The JTCC Breaks Barriers to Tennis
Many know the Junior Tennis Champions Center (JTCC) as the ‘home-court’ of international tennis star Frances Tiafoe. While the JTCC is known for producing world-class tennis players, its ‘Tennis for All’ initiative fosters community connections in College Park.
About the JTCC
Founded in 1999 to foster elite junior tennis development, the Junior Tennis Champions Center (JTCC) became the first United States Tennis Association (USTA) Regional Training Center for high-performance junior tennis in 2004. Since then, the JTCC has produced dozens of colligate and professional tennis players who have scored over $24 million in college scholarships, including well-known names like Francis Tiafoe, Dennis Kudla, and Robin Montgomery.
Tennis for All Initiative
With 32 courts (indoor and outdoor), a fitness complex, yoga studio, and personal trainers, JTCC is expanding to cater to an ever-growing community of tennis enthusiasts. JTCC anticipates a significant expansion project is anticipated to begin in 2025 and will include 10 new courts, state-of-the-art indoor facilities with amenities like stadium seating and administrative spaces, the JTCC solidifies its status as a world-renowned tennis center.
As JTCC’s reputation grew, its mission evolved, adopting a community engagement approach. JTCC’s mission statement became to transform lives through sport and education by providing tennis for everybody.
Community-driven programs like Geico Game On, launched in partnership with Sandy Spring Bank in 2009, introduce tennis and education opportunities to over 7,500 children in Prince George’s County and Washington, D.C.
The ‘Tennis for All’ initiative aims to eliminate the physical and financial barriers to tennis through inclusive programming. Spearheaded by Gabby Hesse, the adaptive tennis program offers accessible training options for individuals with disabilities, including power standing tennis, Special Olympics, and wheelchair tennis so that all community members can enjoy the physical and social benefits of tennis. JTCC exemplifies how sport can transform communities. With dozens of free festivals and community events year-round, residents of all ages can experience the joy of tennis in an inclusive atmosphere.
To learn more about JTCC, their mission, and their impact, visit their website.