.png)
Back on the Courts This Fall!
Youth Tennis San Diego is proudly back on the courts this fall, bringing the joy, energy, and fun of tennis to communities throughout San Diego—from San Ysidro and Barrio Logan to Clairemont, Tierrasanta, Point Loma, and beyond. With more than 50 low-cost community programs taking place at parks, recreation centers, schools, and the Barnes Tennis Center, hundreds of local youth are stepping back onto the courts, picking up their rackets, reconnecting with friends, and discovering just how much fun tennis can be.
For many of our players, these programs provide their very first opportunity to pick up a racket. Through our signature After School Tennis program, generously supported by our original program founder, Kathy Chabot Willette, young players join us on the courts to learn the fundamentals, rally with new friends, and begin to realize just how much they are capable of.
What starts with learning how to hold a racket, hit a forehand, or keep a rally going can become so much more—a sport they love, friendships that grow, mentors who believe in them, and a place where they feel like they belong.
And for some young players, that first experience on the court can open the door to a dream they had never imagined before. Maybe they dream of making their high school team. Maybe they dream of playing tennis in college. Maybe they dream of becoming a professional tennis player. We don't know where every journey will lead—and that's the beautiful part. We simply believe every child deserves the opportunity to dream big, have fun, and see where their potential might take them.
We have seen children who once hesitated to step onto the court begin to believe in themselves and take pride in saying, “I am a tennis player!” Those moments are especially meaningful in communities such as City Heights, Barrio Logan, and the South Bay, where access to organized sports can sometimes be limited by cost. Our programs are offered at an extremely low cost—often just $1 per lesson or completely free—helping remove financial barriers and giving more children the opportunity to experience all that tennis can offer.
But access is only the beginning. Once a child steps onto the court, the relationships they build and the lessons they learn can stay with them for years to come.
As Kathy Willette so beautifully reminds us, our After School Tennis Programs have always been about so much more than learning to play tennis. Through the constant care, encouragement, and nurturing of our community coaches, children learn what Kathy calls “the more important things in life.” They learn the strokes, footwork, scoring, and strategies of the game—but they also learn respect, fairness, kindness, resilience, and how to support others.
These are the lessons that make the game meaningful, and they are often the lessons that stay with our youth long after they leave the court.
This fall, Youth Tennis San Diego is taking that commitment one step further with a new initiative designed to support young athletes not only as tennis players, but as young people preparing for their futures.
Eight players from our programs have recently been welcomed into our Serving the Future Scholars Cohort, an initiative created to deepen the impact of Youth Tennis San Diego and provide additional opportunities for growth both on and off the court. Each scholar brings their own story, goals, and dreams, and through the cohort, they’ll receive opportunities and resources to continue developing as both tennis players and young people.
Support includes private lesson opportunities, tournament fees, equipment, and other tennis-related expenses that can add up quickly for families pursuing competitive tennis. But the cohort is designed to provide more than financial support. It is about creating a team around these young athletes—a group of peers who understand the hard work, challenges, and excitement that come with pursuing their goals.
They’ll celebrate each other’s accomplishments, encourage one another through setbacks, and grow together throughout their journeys. Because sometimes, what a young person needs most isn’t another lesson. It’s someone in their corner, a team beside them, and the opportunity to keep moving forward.
That spirit is at the heart of the Serving the Future Scholars Cohort, and it reflects the larger vision behind all of our community youth programs. When we invest in our youth, we are investing in more than the next generation of tennis players. We are helping young people discover their potential, recognize their value, and see possibilities for a future they may not have imagined before.
And for us, that is the real impact of tennis.
No matter where you live, where you play, or where your tennis journey begins, we hope every young person in our programs knows they are capable of more than they ever imagined.
Believe in yourself. Dream BIG. Keep showing up. And discover just how far you can go!
This fall, we’re excited to keep doing just that—one lesson, one rally, one new friendship, and one young player at a time. The courts are full, the rackets are out, and a new season of possibilities has begun—and we can’t wait to see where this fall takes our players!
To learn more about our community programs or register for upcoming sessions, visit our After School Tennis programs.
💛 We Can’t Do This Without You
Every day, YTSD brings tennis, mentorship, and educational support to children who need it most, at no cost to their families. These programs aren’t just about sport. They’re about building confidence, character, and opportunity. But none of it is possible without the generosity of supporters like you.
🌟 Ways to Give and Make an Immediate Impact
Site Sponsor – $10,000
Fully fund a YTSD program site for an entire year, impacting dozens of youth with consistent instruction, equipment, and academic support.
Session Sponsor – $5,000
Sponsor a 10–12 week season of tennis and life skills training for 20 children in an under-resourced community.
Scholarship Sponsor – $1,000
Give one child a full year of tennis coaching, tutoring, and equipment, opening doors to lasting transformation.
General Sponsor – $1–$999
Every gift counts. Your donation helps provide the gear, books, and resources that make our mission real for every student.
🎾 Your Support Changes Lives
When you give, you’re not just donating, you’re investing in healthier kids, stronger communities, and brighter futures.
👉 Donate Now and help us continue serving the youth who need us most. Your support will be proudly recognized at our facility and on our website!
