AST Comes to Clark Middle School

At Youth Tennis San Diego (YTSD), we're always looking for new locations to share the joy and benefits of tennis to communities across San Diego. That’s why we’re thrilled to introduce our newest After-School Tennis (AST) program location at Clark Middle School, located in the City Heights neighborhood. Dedicated community instructors - Ian Chain and Sam Eckenburgh, are transforming an everyday blacktop into a space of learning, movement, and fun! Using portable tennis nets, the school’s blacktop area has been transformed into a fully functional tennis space.

We believe that every child deserves a chance to play—no matter their background, experience level, or access to resources. One of the things we’re most proud of is that the program is completely free to all participants. Through funding provided by our YTSD supporters, students have access to:

• All necessary tennis equipment

• Experienced, caring instructors

• Weekly tennis lessons onsite at Clark MS and offsite at the Urban Village Recreation Center

At its core, our AST program isn’t just about tennis. It’s about helping students develop skills that extend far beyond the court. Through engaging drills, team games, and one-on-one coaching, kids learn:

• The fundamentals of tennis

• How to set and achieve goals

• Confidence, sportsmanship, and resilience

Most importantly, we aim to instill a lifelong love of the sport—something that can stay with them long after the school bell rings, and hopefully, into their upcoming high school years.

Youth Tennis San Diego is proud to serve local San Diego neighborhoods like City Heights, through programs that put kids first, promote healthy lifestyles, and build stronger communities—one swing at a time. We couldn’t do this without our INCREDIBLE supporters and AMAZING team of instructors, who show up every day with energy, patience, and passion. Their commitment to making a difference shines through in every serve, rally, and encouraging word. THANK YOU to everyone who helps us share the joy of tennis with our community youth, each and every day!