Midwest Tennis Programs Serve Up a Win, Named Among USTA Foundation’s First Community Impact Hubs

CLEVELAND (Sept. 4, 2025) — The USTA Foundation has announced the launch of its first Community Impact Hub initiative, and two Midwest organizations, Advantage Cleveland Tennis and Education and the Cincinnati Tennis Foundation, are among just 10 programs nationwide selected for the honor.

The designation comes with a multi-million-dollar national investment aimed at expanding tennis in under-resourced communities and using the sport as a catalyst for education, mentorship and family engagement. Out of more than 270 National Junior Tennis & Learning programs across the country, the 10 chosen hubs will serve as models for how to grow access to tennis and strengthen community ties through the game.

“This is a huge win for the Midwest,” said Liz Deegan, executive director of AdvantageCLE. “We’re honored to be one of the first Community Impact Hubs, and this funding will allow us to introduce more kids and families to tennis while also expanding opportunities in schools, coach training and community court access.”

National coverage of the announcement included a Forbes article highlighting how the USTA Foundation’s $6 million investment will help refurbish courts, recruit coaches and reach more than 630,000 young people and families nationwide by 2027.

For the Midwest, the recognition of both Cleveland and Cincinnati shines a spotlight on the region’s growing role in shaping the future of tennis. AdvantageCLE has long been known for combining tennis with academics and mentorship while similarly, theCincinnati Tennis Foundation has built community programs that blend athletic growth with educational support.

“This is about more than tennis, it’s about breaking down barriers,” said Jenna Alfieri, academic program director at AdvantageCLE. “By investing in young people, families and coaches, we’re creating a pipeline of opportunity that will change lives in Cleveland and beyond.”

The Community Impact Hubs initiative will focus on four areas:

• Tennis in schools: Expanding free and low-cost programming to bring tennis into classrooms and after-school programs.
  
• Family engagement: Encouraging parents and children to learn, play and grow together.
  
• Coach training: Developing a diverse pipeline of certified coaches to mentor the next generation.
  
• Court access: Investing in improvements that make safe, well-maintained courts available to all.
  

The recognition of two Midwest hubs underscores the region’s leadership in expanding access to youth sports. USTA Midwest officials are encouraging community members to follow AdvantageCLE and the Cincinnati Tennis Foundation on social media to track their progress with the grant.

With the support of the USTA Foundation, both organizations are positioned to expand the role of tennis in young people’s lives.