NJTL Network: Sharing Our Stories - Tennis Central

Tennis Central

A little more than 50 years ago, Lancaster Tennis Patrons Association (LTPA) was born. Roughly eight years ago, the organization had a name change, becoming Tennis Central.

But no matter what you call this thriving National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) chapter, one thing is abundantly clear: it has spent the last five-plus decades changing lives for the better. 

Founded by former USTA President Judy Levering and now led by Executive Director Delaine Mast, Tennis Central continues to stay true to its mission: serving up opportunities to strengthen the community through tennis and education. 

“We are a family at Tennis Central,” said Jade Flores, a member of Tennis Central’s Leadership Team, Game Changers. “We support each other.”

Tennis Central, the 2024 Middle States NJTL of the Year, provides tennis and education throughout the Lancaster School District, including 16 elementary schools, five middle schools and two high schools. Tennis Central reaches nearly 2,000 of those students each year. 

Its impact also stretches to The Mix at Arbor Place, a youth development center located in Southeast Lancaster, dedicated to enriching the lives of youth and families, and programming at the newly resurfaced McCaskey High School tennis courts.

As is common with tennis, it is so much more than just a court, ball, and racquet. Tennis is about connection, and Tennis Central creates a family atmosphere that focuses on building character, giving back to the community, practicing healthy habits and supporting one another. 

“Tennis contributes many pleasures and life lessons to a person’s well-being,” said Levering, who founded the organization in 1972. “Most tennis players have a desire to share their love of the sport with others, making it possible for volunteer-based groups not only to introduce the sport but at the same time help young people focus on their education.”

Levering’s foresight and dedication to fostering a love of tennis and community continues with Mast at the helm. 

Mast recently celebrated 39 years with Tennis Central and with the varsity boys’ and girls’ tennis coach at J.P. McCaskey High School, but her impact in the tennis world began long before. Mast’s involvement with tennis extends across multiple facets, including playing and coaching college tennis, becoming a Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) International Master Professional, and more. 

Over the years, Mast received many honors for her work, with recognition like the USTA Eve Kraft Community Service Award, the International Tennis Hall of Fame Educational Merit Award, Middle States Tennis Hall of Fame Inductee, USTA Family of the Year and Tennis Industry High School Coach of the Year, among others.

“Tennis Central brings tennis and education together to change lives,” said Renée Bridges, USTA Middle States’ Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. “It provides community service, leadership opportunities to high school youth as well as thousands of dollars in college scholarships each year. Middle States is better for having Tennis Central as one of our NJTL chapters.” 

Mast has dedicated her life to the sport of tennis and to the youth and their families at Tennis Central. Tennis gave her roots, family, community, and emboldened her already-lit flame of volunteerism. 

“I moved around a lot as a kid — a lot of different houses and schools,” Mast said. “When I got to Lancaster, I was happy to put down roots, I wanted to build a community.”

Shaub was one of the first to help kick-start Tennis Central’s Leadership Team. She used her experience of community-oriented leadership projects, an internship with a Tennis Central sponsor and leadership courses to forge her path at Penn State Harrisburg. 

As a freshman, she became President of the university's Cyber Club, leading to a future opportunity interning with the Federal Government in cybersecurity. 

“Now with job interviews, I talk about my time on the Leadership Team. It is definitely a resumé booster,” Shaub said. “I talk about how Tennis Central really helped prepare me to take on a leadership role at Penn State Harrisburg and in my life.” 

She now enters her senior year and final season playing on the varsity tennis team, while continuing her love of teaching tennis by becoming a PTR-certified tennis coach. 

“What I love the most about Tennis Central is how it gives back to the community,” said Flores, an honor roll student at Conestoga. “It gives younger kids more opportunities like the one I had. And in a world where other kids, like me, wouldn’t really have that opportunity, Tennis Central provides it. I think that’s really special.”

Raised by a single mother, Flores continues to make her mom and Mast very proud. Flores has evolved and grown with Tennis Central. She started in the Aces program and now finds herself helping coach it. She is also a member of the Leadership Team, Game Changers, where she volunteers and takes leadership classes. 

“I’m involved in every aspect of Tennis Central and I wouldn’t have it any other way,” she said. “Tennis Central has helped me as a person, not just a tennis player. I feel like I wouldn’t be the kind of person I am now if it weren’t for that program and I am very grateful for it.”