate on their high school tennis teams and/or in past/present BCTA programs. 

Although candidate involvement is at the discretion of the BCTA, in general, the levels are as follows:

• Occasional Volunteer Tennis Enthusiast:  Helps, when available, at specific BCTA events such as Play Days, tournaments, etc. Advance commitment required for a minimum of 2 volunteer hours at a specific BCTA event such as Play Days, etc.
•  Junior Assistant:  A minimum 5-week commitment to one full season, 2–4 hours per week. Generally, this category relates to individuals looking for a long-term commitment to fulfill National Honor Society or School Community Service Hours or others striving for consideration for future BCTA stipend positons.
• Assistant Coach: A minimum 5-week commitment to one full season, 2-4 hours per week. Requires BCTA Coach recommendation and administrative approval; and generally this stipend position requires extensive experience as a Junior Assistant. Students achieving this level may be considered for a stipend position with the BCTA based on mentor(s) evaluation re: skills, maturity, commitment, experience/hours logged, etc., and may be eligible (based on overall appraisal and available positons) for future Head Coaching positions (generally at age 18).

Note: The BCTA reserves the right to terminate a BCTA Junior Leadership Development Program candidate’s involvement based on sportsmanship and behavior—on or off court—that is not consistent with BCTA values, candidate’s compatibility with the coach/athletes, candidate’s ability to contribute, overall commitment, etc.

For more information about the Joseph J. Canfield Youth Leadership Development Program, please contact the BCTA at buckscountytennis@verizon.net. Prospective candidates are encouraged to review the BCTA website in advance of for programs by town to determine the locations, programs, seasons, hours, etc., before completing the Leadership Development Program application.

Graduates of Leadership Program

Kaitlyn O’Connor (Centennial—Philadelphia Area Tennis District Scholarship Recipient)

Claire Tierney (Central Bucks)

Katie Benson (Neshaminy)

Emily Johannan (Central Bucks— Philadelphia Area Tennis District Scholarship Recipient)

Addie King (Central Bucks)

Sara Kimball (Central Bucks)

Jill Hohmann (Central Bucks)

Alex Johnson (Council Rock)

Olivia Ferki (Council Rock)

Dave Leno (Council Rock)

Drew Batten (Central Bucks).