WHO WE ARE
Who We Are
The Dallas Tennis & Education Academy (DTEA) is a sports-based youth development organization that uses a unique combination of tennis and education to promote positive long-term outcomes in under-resourced youth living in Dallas County. At DTEA, youth find a home away from home. DTEA believes in valuing and caring for every child by investing into every facet of their development.
For the past 10+ years, DTEA's flagship programs have operated out of Kiest Tennis Center.
Our story
Where we started
Shortly after the National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) Network was founded by Arthur Ashe, Charlie Pasarell, and Sheridan Snyder in 1968, the Dallas NJTL chapter was instituted. In 1978, the Dallas Tennis and Education Academy, formerly called the DTA Slam Jammer Program, began its journey in serving the Dallas community. Overseen by the Dallas Tennis Association, program operations were managed by longtime Dallas advocate Larry Kirkpatrick and City of Dallas staff. For many years, kids across the city could participate in tennis for free with all equipment provided. Upon their first day, players received a water jug, a racquet, and tennis shoes. Each practice, kids enjoyed two hours of on-court fun and a complimentary lunch meal. For the next 24 years, the program would dedicate itself to giving more and more kids the opportunity to get on the tennis court.
Where everything changed
Where we want to go
Bert Cole and the DTEA family are working to accomplish "The Dream” -- a place where they can forever call home.
Cole expresses The Dream as a “36 Tennis Court Facility, 8 indoor courts, 12 standalone 36 ft courts, 16 full size courts with blended 60 ft courts lines, an Educational Center with classrooms and computer labs, a full Training Center, library, kids Club Lounge, kitchen and more.” At this place, DTEA will remove barriers for kids. Youth will receive opportunities and be equipped with mentors, education, and skills to succeed on and off the court.
Will you join us in this journey? Partner with us. Sponsor a child or a site. Donate. Become part of the DTEA family.
In March 2002, Bert Cole became the Director of the Dallas NJTL Chapter. Cole’s vision for the program went beyond getting more kids on tennis courts, she envisioned a program family which brought together kids from all backgrounds and instilled academic excellence and character. Soon after assuming her position, she grew the program from 2 sites with 150 kids to 20 sites and 600+ youth over a matter of weeks.
Cole recognized that tennis needed to be brought directly to the kids most in need. She focused on building the program’s relationship with Dallas County schools districts and establishing after school programs at Title I schools. The program could assume the mentorship role absent in kids' lives: provide caring adults that could mentor and help them understand that they are special, beautiful, smart, and can accomplish whatever they want to do in life.
Later, Cole expanded the Dallas NJTL to offer tennis and life skills programming at schools, recreation centers, and park and city courts. In 2008, Carol Reed came on board to support the delivery of the After School Program and Summer NJTL at Dallas schools and recreation centers.. She continues to play a major role across all DTEA programs.
Additional year-round programs that could engage youth of all ages and levels– from a four year old beginner to 18 year olds aspiring to play college tennis. Craig Cole, USTA High performance coach and son of Bert Cole, joined leadership as the DTEA Head Pro and has mentored youth to become over 100 student athletes to compete at the collegiate level.
In 2015, the program was renamed to how it’s known today, the Dallas Tennis & Education Academy. Cole has served as the driving force that has allowed the DTEA to accomplish the impact it has served until today. The DTEA has since become a trusted influence in the Dallas community that engages youth in settings ranging from after school play to elite athletic competition and academic excellence.
Our Mission
The Dallas Tennis & Education Academy (DTEA) is dedicated to transforming the lives of Dallas youth that come from under-resourced areas or disadvantaged backgrounds. DTEA removes financial barriers and leverages a unique combination of tennis and education in order to positively impact hundreds of young people each year.
Youth find a home away from home at DTEA. At its core, DTEA believes in valuing and caring for every child as well as every part of their development. Participants are nurtured in the most essential areas and are prepared for a lifetime of flourishing.
DTEA Values
Character
Health and wellness
Lifeskills
College and career readiness
Community
Our Impact
100%
DTEA alumni have graduated college and pursued college and career.
1100+
Tennis and education hours are provided for Dallas youth through our free and low cost programs.
900+
Youth receive tennis and education programming every year.
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