Outreach - downthelineandbeyond.org

Our Outreach Programs include year-round after-school and summer tennis clinics and character development workshops for 1,000+ underserved youth in seven locations in the Philadelphia area.

Our goal is to teach all participants the lifelong skills of good sportsmanship, teamwork, and integrity while introducing more underserved children to the game of tennis. DTLB provides programs that prepare children for lifetime success through structured tennis and character development activities.

Our Outreach Programs serve predominantly low-income, minority youngsters with minimal organized sports access. For some of our kids, tennis is an important avenue for success and growth in self-esteem. Others learn the value of a strong work ethic. Consistently, their teachers report that our program has improved students’ attendance and behavior in the classroom. DTLB also coordinates visits from local sports psychologists, professional sports players, and our current and former Junior Ambassadors to enhance the Outreach Programs.

DTLB partners with 7 schools and parks in the metro Philadelphia area to host our Outreach Program free of cost to our children and their parents.

These sessions have simple but potentially transformational goals: to get kids exercising vigorously, to teach them the game of tennis, and, most importantly, to help them develop the positive attitudes and behaviors, such as good sportsmanship, self-discipline, integrity, and respect for others, that will benefit them throughout their lives. A continued goal is to bring structure and discipline into the lives of children, while giving them the exercise and outlet they need to live a healthy lifestyle. Tennis is a sport for all; no one gets cut from a team, requires minimal equipment, and can be played anywhere. By using the sport of tennis as the vehicle for teaching cooperation, patience, and teamwork, the children interactively apply these principles to the natural challenges posed on the tennis court.

“Gesu School students not only learned the game of tennis, but they also exercised vigorously, learned how to play competitively while maintaining an attitude of good sportsmanship, and thought about how to translate respectful behavior on the court to their lives off the court. Without Down the Line and Beyond, the Gesu School would not be able to provide tennis and character-building instruction to its students. Their tennis program complements our academic curriculum and enriches the entire school experience for our students who can participate.”
Sister Ellen Convey – Principal of the Gesu School

Tennis Court Reconstruction for Philadelphia Public Parks

Down The Line also works closely with the city of Philadelphia to reconstruct out of the tennis court to build a tennis community in Philadelphia. Philadelphia Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell awarded a Citation to DTLB for our work in providing two new tennis courts at Belmont Charter School. The Belmont community struggles to break the cycle of poverty and the school serves as a center for many resources and activities. These courts will provide a recreation area where students and families can unite in a safe, clean environment. Belmont Charter will now be able to incorporate tennis into its physical education program, create tennis teams as part of its Out of School Time program, and host tennis clinics for families in the community. Down the Line is looking to place at least five new tennis courts in Philadelphia by the end of 2017.

Philadelphia Freedoms Pop-Up Tennis Tour Presented by United Healthcare

DTLB works with the Philadelphia Freedoms Pop-Up Tennis Tour Presented by United Healthcare every summer to run clinics that see over 400 children play tennis. Tennis was introduced around the city, including Beneficial Bank on Market Street, King of Prussia Mall, Franklin Square, Eakins Oval, FDR Park, and Villanova Tennis Court.

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