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.