The White County High School tennis team is gearing up for an exciting opportunity as they prepare to volunteer at the USTA National Wheelchair Championship, Nov. 14-17, in McDonough, Georgia. This prestigious event, recognized as the top wheelchair tournament in the United States for 2024, will feature elite wheelchair tennis athletes from across the nation.
“We have a special invitation to be court monitors, ball persons, and encouragers for this event,” White County tennis coach Topher Wiles said.
Wiles expressed enthusiasm about the experience and said this is the first time the White County tennis program, which is looking to foster a sense of unity and growth among players, has been given this opportunity.
“It is a wonderful chance for our athletes to connect with the broader tennis community through service work,” he said.
The invitation to volunteer came after Wiles attended the International Tennis Symposium, where he connected with professionals who recognized the growing number of youths involved in tennis.
“We were informed about the need for volunteers at the USTA wheelchair tournament in Virginia,” Wiles explained. “Although we couldn’t participate in that event, the opportunity in Georgia aligns perfectly with our schedule.”
Wiles reached out to tournament director Harlon Matthews, who welcomed the team with open arms.
“He rolled out the red carpet for our athletes, arranging accommodations, providing free meals, and even offering official tournament volunteer t-shirts,” Wiles said.
The White County High School tennis team consists of 30 players, all of whom are in good academic standing and are being offered the opportunity to volunteer at the event next month.
“We have the support and permission from the school board to take all 30 members of our 2024-25 high school tennis team,” Wiles said.
During the tournament, team members will take on various responsibilities, including serving as court monitors - reporting scores and statuses - ball persons, and refreshment servers. Wiles emphasized the unique opportunity for players to engage closely with elite athletes.
“This gives us on-court and up-close experience with the best wheelchair tennis athletes in the nation,” Wiles said. “We may even get to swing a racket with them and help with their warm-up time on side courts.”
Wiles continued, “Our tennis program goal is to grow a passion for the game of tennis and for teammates in a winning White County tennis program. This service-oriented trip helps us draw teammates closer together and gives them experience with passionate elite athletes.”
The experience is not only about giving back; it also aims to inspire the young athletes.
“While we will be serving others, our athletes will benefit most from connecting to high-functioning wheelchair athletes who have overcome life-changing adversity through grit, determination, and perseverance,” Wiles said that he hopes this exposure will motivate the players to strive for excellence both in tennis and in their personal lives.
The trip is primarily funded through the USTA and supplemented by the tennis team’s fundraising efforts. Wiles expressed gratitude for the support received from the school’s administration, saying, “Our principal, athletic director, director of schools, and school board members have been extremely supportive in facilitating this opportunity.”
He specifically thanked Greg Wilson, Kurt Dronebarger, Terry Crain, and the members of the school board for their efforts.
While the players are eager for the experience, looking forward to a weekend filled with tennis and the chance to learn from accomplished athletes. Wiles said that he believes the real excitement will come from the connections made at the venue and the reflections that follow.
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