Woods Tennis Center is a National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) site.
The NJTL network features more than 150 non-profit youth development organizations across the country that offer free or low-cost tennis and education programming to over 160,000 under-resourced youth each year.
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This prestigious accreditation was awarded to Woods Tennis Center because of the vast community outreach programming we provide across the city through strong partnerships with Community Learning Centers', Lincoln City Parks & Rec Centers and other local non-profits and cultural centers. ​
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Tennis + Education = Changes Youth Lives
Community Outreach Program
Tennis
Our team brings tennis to wherever youth in our community are, teaching the lifetime game on any flat surface - gym, parking lot, classroom, turf, hallway...we make it work!
All instruction is research-based and focused on important character components.
Education
We complement on-court instruction with off-court educational activities, using tennis as the bridge to engage youth in meaningful learning.
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Example programs include:
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STEAM Activities
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Mentorship & Leadership
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Summer Movie Series
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And much more...
Taking the Game to the Community
Beginning in 2008, Woods Tennis Center has offered affordable lessons for children and community members at our home base in Woods Park. Since then, we have expanded our program to include city recreation centers, public parks and schools, local nonprofit organizations, and the Lincoln Community Learning Centers across the city of Lincoln and surrounding areas. Our community outreach programming provides quality coaching and equipment with research-based curriculum. Woods also offers several partial and full scholarships to children from these centers who set themselves apart in their dedication to and love for the sport to join us at our facility.
Over the years, the community outreach programming has continued to emphasize inclusiveness, partnering with nonprofits focused on empowering at-promise youth and teens, adding an adaptive program for children with neurodivergence and other intellectual disabilities, and working with local organizations serving refugee and migrant youth. The priority at Woods Tennis continues to be identifying and breaking down barriers so everyone in our community feels welcomed to play the sport.
Woods Tennis Center is also proud to be a good neighbor and community organization. When courts are available, we provide racquets and free court time to residents of the surrounding neighborhoods who wish to utilize our facility. Additionally, Woods youth players and patrons participate in summer volunteer days to clean up and maintain the local tennis courts around the city, repainting court lines, pulling weeds, and fixing nets. “Taking the Game to the Community” is a mission Woods embodies across all aspects.
Community Sites
Belmont Elementary
Calvert Elementary
Clinton Elementary
Culler Middle
Dawes Middle
Elliott Elementary
Goodrich Middle
Hartley Elementary
Holmes Elementary
Lefler Middle
McPhee Elementary
Mickle Middle
Park Middle
Randolph Elementary
Riley Elementary
Saratoga Elementary
Waverly Public Schools
West Lincoln Elementary​
Community Parks
Ballard Park
Cooper Park
Eden Park
Henry Park
Highlands Park
Irvingdale Park
Mahoney Park
Peter Pan Park
Roberts Park
Roper Park
Seacrest Park
Tierra/Briarhurst Park
Tyrell Park
University Place Park
UPCO Park
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Community Recreation Sites
Air Park Rec Center
Belmont Rec Center
Calvert Rec Center
F Street Rec Center
Irving Rec Center