Adaptive Learning Program
Special Olympics
Launched in late 2019, the program is designed for Orange County & Seminole County residents, between the ages of 6 and 24, that require some form of adaptive learning. The program’s focus is to teach children and adults how to play tennis and integrate other educational components, social skills, physical endurance, and eye-hand coordination. We partner with Special Olympics Florida, Special Olympics Orange County, and Special Olympics Seminole County. At the state level, John Richards III is a coach; at the county level, we provide instruction for their Competition Tennis Teams. We also host, at Fort Gatlin, anyone meeting the participation requirements for the Special Olympics Tennis competition in Orange or Seminole County who would like to try out for the team. Teaching children and adults with autism and special needs allows us to make a huge difference in a young person’s life. The strategies we employ empower all people with intellectual disabilities to grow and learn.
Academy for Autism
This program was established in 2019 to serve the local adaptive community and act as a feeder program for Special Olympics. Every Friday during the school year, the Academy for Autism brings 30 students to Fort Gatlin Tennis Center, where certified coaches teach tennis skills and strategies free of charge. Despite a brief pause for COVID protocols in 2020, this program is going strong, with several athletes developing into Special Olympic athletes. We would like to thank the ladies WAIT C tennis team for volunteering and coaching these ever-improving athletes.
Boone High School
The President of Posh Rock Tennis Foundation, John Richards III, is the head coach of the Boone High School tennis team. Due to the close ties with Boone, John decided to start an adaptive tennis program. Boone’s ESE (Exceptional Student Education) students attend free lessons at Fort Gatlin Tennis Center once per week during the school year, and they can also practice and improve at Boone’s courts during the summer four times per week. This provides a great variation to traditional ESE programming and helps students boost self-confidence as well as technical and relationship-building skills.
Red Bug Lake Park Tennis Center
Posh Rock Tennis Foundation’s Certified Coaches provide FREE tennis lessons to autistic and special needs children and adults at Red Bug Lake Park Tennis Courts.
Location: 3600 Red Bug Lake Road, Casselberry, Florida
When: Fridays
Time: 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
To register: Email Coach Judi at [email protected] or call Judi at 561-213-2054
Boys & Girls Clubs of America
This partnership between the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and PRTF was launched in early 2022 with a generous seed grant of $45,000 from the USTA Foundation. Over five eight-week programs, kids aged 5–15 learn the basics of tennis at their home clubs. Additionally, Boys & Girls Club staff are trained to coach tennis fundamentals so that they can independently sustain the program. During the pilot year, the program ran at West Orange, Eatonville, and Taft locations, serving 120 kids. The ongoing program continues with funding through a $10,000 USTA Foundation grant, a joint Boys & Girls Club and PRTF fundraising event, and private donations. Further sponsors and donations are needed to continue its expansion.
National Junior Tennis & Learning Foundation Program
As a National Junior Tennis & Learning Foundation (NJTL), PRTF strives to improve its students’ lives in more ways than just tennis. Events will include a financial education and literacy component, and nutrition and health also play important roles. Hebni Nutrition often assists with education on the importance of healthy foods and how they can be enjoyed in everyday life.
TIE (Tennis is Elementary)
This program is conducted in the school’s gym, cafeteria, or multipurpose room using the USTA 10 and Under Tennis format, which includes foam or low-compression balls, smaller racquets, and a reduced court size. All instruction and equipment are provided through grants from the USTA Foundation and the USTA Florida Section Foundation; private and corporate donations are necessary to sustain these programs. This is our longest-running program, serving about 100 students annually at Pershing, Conway, Lake Como, Sally Ride, and Blankner.
Summer Camp Scholarship Program
Fort Gatlin Tennis Center runs a summer camp program five days per week for 9 weeks, at a cost of $190 per week per child. Over the years, parents of underprivileged children have asked whether scholarships or grants are available so their children can attend the camp. Thanks to the generosity of Fort Gatlin Tennis players, we sponsor as many children as possible. With additional contributions, we can sponsor many more children, giving them a great week of tennis summer camp.
Posh Rock Pathway Program
The Posh Rock Pathway Program is a scholarship-based initiative providing a path for promising youth to grow and succeed through tennis and education. All students who participate in any of our programs are eligible for these scholarships. Students who demonstrate the traits and characteristics Posh Rock Tennis Foundation aims to encourage may receive a scholarship to participate in our developmental programming.