On Monday, the USTA and the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office joined forces to provide the opportunity to nearly 100 youth from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Sanford and East Altamonte Springs to pick up a racket for the first time. 

USTA National Campus tennis professionals and staff led a clinic for the kids, teaching them tennis skills as well as teamwork and sportsmanship, all whole fostering positive relationships with sheriff’s deputies.

The group was welcomed by rising American tennis star CiCi Bellis, who spoke to the kids and participated in the clinic.

“The USTA offered us a really unique opportunity this week and we were excited to bring these kids out here,” said Sgt. Jarritt Nigri from the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office’s School Safety Division. “It gives us a chance to give back to the community as well and foster those  kids of relationships that we find important.”