Empowering Eatonville’s Youth Through Tennis and Education

Eatonville is a historic town in the Greater Orlando area and was one of the first self-governing all-black towns in the country. Now, one local hero, Tina McCall-Waters is aiming to bring tennis to the youth, regardless of social class, income, or skill.  

McCall-Waters has a deep history in the sport of tennis. She was a well decorated player, earning three First Team All-Big Ten honors and two All-American honors during her time on Indiana University’s Women’s Tennis Team from 1978-1981. Outside of playing, she has been honored with inductions into Edgewater High School’s Hall of Fame and the Black Tennis Hall of Fame, and also received Indiana University’s prestigious Leanne Grotke Award, exemplifying her commitment to leadership and service. 

Eatonville serves many low-income families and bringing tennis to them was a goal of Tina McCall-Waters.

Now, with the help of the Denton Johnson Tennis Corporation (DJTC), McCall-Waters is one step closer to her goal of providing tennis for at-risk youth and giving them a safe space to uplift the community. 

With help from USTA Florida Sectional and the USTA National branch, McCall-Waters hosted a gathering at Hungerford Elementary School to recognize National Park and Recreation Month, as well as introduce kids, aged 5 to 16, to the sport of tennis. Hungerford Elementary is home to 250 students, where 83% come from families that get free or reduced meals.  

Over 200 children were in attendance to enjoy and learn the sport of tennis.

This served as a great host site as children from the school, Joe R. Lee Boys & Girls Club, Esteemed Learning, and LaShundra’s Day Care were in attendance. With the guidance of USTA Florida staff, these underserved kids got a chance to experience the joy of tennis, learn the basics of the sport, and see how it can unite a community. 

This is what McCall-Waters wanted to create, a safe-haven for the underserved youth in Eatonville to come out and forget about their day-to-day lives, just disconnect and enjoy tennis.  

The kids were super excited to get the chance to hit the ball around and learn some basics.

The mayor of Eatonville, Angie Gardner, was in attendance, to interact with the students and staff that were helping make the event one to remember. The Town’s Recreation Department’s Director also joined the celebration, acknowledging the significance of the occasion. 

McCall-Waters’ inspiring vision is not just about the game of tennis but about creating a nurturing environment where children can thrive. Through the support of community leaders, USTA, USTA Florida, and the dedication of McCall-Waters herself, the future of Eatonville’s youth shines brighter, as they are empowered with valuable skills and opportunities to unlock their full potential.