“After School Tennis” ( AST ) is an entry level tennis program for elementary and middle school students. The program is usually held September through May, with some exceptions at year-round schools. The program is organized into five six- week session. Each session includes a special activity at the Barnes Tennis Center. Now in our twelfth year of AST, we have programs throughout San Diego County. Approximately fifteen hundred children participate in our After School Tennis program each year.
AST is a social service program provided by Youth Tennis San Diego, a nonprofit 501 (C) (3) organization. Our goal is to enhance the child’s education through the vehicle of tennis and promote life long skills. The program is available to all children, regardless of economic background. Critical to the participation of these children is our ability to provide partial scholarships. At this time, over 50% of the children are participating on a scholarship. Students who are registered at their school for the free lunch program are eligible for partial scholarships.
The cost of the program is a nominal $30 per six week session. This includes two hours of group lessons a week. Youth Tennis San Diego (YTSD) provides racquets when needed, balls, insurance, special events, resources, teacher training and administrative support. Students on partial scholarship pay $6 per session.
Programs are conducted in the security of the school environment and in most cases under the guidance of a school staff member with whom the children are already familiar. When a staff member is not available, YTSD assists the schools in finding a qualified instructor. The instructors are independent contractors, not employees of Youth Tennis San Diego. They are asked to commit to two hours a week, usually on two separate days. Advertising and recruiting participants is usually done by the schools. Registration, using our forms, is required. All forms are forwarded to our office. A minimum of eight (8) and a maximum of twenty five (25) students is required to have AST at your site. The instructors keep attendance, and collect fees for each six week session. The fees are sent to our office at the end of each session along with a services rendered form which delineates all students registered and paid for that session, and the total numbers of hours worked. The instructors are paid on a fee scale ranging from $13/hr to $30/hr depending on the number of students registered.
Youth Tennis San Diego has a planned pathway of development for any child that wants to proceed beyond After School Tennis. Our offices are at the Barnes Tennis Center, which is owned and operated by YTSD. This is a beautiful facility and the center is the home of many of our special functions for AST. The center is open to all children, free of charge, to use to practice their tennis skills. Our new study center is also open and soon to be equipped with computers. Tutors are available Monday - Thursday. Numerous other programs are also available which provide marvelous opportunities for the youth of San Diego.
We are proud of the After School Tennis Program and the difference it makes in the lives of children. We hope that you will join us by making this program available at your site. We are happy to come out and make presentations. Please do not hesitate to call on us.