Stacey L. Venker - Tennis Director

At the age of 7, Stacey's parents moved across the street from a small country club with two tennis courts. Stacey was mesmerized by the people playing tennis and the local pro instructing tennis. She was the little kid asking if she could help pick up tennis balls.

Stacey started competing in tennis at the age of 12. As a junior player, she achieved her highest ranking in the 18 and unders as #1 in the state of New Jersey. In college, she was fortunate to receive a scholarship to Clemson University.

In 1987 - immediately after graduating from UGA in Recreation and Leisure Studies - Stacey 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. 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!

2009 was a remarkable year for Stacey. In March, she danced on the stage of the Classic Center . Stacey was selected as one of the "Dancing with the Athens Stars" a fund raiser for Project Safe. She danced a Hip-Hop with her partner Angelo. Her dance can be viewed on YouTube, just type in "Stacey Venker". Stacey came in second place in the fundraising. The entire group raised over $93,000. This was the beginning and ending of any dancing inspirations Stacey had! "I am so proud in the fact that I went so far outside myself. The support from all of my students, staff and family were amazing."

In April 2009 Stacey was one of four females named a "Modern Athena" by the Clarke Central High School award winning magazine the "Odyssey"

In May 2009 Stacey received the "Community Service Award" from the Athens Athletic Hall of Fame.

For more information on Stacey's philosophy and personal pledge please visit the About TFL page.

Click here to read the article Athens Magazine published on Stacey: " Tennis for Everyone ", November 1995.

Email: Stacey@tennisforlife.net

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Addy Miller - Oconee County Manager
  (updated 2/26/08 )

Tennis Experience:

Addy began playing tennis in 1989 at the 2.5 level. She currently plays on a 4.0 tennis team at Bishop Park. Addy also competes on several USTA and ALTA team in Atlanta.

Tennis Work Experience:

Addy started working part time with Stacey in 1989, as she describes, "for fun!" if you ever called Bishop Park, the lovely and friendly voice on the other end of the line was Addy's.

Addy accepted Stacey's offer to become Tennis for Life's Oconee County Tennis Program Manager on January 2004.

Addy's favorite part of working is meeting people and introducing them to "the game of a lifetime". Addy is the behind the scene personnel who keeps the big ship sailing smoothly. She continues to help TFL, Inc. "grow the game" in surrounding counties.

Hobbies:

Tennis, reading, hiking (Grand Canyon twice, Tetons, Pike's Peak), traveling and pottery making.

Highlights:

Watching her sons grow to be wonderful caring men.
At the 2.5 level, Addy and her partner won 1 game off a seasoned 4.0 player in a Bishop Park tournament.

Email: Addy@tennisforlife.net

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Janet Darvill
  (updated 2/22/08 )

Tennis Experience:

Janet began playing tennis in 1995 in a USA Step 1 class. She immediately fell in love with the game.

Janet currently plays on several 4.0 women's teams in Athens and Atlanta . She has competed in the GTA District Championships at the state level.

Teaching Experience:

In 1997, Janet began teaching and developing the popular program "Pee Wee Tennis" for TFL, Inc. Before joining TFL, Inc. she taught at the Athens Montessori School.

Janet teaches in a variety of capacities for Tennis for Life. She is coaching a 2.5 and a 3.0 USTA Women's Teams. She also instructs the Star 3 and Star 4 programs for juniors. Janet also works with some juniors and seniors individually.

She attended a National Recreation Leadership Conference in 1999 and an USTA Development Coaches Workshop in 200l. Janet earned her USPTR certification in 2001.

Her goals on the tennis court are to make sure her students have fun, achieve a level of success, and feel good about themselves.

Janet also plays an important role behind the scenes at Bishop Park in developing lesson plans for all levels and having creative ideas so all the students continue to have fun.

Hobbies:

Running, cycling, cooking and gardening. Watching UGA soccer (Her daughter, Sarah, is a Bulldog) and playing tennis with her husband, Alan.

Highlights:

Janet was born in Wales and became an American citizen in 2001 after 25 years of being a resident.

Email: Janet@tennisforlife.net

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Paul Allen
  (updated 2/23/04 )

Paul was born in Kansas and he is a HUGE Jay hawks fan. His family moved to Athens when he was in elementary school.

Tennis Experience:

Paul started tennis at the age of 10 with Helen O'Reilly at the Athens YMCA. He began playing tennis tournaments the following year at Bishop Park and the Athens area.

Paul graduated from Cedar Shoals where he played for coach Dan Gruetter.

Paul is very proud of the fact he played in every varsity match for 4 years. He was the captain of the team his senior year when the team made it to the regional finals.

Teaching Experience:

Paul graduated from UGA with a degree in Physical Education. He received his USPTR certification in 2003.

Paul began teaching for Tennis for Life in 2003 and works with all ages and abilities in the program. "Paul enjoys teaching tennis" states Stacey "He is an important part of our Oconee County program".

Hobbies:

Watching and playing basketball, acting.

Email: Paul@tennisforlife.net

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Marc

 

Cody

Brian Walters
 

Background:

Brian joined the Tennis for Life staff in January 2008. Brian graduated from UGA in May 2009 with a degree in Sports Studies. Brian is originally from Roswell , Georgia . He began his teaching career at the Tennis Academy of Georgia in Marrietta in 2001.

In July 2009, Brian accepted the position of "Head Tennis Pro" in Oconee County . Brian is responsible for all Junior Academy programs. Brian is an extremely gifted coach. He is personable and can connect with all ages! Brian enjoys traveling to tournaments with the juniors. One of his COTA junior team tennis teams qualified for the Southern Section in Mobile , AL in September 2009.

Tennis Experience:

Brian is an all around gifted athlete. He began learning and playing tennis at the age of 6. Brian started competing in sanctioned tournaments at the age of 11. Brian was a very accomplished junior player, finishing in the top 20 in the South three different years a. Brian also held a TOP 100 National ranking. Brian was awarded a tennis scholarship at Eastern Carolina University where he competed for two years. Currently, Brian is staying in shape to prepare for his first 'money' tournament in November 2009.

Teaching Experience:

Brian began his teaching career in 2002 at the Tennis Academy . Brian specializes in coaching serves and volleys. He enjoys teaching and loves to develop players and see progress. Most of all, Brian wants his students to have fun and 'love' the sport of tennis.

Hobbies: Brian enjoys playing basketball and golf. He follow all sports and politics.

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Genaro Angeles
  (updated 10/14/08 )

Background:

Genaro moved from Mexico to the USA in 1999.  Genaro graduated from Cedar Shoals High School in 2007 with honors in French and Spanish. ;)

Tennis Experience:

Genaro started in the Tennis for Life program in 2001 by taking tennis lessons at Bishop Park.  Genaro worked hard on the tennis court as a student and earned a position on the Cedar Shoals varsity tennis team in his freshman year.  During his tenure at Cedar Shoals High School, Genaro became a team leader and a wonderful team mate.  Each academic year he looked forward to the spring season to play and compete in the sport he loved!  Tennis For Life .

Teaching Experience:

Stacey, the Director of Tennis for Life, observed Genaro's  strong work ethic, good attitude and kind spirit to everyone. In 2004, Stacey asked if he would like to be a junior counselor for the popular 'tennis-lunch-swim' camps.

Genaro has continued to work with the junior campers every summer.  In 2007, Genaro earned his PTR certification.  In 2008, Genaro was named Quick Start Tennis Coordinator for the Bishop Park tennis program.  Genaro is also the lead instructor for our Junior Academy program.  Genaro loves being on the court with children.  "I really enjoy watching the children improve!"  If you ever watch Genaro teach and interact with his students, you will agree!

Teaching in the Tennis for Life program is Genaro's main responsibility, however not his only responsibility. He is also a tremendous help off the court and in the office where his efforts keeps things running smoothly. Off court duties include, but are not limited to:  the ARTL score keeper,  data base record keeping, maintaining equipment,  desktop publishing,  assembling manuals and  hand-outs.  He is a true, 'all round team player' on the TFL team.

Hobbies:

Genaro enjoys photography, watching the Bulldogs, yard work and spending time with his beautiful niece and nephew.

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Cleve Calcutt
  (updated 3/9/10)

Background:

Cleve joined the Tennis for Life team in August of 2009.  Cleve arrives with a tremendous resume and experience.  Cleve is originally from South Carolina, attended Francis Marion University where he received a BS in History and Geography with a teacher’s certification.  While Cleve was a tennis instructor at the New Orleans Country Club (2008-2009) he was also studying at the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

Tennis Experience:  Cleve played college tennis at Francis Marion from 2001-2004.  Cleve has extensive experience coaching and instructing tennis, beginning with summer camps, Country Club of the South Carolina and most recently, New Orleans Country Club.  He is truly a natural and gifted instructor.

Cleve is a big part of our Quick Start Tennis Program and our Adult Recreational Program   He will lead our Quick Start Tennis Program in Oconee County.  Cleve will be heavily involved with a wide variety of classes helping all ages and beginning tennis players hone their skills.  Cleve will be instrumental in introducing young players to tennis in a fun and rewarding atmosphere!  Many young juniors in Oconee have already experienced Cleve’s love for the game and sharing his enthusiasm.

Other Interest:  Cleve is a Clemson University fan.  He enjoys following college football, hiking in the mountains and mostly his lovely wife Evonne.

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