Omaha Tennis Buddies adaptive event offers coaching, connection

Close to 40 athletes came to a tennis clinic last month at Miracle Hill Golf & Tennis Center in Omaha hosted by Omaha Tennis Buddies.

The organization has grown so much since it started in 2005 that members are always looking for strategies on how to accommodate the growing numbers.

“We were looking for some new ideas and how to handle larger groups,” said Nancy Samson, Omaha Tennis Buddies head of delegation. “We went from seven athletes (in 2005) to around 60, and that’s a large jump.”

Vince Schmidt, one of the organizers of the Jensen-Schmidt Tennis Academy (JSTA), came to Omaha on July 14 and demonstrated some drills for the adaptive tennis athletes. The athlete training was preceded by a coaches training session.

Schmidt has been a tennis pro for more than 30 years, and the Jensen-Schmidt Tennis Academy visits locations around the nation.

Last year, the JSTA frequented St. Louis. Samson said the JSTA organizes events like this for athletes, volunteers and coaches throughout the year.

“Whenever we can come up with something, we have these activities,” Samson said. “It gives them an opportunity to interact with each other and make friends.”

Samson added Omaha Tennis Buddies, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, is always in need of volunteers. If individuals would like to donate their time they can contact her at tenn122177@aol.com.

“These athletes play tennis for the pure love of the game,” she said.

Learn more about the Tennis Buddies programs throughout Nebraska by clicking here.