The 2025 Annual Meeting & Awards Celebration was held on December 7, 2025 at the Norris Conference Center in Austin, TX.

Each year, the Capital Area Tennis Association (CATA) proudly celebrates the outstanding individuals who make our tennis community so special. From passionate players to dedicated volunteers and hardworking staff, our annual awards program honors those who go above and beyond to support and grow the game we love for Austin, Texas! It is also an opportunity to present the incoming slate of Board of Directors.

Meet our 2025 Award Winners!

Photos courtesy of Jeff Horvath photography

See a full history of the award winners 1986-2024

Read below for descriptions of the CATA Awards.

The Sportsmanship Award

This award honors a person who exemplifies good sportsmanship, a competitive spirit and fair play on and off the court.

Pro of the Year

These awards are given to a male and female USPTA/PTR tennis professional for outstanding teaching abilities at a professional level in building stronger tennis players at all levels of skill. To qualify, an individual must be a resident of the Capital area. He/she may be a teacher on the staff of an educational institution, a staff member of a city recreation department, a teaching pro, or in some comparable employment. He/she should work cooperatively with CATA to promote, grow and develop tennis in the Capital Area.

Player of the Year

These awards are given to a male and female tennis player at the OPEN, SENIOR, and RISING STAR levels, for outstanding play.
OPEN: Recipients aged 19-54 who are highly ranked, statewide or nationally, in their skill or age division.
SENIOR: Recipients aged 55+ who are actively engaged in USTA leagues and/or tournaments.

Partner/Sponsor of the Year

This award is selected by the CATA Awards Committee and given to a business or organization which has partnered with CATA by sponsoring or conducting events and/or programs that contribute to the growth and development of tennis in the Capital Area.

Captain of the Year

This award is given to captains who exemplify outstanding leadership through their contributions as the captain of a league team. These individuals are responsible, respectful of others, knowledgeable about and followers of league rules, good communicators with their team and with CATA, and promoters of fair play for the betterment and furtherance of an enjoyable league play experience.

Family of the Year

This award is given to a family who resides in the Capital Area and whose members have made valuable contributions to the growth and development of tennis. The family represents the development and promotion of tennis on and off the court on a local, state or national level. The recipient of this award is then nominated for the USTA Texas Section Family of the Year Award.

Volunteer of the Year

This award is selected by the CATA Awards Committee and is given to an individual or individuals who have made valuable contributions to CATA through volunteer work during the year in which the award is given.

CATA Inspirational Award

This award is given to an individual or individuals who inspires the desire of tennis in others.

CATA Dedication to Tennis Award

This award is given to an individual or individuals who contribute to the success of tennis through promotion of tournaments, league play, or events that encourage tennis in the CATA footprint.

Carol Welder Contribution to Tennis Award

This award is selected by the CATA Awards Committee and given to the outstanding individual who is widely known to devote numerous voluntary hours, time and energy to the growth of tennis at all levels and is recognized by their tennis community for their exceptional and selfless dedication and devotion to tennis.