The meeting was attended by 75 families.   "What we found was that strong demand for junior programs was not being met at the club level," said Straus.  She shared her experiences with the attendees, including how she felt like she was hitting a brick wall when bringing up issues to club management.   "I knew that our family was personally spending way too much money a month on clinics and lessons," Straus emphasized. "Even then, I just felt that we weren't being treated very well.  And no matter how much we spent, we still couldn't get a court for Brady during the hours he needed to play, or have a good source of available players for him to practice with."

During summer months, Brady has had the benefit of attending academy level training in Hilton Head.  "He learned there that it doesn't matter what the person on the other side of the court looks like, or how old they are," laughed his mom.  "He found out that a 10 year old girl can kick your butt."

With that in mind, and the enthusiasm of the other families behind them, April and Kim pooled their resources and set out to build a new program that would cater to motivated juniors of all ages, shapes and styles.  Most of the first program participants were affiliated with clubs, but were looking for something new and different, something more than what was currently offered.

"We initially thought everyone would be excited about Tennis 4 Life," said Brewer.  "But we quickly found out that not everybody thought it was a great idea, or even necessary."   The two soon found that going against the old guard was fraught with hazards previously unforeseen.  But with persistence, they were able to obtain courts from Collegiate to hold the first Tennis 4 Life programs last summer. 

"It was very scary at first," admitted Straus. "Kim and I put up all the initial investment out of our own pocket hoping that kids would sign up."  Because Tennis4Life is a non-profit organization, the first summer they just wanted not to lose too much money, and breaking even seemed like a crazy dream in the beginning.  Players did sign up, but once Collegiate re-claimed its courts at the start of the school year, Brewer and Straus again had to look for a new facility to continue training. 

The moms reached out to local pros and clubs.   Damian Sancilio, who was already working with many of the highest level tournament players, agreed to work with Tennis4Life to build a new program, running five times a week from 6-7:30 am at Courtside West.  In order to convince him to do that, the two had to lease the courts to use for the Tennis 4 Life program.   "Damian was already working with 12 high caliber tournament level players," explained Straus.  "Kim and I put up money to lease all the courts at Courtside in the morning in order to add 12 more." 

Players who were interested in joining the early morning group came out to be assessed by the Tennis4Life pros, who include Damian, Jamie Morgan, and Pat Anderson.  And come out they did, such that not everyone could be selected. 

Decisions were based on playing level, chemistry, and determination.

The hardest part was having to say 'no' to some players.  "It was awful.  Horrible," said Straus.  "But we only had so much space."

The resulting Tennis 4 Life Tournament Training Group was made up of boys and girls ages 10-17 with one common element:  They are all highly competitive and motivated to improve.

"Our main philosophy from the beginning has always been - how well do you play?" said Brewer.  "Not how old you are.  The older kids teach the younger kids and learn from them at the same time."

Interestingly, most of the kids participate in other sports, including ‘elite travel’  soccer and lacrosse  teams.  "These kids are all just really good athletes," said Brewer.  "But they are committed to the sport of tennis.  They have to be. We tell them that there is a long waiting list if they aren’t serious. And believe me, they’ve seen someone sit out and watch, and no one wants to be on the couch instead of the court!"

"And that particular boy called us later and begged us to ask the pros to let him back in the group!" laughed April.

Once the popularity of the program became apparent, the word spread and Straus and Brewer became a "well of advice" for parents around the Richmond metro area.  "We didn't anticipate it," said Straus, shaking her head in amazement. 

"We get calls from parents whose child got cut from the school team, and they don't know what to do next. We always try to help guide them somewhere, but ultimately we can only offer them what we learned the hard way from past experience." 

Morgan and Anderson also travel with many of  the tournament players to matches where they offer advice and learn what to work on in practice.  "The kids love being part of a group.  They cheer for each other and encourage each other.  They are just happy together."

Neither Straus nor Brewer wants to be the center of the program.  "That is definitely not our agenda,” both emphasized.  The two estimate that between them they spend a minimum of 40 hours a week organizing and planning for current needs and future opportunities.   Their mission is to find the money - through fundraising or investors - to build an indoor training facility similar to the College Park program in Northern Virginia.   While they aren't completely there yet, the two smile and agree that "we are a lot closer to that goal today than we were a year ago."

Straus and Brewer are working on plans for Tennis 4 Life Summer Camps that will be held at Collegiate starting in June.  Camps will match participants with others at  their playing level.

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Hopefully, by this time next year, the program will have grown so the two can relax and enjoy the fruits of their labor.  

Whatever happens, "We've  met a lot of nice parents and a great bunch of well-rounded kids along the way."

For more information, visit the Tennis 4 Life website at www.ric-tennis4l.com.