USTA Coaching and WeCOACH have selected 30 aspiring women coaches to participate in the initiative USTA Coaching Serving All: Aspiring Coaches powered by WeCOACH, advancing the organizations’ shared effort to create more pathways for women in tennis coaching.
The Aspiring Coaches powered by WeCOACH program is designed to support collegiate women tennis players entering the tennis coaching profession, and provide aspiring coaches with practical tools, reflective learning opportunities and ongoing professional support. The program aligns with USTA Coaching’s mission to educate and serve coaches to create inspiring tennis experiences for players of all levels.
The selected participants represent a diverse group of aspiring and emerging coaches from 18 states across the country who share a common commitment to grow the game of tennis and create meaningful experiences for players at all levels. Drawn from collegiate tennis programs and local tennis communities, the cohort includes current student-athletes, graduate assistants and recent graduates who are exploring coaching as a way to positively impact the next generation of players.
Many of the participants have already begun developing their coaching skills through youth programs, camps, clinics, private instruction and collegiate team environments, while others have taken on leadership roles that reflect a desire to mentor, teach and serve their communities through sport. As part of Serving All: Aspiring Coaches powered by WeCOACH, these future coaches will participate in a five-session virtual program and attend a landmark in-person leadership event held at the USTA National Campus in Orlando, Fla., designed to provide them with the education, support and professional network needed to confidently pursue careers in coaching and help shape the future of tennis.
The selected participants are:
- Rachel Allen, Mary Esther, Fla.
- Annika Andersson Gomez, Kingsville, Texas
- Darta Dalecka, Silver City N.M.
- Ekaterina Dziova, Grambling, La.
- Hanna Grow-Morales, Fort Collins, Colo.
- Anna Grigoreva, Jonesboro, Ark.
- Amy Leather, San Luis Obispo, Calif.
- Carolena Lord, Dover, Del.
- Agyeponmaa McAllister, Baton Rouge, La.
- Ivana Milkova, Lebanon, Ill.
- Sarah Millard, Jonesboro, Ark.
- Isabela Romanichen, Boone, N.C.
- Sofie Shen, Northampton, Mass.
- Alexandra Thut, Poughquag, N.Y.
- Allison Windisch, Pittsford, N.Y.
- Nicoleta Anestiadi, East Moriches, N.Y.
- Zoe Crimmel, Aspen, Colo.
- Baluck Deang, Myrtle Beach, S.C.
- Nour Gueblaoui, Macomb, Ill.
- Paige Grice, Northampton, Mass.
- Kate Jonas, Annandale, Minn.
- Madelyn Martin, Jacksonville, Fla.
- Leilah Lewinson, Decatur, Ga.
- Elizabeth Meiners, Avon Lake, Ohio
- Jolie Miller, Brooksville, Fla.
- Madison Jade Molock, Ocala, Fla.
- Hind Semlali, Baltimore, Md.
- Michelle Timothy, Sinking Spring, Penn.
- Kai Wince, Memphis, Tenn.
- Ariadna Zegarra, Wilmore, Ky.
In addition to the program, USTA Coaching will provide the selected participants with complimentary WeCOACH memberships. These memberships provide direct access to WeCOACH’s professional development platform and resources that support continuous learning and leadership development programming.
“Creating meaningful pathways for women to enter and thrive in coaching starts with supporting those who are eager to lead,” said Megan Rose, Managing Director of USTA Coaching. “These 30 participants have shown a clear commitment to tennis and to the impact coaches can have on players and communities. Together with WeCOACH, we are proud to provide the resources, education and support to help them take the next step in their coaching journeys.”
“What stands out about this group is their desire to give back to the sport that shaped them,” said Vanessa Fuchs, CEO of WeCOACH. “Many of them have seen firsthand how the right coach can change an athlete’s experience, and they are choosing to become that presence for others. WeCOACH is committed to helping more women enter, advance and stay in coaching, and this collaboration with USTA Coaching puts that mission into action in tennis.”
To learn more about the USTA Coaching and the USTA Coaching Serving All: Aspiring Coaches program visit here. To learn more about WeCOACH programs & events visit wecoachsports.org/allprograms.
ABOUT USTA Coaching: USTA Coaching’s national platform offers tiered benefits for coaches at every level - from professional instructors and high school coaches to parents, teachers and volunteers. With a modern approach to certification, flexible education pathways and access to exclusive tools and benefits, USTA Coaching is redefining who gets to lead on the court. By empowering more people to coach, USTA Coaching ensures that as demand for tennis grows, so does the community of skilled, diverse and well-equipped leaders guiding the game forward. To learn more, visit USTACoaching.com.
ABOUT WeCOACH: Founded in 2011, WeCOACH is a one-of-a-kind 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to recruiting, advancing, and retaining women coaches in all sports and levels through year-round professional growth & leadership development programs. Prior to Title IX, over 90% of women’s collegiate sports teams were coached by women. Today, over 50 years later, the data indicates that number has decreased to 41% across all three NCAA Divisions, with only 7% women head coaches of color. Only 5% women coach men's teams. At the youth level, the data is hard to estimate, approximately less than 20% of teams are coached by women. WeCOACH launched MOVE the NUMBERS in 2022 to help change the landscape for women coaches and the student-athletes they lead. If she can see her, she can be her. For more information visit MOVE the NUMBERS.
