Playing Tennis Gainesville coaches George Henry and Ken Collins led on-court activities and helped the children build their basic skills through games and exercises designed to make learning tennis exciting and accessible. Both coaches also participated in a question and answer session, where they answered questions not only about tennis, but also about life, leadership and pursuing goals. Their mentorship and enthusiasm helped instill confidence and curiosity in the young participants, many of whom were trying tennis for the first time.
In addition to the fun on the field, the day carried a strong message of community support and giving back. The Jack and Jill department collected and donated socks ACES on the movea Gainesville-based National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) chapter dedicated to empowering youth through tennis, education and character development. The donation was a thoughtful way to connect two young people and serve organizations that share the same vision: helping children build stronger futures through positive opportunities.
The success of this joint event demonstrated the shared commitment of both USTA Florida and Jack and Jill of America, Inc. to grow the game while strengthening communities. Looking ahead, USTA Florida is exploring future partnerships with the chapter through its AMPLIFY Initiative, which focuses on expanding tennis access and representation for Black communities across the state.
Together, these efforts represent the core of USTA Florida’s mission to make tennis available to all and promote fun, friendship and lifelong skills both on and off the court. Visit for more information ustaflorida.com/amplify.
#USTA #Florida #partners #Jack #Jill #America #tennis #fun #Gainesville #USTA #Florida