It’s evident that USTA Florida has made remarkable strides in fostering the next generation of tennis coaches through the innovative Community Coach Program. This initiative has not only redefined the coaching landscape but also has been serving as the foundation for creating new coaches across the state.
Building Our Tennis Farm-System: A Year of Growth
The USTA Florida CCP now offers trainings for wheelchair tennis!
The Community Coach Program was created back in 2021 with the goal to tackle the boom in players and lack of coaches for these new tennis participants. Now described as the farm-system for tennis coaching, the program has been at the forefront of USTA Florida’s mission to revolutionize tennis at the grassroots level.
In the past year alone, the program witnessed incredible growth, delivering a more than 30 training sessions. These sessions, catering to various ages and skill levels, have had great participation across different types of classes, showcasing the program’s versatility and wide-reaching impact.
In total, 200 soon-to-be coaches took part in Orange/Green Ball, Summer Camp, Wheelchair tennis, Adult Beginner, and USTA Level 1 workshops.
According to a study, just around 40% of all tennis coaches are female, and USTA Florida faced the challenge of closing that gap with determination. The organization piloted “All-Women Trainings” calling out to every woman, regardless of age or skill to get involved.
The All-Women Trainings were designed to encourage and empower female coaches, creating a more inclusive coaching community. USTA Florida hosted the first all-women training at the Billie Jean King Cup qualifier match earlier in April and it was such a success, the organization continued it throughout the year.
Another piloted section of the Community Coach program was introducing High School Curriculum courses. As the rise of junior players continued throughout the year and the high school season getting ready to begin in early 2024, USTA Florida aimed to train more people to be capable of coaching a high school tennis team.
2024 Expansion: Ambitious Goals and Widespread Impact
Looking ahead to 2024, the Community Coach Program is in a great spot to further its growth and reach new demographics. USTA Florida is aiming to recruit more than 20 community coach trainers to help deliver these sessions across the state.
Anyone is welcomed to come out and get involved in these trainings.
USTA Florida is committed to breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for underrepresented groups in the coaching space. 2023 was a successful year for the program, but in 2024, the organization is ready to reach new heights and get more coaches out on the courts!
For more information about how you can get involved with the program, visit ustaflorida.com/ccp and make a difference with us!
