Orange County’s Evan Sheffield named USTA Florida Tennis Volunteer of the Month

Tennis continues to be the fastest growing sport in the world and volunteers play a major part in helping the game stay on this trajectory. Volunteers are constantly going above and beyond in their communities to make sure everyone who experiences tennis walks away having had a positive experience. 

For April’s Volunteer of the Month, Evan Sheffield, it’s even greater to see someone at a young age level up his game and lead by example while out on the tennis courts. Evan is a senior in high school through the Florida Virtual School, and he loves the sport of tennis. 

Evan has been volunteering since we was in middle schools at 12 years old.

When he was four years old, Evan picked up a tennis racquet for the first time while in Australia. Since then, his life has been heavily influenced by the game we all love. When he was 12 years old and still in middle school, he started volunteering at the Gooding Todero Academy (GTA). 

“I like to volunteer in tennis because I am giving back what tennis gave me,” Evan said. Whether it has been watching, playing or volunteering, tennis has been a staple in his life and giving back is his way of thanking the game. 

One of his peers from GTA said Evan is one of a kind when it comes to volunteers. “At each volunteer opportunity, Evan showed respect, hard work, and good listening skills,” they said. “He demonstrated leadership skills as he got older that were of great assistance with training new volunteers.” 

Evan has spent numerous hours being a ball person and volunteer at pro, wheelchair, and Special Olympics events. 

Evan loves to give back to tennis as the sport has given so much to him.

When Evan isn’t playing tennis, you will find him studying as he wraps up his senior year of high school and prepares for the next chapter in his life. He also likes to work out and play other sports with his friends.  

USTA Florida is appreciative for everything Evan has done in Orange County and with the Gooding Todero Academy. Starting as a volunteer at 12 is very uncommon, but Evan has been a great leader in the community and helps make tennis a welcoming sport for all. 

Outstanding volunteers are recognized numerous ways for volunteering for tennis in Florida. The Volunteer of the Month Award is one way peers in their community can recognize people doing great work for tennis. Do you know someone who is making a difference in Florida tennis? You can nominate someone anytime to be awarded Volunteer of the Month kudos.    

Interested in volunteering in tennis? Visit www.USTAFlorida.com/Volunteers to learn more about available opportunities.