DD&J THE VIEW

Summer was in full swing, and so was our DD&J tennis community! We're thrilled to see players taking advantage of our training programs to improve their skills and compete in local tournaments.

We're especially proud of three young athletes making waves on the court: Joshua Adamson, Nathan Pearson, and Joshua Sims. These dedicated players have consistently demonstrated exceptional talent and sportsmanship, and their hard work is paying off.

Their commitment to the game is truly inspiring, and we can't wait to see what they accomplish in the future. Let's continue to support these rising stars and all our players as they strive for excellence.

Great job, Joshua, Nathan, and Joshua! Keep up the fantastic work!

#DD&J #JuniorTennis #TennisStars #SummerTraining #TournamentSuccess

Hello Tennis Family!

As we wrap up another successful year, it’s time to recognize the hard work, dedication, and achievements within our tennis community. We are excited to announce that the August 2024 Tennis Awards nominations are now open!

We invite you to participate in nominating individuals who have made a significant impact, whether it’s a player who has shown exceptional growth, a coach who has gone above and beyond, or a volunteer who has made a difference behind the scenes.

Your input is invaluable in ensuring we celebrate those who have contributed to the success of our tennis program.

How to Nominate:

• Please send your nominations by Friday, August 30, 2024.
• Nominate someone today.
• Because our program is young, many of the awards will not apply to us.

We look forward to your participation in honoring those who have made our tennis community stronger and more vibrant.

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our program. Let’s make the 2024 Tennis Awards a celebration to remember!

This summer, the DD&J Junior Tennis Foundation proudly offered a range of enriching programs, including our innovative "Lob the Ball to Financial Literacy" camp. This program not only enhanced the campers' tennis skills but also equipped them with essential financial knowledge for their future. We are thankful to South State Bank’s bank managers, Lisa Gadson and Misty Tennent who really enjoy giving back and working with the kids.

• We extend special praise to Zaliya Anthony, a dedicated biology graduate of Xavier University with S.T.E.M. experience, who kept the children thoroughly engaged in the classroom, fostering both curiosity and learning.

• Ty'lon Miller, a dynamic college student and proud product of DD&J, has been outstanding on the court. His energy and expertise captivated the children, ensuring they had an enjoyable experience. His passion and positive tone with the kids was second to none. Our junior on-court assistants, all high school players, did an exceptional job working with the campers, maintaining high levels of engagement and fun.
  
  Ty’lon and the junior assistance worked with various other camps, including the School for Inquiry group, which brought over 70 kids, and the city camps at Greenview Park and Martin Luther King Park. Their teamwork and dedication were pivotal to the success of these camps.
  
  
• This summer also saw the successful execution of our All-Girls Free Camp. Despite having fewer participants than in previous years, the camp was a success, with six new participants joining our Saturday morning program from this camp. We had 47 girls register but we had about 28 participants, I think. Thus, we have discussed putting a small fee on registration to hold the slot. That way, registrants have some stake in the game and not block slots that could have been offered to other interested in participating.

• Additionally, about 10 dedicated players that I call the "Sunrise Kids" who practiced diligently four days a week from 6:00 to 8:00 am. Their skills improved tremendously thanks to the rigorous training provided by Ty'lon Miller and Coaches Domino and Jamone Boulware.

Overall, the 2024 summer camps were a resounding success, thanks to the hard work and dedication of all involved.

Our recent “Lob the Ball to Financial Literacy” summer camp was a smashing success! Combining the excitement of tennis with essential financial education, we created a dynamic and engaging experience for our young campers.

Beyond financial literacy, our camp incorporated exciting S.T.E.M. lessons led by the talented Xavier Biology graduate, Zaliya Anthony. Campers collaborated on designing tennis rackets, measured the tennis courts to understand angles and their impact on gameplay, and delved into the fascinating world of Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic cells. To top it off, they even built and tested their own catapults and airplanes!

These hands-on activities sparked creativity and critical thinking, making learning fun and interactive. We were thrilled to witness the campers' enthusiasm as they explored the intersection of sports, science, and financial knowledge.

We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Zaliya Anthony for sharing her expertise and making this camp an unforgettable experience for our campers. Additionally, we want to express our deep appreciation to Mrs. Lisa Gadson and Mrs. Misty Tennant, both branch managers of South State Bank, for their passionate commitment to giving back to the community. Their support was instrumental in making this camp a reality.

• Parents/Volunteers are encouraged to become "Safe Play" certified to assist with the DD&J Program. If your "Safe Play" status has expired, please renew. Select the link below to become Safe Play certified. https://www.usta.com/en/home/safe-play.html
  

You can now follow DD&J on LinkedIn. Let's grow our followers. Select the link and follow now. And if you haven't done so yet, also follow the DD&J Facebook pages.

• LINKEDIN
  
  
• DD&J FACEBOOK

• COACH DOMINO FACEBOOK

Attention all DD&J Alumni Parents, Players, Friends and Community Supporters, we are collecting contact information in preparation for a 30-Year Anniversary Celebration for DD&J. If you would like to receive a celebration invitation include your contact information on the Anniversary Information Form below. Please share the link with other family and friends, and especially with those who attended DD&J tennis clinics as a youth.