Heart of the High Plains: Alex O’Brien Tennis Foundation

via Alex O,Brien Tennis Foundation

AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) – Alex O’Brien is an Amarillo Native and a star tennis player. After a years-long career, the Tascosa High School graduate returned to Amarillo and founded the Alex O’Brien Tennis Foundation.

“It was established in 1998 ever since then, the mission has been to get a racket in every kid’s hand that we can possibly reach. We want to expose kids to the joys that tennis can bring, and also the scholarship education and team opportunities that it presents,” said Alex O’Brien Executive Director Rene’e Stovall.

The foundation archives this mission by partnering with schools across the area and Window on a Wider World. The foundation also brings its Learn to Play spring program every spring in partnership with Kids Inc for children in Kindergarten to 6th grade.

“That program will be celebrating its 10th anniversary next year. We’re super excited. We’ve estimated that we’ve probably reached approximately over 1500 to 2000 kids just from that program alone,” said Stovall. “And what’s really cool is that a lot of the Learn To Play kids from five years ago are now the coaches at the Learn To Play program this year, which has been really special.”

Alex O’Brien Tennis Foundation is also having a free summer camp to teach children across the area tennis.

“We are at Memorial Park Monday through Friday. Nine to noon, all ages are welcome, six to 18. We just ask that parents bring them in closed toes, tennis shoes, and bring a water bottle, but we provide all the rackets the equipment,” said Stovall. “We have four professional coaches hanging out at Memorial Park.”

Stovall explained that the great thing about tennis is that it fits each child and it can grow with them.

“They’re all learning it, so everybody’s pretty equal. And so I think that’s really special, that nobody feels really better than anybody else. And the fact that tennis, you can play it by yourself, or you can play it in teams format,” said Stovall. “Really complements a lot of different personalities. And we’ve seen a lot of success with kids that maybe are a little bit shyer.”

She talked more about the outlet that this foundation is providing to children.

“Maybe you don’t like the tough combat of football or something like that. Maybe it’s not your jam. Tennis is absolutely a sport that anyone at any point in their life can pick up,” said Stovall. “And what’s really cool about tennis is it’s a lifelong sport.”

You can sign up for their summer camp here.