Tennis Plus is a fresh approach to the game which helps children to develop key life success skills including concentration, cooperation, imagination, relaxation, and self-esteem, while learning the basic tennis strokes. Honing these skills provides immediate dividends on the court, as well as in school and other settings.

Tennis Plus programs often include other enrichment activities such as off-court life skills training, environmental education, soccer, karate, and special guest speakers. A typical after-school session includes an hour of tennis, fifteen minutes of snack/transition time, and forty-five minutes of one of the above mentioned activities. At some sites, the tennis classes are offered as a stand-alone activity.

All sports equipment is provided, and local court facilities are used. When tennis courts are not available, classes are held in a gym or on a blacktop using portable nets. Preferably, when tennis courts are available within easy walking distance or when transportation is available, we use the courts for our classes.

Tennis Plus has reached over 3,000 children and has been recognized as a model program by the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, the United States Tennis Association, and the ATP Tour. We have successfully implemented Tennis Plus in a wide variety of settings, including many Boys & Girls Clubs, schools, and 18 Air Force bases in the United States, Europe, and Asia.

JSF has been offering Tennis Plus programs year-round to children in the Washington, DC area since 1994. The program is still ongoing at our first Tennis Plus site, Ramsay Elementary School in Alexandria, Virginia.

To find out more about current programs in your area click here

Tennis Plus Camps

Tennis Plus camps provide a powerful learning experience for children ages 8-18. They feature two hours a day of on-court instruction and games, along with an hour of off-court life skills training. Each day’s curriculum is designed to emphasize one particular life skill. Children rapidly develop their tennis games, while learning the five key life success skills in a deeply integrated way. We can provide Tennis Plus camps during the summer or over spring break.

After School Programs & Workshops

Tennis Plus also works well as an after-school enrichment program. Weekly or bi-weekly classes are engaging as well as educational for the children. After-school programs generally include an hour on-court and an additional hour of off-court life skills training. We partner with schools, Boys & Girls clubs, childcare centers, and other organizations to offer these tennis-based, after-school enrichment programs.

Joy of Sports provides experienced tennis teachers, who have been trained to help children develop life skills while learning the game. We also provide all equipment necessary for the program. The partner organization provides or secures facilities, recruits children to participate, and often makes a staff member available to assist with the program. When appropriate, older children associated with the partner organization may participate as volunteer assistant coaches.

JSF also provides special one or two hour introductory Tennis Plus workshops. These offer children an exciting way to get started with the game and learn how sports can be used to enhance personal growth in a fun, cooperative way.

For information on our staff training, please click here.

What People Are Saying About Tennis Plus

“Tennis is very beneficial to the youth who participate. They’re developing skills which will help them to do well in school and make good choices in their lives.”
-Peter Edelson, Director of Youth Education

“The children in Tennis Plus are concentrating better and internalizing values that will make a life-long difference.”
- Sarah Ellis, a teacher at Franklin Elementary School, San Diego

“Tennis Plus gives our Clubs a new and powerful tool to help serve our children. Joy of Sports’ unique approach enhances the self-esteem and focus of the youngsters.”
-Tim Richardson, Senior Director of Sports, Fitness and Recreation, Boys & Girls Clubs of America

“In developing Tennis Plus, you have successfully combined sound teaching techniques with an innovative approach to teaching life skills on the court.”
-Susan Edelstein, Recreational Tennis Coordinator, United States Tennis Association