Our Journey of Empowering Youth through Tennis and Transforming Lives
ABOUT
Welcome to Tennis Outreach Programs (TOPs), a nonprofit organization dedicated to nurturing young lives through tennis. Founded in 2003 by Marceil Whitney, TOPs emerged from a heartfelt desire to give back to the community by reaching disadvantaged and at-risk youth. We believe in the transformative power of tennis to provide a pathway to success for all kids, regardless of their economic circumstances.
Building Futures with Every Serve
Marceil Whitney began her coaching career at the age of 18. Over 50 years later, Marceil continues to reach kids of all ages and abilities through tennis. An accomplished tennis coach, Marceil authored “Teenie Tennis: A Love Game” to share her approach to tennis instruction for the youngest of players. Her contributions to tennis have landed her in the Internationla Tennis Hall of Fame (1992) and USTA Hall of Fame (2023). Marceil’s journey has taken fer from her hometown in XX, Oregon to Redmond High School where she served as the tennis coach for 16 years, to Central Park Tennis Club. In 2003 she founded TOPs and in 2013, opened a dedicated home for Tennis Outreach Programs at Eastside Tennis Center (ETC).
Our Founder
Our programs are housed within the vibrant Eastside Tennis Center (ETC), a full-service tennis facility that caters to players of all ages and skill levels. Here participants can engage in a variety of activities, including adult lessons, group classes, private coaching, USTA teams, and even pickleball. While ETC supports a broad community of tennis enthusiasts, its core mission is the home of TOPS, where young players find their stride.
Our Home: Eastside Tennis Center (ETC)
Since our establishment, TOPS has proudly touched the lives of countless youths, guiding them not only in enhancing their tennis skills but also in excelling in their personal and academic endeavors. TOPS serves as a beacon of hope and achievement, ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive.
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TOPS delivers on our mission in many ways: through financial assistance, partnerships with elementary schools for before/after school lessons, Adaptive Tennis for special needs, seasonal employment opportunities for junior coaches aged 14 and older, and enrichment events with local non-profits. These initiatives enable us to reach over 2,500 unique youth annually, made possible by the support of our generous donors, volunteers, and community. To learn more, visit our Fiscal Year 2022 annual report.
Community Impact
Join Us
While many know ETC for its superb facilities and adult programs, the heart of our mission lies with TOPs. We invite you to join us in this impactful journey as a participant, supporter, or volunteer. Together, we can continue to make a difference in the lives of young people, inspiring them to achieve their fullest potential.
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Discover more about how you can contribute to our cause and help us write the next chapter in our story of community, resilience, and success.
Our Mission
At TOPs, our mission is to empower youth for lifetime success through tennis, education, fitness, and character development. We provide comprehensive tennis programs designed to foster physical, mental, and emotional growth in a supportive environment.
Our Core Values: S.P.I.R.I.T
Throughout all levels of our junior programming, we integrate the teaching of TOPs SPIRIT core values.
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Sportsmanship: Accountable for one’s actions. Observing the rules correctly and truthfully.​
Perseverance: Determination to continue despite the physical and mental obstacles faced, both on and off court.
Integrity: Doing the right thing even when no one is watching.
Respect: Conducting oneself in a thoughtful and considerate way.
Inspiration: Actions speack louder than words. Lead by example.
Teamwork: Working together to achieve a common goal.
TOPS Impact
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Provides over $40,000 in annual financial aid.
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Partners with local schools to enhance youth education.
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Offers adaptive tennis programs for participants with special needs.
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Employs junior coaches in seasonal roles.
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Hosts enrichment events for participants.
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Serves 2,500 youth annually, promoting growth through tennis. Learn more in our 2022 Annual Report
The ETC Advantage
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Year-round, affordable tennis and fitness for adults and juniors.
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Recreational programs for young players.
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High-performance training for competitive juniors.
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Tailored instruction for adult players of all levels
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Offers adult match play to encourage competition and improvement.
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Features six full-size courts for a complete tennis experience
