National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL)
National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) chapters in Florida give kids free and low-cost access to tennis, academic support, and life skills, no matter their zip code or background. It is tennis with a bigger purpose, built on the vision of Arthur Ashe.
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What is NJTL?
National Junior Tennis and Learning, or NJTL, is a network of community-based nonprofit chapters that use tennis to change young lives. Florida NJTL chapters offer free or low-cost programming that pairs time on court with academic enrichment and life skills, reaching kids who might never pick up a racquet otherwise.
NJTL was founded in 1969 by tennis legend Arthur Ashe, along with Charlie Pasarell and Sheridan Snyder. They believed tennis could be far more than a sport: a way to teach character, open doors, and expand what is possible for young people, especially in under-resourced communities.
More than 50 years later, that vision still drives every chapter. In 2014, the NJTL network became part of the USTA Foundation, the national charitable arm of the USTA, strengthening its reach across the country and here in Florida.
Every Florida NJTL chapter is a little different, but the best ones blend three things:
Tennis. Fun, developmentally appropriate instruction and play for kids of all ages and abilities.
Education. After-school tutoring and academic enrichment that helps kids succeed in the classroom.
Life skills. A curriculum built around character, teamwork, leadership, and healthy habits.
It comes down to what Arthur Ashe knew all along: fun, fitness, and friends are the reasons kids fall in love with a sport, and those same things build the confidence to succeed off the court.
Why NJTL matters in Florida
USTA Florida’s mission is to promote and develop tennis for all, and the “for all” part is exactly what NJTL delivers. Tennis should be within reach of every Florida kid, regardless of income, background, or where they live.
That is not the reality everywhere yet. Access to courts and quality programming is uneven across the state’s 67 counties, and cost keeps many families on the sidelines. NJTL chapters close that gap, one community at a time, giving kids a place to belong and a reason to keep coming back.
Joining an NJTL chapter opens doors well beyond your local court. Through the USTA Foundation and its network, participants can access:
Scholarships that reward achievement on the court and in the classroom
The Arthur Ashe Essay Contest, a national writing contest for NJTL youth
Excellence Teams and leadership programs for standout participants
National and regional camps and rallies to play and connect with kids across the country
Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day at the US Open, one of the biggest days in youth tennis
Start an NJTL chapter in Florida
Do you run a nonprofit, park program, school, or community group that serves youth? Becoming an NJTL chapter connects your work to a national network and local Florida support. The path generally looks like this:
Chapters are nonprofit, youth-serving organizations that combine tennis with education and life skills.
We will help you understand requirements and connect you to the right resources.
NJTL chapters register with the USTA Foundation, the national home of the network.
Line up coaches, volunteers, court access, and an education component.
Apply for grants, insurance, training, and curriculum
Support for Florida chapters
NJTL runs on the generosity of people who believe every kid deserves a shot. The USTA Florida Section Foundation, our charitable arm, is dedicated to changing lives through tennis, and your support helps fund youth programs, equipment, and access for Florida kids who need it most.
- Grants. Funding from the USTA Foundation and the USTA Florida Section Foundation to launch and grow programs, including support for equipment, youth tennis, and after-school programming in under-resourced communities.
- Low-cost insurance. Quality liability and accident coverage at a low cost.
- Curriculum and training. Proven education and life-skills curriculum, plus coach and volunteer training.
- A statewide and national network. Connection to fellow chapters, USTA Florida staff, and the USTA Foundation.
Find a chapter near you
Ready to get your child on court? Florida NJTL chapters run in communities across the state, and most programming is free or low-cost.
| Current Florida NJTLs | City | Website | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Love Serving Autism | North Palm Beach | loveservingautism.org | Lisa Pugliese Click here to email |
| MaliVai Washington Kids Foundation, Inc. | Jacksonville | malwashington.com | Terri Florio Click here to email *Harrell Thomas |
| Posh Rock Tennis Foundation | Orlando | poshrockfoundation.org | Albert Richards |
| Gainesville Area Community Tennis Association, Inc. | Gainesville | Eric Lanham Click here to email *Coach Chaz | |
| Team Junior Tennis, Inc | Orlando area | Scott Thornton Click here to email | |
| Dennis Tennis Serving Love | Oakland Park | dennistennis.org | Dennis Quaye Click here to email |
| The Sarah Vande Berg Foundation | Zephyrhills | svbtennisfoundation.org | Nicholas Walton Click here to email |
| First Serve Miami, Inc. | Miami | firstservemiami.org | Angie Rivera Click here to email *James Champion |
| Venom Foundation, Inc | Tallahassee | venomfoundationinc.org | Jerrell Lowery Click here to email |
| Delray Beach Youth Tennis Foundation | Boynton Beach | delraytennisfoundation.org | Marieke Whitaker Click here to email |
| Footsteps Missions / H3 Sports | Orlando | h3-sports.org | Sidney Newcomb Click here to email |
| KAMP United | Delray Beach | kampunited.org | Typhani Ali Click here to email |
| Life Academy Inc | Apollo Beach | Tyler Sultenfuss Click here to email | |
| IF You Foundation Corp | Orlando | ifyoufoundation.org | Fernanda Pontes Click here to email |
| Team Success School of Excellence | Bradenton | Monika & Fredrick Spence Click here to email | |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County | Hobe Sound | bgcmartin.org | Louis Reyes Click here to email |
| The Sloane Stephens Foundation | Fort Lauderdale | sloanestephensfoundation.org | Sybil Smith Click here to email (Community Hub, NJTL in SoCal) |
Latest CTA / NJTL News
See all CTA / NJTL News
USTA Florida & Aces in Motion Team Up to Honor Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy
Two Florida NJTLs Part of USTA Community Impact Hub Program
MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation Recognized as National Junior Tennis & Learning Chapter of the Year
Inside Florida Tennis: Two Floridians Named NJTL National Essay Winners
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About NJTL
About National Junior Tennis and Learning.
National Junior Tennis and Learning chapters bring free and low-cost tennis, education, and life skills to kids across Florida. It’s tennis as a tool for growing strong, confident young people.
Look for a chapter near you to get your child involved. Programs are built to be accessible and welcoming, with a focus on both tennis and learning.
If there’s no chapter in your area, you can start one. Reach out to us and we’ll help you bring NJTL to your community.
NJTL is designed to be free or low cost so that money is never a barrier. That’s central to the mission.
NJTL is one of several ways kids get into the game, alongside school tennis and Junior Team Tennis. Many kids move between them as they grow.
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Have a question, need some guidance, or want to learn more?
Reach out anytime, and our team will be happy to point you in the right direction.