You Make Tennis Happen
Tennis is bigger than all of us. Which is why we’re all about people that grow their tennis communities, every single day.
You Make Tennis Happen
Meet some of the people that improve their tennis communities everyday
LEONORA KING
Located in Detroit, the Palmer Park Tennis Academy is attended by over 100 kids a year. It was founded by former collegiate tennis star and local hero Leonora King — who returned to the area to bring the game that’s given her so much, to the place she calls home.
Focused on creating a healthy, vibrant, tennis-centered community, the PPTA has its sights on rebuilding Palmer Park and the City of Detroit through the power of the sport. Widely successful and popular, the organization is a model for growing the game and changing lives, one racquet at a time.
DANICE BROWN
Danice Brown of Beaverton, Oregon, believes tennis changes lives — and that it should be accessible to everyone, from every background. This belief, combined with her deep experience in early childhood education, allowed her to transform the Portland Tennis & Education (PT&E) into a thriving youth organization in the Pacific Northwest.
Serving as executive director, Brown made education the organizational cornerstone of PT&E, expanding the NJTL’s reach in the local community. Under her direction, 100 percent of high school student-athletes at PT&E graduated on time, and attended college.
Her love, passion, and dedication to bringing tennis and education to all make her a hero to hundreds of kids. And us too, obviously.
LOB-STARS
For over 22 years, the Lob-Stars organization has been changing lives through tennis. Based at the YMCA in South Shore Massachusetts, it serves athletes with intellectual disabilities ranging from the ages of 16 to 65. At weekly tennis clinics held all year round, Lob-Star members work on basic tennis skills, as well as short-court and full-court doubles and singles play.
Athletes travel to compete in tournaments all over the country, making friends and winning medals wherever they go. Traveling with the team teaches players independence, and provides opportunities to play, practice, and grow in all new ways. Keep an eye out for a Lob-Stars tournament near you.
DR. MICHAEL COTTINGHAM
As a wheelchair tennis player himself, Dr. Cottingham’s experience, expertise, and passion for the sport is remarkable. Over a 20-plus year career, he’s worked with countless wheelchair tennis players, connecting with athletes and growing the game at the local level. He’s also started wheelchair tennis programs at both the University of Arizona and the University of Houston, and hosts a long-standing tournament in Houston to draw more people into the game.
Over two decades, Dr. Cottingham has made a huge impact on wheelchair tennis, and is an inspirational, accessible leader in the community. And as if that wasn’t enough, he also had a top 10 US singles wheelchair tennis ranking in 1999.
AMANI AND AYANNA SHAH
Youth-run nonprofit Second Serve is dedicated to bringing underprivileged kids who love tennis the equipment they need to play. Founded by the Shah sisters in San Diego, the organization donates to many low income communities around the US. But their impact doesn’t stop there — with donations reaching Uganda, China, Mexico, India, Argentina, Nigeria, Rwanda, Haiti, Ethiopia, Chile, Scotland, and Zimbabwe, to name a few.
And the team keeps on growing. Second Serve boasts 75 young leaders, all between the ages of 12 and 17. Between them, they support nearly 50 donation dropoff locations throughout the US. And they’re just getting started.
Tennis Is For Everyone
Anyone can tennis. And we’re here to help you have the most fun possible at whatever level your game is at.