WELCOME TO GTT's OFFICIAL WEBSITE
OUR VISION
ACCESS (All Children Can Excel Starting Sooner)
We serve kids ages 5 - 18. The sooner we can get them, the sooner we can teach them and begin to instill in them, those characteristics that can carry them through life. We strive to make a positive impact in the classroom, in their relations with others, in their nutritional habits, as well as on the court.
OUR MISSION
Connecting kids and their communities through tennis and education to make a positive IMPACT on their lives as an overall individual
Why do we care anyway?
The Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in collaboration with representatives from 71 state and local departments of education and 19 other federal agencies to monitor priority health, list these 6 categories as risk behaviors that contribute to the leading causes of death, disease and social problems among youth and adults.
1. Behaviors that result in unintentional injuries and violence
2. Tobacco use
3. Alcohol and other drug use
4. Sexual behaviors that result in HIV infection, other sexually transmitted diseases, and unintended pregnancies
5. Diet and weight control behaviors
6. Ineadequate physical activity
Youth in our community are greatly affected by these statistics and we recognize and accept that change is necessary and will actively engage in our community through schools, afterschool programs, day cares, churches, and other youth organizations to do our part to turn the statistics positively.
The Mississippi YRBS measures the prevalence of behaviors that contribute to the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among youth. The YRBS is part of a larger effort to help communities reduce high risk behaviors and increase healthy behaviors. It provides accurate information about Mississippi students that enables us to:
- Monitor trends in their health and risk behaviors.
- Compare Mississippi students with a national sample of students.
- Plan, evaluate, and improve community programs that prevent health problems and promote healthy behaviors
OUR PLAN TO ACHIEVE OUR VISION AND MISSION
*reaching out to those who may not otherwise have the opportunity to play tennis
*instilling in youngsters the values of leadership and academic excellence
*giving all kids (regardless of income, race, gender) the opportunity to develop their tennis skills so they can derive a life time of enjoyment from the sport
Through our ACCESS partnerships we will actively engage our kids in different tennis opportunities, educate them in the classroom with trained teachers who can deliver the educational components in various; fun and innovative methods, and be sure to give every child equal opportunity at all that GTT has to offer while monitoring and tracking their success and making necessary adjustments along the way when indicated.
GTT does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and clients.
MEET THE TEAM
Board of Directors
We are currently loading the incoming board
Vanita Phinisey
Executive Director, Owner, PTR Certified Coach
Dr. Cedric Gathings
Board President
Jennifer Magee
Board Liaison
Board Secretary
Quinnie Shumpert
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Staff
Tayla Clay
Administration/ Grants
Tony Phinisey
Certified Personal Trainer Quickness and Agility Coach
Angel Tate
Coach
Mercedes Mattix
Volunteer Coach
Alexandria “Lexy” Magee
Jr. Coach
PAST WORK
Our Home Site
Beautifully, newly resurfaced courts at Columbus High School thanks to all of our wonderful sponsors including J5 Solutions, USTA MS, Family of the Late Columbus High School student and tennis player Amelia McLeod, Vanita Phinisey, CFNP and PTR Certified tennis coach, Tony Phinisey of Tony's Personal Training, Hi-Tech Athletic Surfacing, Jevonka Smith and Classie Butler.
NJTL Leadership Camp 2018
Seated below Nenah Young
Second row: Coach Vanita Phinisey, Tyson Phinisey, Lexy Magee, Bailey Washington, Gavin Weatherspoon, Coach Angel Tate, Aaliyah Young
2020 GTT Star level has moved from Network Member to Level 2!!
We graduated the program in 2022!
Blueprint for Success
GTT is one of eight NJTL chapters in the Southern Section, three of which are right here in MS, selected for the Blueprint for Success
Capacity Building program pilot. The program is intended for lower star level chapters that are obviously doing good work that may need the funding and support to help them achieve their visions and missions and thus increase their star level which shows sustainability to continue to impact more kids. We are striving for 4 star level! GTT was awarded $20,000 for 2019 and $25,000 for 2020 for its efforts. The grant is to be used toward capacity building and programming. We will also receive the support and guidance of account managers to help build our capacity and work towards sustainability to impact more. The grant is awarded by the USTA Foundation and we are very honored to have been considered among all those who applied in the nine states in our Southern section!
Recent Grants
2024 USTA Foundation Programs Grant $15,000
Mini grant of $1000 to help support our mission and initiatives in our community
Past Events
Battle of the States
2019
2021
2022 Awarded Special Event of the Year in MS and the USTA Southern Section
2023
Regional NJTL Leadership 2019 and 2021
The 2019 Regional NJTL Tennis Leadership Camp was held at Hadley Park in Nashville, TN (July 18-21, 2019) near the Tennessee State University campus. GTT along with 10 other NJTL chapters participated. This camp included hotel stay, field trips, community service project, leadership activity, tennis drills, team tennis tournament, t-shirts, and awards. GTT youths representing this year were Kendall Moody, Aaliyah Young, and Alexandria (Lexy) Magee.
Battle of the States Photos
NJTL Leadership Camp 2019 Photos
Upcoming Events
Adult Red Ball Tennis
August 2024
ADULT RED BALL TENNIS is a FUN adult social experience designed to bring new players to the court and playing the game in 10 minutes! With modified equipment, Adult Red Ball Tennis will supercharge the success of all players and bring a new level of energy to the court.
Tennis and Brunch
October 26, 2024
In recognition of breast cancer awareness. We have tennis in the morning at GTT, followed by brunch by the lake for the ladies and backyard brunch for the guys, tailgate style. We will again have our Fabulous chef: Tavron Johnson
2nd Annual Holiday Adopt A Family Benefit Junior Tourney
November 2, 2024
Funds benefit families in our local United Way area. Last year we were able to contribute over $1500 and we hope you will join us in our efforts this year to bring some joy to families this holiday.
6th Annual Battle of the States Tournament
May 16-18, 2025
Tournament Description: This is a team event. Surrounding states will battle for the right to be crowned champion of the states.
You will need a minimum of 3 men and 3 women. All players, with the exception of one, must be from your state by way of current resident the past 12 month, past resident for at least 3 years any time during your life, current work, or current student. You may play on two teams maximum and your NTRP rating must not exceed that division. If you have player(s) on your team playing on multiple teams, you must have another player that gender. That is, you will need to have 3 men and 3 women available to play at all times. Matches will go on with no consideration for players playing on multiple teams. You may have one junior female and one junior male on your team, however, in keeping this an adult specific tournament they may not play together. They must partner with an adult! For the 60+ division, all players must be 60 years old or older any time in2025. That is, you may be 59 on the day of the event as long as your birthday is before the year is out. Here’s the exception for this division: you may have 1 male and one female who is at least 55 years old. 2) You will be allowed a maximum of 10 players per team, so choose wisely 😏
Divisions: 3.0 down, 4.0 down, and 4.0 up and Age 60+ (We reserve the right to change the divisions if needed based on entries)
Team format: (women’s doubles, men’s doubles and mixed all playing at the same time.)
Scoring: No ad scoring, best of three sets with a 10-point tiebreaker in lieu of a 3rd set. Referee or tournament director may change the scoring in the event of weather delays only if needed to get back on schedule. Your team will earn 1 point per court won. Team with the most points per division at the end of the tournament wins.
Registration Deadlines:
Regular Registration period$50 ($30 for juniors 18 and under) January 1, 2025 - May 4, 2025 (No new TEAMS added after this date)
Late registration period - $10 late fee because you can only be added by the director May 5 2025 - May 12, 2025. You may only add players to your existing team roster up to the maximum 10 allowed. No players will be added once the draws are posted except in the event that your team drops below the minimum players of six players. You may replace the gender you are short.
$50 plus registration site fees per player, per team
2025 Tournament
Sponsors
Host Hotels
ACCESS Sponsor Levels (amount you provide) We graciously thank or 2024 sponsors already committed 2025 sponsors
Platinum Level ACCESS Sponsor – Elite Sponsor of the tournament
Will providing at least $2500 of funds, goods, or services
Proud Host of the 5th Annual Battle of the states
MUW proudly supports GTT by serving as or second venue
Level 1 ACCESS Sponsor (Gold)- Major sponsor of the tournament
Will provide at least $1500 of funds, goods or services
502 Media Now will be covering our event this year! They will also be a vendor and will have photos available for purchase so you can forever cherish this moment!
Level 2 ACCESS Sponsor (Silver) - Semi-major sponsor of the tournament
Will provide at least $750 - $1499 of funds, goods or services
Mr. Earnest and Pamela Lang proudly supplies one of the South’s favorite snacks!
Level 3 ACCESS Sponsor (Bronze– Minor Sponsor
Will provide $250 - $749 of funds, good, or services
Tournament Supporter
Will provide funds, goods or services up to $249
Alvin Abston - tournament stringer 🏸🎾
Teams
** 2024 Champions
- 2025 Teams
New This Year 2025
1) One captain will only be allowed two teams max per division and the second team will only be selected if there are not 6 teams in that division.
Minimum matches per team will be 3 and Max will be 5 playing round robin
2) 10 players max per team
At least 70% of your team must be from your state.
In recognizing the continued difficulty in forming teams, getting people to travel, we change the rule from: oAt least 70% of your team must be from your state. Hope this helps! ☺️
So that means 30% of your total roster can be from out-of-state
10 = 3
9 = 2.7 (round that to 3)
8 = 2.4
7 = 2.1
6 = 1.8 (round that to 2)
3.0 Down
**TN - Moore1/Wicks - Memphis
- MS - V. Phinisey - GTT
4.0 Down
** TN - Moore1/Bias - Memphis
- MS - V. Phinisey - GTT
4.0 Up
**MS - Shields/Hixon - Vicksburg
- MS - V. Phinisey - GTT
- KY - White
60+
** TN - Moore/ Wainright - Memphis
- MS - T. Phinisey - GTT
3.0 and Down Team Rosters
4.0 and Down Team Rosters
4.0 and Up Team Rosters
60+ Team Rosters
Vendors
Roscelle Griffin, a talented photographer from Johnson City, Tennessee, excelled as a women’s basketball player at the University of Louisville. Her passion for photography, ignited by her grandmother’s gift of a Polaroid camera, now drives her to capture moments that transport viewers into a world of boldness and excitement. Roscelle’s media company, 502 Media Now, specializes in sports videography and photography, showcasing the dynamic world of sports while also excelling in real estate, headshots, weddings, and events.
Vendors
Vendors
Vendors
2025 Player’s Party…Stay tuned
Services Offered
We offer tennis and education through ACCESS Partnerships; JTT league play; Adult league play; Onsite Intro to tennis programs; quickness and agility training through or certified personal trainer, and private, semi-private; group and team lessons
SERVICES
If you are interested in any of our services click the button below
- ACCESS partnerships
- Junior team tennis league play
- Adult team league play
- Quickness and agility training
- Private, group and team lessons
- Intro to tennis for a group
ACCESS Partners
Access partners are those who share our vision and mission and will thus allow us access through resources that they have that can help us to achieve our vision and mission.
Columbus Municipal School District
CMSD has allowed us full ACCESS to their tennis courts and we are proud that through this partnership we now have a place to call our beautiful home.
Ms. Smith's Educational Services
Ms. Smith's Educational Services was founded by Niya Smith, a math teacher with a vision and a passion to empower students through tutoring and test preparation classes. This empowerment will help students begin a long process of learning that leads to better grades throughout their education. Through after school tutoring, alternative graduate services, one-on-one tutoring, and test preparation classes her services can help all students reach a great level of success by helping them to see their passion and purpose in life! The greatest key to success is believing that God has a purpose for your life and believing and trusting Him and yourself. GTT is proud to add tennis and our educational curriculum to an already great program.
We have partnered with TGLC for tennis and academic excellence. Through this partnership we have been given ACCESS to use tennis as the vehicle to teach Life Skills. We are excited about the opportunity to impact more!
Get Involved
Adult's Social League
This group meets regularly each Sunday and various days for some fun social tennis. All are welcome to join. Just $3 per drop in session our you may pay $15/month as and enrolled member for unlimited play including ACCESS to schedule your home matches on any GTT team.
Benefits of this league
- Build relationships
- Provide funding for kids of GTT and surrounding area
- Improve your tennis game
- Improve your overall health
Just for the Ladies
Tennis for Mommies
A brand new class just for you!
So your kid is playing tennis now and they've been speaking the new tennis lingo and you have no idea what they are talking about. Well no need for google. We'll teach you all you need to know in this class so you can speak their language!
Who can attend: All moms: seasoned moms, new moms, moms to be, God-moms
Cost: $10 per mom/session (need a minimum of 6 ladies)
Benefits of this league
- Build relationships
- Learn to play tennis
- Provide funding for kids of GTT
- Improve your tennis game
- Improve your overall health
Junior Tennis League
We have several opportunities for junior players to learn and play. Ages 5-18
- Intro to Tennis
- JTT League play
- Team Challenge
- Team Tournament
- Private lessons
- Tournaments
Benefits of this League
- Make Friends
- Travel and compete with friends on a team in a competitive league
- Learn to play and compete in a less threatening environment
Other Services
Join in with GTT for any of these services
- Quickness and Agility Training
- ACCESS Partnerships
- Private tennis lessons for adults
Benefits of this service
- Learn to play tennis
- Improve your footwork, hand eye coordination, increase stamina for participation in other sports
Fun Times on the Court
CONTACT US
You may contact us by email or phone
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