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Kyle Hejmowski strongly believes one of the best ways to get into a sport is through a parent or family member who passes it down.

Recognizing that not every child has that opportunity, Hejmowski founded a free tennis club at Archangel Gabriel Catholic School, in Mckees Rocks, Pa. The program gives students in first through fifth grade a chance to learn the game in an accessible, low-pressure setting.

The idea is rooted in his own experience growing up around tennis in Buffalo N.Y., where he took part in the free Lancaster Recreation tennis program as a child. The program still exists today, and it showed him the lasting impact accessible community tennis can have on young kids.

Kyle pictured on the right

“I strongly believe in Billie Jean King’s vision of making sports available to all children, regardless of background or financial circumstances,” Hejmowski said. “Tennis grows when it is introduced to families and communities, and I hope this program can serve as a model.”

Believed to be the first of its kind within the local Catholic diocese, the tennis club received support from USTA Middle States Community Tennis Manager, Kelle Cunningham, who helped provide Archangel Gabriel Catholic School with racquets, mini nets, tennis balls and a $500 grant to help introduce the game to young players.

"Talking to Kyle and learning that this is the type of program where he started playing, I knew that it would be a successful way for the kids to be introduced to tennis,” Cunningham said. “I am excited to keep supporting this program in the future.”

The program ran every Sunday from the end of March through mid-May. While parents were grateful for the opportunity, the students' enthusiasm left the greatest impression.

Now, he hopes his club can continue to inspire children beyond Archangel Gabriel Catholic School. Seeing the program come together was rewarding, but Hejmowski is already thinking about what comes next.

One of his goals is to encourage other schools in the diocese to start similar clubs, with the possibility of creating a league where students can compete against one another. Hejmowski hopes to connect with tennis companies for additional equipment and gear, and pursue another grant to add wind screens to the court. For now, one plan is already clear: he wants to run the program again next spring.

Bringing the program back means another chance to introduce kids to a sport they may not have found on their own. For Hejmowski, the most rewarding part of the program’s first year was watching those unexpected connections with the sport begin to form and he’s eager to continue the program again soon.

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