Local community helps make young tennis player’s dream a reality

While Ahmad’s previous training proved effective to that point, she craved more. She needed the addition of interaction and competition to motivate her against the best in New England.    

Shortly after her Sectionals run, New England tennis coach, Phil Parrish, who had worked with Amhad on-and-off over the years, introduced her to Laury Hammel, co-owner of the Longfellow Clubs in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Hammel took Ahmad under his wing, and both he and Parrish committed to training her full time, for free. 

“I trained almost every day with Laury and Phil. When it was me and my dad, it was just us out there, and this was a little more professional and I got to hit with other kids. It was more fun, especially because since they were all close with each other, I got to be a part of that. We did our best to push and motivate each other,” Ahmad said. 

She trained at Longfellow New Hampshire in Nashua. 

“Her dad did a great job, but it’s not a tennis program with other people to work out with,” Hammel said. “Oziera loves playing tennis and being with people who love playing tennis, and as soon as she jumped in, she started flourishing. She’s an exceptional athlete, but more importantly, she’s a really good learner. Playing every day against great competition is the kind of environment she thrives in.”

And it was shortly after, she was introduced to Advantage Kids, a National Junior Tennis and Learning chapter in New Hampshire that inspires thousands of kids every year through tennis and yoga.  

Since 2019, Oziera has been involved with Advantage Kids, which created ambassador and Excellence Programs for her to succeed both in a coach and player role. She has served as a volunteer mentor for a number of the students, engaging with them both on and off the court.  

“When we first met her, she was so humble that she wouldn’t come out of shell. We’d get one or two-word answers back and she was very shy, despite being a star on the court,” said Brittany Boles, Co-executive Director of Advantage Kids. “Through the ambassador program, we really put her on the spot. We said, ‘you’re a leader and an example to the kids.’” 

And that continued through the pandemic, where Ahmad truly shined. 

“I told her, ‘we’re in lockdown, so we’re going to need you to make training videos for the kids.’ So she did that, and through those opportunities she blossomed as a personality,” Boles added. “She went from one or two-word answers to now initiating conversations. She beams and has a presence on camera, and you can really feel her in a room.” 

“I love kids so much, and hanging out with them is just really fun for me. Watching them grow and seeing their improvements, it’s amazing that I could be part of the reason that they become what they are,” Ahmad said. “I respect coaches way more now. If I do become something in tennis someday, my success would be because of them and I would thank them all for that.” 

Advantage Kids has been vital in Ahmad’s competition and development, sponsoring many of her travel and event costs and providing a support system like no other. 

It all ultimately led to a life-changing opportunity Ahmad could only have dreamed of. Spearheaded by Advantage Kids Co-executive Directors Dawn Dragon and Brittany Boles and President Tim James, and in collaboration with a number of organizations including USTA New England, USTA New Hampshire and the USTA Foundation, Oziera was offered the opportunity to train full-time at the Greensboro Tennis Foundation in Greensboro, NC, an NJTL chapter and Excellence Program. 

Oziera trained and lived in North Carolina for the majority of the 2020 school year. She initially planned to stay for just the year, but after coming home to New Hampshire this past summer, she decided to return for a second year. 

"At first I thought to myself, 'do I actually want to do this? Would it be beneficial for me?' Initially I thought probably not because I wouldn’t be able to handle it myself, but then I thought about it and realized what a great opportunity it could be,” Ahmad said. “Turns out, I love the program. Everyone I’ve met so far has been great, had super positive vibes, and everyone is trying to help me do my best to succeed on a national level.”

She added, “To Advantage Kids, Laury, Phil, and everyone else that helped me along the way, I’m so appreciative and thankful for them. I have so many people supporting me, which sometimes can be hard, but it really makes me feel great, so I’m going with it and doing my best to succeed.”

“The thing that’s special about her, is she still has that humility piece all while she’s creating a presence about her that a star needs,” Boles said. “I do believe she has that and will take it far, and I like to think part of it has to do with being part of this organization.”

During various stints back home last spring, Oziera won both an L3 and L4 in the 16 and under division. She also reached the finals of the New England Junior Sectionals over the summer. 

And as for Ahmad’s dad, Oziee, he is still her number one supporter. And it’s because of his upbringing and support throughout her childhood that Ahmad is able to thrive in her new environment.  

“There are definitely times when I do miss him, but also times when I’m happy I’m away where I can be free to be myself,” Ahmad said. “I think because of all the experiences I’ve had, it’s much easier for me to be on my own and I really enjoy it now.”