Founded in 1974, the Staunton Waynesboro Augusta Tennis Association (SWAT) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) foundation-chartered Community Tennis Association that sponsors, promotes, and funds tennis-related events for players of all ages and abilities in Staunton, Waynesboro, and Augusta County.
SWAT is a member of the United States Tennis Association (USTA) and the Virginia Tennis Association.
Formerly known as the Staunton Tennis Association, it was originally founded by the late Col. Frank Pancake. In 2005, the Staunton Tennis Association recognized a need for tennis-related activities in the larger area, so it was expanded to include Waynesboro and Augusta County and the name was changed to SWAT, Staunton Waynesboro Augusta Tennis.
The organization boasts more than 100 membership families. Its activities are determined by a strong 15 member Board of Directors who are all are very active in administering and carrying out its programs. The Board is a diverse group of people who bring different skills to SWAT’s activities, all of which enables SWAT to accomplish its mission. The strength of the Board has been demonstrated over the last 38 years by the success and growth of the existing programs and the addition of new programs over the years.
In keeping with our mission statement, SWAT offers programs that meet the needs of all levels and ages of tennis players. Our programs include both instructional training and tournament play.
Our adult programs include:
ü Tuesday Night Tennis – SWAT offers tennis lessons to beginner and intermediate adults over a period of 6 weeks in the summer. SWAT hires tennis professionals to run a class for beginners and intermediates. These groups are combined in each lesson. Instruction is followed by Round Robin play. USTA is the sponsor/grantor for this program, and Augusta Health Lifetime Center provides the court time. The program is free to SWAT members and $5 per session for non-members. Starts June 18th.
ü Augusta Health/Leader Tournament – This tournament is SWAT’s signature event of the year. This tournament has been held in Staunton since 1946. However it is even older than that since it was first held in approximately 1929, interrupted by World War II, and then continued after the war. This tournament has numerous divisions to allow for players of all abilities.
ü Century Tournament – A doubles only tournament where the sum of the ages of the partners must be equal to or greater than 100 or 125!
ü Salvation Army Tournament – A June tournament which raises money for both the Staunton and Waynesboro Salvation Armies.
Entry Form
ü Hospice Tournament – An October tournament which benefits our local Hospice of the Shenandoah
ü Special Events –SWAT hosts an annual party open to all SWAT members. Other events have included a “Battle of the Boards” tennis competition against the Rockbridge Tennis Association; and the hosting of tennis players from Newfoundland, Canada.