How Play Academy is changing the game in Florida communities

Ryan Harry was just a 14-year-old kid cleaning courts at a country club when he realized tennis was more than just a sport—it was a way of life. "When I punched out, I would hit with the old guys at the club," he recalls. "That’s how I fell in love with tennis." Fast forward nearly three decades, and Ryan is now the CEO of Play Academy, a company dedicated to bringing racquet sports and fitness programs to communities across Florida.

Photo credit: Play Academy

Growing up in Fort Myers and later Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Ryan was a multi-sport athlete, but tennis always stood out. "I loved all sports, but tennis really got me because of all the roles you play on the court," he explains. "It’s a thinking sport, and that’s what attracted me to coaching, too. It’s not just about technique—it’s about guiding someone through different facets of the game and life." 

Ryan's journey took him from a country club court cleaner to the Director of Tennis at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island. "I worked under Todd Martin, who I was a huge fan of growing up," he says. "That was a dream job, but I knew I wanted to create something different—something for the communities, not just elite clubs."

That vision led him to Florida, where he noticed something peculiar. "I’d visit my friend in Wellington and see these beautiful courts—immaculate spaces—but no one was playing," he says. "No programs, no coaching, nothing. And I thought, ‘This could be so much more.’ That’s how Play Academy started. It wasn’t a business idea at first—it was a passion project. But it turned out, people wanted it."

Photo credit: Play Academy

At first, Play Academy focused solely on tennis, but it quickly expanded. "We brought in pickleball because communities love it, and it aligns with our goal of bringing people together," he explains. "Then, we started getting requests for Yoga, Zumba, Pilates, and summer camps."

The rise of pickleball has been impossible to ignore, and Ryan believes tennis can learn from it. "Pickleball is easy to start and super social. Tennis is more complex, and that’s why we need structured open play," he says. "Imagine if, at a community court, there was a designated open play time where players of similar levels could just show up and mix in, like they do in pickleball. That’s how you build engagement."

Photo credit: Play Academy

Padel is another racquet sport making waves, and Ryan sees it as part of a larger trend. "Whether it’s tennis, pickleball, or padel, they all contribute to an active, social lifestyle," he says. "Studies show playing a racquet sport can add nine and a half years to your life. That’s huge! I don’t care what’s in your hand—a racquet, a paddle—as long as you’re out there playing."

The impact of Play Academy is already being felt in Florida. "Courts used to be empty because no one was putting effort into them," he says. "Now, in our communities, we have kids learning the game, adults picking up racquets for the first time, and seniors staying active. The feedback is always the same: ‘Keep doing this.’"

Photo credit: Play Academy

And that’s exactly what Play Academy plans to do. "We’ll have almost 50 active communities by March and 100 by the end of summer," Harry says. "We’re a national company now, but Florida is our home base. It’s the perfect place to grow."

For Florida residents and HOAs looking to get involved, visit www.playmyhoa.com or contact info@playmyhoa.com.

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Written by Florida Tennis Associate Editor Osvaldo Godoy.