USTA Florida: Tennis is Community

As USTA Florida reflects on 2024, one message resonates clearly: it takes us all to grow the game of tennis. Volunteers, from grassroots coaches to board leaders, are the driving force behind the organization’s mission to expand opportunities across the state. Through a thoughtful framework of recruitment, development, and recognition, USTA Florida is creating a system to ensure volunteer contributions are valued and impactful. 

Building a Strong Volunteer Foundation 

At the heart of USTA Florida’s efforts are our local volunteers, forming the foundation of our volunteer force. These dedicated individuals, known as “Volunteer Aces,” play vital roles in their communities, coaching, organizing events, and advocating for tennis at the grassroots level. This includes local advocates, event support volunteers, volunteer coaches, and more. 

This year, the Community Coach program (CCP) made tremendous strides, deploying more trained volunteer coaches to grow tennis at the local level. Trainings included: 

• Red Ball Tennis: Engaging young players through beginner-friendly, age-appropriate formats. 
• High School Tennis: Supporting programs to help teens stay active and competitive. 
• Wheelchair Tennis: Expanding accessibility and inclusivity for players of all abilities. 

These efforts directly contribute to growing grassroots tennis by providing resources and opportunities that meet the needs of local players. This year, the CCP was extremely successful as 71 trainings were offered, resulting in 477 coaches trained. This included 248 men and 229 women.

USTA Florida also continued its Volunteer of the Month spotlights, showcasing individuals who go above and beyond, inspiring others to join the movement and support tennis in their communities. 

Nurturing Growth with Leadership and Advocacy 

The middle tier of USTA Florida’s volunteer pyramid is the Growth Pillar, which focuses on developing active section volunteers and equipping them with the tools to lead. 

A cornerstone of this effort is the Leadership Academy, which celebrated another year of graduating participants who are poised to become future leaders in Florida tennis. This provides comprehensive training, mentorship, and hands-on experiences to ensure volunteers are prepared for advanced roles. 

In 2024, USTA Florida launched an Advocacy Initiative to empower volunteers to be champions for tennis in their communities, which included: 

• A dedicated webpage offering resources, tips, and strategies for advocacy. 
• Practical approaches to engage local stakeholders, such as park officials, school administrators, and community leaders. 
• Workshops that helped volunteers understand how to advocate for funding, programs, and facilities 

This initiative is a critical step toward creating a sustainable future for tennis, ensuring that local voices are heard and supported. 

Leading the Charge for the Future of Tennis 

At the top of the volunteer pyramid is the Leadership Pillar, consisting of committees and board members who provide strategic direction. 

This year marked a leadership transition for USTA Florida, as a new group of committee chairs and board members were appointed to guide the organization. These motivated volunteers bring fresh perspectives and forward thinking as USTA Florida is committed to growing tennis in Florida. 

USTA Florida also strives to ensure that volunteers are getting the recognition they deserve. Section Awards and Hall of Fame inductions are one of many ways that USTA Florida ensures that volunteers know they are valued and key to advancing the sport. These awards not only honor past achievements but also inspire future generations to step into leadership roles. 

USTA Florida’s strategic approach to volunteer engagement shows that individuals at every level have the support, resources, and recognition they need to succeed. By focusing on advocacy, fundraising, community coaching, and event support, the organization is building a pipeline of diverse volunteers who are ready to meet the challenges of today’s tennis landscape. 

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Written by: Jaret Kappelman, Marketing & Communications Coordinator for USTA Florida. Be sure to check out USTA Florida, the governing body of amateur tennis in Florida, offering tennis programs for all ages and ability levels. Photos courtesy of USTA Florida.