The first time Maddie picked up a tennis racquet she was nervous. She was in the third grade and had never heard of tennis. But when Girls Rule the Court™ started at her school Maddie timidly showed up. She gave tennis her best effort and something wonderful began.
That was four years ago. Now Maddie is in middle school and has stayed in the program every year. She has discovered something in herself that goes far deeper than the game.
“I’ve learned that I don’t have to win or be the best at everything. As long as I try and give it my best shot, that’s all that matters. I’m still learning but don’t hesitate anymore and have grown a lot since I first started,” Maddie shared. Uncovering and nurturing that kind of confidence—the kind that stays with a girl as she navigates school, friendships, and life’s challenges is exactly why Girls Rule the Court exists.
Maddie’s story is one that could easily never have happened. Research shows that girls participate in sports 50 percent less than boys, and girls are two times more likely to drop out of sports before age 14. Without programs like Girls Rule the Court, tennis and the life-changing benefits of the sport remain out of reach, especially for girls from underrepresented communities.
“Maddie used to be very sensitive and break down in tears if she made a mistake,” her mom Deidre shared. “She was diagnosed with anxiety, but Girls Rule the Court has helped her manage it and work through her emotions. Now she is completely different. She is a leader and is not afraid to try new things, all thanks to Girls Rule the Court,” Deidre added.
Girls Rule the Court is an after-school program from USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation empowering girls ages 7–13 with the fundamentals of tennis paired with social-emotional learning to build confidence, resilience, and the essential life skills to thrive. The program is offered at low to no cost in Title I schools and under-resourced communities, made entirely possible by generous gifts from supporters like you.
Since 2022, Girls Rule the Court has reached nearly 2,000 participants across Alexandria City, Baltimore, Charlottesville, Fairfax County, Loudoun County, Richmond, and just this spring, Howard County. The program is growing, and with every new community we reach, there is a girl like Maddie waiting for her door to open.
“Girls Rule the Court has given me opportunities that not many kids have, and gives me a better appreciation for tennis. My teammates and I even got to go to the US Open and show our skills on court in Louis Armstrong stadium! It was amazing. I am excited to continue my tennis journey and improve on my skills so that I can take it through my middle school and high school years,” Maddie said. “I hope Girls Rule the Court grows. It should be in every school!”
Research shows that girls participate in sports 50 percent less than boys, and they are twice as likely to drop out of sports before age 14. When people like Coach KB heard about this, they were inspired to help start the program at Fairfield Court Elementary School in Richmond, Va., during the fall of 2025. Since the program started, she noticed the big impact the program is having on the young girls.
“The first day, the girls were excited and a little nervous. Most had never held a tennis racquet before or played any sports after school. We started with the athlete pledge and it just clicked. They embraced an open mindset and it only took a few minutes before they were having fun, laughing, and working hard on the skills. When it came time to work with a partner they genuinely wanted to help each other succeed,” Coach KB shared.
You must be logged in to post a comment.