Celebrating the summer with RULA!
- lvosburgh
- Jun 2
- 2 min read
Youth Tennis San Diego proudly partnered with the Rise Up Leadership Academy (RULA) this school year! To celebrate an incredible year of growth, teamwork, and tennis, we wrapped up with a well-deserved field trip to Barnes Tennis Center and Belmont Park - a celebration of tennis, teamwork, friendship, FUN—and the perfect kickoff to SUMMER!
Rise Up Leadership Academy (RULA) is a dynamic, year-round community program dedicated to providing a safe and engaging space for youth to thrive. Launched in August 2024 in partnership with Rosa Parks Elementary and the City Heights – Urban Village Recreation Center, RULA began with a cohort of twenty-four 5th graders and is committed to walking alongside these students all the way through high school graduation—adding a new cohort of 5th graders each year.
This inspiring initiative, developed in collaboration with San Diego Unified School District, focuses on empowering “at-risk” youth through strong community involvement and the transformative power of sports. As part of this mission, Youth Tennis San Diego proudly offers FREE weekly tennis lessons to all RULA participants—building confidence, character, and a love for the game!
Each week, RULA students work with our Youth Tennis San Diego (YTSD) coaches on the community courts at the Urban Village. The weekly sessions included fitness, tennis drills, and rally play. In addition, all students are invited to participate in our FREE weekend community tournaments at the Urban Village Rec - like Luis, pictured left, who proudly took home a trophy this year!
RULA Director Mike Lucero shares,
“This partnership with YTSD has been incredibly beneficial for the children, offering them both a fun and challenging opportunity to learn a new sport. The excitement they find in mastering new skills has led them to play tennis during their free time, and they continue to improve as a result. Each lesson brings fresh challenges, and the children eagerly look forward to what’s next.”
To cap off a successful program year and to celebrate everyone's hard work on the tennis courts, YTSD proudly sponsored a special summer field trip for all RULA participants! On Saturday, May 31st, students and coaches visited the Barnes Tennis Center for a morning of games, drills, and match play, followed by a pizza lunch! The fun continued at Belmont Park, where each child received a ride wristband for an unforgettable afternoon of roller coasters, games, and beachside fun.!
Congratulations to all the RULA participants and Rosa Parks 5th grade graduates!
Youth Tennis San Diego is incredibly proud of each and every student and is excited to keep the momentum going next school year—with two cohorts: our rising 6th graders at Clark Middle School and a brand-new class of 5th graders at Rosa Parks Elementary. Here’s to tennis, teamwork, and a fantastic summer ahead!
Learn more about RULA: https://riseupindustries.org/rula/
