About Us
Team & Values
We’re passionate about helping you grow and make an impact.
We are a non-profit tennis and learning academy that serves kids ages 3-17 regardless of their financial circumstances. Beyond having access to free programs, children from lower-income families are eligible to receive partial or full program scholarships. Our vision is to bridge the St. Louis divide and bring kids of all backgrounds together to learn, play, and compete with each other in an environment of mutual respect and support. To ensure we have an impact, The STL Tennis Collective is modeled after successful National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) Excellence Teams from across the country.
STL City Tennis is a Registered 501(c)3 Nonprofit Organization
Our Core Values
We believe values define a community.
Our community is based on 6 core values. Adhering to these values ensures that we create an inclusive and nurturing environment and set ourselves up for success in life beyond tennis.
Respect
We treat each other with respect independent of role, age, race, gender or situation. We value each other’s uniqueness and listen to each other’s points of view even when we differ in opinion. Our actions on and off the court never make others feel small. Beyond respecting others we show self-respect and do not put ourselves down.
Perseverance
Accomplishments in life come from hard work and the ability to continue forward even in the face of discouragement, opposition, or previous failure . Tennis is a great analogue to many areas of life as it takes significant practice and failure to reach better levels of play. At STL City Tennis we do not fuss over failure and give up, but acknowledge it as an opportunity to get better.
Integrity
We always tell the truth. We apologize when we have done wrong. We give others the benefit of the doubt. We do not engage in name calling and bullying others. We hold each other accountable to live up to these standards.
Curiosity
Curiosity is the fuel for learning and the antidote to judgment. We approach every exercise on the court, every task off the court, and every conversation with anyone with a mindset of curiosity and a willingness to learn. We understand that we do not have all the answers and can learn from different points of view and perspectives.
Kindness
We approach every interaction with compassion, care, and kindness. At STL City Tennis we thrive when everybody thrives. We ask all of us to focus on the person before the issue and tune in to other people’s emotional state to assess what they may need from us to support them. We demonstrate kindness on and off the court, which includes competition.
Self-Confidence
We have confidence in our own ability and the fact that we can learn what we do not yet master. We demonstrate self-confidence humility. We recognize the voices of self-doubt and learn to manage them appropriately. We support others in building their self-confidence.
Leadership
Founder
Amanda Mattheisen
As a college athlete playing both tennis and basketball, I was not ready to "hang up" my tennis shoes once my competitive career was over. Knowing I wanted to continue my tennis career as a coach, I received my PTR Certification and for the past thirty years I have coached both children and adults. Coming from a background as an active elementary school teacher, my tennis practice is the perfect connection between my profession as an educator and my craft as a professional tennis instructor. Although I enjoy working with all age groups, I feel my particular skill set is best utilized when working with children. Teaching and learning, regardless of the subject, is an avenue for personal reflection and development and to that end I strive to bring a curiosity and introspection to all interactions and opportunities.
During the Covid pandemic I saw a stark need for more diversity in tennis. After taking some time to imagine what a tennis program that was accessible to all would look like, my partner and I developed STL City Tennis.
The interest in tennis in St Louis continues to skyrocket, and with STL City Tennis' steady growth over the past five years, the time was right to take the program to a fresh and even more progressive level and so a new partnership was formed – The St Louis Tennis Collective. I am so proud to partner with Gary and Jerry to continue the journey to help bring tennis in St Louis to new heights.
Founder
Jerry Horsford
I am a PTR Certified Coaching Professional with over twenty years of experience teaching tennis to youth and adults.
Throughout my career, I have coached students from various USTA National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) organizations, conducted clinics for all ages, and provided private instruction to my clients.
As an active participant in USTA and ITT adult leagues, I have experienced the social, educational, and physical benefits that these organizations offer through league participation and other enrichment programs. My passion for coaching stems from my desire to introduce others to the tennis experience so that they can enjoy its rewards.
In my coaching practice, I strive to create a nurturing, non-judgmental environment to help my students be their best. I celebrate their accomplishments, and thoughtfully address areas of challenge, aiming to make each lesson educational and enjoyable.
Currently, I am affiliated with STL City Tennis, and The Dwight Davis Tennis Center NJTL, providing group and individual training for beginners, intermediate, and advanced players.
Founder
Gary Hickman
Gary has been involved in the “Tennis Lifestyle” for 55 years (hard to believe). He started playing tennis in high school and really caught the bug while in college at Mizzou. During graduate school, he took lessons, played in leagues at the local tennis club in Columbia, and played in tournaments in the surrounding towns. After college, he became a lifetime member of USTA and played on teams and leagues for over 30 years in Michigan (10 years) and St Louis. Gary started his coaching career with Breakpoint Tennis & Life Skills Academy in 2022 at Gene Slay’s Boys & Girls Clubs, Sigel Elementary in south St Louis City, Herbert Hoover in North City, and currently with Better Family Life. Gary discovered a God given passion for working with both youth and adults interested in the possibility of becoming a Tennis Enthusiast, reaping the benefits of the “Tennis Lifestyle”. Gary is a USTA Certified Level 1 coach and has recently completed the USTA Level 2 coaching requirements. He brings a current approach to making tennis fun and exciting for all participants. Come see what we have to offer and join in on the “Fun”!
“Our idea is to use tennis as a way to gain and hold the attention of young people so that we can teach them about matters more important than tennis.”
— Arthur Ashe