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HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF AYTEF YOUTH!

Join our expanding staff team and be a part of our mission to empower and inspire the next generation. Currently, we are seeking a part-time STEM assistant with SCRATCH programming experience to contribute to our virtual STEM program on a weekly basis. We are seeking to hire a full-time Director of Tennis to oversee our youth tennis programs and community outreach events. And, we are looking for academic interns to assist us in providing targeted academic tutoring, homework help, and academic assistance to our youth for the upcoming school year. If you have the desire to make a difference in the lives of AYTEF youth, this is your chance!

For more detailed information about these exciting opportunities, please click on the links below.

AYTEF Director of Tennis

Desired start date is August 1. Interested candidates, please contact Executive Director, Kirsten Robles at kirsten@aytef.org for more information.

STEM Assistant Job Offering

Academic Intern Job Offering

AYTEF Hosts a Second Successful Team Challenge

This past May, AYTEF proudly hosted its highly successful second Team Challenge. Team challenges play a vital role in equipping AYTEF youth with the necessary skills and confidence for competitive environments, all within a fun and pressure-free setting. With dedicated coaches readily available to offer guidance on scoring, line-calling, and other crucial aspects of competition, our youth gain invaluable experience and grow in confidence as they prepare for team events and future tournament opportunities. We extend our congratulations to all the participants for their hard work and enthusiasm exhibited during this event.

AYTEF ventured on an exciting journey to Horseshoe Bend Country Club to introduce our youth to the intricacies of clay court tennis. We're incredibly grateful to the club for generously allowing our youth to experience the magic of clay courts for the very first time. This hands-on experience had a profound impact as our youth explored skillfully sliding, adapting to different shots, and conquering the unique challenges of clay courts. Immersed in this environment, our youth gained a fresh perspective and developed a deep appreciation for the dedicated professionals who master the art of clay court competition at tournaments like the French Open. The clay court experience not only expanded their understanding of the game but also instilled admiration for the physical and mental prowess required to excel on this special surface. Special thanks to UTA coaches Tim Noonan and Ryan Hughes for partnering with AYTEF on this event.

AYTEF Summer Camps Foster Skills and Fun

Summer Camp at AYTEF was a resounding success, with 65 unique youth participants across three exciting weeks. Sessions I and II were exclusively for AYTEF GameSetMatch students, and we were thrilled to see nearly 70% enrollment from our roster each week. Our GameSetMatch youth exclusive camp offered a diverse schedule, including 60 minutes of athletic skill development with a Strength and Conditioning Specialist, 60 minutes of education and enrichment with our Academic staff, technical and tactical tennis development, and tournament prep with match play. During the third week of Community Camp for non-AYTEF students, youth concentrated on athletic skill development, tennis fundamentals, and ended each session with fun-filled tennis games and activities to bring together their day of learning. Water Day on Fridays continues to be the special highlight at camp each year, bringing staff and youth together to beat the summer heat! It has become a cherished tradition that adds a delightful touch to the conclusion of each week. 

A huge thank you to our incredible AYTEF Staff, Strength and Conditioning specialist Jarvie Young, Fair Oaks Tennis Center Facility staff, on-court and indoor volunteers, and Wednesday's Career Project Speakers. Their tireless and selfless efforts over three weeks exemplified exceptional teamwork. As we reflect on these memorable weeks, we express our gratitude to everyone who made this summer camp experience truly exceptional. Here's to the spirit of teamwork and the bright future ahead for all of our 2023 Summer Camp Participants! 

2023 Community Summer Camp Highlight Video

AYTEF CAREER DAY: Igniting Future Pathways and Empowering Youth

AYTEF wishes to express deep gratitude to the professionals who participated in AYTEF Career Day at Fair Oaks. Their valuable contributions in various fields, including the medical profession, social media influencing, music production, and singing, enlightened our youth about the diverse range of career opportunities available to them. The AYTEF participants thoroughly enjoyed gaining insights into the inner workings of these professions, inspiring them to envision their own potential future paths in these fields.

Special thanks to the following speakers who generously shared their careers with our AYTEF students:

Telvin Thomas "SipTee" - Muscial Artist and Songwriter

Alfonso Garcia - Environmental and Civil Engineer 

Barbara Chandler - Pediatric Nurse Practioner 

Tylere Brown - Digital Media and Videographer 

Massiel Nunez-Hernandez - Content Creator, Podcast Host, Youtuber

Building upon this enthusiasm, AYTEF is excited to continue fostering career exploration throughout the month of July. Our youth will delve further into their areas of interest, conducting research, and gathering information. The culmination of this exciting journey will be a captivating career presentation night, where they will showcase their findings through interactive displays, tables, and posters. This upcoming event promises to be an incredible opportunity for our talented AYTEF youth to shine and inspire others with their newfound knowledge and aspirations.

• Coach Kirsten (K) is the coach that I've known for the longest time and has made the biggest impact on my life. She keeps me on track and keeps me positive. She encourages me to have consistent effort because she is kind, respectful, and reminds me to not give up.

• Coach Alex helped me on specific things like forehands, backhands, and putting my racket behind my shoulder. Coach Keenan is so COOL. He helped me understand perfectly, well almost perfectly, how add in, add out, and deuce works. He really helped me focus on sets and how a set tie breaker works. Coach Kirsten helped me with being focused, and with my positivity, in school and other places. Coach Epiphany is so similar to Coach Kirsten and she helped me with great form, getting my racket behind my shoulder and encouragement. And Coach John helped me believe that I can do something even if it looks hard. I'm glad that I have all of these coaches in my life to help me everywhere I go and will be.

• In practice, Coach. K. is incredibly understanding and lets me be myself. Not just that, but she's also amazing and motivating. She makes me push myself and try my hardest every day I am at practice as well. I have improved so much emotionally and physically ever since I met Coach. K. She taught me different strategies to be better at the game. She just cares that we have fun and improve, and love the game of tennis.



• In the middle of 2022, when I first started at AYTEF, I wasn't in the greatest mindset. My father, who was wonderful in every way possible, passed away in March. This and additional events made me frustrated, drained, and unhappy. When I first started playing on the courts, I usually did not pay attention and released my anger while playing, which had a significant impact on me, as a tennis player and individual. I was incapable of doing anything right including hitting the ball or even knowing the names of the lines on the court; that was until I met Coach Kane. He provided me with excellent advice and tips, and all of his effort reminded me of my dad, and that truly comforted me. Although Coach Kane is not at AYTEF anymore, when I'm at practice, I think back to the time we spent together, recall the things he taught me and apply them to my everyday life. Even though my father’s passing will always be in my mind, I'm so grateful and appreciative because Coach Kane is one of many that continues to help me move forward in life.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our AYTEF coaches, who consistently demonstrate exceptional mentorship, serve as positive role models, and exhibit unwavering dedication to our program and youth.

A Month of Community Engagement and Tennis Promotion

During National Tennis Month, AYTEF was actively engaged in the community promoting the sport of tennis. Staff and volunteers organized various events to foster enthusiasm among AYTEF youth, including an AYTEF Team Challenge, Day at the French Open Event, free Teach-a-Thon clinic to PGA Tour Superstore corporate partners, and a pop-up clinic and information booth at the South Cobb Community Resource Fair. AYTEF culminated the month's activities with a vibrant Block Party at Fair Oaks Tennis Center, where over 60 children enjoyed free tennis, music, pizza, prizes, and games. Throughout the month of May, AYTEF spread tennis awareness and provided invaluable community engagement opportunities.

AYTEF Launches High School Program