NJTL Network: Sharing Our Stories - Greater Pottstown Tennis & Learning
USTA Middle States is continuing its content series, Sharing Our Stories, that celebrates the life-changing, positive impact that our local National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) network is making. Through human interest stories and spotlights, Sharing Our Stories will showcase many of the remarkable individuals and programs within our NJTL network who are following the USTA Foundation's mission of bringing tennis and education together to change lives.
For more information about the Middle States NJTL Network, please contact Renée Bridges, Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: bridges@ms.usta.com. For more information about donating to the USTA Foundation, please click here.
When Corey Bowlin joined Greater Pottstown Tennis & Learning (GPTL) as Executive Director in 2022, he not only brought more than 25 years of experience in the tennis industry, but also a vision for using the sport to strengthen lives and communities.
“We’re not just here to teach tennis,” Bowlin said. “We’re here to build confidence, create opportunities and give kids a place where they belong.”
GPTL, part of the USTA Foundation’s National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) network, was founded in 2012, evolving from the Greater Pottstown Tennis Association that began in 2002.
What started as a local tennis initiative has grown into a vibrant organization that combines athletics, academics and mentorship to help youth thrive on and off the court.
Under Bowlin’s leadership, GPTL has continued to expand its reach and reimagine what community-based tennis can look like.
Leading the on-court efforts is Head Tennis Professional Brandon Miller, whose history with GPTL stretches back almost a decade. Miller first volunteered as a junior coach in 2014 during a free 10 and Under (10U) summer camp and continued coaching throughout high school and college before taking on the Head Professional role in 2022.
Greater Pottstown Tennis & Learning Executive Director Corey Bowlin
“The most rewarding part of my job is introducing kids to tennis, especially to those who wouldn't normally have the means to play,” Miller said. “When we have programs in elementary schools and we get to see the look on a kid's face when they successfully hit that first shot over the net, it’s always a huge hit. Everyone looks forward to when we will get back into their schools.”
More than 1,000 Pottstown youth participate in free after-school tennis and learning programs, 100 under-resourced children are awarded scholarships each year, and more than 90 hours of free adaptive tennis programming is offered annually with the NJTL's Racquet Stars program.
And, most recently, participants of the NJTL are experiencing tennis in a more colorful way.
With the help of a USTA Tennis Venue Services grant, a Middle States Build it Forward grant, and working closely with the local Parks and Recreation Department, GPTL revitalized its Maple Street tennis courts into a blue and red tennis oasis. The reconstruction of these courts created a welcoming space for after-school programs, summer camps and adaptive tennis throughout the outdoor tennis season.
The impact that GPTL has on the community is more than aesthetic, it's measurable.
The NJTL’s programming spans red-ball beginners to high-school match play, while a STEAM-based partnership with the YWCA integrates hands-on science and technology learning.
“Education and tennis go hand in hand,” Bowlin said. “Every time a kid steps on the court, they’re learning discipline, teamwork and how to push through challenges. Those lessons carry over to every part of life.”
Bowlin’s vast experience as a teaching professional, director of tennis, and longtime volunteer with Special Olympics, has helped shape GPTL’s inclusive approach. His career has taken him from Palmas del Mar, the largest tennis facility in the Caribbean, to Frog Hollow Racquet Club in Lansdale, Pa., and now to a mission-driven role leading Greater Pottstown Tennis & Learning into its next chapter.
Through strong partnerships with local schools, community organizations and the USTA Foundation, GPTL continues to expand its reach across the region.
“Our goal is simple,” Bowlin said. “Use tennis as a bridge: to education, to confidence, to opportunity. The game is just the beginning.”
Grace Musser | Alumni
The positive influence of Greater Pottstown Tennis & Learning (GPTL) extends far beyond the court, carrying over into the lives of its alumni.
Grace Musser is a shining example of its lasting connection.
Musser, whose mom is a current member of the GPTL Board of Directors, first got involved with GPTL in the fourth grade. She was a dedicated participant for years and just recently graduated from high school. Today, she is a first-year student at Allegheny College, where she was recruited to play on the women’s tennis team.
“I first got involved with GPTL in 4th grade,” Musser recalls. “I had just started tennis and my parents were looking for programs around our area and that’s when one of our family friends had recommended GPTL to us. Ever since, I have loved it there.”
Even as a college athlete, Musser remains connected to the organization, returning during the summers to work at the camps and participate in advanced match play lessons. For her, the organization is about more than just the sport.
Musser credits the game with teaching her an essential life skill.
“From tennis I have gained a greater understanding of patience,” she says. “Greater Pottstown means working together to make Pottstown a better place and helping people have fun and get to know each other regardless of their backgrounds or situations.”
Taylor Maguire | Alumni
Like many success stories at Greater Pottstown Tennis & Learning (GPTL), Taylor Maguire’s journey started with a simple, free summer opportunity.
"I got involved with GPTL when I was 6. My mom signed me up for a free tennis summer camp because I was interested in playing," Taylor said. "I loved the camp and have been with GPTL ever since!"
Taylor is now a freshman at Shippensburg University, where she is majoring in Health Sciences, double minoring in music and public health, and competing on the women's tennis team. Even with a busy schedule, she still returns home to coach with GPTL, demonstrating the program’s lasting impact.
For Taylor, her years at GPTL didn’t just develop her tennis skills; they defined her future goals.
"Greater Pottstown means the world to me. Through GPTL, I discovered my passion for working with people with disabilities," she said. "Two years ago, I began coaching adaptive tennis, and it quickly became one of the most meaningful experiences of my life."
Working with players of all abilities taught her patience, creativity, and the importance of celebrating every achievement, inspiring her to pursue a future in advocacy and support for individuals with disabilities.
Taylor also emphasizes that her dual role as a player and coach has been instrumental in her growth.
"A life lesson tennis has taught me is that growth requires patience,” she said. “A life skill that coaching has taught me is adaptability."
Past Sharing Our Stories Spotlights:
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