SCTA Foundation Achievers Team

Play Equity to Advance Mental Health (sponsored by the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation)

County of Los Angeles

Expand existing project, program, or initiative

Children have pressures to succeed at a young age from parents, peers and society in general. Juggling daily life can negatively impact their mental health, causing depression, obesity and a variety of other issues. Through tthe SCTAF Achievers Team, children learn how to focus their minds through physical activity - in this case tennis. Tennis can offer an emotional release while participating in a fun sport that can lead the child down many positive paths. As the "sport of a lifetime" tennis can assist the youngster throughout his life while creating many opportunities for personal growth and achievement. These opportunities include college scholarships (and in some cases a professional playing carrer), career placement in tennis coaching and management, socialization across economic boundaries, and community involvement. Over 81% of young tennis players attend college, 82% engage in community service/volunteerism and 48% maintain an "A" average academically.

The SCTAF will identify children in underserved areas that enjoy tennis but because they lack the financial means cannot excel and compete on an equal basis with other more afluent individuals. By providing financial assistance to compete as well as access to coaching and education assistance, the child will be positioned to apply for college scholarships. Tennis develops life skills such as self-confidence, self esteem, discipline, and resiliency. Playing tennis also develops emotional competence, communication skills and mental toughness.. Through our assistance and working with a CASA we supported a young player who was in foster care. During this period we were able to provide access and opportunity that was never thought possible prior to tennis being a part of his life. At one point he was able to particpate in an event with Michael Chang (Former professional player from SoCal and winner of the 1989 French Open.) After the event Michael provided this comment: "It is obvious that the work the (SCTA) Foundation has been doing and the support you are giving players is phenomenal." We feel it is a previlege to work with our young players and to offer them support in their endeavors on and off the court.

Success is having an Achievers Team of 15-20 children of various ages and skill levels in the program and helping them develop in tennis, academics and life skills. These children will be on a pathway to success. As the older children graduate high school, success is having them attain scholarships - either for tennis or academically. The program allows for children to enter at any age, and as players gradulate, bring new players into the program. Plans include the yearly expansion of the program, attracting individual donors who are also mentors to the players, not only in tennis but for the high school age players, mentoring in college selections and career choices. Highlighting current and past players in the program and having them return to provide inspiration and support to the new payers is also important Knowing someone who has succeeded will provide the best possible validation.

The Achievers Team program began in the late 2021 with 2 children, a 13 year old boy and 15 year old girl. Each child was selected based on the financial need, talent and desire to achieve in tennis and academically. The SCTAF takes a personal interest in the players and their family support system and has provided both financial and non-financial assistance. Both are succeeding in tennis reaching the highest levels of national competiton in their age group.. Currently, although only 16, (she competes in the 18 year old division) she is being scouted by top universities in the country. Both are academic all stars. The SCTAF has connected the player and parents with a college mentoring coach who has provided a pathway for her to assess her options and choose what's best for her. She will be first in her family to attend college. Our now 14 year old is playing at the elite levels in the 16 yearold divisions, is strong academically and has aspirations of being a professional.