Letter from The President

Dec 5, 2024

Dear Fellow USIC Members,

I hope that you have been enjoying some delightful fall tennis activities in the USA and abroad. This year has been among the most active in recent years including “friendlies” versus Luxembourg, Belgium, Mexico, Canada, Bahamas, etc. Most importantly, the IC of Great Britain celebrated its 100th Centennial Anniversary at the All England Club at Wimbledon, and our Ladies’ team finished third out of 24 teams in the always competitive Mercelis Cup!

2024 has also been a watershed year for the USIC. We have embarked on a complete overhaul of our website to ensure that our members have up-to-date information on all events both internationally and in the USA. As one of the most active ICs around the world, the USIC has numerous opportunities for our members to participate in competitive events, friendlies, and IC Days, as well as IC Weeks.

A decade ago, we started IC Days which involve local and regional competitions and “hit arounds.” These have been a huge success as our members enjoy competing locally with other USIC members. IC Days also have provided an excellent forum to introduce prospective members to the USIC.

Philanthropy is now one of the centerpieces of the IC Council’s focus. USIC Honorary Secretary David Gollob is now a member of the Board of the IC Council’s Philanthropy Foundation (ICPF) and has helped the ICPF raise funds to support and develop more than 17 projects worldwide.

USIC member Phil Cox has created the IC’s signature philanthropic program in Rwanda. By way of background, in 1994, civil war erupted in Rwanda and more than 600,000 people were killed. A few years ago, Phil and seven-time Rwanda women’s Champion Joseline Umalisa, started a tennis program with just six students. Phil enlisted the Rwandan government, international airlines and a team of generous supporters to create a tennis infrastructure in Rwanda that now supports tennis instruction and education to more than 2000 youths each week. We are proud of this incredible endeavor and salute Phil and his supporters.

USIC Men’s and Women’s Captains Jeff Snow and Heather Walsh continue to recruit members for our events worldwide. Board member Erika Smith has now joined the Executive Committee as VP of Competition to focus on events and member participation by establishing best practices and enhancing member communication. We have developed an excellent team to ensure that the USIC is represented in all events.

Please feel free to call me anytime to discuss the USIC and your benefits. For administrative matters, please contact Lucas Robins at lucas@sportsplus.com.

I look forward to seeing you on and off the courts in 2025. Thank you again for being a USIC member representing “hands across the net, friendship across the ocean.”

With great appreciation,

 

Robb Bunnen

USIC President