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 seeking individuals with diverse experiences

Vanita Phinisey
Executive Director, Owner, USTA Coaching & Certified Coach

Dr. Cedric Gathings
Board President

Jennifer Magee
Board Liaison

Charles Sylvest
Board Member

Quinnie Shumpert
Board Member
Board Secretary
Board Member
Staff

Tony Phinisey
Certified Personal Trainer Quickness and Agility Coach

Vanita Phinisey
Programs Coordinator

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



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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.
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 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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TESTIMONIALS
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