Tennis for Life, Inc.

Mission: To promote and develop the growth of tennis in Clarke and Oconee Counties.

Vision: To provide a full range of recreational tennis activities to people of all ages and abilities.

Background

   In 1987 - immediately after graduating from UGA in Recreation and Leisure Studies - Stacey L. Venker approached the Athens Clarke County department of Leisure services and the Oconee Parks and Recreation Department and requested from each the opportunity to develop a tennis program.

Oconee County had never had a tennis program, the first two public courts were just completed in the middle of many farms and cow fields. In Athens others had tried and failed and the department expressed skepticism that someone could make a living teaching tennis.

Young and confident in her abilities, Stacey planned her first six week program to begin in the spring, had announcements placed in the departmental brochures and began leafleting the cities. Tennis for Life was born!

Stacey's philosophy for the tennis programs was "to develop, organize, promote and instruct recreational tennis programs for all ages and abilities". Today, in addition to the original basic program, she offers private instruction for both individuals and teams, league, tournament and round-robin events for both youth and adults, a specialized peewee program for four and five year olds as well as specialized senior classes. In 1987, she was the only instructor, today, she recruits, trains, oversees and pays a minimum of 14 and as many as 22 instructors plus two administrative assistants.

Stacey's personal pledge for making her tennis programs, and Tennis for Life, Inc. a success is:

To encourage and promote the game of tennis in an extremely positive, uplifting, rewarding and fun manner, as "the sport of a lifetime".

To utilize my athletic skills while displaying the attributes of patience, understanding, good humor and caring as a tennis teaching professional.

To focus my interpersonal and communication skills in teaching individuals of all ages, and in training and managing a tennis teaching staff.

To display the highest degree of organizational skills in running an efficient, professionally managed tennis program.

To encourage the attainment of "Fun, Fitness & Friends"© through the game of tennis.

Thank you for visiting www.tennisforlife.net!