Indoor tennis anyone?

Now in its 11th year, the Boston Indoor Tennis Classic will continue its mission of fostering good will in the GLBT community while raising money for the Fenway Community Health Center during its annual tournament July 18-20 at the Woburn Racquet Club and the Winchester Racquet Club.

The tournament, started by Dean Bower, was created as a means to foster healthy competition amongst the GLBT community. The tournament, a creation of the Boston-based organization Tennis 4 All, is sponsored by the Gay & Lesbian Tennis Association (GLTA), to not only bring the community together, but also as a means to raise money for charity.

This year, the tournament hopes to raise $1,200 for a new facility being built for the Fenway Community Health center, which provides health services for the GLBT community and those living with HIV/AIDS.

"They are an amazing asset to our community," said BITC Tournament Director Tony Pinho of the health center.

Previous beneficiaries have included Tennis Against Breast Cancer, started by a member of the GLTA, the Point Foundation, and youth organizations.

A non-profit, the GLTA will raise money through sponsorships alongside a raffle for competitors with prizes provided by sponsors and outside businesses like Wilson tennis racquets and bags, Starwood hotel weekend getaways and stays at the Bridge Resort in Vermont.

The GLTA provides yearly team tennis leagues and men's and women's singles leagues.
For more information visit on the BITC visit http://www.tennis4all.org/bitc/2008/bitcindex.htm.