Building Community Leaders Through Tennis

Building Community Leaders Through Tennis by students from New Media Class Metro State

St. Paul Urban Tennis- Still going strong

St. Paul Urban Tennis (SPUT) establishment has been a part of the East Side Community for about 29 years now. Over the past two decades, the St. Paul Urban Tennis has seen many extraordinary changes that have propelled it into the great organization it is today. St. Paul Urban Tennis started off as a pilot project through another organization called Northwest Tennis Patrons (now known as InnerCity Tennis) but later branched off, leaving the organization without a permanent location.

            All changed in 2017 when the City of Saint Paul offered St. Paul Tennis a vacant space on the eastside that had been shut down for 10 years. The City hoped that St. Paul Urban Tennis occupying the vacant space would bring back life into that area of the community, and that’s exactly what their presence has done. The City of Saint Paul went on to lease the vacant plot to SPUT for free and even fixed up two tennis courts. Because of the partnership with the City of Saint Paul, St. Paul Urban Tennis was able to have a permanent home. 

Where Leadership Starts

With the help of SPUT staff the organization has spent the last three and half years developing a relationship with the community while informing them that the vacant space is now occupied. That is why their mission statement is: To strengthen our community by educating and empowering youth to realize their full potential. SPUT has continued to encourage the youth of the community by offering a variety of programs focused on not only developing the tennis player skills, but also their leadership skills. This is how SPUT launches leaders into the community with important life and sporting development. 70% of coaches at St. Paul Urban Tennis were once in the programs when they were kids. An example of this legacy is Song Thao, as he first got involved in the SPUT program as a coach in high school. Now, he is the executive director of St. Paul Urban Tennis. 

Programs

Each year, approximately 2,500 kids between the ages of 5-18 are served by St. Paul Urban Tennis. The programs offered by SPUT focuses on equating the youth of the community. However, there is something for adults as well. The program offerings at St. Paul Urban Tennis are: Lessons, Camps, and Competition. Each category is designed with the SPUT S.P.I.R.I.T (service, perseverance, integrity, responsibility, imagination, teamwork) curriculum in mind.

On and off the court, SPUT continues to provide opportunities for the youth of the community to grow. This September, St. Paul Urban Tennis offered free tennis equipment to children of the community. Sponsored by USTA Northern and Bombas, children received free tennis rackets, tennis balls, socks, and backpacks. This event gave students an opportunity to stay active and healthy with accessible resources.

 Leadership Pathways

Warrior Leadership Academy and Employment Plus Program helps accomplish the S.P.U.T. Spirit. 

The Leadership Pathways: 

The leadership pathways offer:

Employment Plus Program: The employment plus programs is designed to connect with the youth from the East Side on an employment level. 10 kids exclusively hired to come and work at the SPUT facility. There they will partake in career exploration, visit job sites, mentoring, college visits etc. 

How To Get Involved

https://stpaulurbantennis.org/get-involved/

https://stpaulurbantennis.org/

Check Out St. Paul Urban Tennis!

St. Paul Urban Tennis Program @ the Eastview Recreation Center

1675 5th Street E

St. Paul, MN 55106

Office Phone: (651) 222-2879

admin@urbantennis.org

Stpaulurbantennis.org

Instagram: @stpaulurbantennis

Facebook: St. Paul Urban Tennis