Memphis Public Tennis Centers

First Serve class at Frayser Tennis Center

First Serve Memphis Executive Director: Stephen Lang E-mail: slang@tennismemphis.org Main Office: Eldon Roark Tennis Center 1500 Finley Rd. Memphis, TN 38116 Phone: (901) 237.5677 Fax: (901) 396.1190 E-mail: amayo@tennismemphis.org First Serve's Mission: First Serve Memphis provides academic, life skills, and tennis programming that challenges and inspires underserved youngpeople who are dedicated to succeed in life. First Serve Memphis currently services approximately 50 students in grades 3 – 12. Circle Of Life Video	Frayser Tennis Center Program Coordinator: Mark Ottinger E-mail: mottinger@tennismemphis.org 2907 N. Watkins Memphis, TN 38127 Phone: (901) 230.0082
	Whitehaven Community Center Program Coordinator: Aaron Mayo E-mail: amayo@tennismemphis.org 2318 Graceland Dr. Memphis, TN 38116 Phone: (901) 230.2084
	Bellevue Tennis Center Program Coordinator: Kent Smith E-mail: ksmith@tennismemphis.org 1239 Orgill Road Memphis, TN 38106 Phone: (901) 237.5677

First Serve Student Spotlight

Curtis Bell, 11

Johnathan L. Green, 10

Bellevue Center
Student
Curtis Bell
Age: 11
Grade: 5^th
School:
Hamilton Elementary

This is Curtis’ third experience participating in an organized tennis program. He was a student at Orleans Elementary when he was enrolled in an after school tennis and education program that was sponsored by Tennis Memphis and was a joint project with Orleans Elementary and LeMoyne Owen College. Curtis is part of a neighborhood organization, Census Track 61 Neighborhood Council. The youth arm of this organization the APL Youth Group engages the young people in activities that are designed to enhance their chances of success. Curtis was also a part of the summer tennis program during the summer of 2008. He is a very enthusiastic tennis student and learns very quickly. He said what he most enjoys about tennis
is the competition. Curtis’ best subject in school is Math and especially multiplication. He hopes to be doctor one day. While not at school Curtis enjoys watching the Disney channel. Oh, and by the way, his favorite shot is his forehand!

Whitehaven Center

Student
Johnathan L. Green
Age: 10
Grade: 4^th
School:
Robert R. Church Elementary

Johnathan is the most enthusiastic student to
enter the First Serve Memphis program
in a long time.
He is an exciting young man with a lot of energy and charisma for someone his age. This is his first year with the program. He is a good student and his grades have already improved in the short time that he has
been with us.
He has quickly developed a love for the game of tennis that is unsurpassed by any child currently attending the First Serve Memphis program. He is a joy to have around and a role model for the other students to aspire to be. It is my pleasure to work with such a young gentleman as he is. Coach Aaron Mayo – First Serve Memphis Coordinator. Johnathan was asked about the program.
How has First Serve Memphis helped you in school?
         It has helped me improve my grades in math, spelling, and grammar.
What do you like most about First Serve Memphis?
         I like being able to learn how to play tennis.
What would you be doing after school if you were not in the program?
         I would be staying at home playing video games.

Frayser Center

Student
Profile to be updated.

First Serve Program Details: Daily Activities

Education:
Students participate in daily tutoring/homework assistance, and the
First Serve National Student Athlete Competition. All report cards are
collected and each student’s academic performance is closely monitored.
Scholarship Information

Life Skills:
A select group of students participate in the nationally acclaimed
First Serve Life Skills Curriculum™ and progress through the 3 levels
of the program, GAME, SET, & MATCH. Each level takes approximately
one school year from which to graduate. For a sample lesson from the
First Serve Life Skills Curriculum™, please click here.

Tennis:
Students participate in tennis practice a minimum of two times per
week during the school year. Students also participate in “play days”
and matches with the First serve Memphis site and other local
tennis programs. A number of students play on the high school tennis
team and compete in USTA sanctioned tournaments locally and out of
town. The goal of First Serve Memphis tennis program is to foster the
enjoyment of the lifetime sport of tennis in its participants, not to
produce tennis champions.

First Serve National Student Athlete Competition
First Serve Student Athlete Competition Rankings

Field Trips
First Serve Memphis students have the opportunity to participate in
several activities such as trips to the Regions Morgan Keegan and
Cellular South Cup tennis tournaments, college tennis team matches
and other local events.

Daily Schedules
3:00 – 4:00 Check in Academic Enrichment/Homework
4:00 – 4:30 Snack/group interaction
4:30 – 5:30 Instruction: Tennis or Life Skills
5:30 – 6:00 Technology Enrichment
6:00 – 6:00 Program Dismissal

Background:
First Serve Memphis is a partnership between the First Serve National Office and Tennis
Memphis. Tennis Memphis, a 501 c 3 not for profit organization, operates First Serve
Memphis and manages the public tennis centers in Memphis. Programming takes place
after school and during the summer at the Ed Rice Community Center, Frayser Tennis
Center, Whitehaven Community Center and Eldon Roark Tennis Center in the Frayser
and Whitehaven neighborhoods.

First Serve Memphis first opened its Frayser site in December 2007. This was made
possible through grants and contributions from the United States Tennis Association,
The John Dustin Buckman Charitable Trust, Allen Morgan and the Thomas Briggs
Foundation. Secondly, our Whitehaven site opened in June of 2008 through grants
from the United Parcel Service and the United States Tennis Association and the
Ford Foundation as part of a Community Building Initiative pilot project.
In the Winter of 2009, the Bellevue Center was opened.