Portsmouth Tennis in the Parks Thrives in Local Community
PORTSMOUTH, NH - For the coaches on the public courts of Portsmouth, NH, teaching tennis is not about perfecting a forehand, it’s about building a community. Behind a Tennis in the Parks program that reached over 230 local players just last year, is a passionate team who put joy, health and connection above all else.
First piloted in Portland, ME in 2018, Tennis in the Parks brings affordable, beginner-friendly tennis to local community parks. Designed for both kids and adults, the program focuses on enabling participants to play tennis at their own level and have fun doing it
In a city with no public indoor courts and a tennis landscape largely dominated by private clubs, Portsmouth Tennis in the Parks began in 2020 as a single grouping of eight players. Now the program has grown into a multi-session powerhouse, running during spring, summer and fall and often accruing a waitlist.
According to Eric Driscoll, USTA New England Schools and Tennis in the Parks Manager, the program has already recorded 177 participants this year and could reach up to 300 players following the remaining summer and fall sessions.
The city has also adapted to local demographics to support continued involvement in tennis. With 40% of Portsmouth’s population aged 50 and older, the city’s recreation team and coaches have successfully rolled out New England Social Tennis Leagues for ages 60+ to keep older adults active and connected within their community.
A program, however, is only as good as the people behind it, and at the heart of the Portsmouth initiative is a group of four passionate women with ties to each other and the game that extend far beyond the court. Led by veteran instructor Daphne Rowe, who fellow coach Jill White calls their “fearless leader,” the team prioritizes inclusion, mental well-being and social connection.
Rowe, a full-time tennis pro, has been coaching various sports since she was 17. She decided to get involved with Tennis in the Parks because of its focus on accessibility.
“It’s a brilliant way to get regular people doing something they love in an inexpensive way,” Rowe said. “Tennis has brought a lot to my life. I figured I’d give back and help other people experience that too."
Rowe now teaches adult sessions alongside Abigail Mayrand, her former student and the newest Portsmouth Tennis in the Parks coach.
Mayrand was a Tennis in the Parks student for four seasons while also playing in the New England Social Tennis League before Rowe encouraged her to try her hand at coaching.
Beginning coaching this spring, she now helps adult players find joy in the sport. She notes the brilliance of the program’s structure.
“It seemed so seamless as a player, you didn’t realize you were moving through such a systematic method,” Mayrand said. “Now that I’m seeing this side of it, I’m realizing it is so genius.”
Guiding players through a clear pathway, the Tennis in the Parks program includes “Learn to Play” programs for beginner participants, “Practice and Play” sessions as players develop, “Matchup and Play” and eventually encourages those interested to join local social leagues.
Daphne Rowe is one of four female coaches leading Tennis in the Parks in Portsmouth.
“The success is residual,” Mayrand said. “The people are coming back and word of mouth is growing."
On the youth side, Jill White, a former English teacher of 17 years, leads the charge. White joined the team to combine her passion for teaching with a lifelong love of the sport passed down from her dad.
“It’s a great way to give back, but it’s also very rewarding,” White said. “I want to spread the love of tennis because tennis has improved and impacted my life in so many ways with the people I have met and the community I have.”
White coaches alongside her close friend Jackie Brousseau, a unique dynamic adding fun and friendship to the court. Convinced to join the program by White, Brousseau enjoys seeing her players make connections as they learn to play. For her, the court offers something deeper than athletic training.
“The Tennis in the Parks vibe is one of inclusion,” Brousseau said. “In an era where mental health is in a crisis, we have an opportunity to offer joy, fresh air, exercise, social interactions and confidence building.”
Supporting the coaches’ enthusiasm in the success of the program is a strong local foundation centered in strategic facility management. By leveraging the local outdoor athletic complex and the newly renovated high school courts during the summer, the city has laid the groundwork for growth.
“Tennis is thriving here in Portsmouth,” said Brinn Sullivan, Assistant Director at Portsmouth Recreation and Senior Services. “With the proper infrastructure, we’ve been able to grow the program. But I’m going to say the success of the program comes from having a collaborative spirit between the rec department and the program.”
Portsmouth Tennis in the Parks participants in the 2025 Halloween parade.
According to Sullivan, the partnership is remarkably fluid. When a session fills up, Sullivan works quickly with Eric Driscoll and the coaching staff to expand capacity. Quick communication and the coaches’ willingness to step up help to ensure tennis is accessible to anyone with a desire to play in Portsmouth.
“It’s key to have the right people,” Driscoll said. “We couldn’t run this program without everybody together.”
Both the strong organizational support and passion of the coaching team pave the way for this Tennis in the Parks program to focus on connections beyond the court.
Portsmouth has successfully built a widespread community network with players organizing neighborhood group chats, coordinating weekend activities, and even marching in the city’s annual Halloween parade as “tennis zombies.”
As emphasized by the coaching team, Portsmouth Tennis in the Parks’ success is not measured by perfect serves.
“We watch as the players make connections with one another, we watch as their confidence blossoms, we watch as everyone benefits from fresh air and exercise, and most importantly we watch as they laugh and smile,” Brousseau said. “Those are true successes.”
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