USTA Florida Hosts Advocacy Workshop to Empower Tennis Leaders in the Greater Volusia-Flagler Area

Workshop at Embry Riddle University unites tennis advocates to tackle challenges and grow the game in the region

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA., AUGUST 8, 2026 — USTA Florida brought its Advocacy Workshop series to the Greater Volusia-Flagler area on August 8, convening tennis leaders, facility operators and community advocates at Embry Riddle University for a full day of education, collaboration and strategic planning to grow the sport in the region. 

The workshop, led by USTA Florida President Chuck Gill, USTA Florida Board Member Trishna Patel and USTA Florida Board Member Tracy Almeda-Singian, was the second installment in the organization's expanding Advocacy Workshop series in 2026, following a successful event in Tampa earlier this year. 

The day opened with a welcome and introduction from Gill, who set the tone with a discussion on the importance of working together to grow the game. An icebreaker and synergy exercise led by Almeda-Singian helped attendees connect and identify shared goals across their local tennis communities. 

“Advocacy does not come from a national or regional office,” Gill said. “Advocacy is the relationship that each of you builds and makes with the people in your community. Advocacy happens locally.” 

Brad West, USTA Florida Business Intelligence Manager, followed with a presentation on Greater Volusia-Flagler Tennis Data Insights, with a focus on the underutilization of tennis facilities in the region. The data provided attendees with a clear picture of the opportunity to grow participation and maximize the use of existing courts. 

The morning's centerpiece was a panel discussion talking about growing the game together and tackling tennis' biggest challenges," moderated by USTA Florida Executive Director Laura Bowen. Dana Andrews, former USTA Florida President and advocate, and Chris Wollette, Bethune-Cookman University Women’s Tennis Head Coach, shared perspectives on the obstacles facing public tennis and strategies for overcoming them at the local level. 

Later on, Jaret Kappelman, Manager of Public Relations & Communications, sat down with Wendy Tatum, Tennis & Pickleball Director at Palm Beach Gardens Tennis & Pickleball Center, for an exclusive one-on-one interview. The conversation focused on creating thriving public tennis centers in today's environment, offering practical insight into what it takes to build and sustain successful facilities at the community level. 

Trishna Patel then moderated the afternoon's second panel discussion focused on connecting campuses and communities through tennis, which explored how colleges, universities and local communities can partner to expand access to the sport and create opportunities that benefit both students and residents. 

Trish Riddell, Head Coach of Women's Tennis at Florida Southern College; Chris Nyholm, Director of Tennis at Hillsborough College; George Henry, Former Head Coach at Bethune-Cookman College; and Chad Berryhill, Women's Head Coach at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, talked about their experiences and how things can be improved moving forward. 

The day wrapped up with an activation exercise and community connections session. Attendees left with practical tools and renewed motivation to champion tennis across the Greater Volusia-Flagler area. 

The workshop reinforced USTA Florida's Big Bold Moves, the strategic framework driving tennis growth across the state: Best in Class Facilities and Providers, Business Insights and Analytics, and Volunteer System and Structure. As the third event in the series, the Volusia-Flagler workshop is another step in USTA Florida's continued mission to strengthen public tennis through education, collaboration and strategic advocacy, with plans to bring the program to more communities across the state. 

To learn more about USTA Florida's advocacy efforts or to get involved, visit ustaflorida.com/advocacy.