Amplifying Girl Power with All-Girl Tennis Camps at Florida HBCUs
In October and November, USTA Florida, in collaboration with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), held two impactful All-Girls Tennis Camps designed to create pathways in tennis for young women.
On October 19, a was held at Florida A&M University (FAMU) in partnership with the Black Girls Tennis Club. Another camp was hosted at Edward Waters University (EWU) on November 2, where over 50 girls participated between the two camps.
At the FAMU camp, Black Girls Tennis Club, known for its mission to empower Black women and girls through tennis, joined forces with USTA Florida to emphasize the “CARE” pillars: Culture Change, Access, Representation, and Exposure. Since its founding in 2022, the club has championed tennis access and cultural representation, creating a supportive environment for Black girls in tennis.
Annessa Taylor Nguyen, Director of Coaching Program Development for Black Girls Tennis Club, expressed the importance of these camps. “These camps are monumental and necessary to keep girls engaged in tennis. We want them to practice, but more importantly, to build a supportive community where they can develop their skills on and off the court.” She emphasized that the camps offer a space for players of all levels, whether beginners or tournament-ready, helping build both tennis skills and community connections.
USTA Florida’s commitment to supporting HBCUs and creating diverse opportunities in tennis shines through initiatives like these camps. Before the November 2 camp, USTA Florida awarded Edward Waters University a $100,000 HBCU Tennis Program Grant. This grant reflects USTA Florida’s broader commitment to making tennis accessible and inclusive, with plans to expand its HBCU support further in 2024 and beyond.
Each camp provided tennis instruction, where girls engaged in drills and activities led by women coaches, mentors, and college players. For many young athletes, learning from an all-female group of coaches was a new experience. Madison Molock, a 17-year-old participant, shared her thoughts on the experience. “My favorite part was learning from everyone, from the FAMU players to Coach Wade, and connecting with other camp girls,” she said. “It was amazing to work with an all-women network, it was very different because that’s not at all what it was to. I would say that my first time having a women’s coach was in high school.”
These camps highlighted key values: Empowerment, Inspiration, Inclusivity, Skill Enhancement, and Career Insight. They not only strengthened the players’ tennis skills but also reinforced a strong, community-oriented environment that champions women’s involvement in sports.
One camper noted her favorite part was “meeting new people and making friends, while also getting more competition.” Another said, “I loved learning with friends,” reflecting the camp’s community focus.
These events have been a great crossover of USTA Florida initiatives. Through AMPLIFY, the organization has been expanding tennis into more Black communities, and with the Women in Tennis initiative, USTA Florida has been committed to female empowerment and getting women of all ages involved with every aspect of tennis.
Dana Andrews, former USTA Florida President has been heavily involved with the Women in Tennis initiative, and is pleased to see what they have achieved in this project. “In 2024 it was the goal of USTA Florida to expand the reach of locations and diverse participants for our all girl camps,” she said “The camps’ core is to build confidence, play the healthy sport of tennis, and receive mentoring from female leaders. We are thrilled with the out and are excited for more to come in 2025!”
By partnering with HBCUs and creating opportunities like these All-Girls Camps, USTA Florida continues to pave the way for a more inclusive, inspiring future in tennis.