The Prince George’s Tennis & Education Foundation (PGTEF), located in Upper Marlboro, Md., was founded in 1993 with a $300 USTA grant. “We started with a summer weekly clinic for less than a dozen kids,” recalled executive director Brenda Gilmore.

 

With its mission to develop and deliver academic, athletic and life skills programs that foster confidence and achievement in the classroom, on the court and in life, PGTEF has since expanded to a year-round organization that includes in-school and after-school programs, academic and enrichment programs, JTT teams and even adult teams for parents.

 

The foundation introduces tennis in school to about 2,000 kids each year. Serving a predominantly African-American community, it works with kids ranging in age from 5-18. The program has three main components:

 

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The Academy provides tennis instruction for all levels. There is a fee involved, but scholarships are offered based on need.

 

The Junior Outreach Program is a free program for at-risk and low-income boys and girls.

 

The College Preparation and Personal Development program is a free weekly offering that includes SAT prep, life skills education, college admission assistance and college scholarships for PGTEF high school students.

 

“The Prince George’s Tennis & Education Foundation has been able to introduce tennis to tens of thousands of youngsters, provide instruction for thousands and coach hundreds in preparation for JTT competition, USTA tournaments and collegiate tennis. There is no other CTA in this predominantly African-American county that has done this for so many county youth for this length of time.”

 

For more information about Prince George’s Tennis & Education, click here.