We’re passionate about helping you grow and make an impact.
FOUNDERS
Gary Hickman, Amanda Matthesien and Leonard Jerry Horsford
Tennis is Our Calling
Our shared commitment to the good of the whole, drove us to create the St. Louis Tennis Collective - STLTC.
This organization is focused on growing our sport of tennis, through engagement with our youth and adult populations in St. Louis, its surrounding municipalities and other Community Tennis Associations in our region.
We will actively recruit adults and youth to participate in the various USTA and ITT leagues and programs, facilitating access to coaching, training, and opportunities to practice and hone their skills.
Our outreach will target schools, civic organizations, businesses, social entities, and recreational concerns.
We will forge collaborative relationships with all Community Tennis Associations - CTA, National Junior Tennis and Learning – NJTL’s within our region.
We will work with the USTA, PTR, USPTA to develop coaches with a common approach to player development, and deploy them throughout our service area, elevating the quality of instruction available to the populations we serve.
We will partner with the USTA to implement the Net Generation Curriculum in the school districts within our geographic area.
Gary Hickman
Gary has been involved in the “Tennis Lifestyle” for 55 years (hard to believe). He started playing tennis in high school and really caught the bug while in college at Mizzou. During graduate school he took lessons, played in leagues at the local tennis club in Columbia and played in tournaments in the surrounding towns. After college he became a lifetime member of USTA and played on teams and leagues for over 30 years in Michigan (10 years) and St Louis. Gary started his coaching career with Breakpoint Tennis & Life Skills Academy in 2022 at Gene Slay’s Boys & Girls Clubs, Sigel Elementary in south St Louis City, Hebert Hoover in North City and currently with Better Family Life. Gary discovered a God given passion for working with both youth and adults interested in the possibility of becoming a Tennis Enthusiast, reaping the benefits of the “Tennis Lifestyle”. Gary is a USTA Certified Level 1 coach and has recently completed the USTA Level 2 coaching requirements. He brings a current approach to making tennis fun and exciting for all participants. Come see what we have to offer and join in on the “Fun”!
Jerry Horsford
I am a PTR Certified Coaching Professional with over twenty years of experience teaching tennis to youth and adults.
Throughout my career, I have coached students from various USTA National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) organizations, conducted clinics for all ages, and provided private instruction to my clients.
As an active participant in USTA and ITT adult leagues, I have experienced the social, educational, and physical benefits that these organizations offer through league participation and other enrichment programs. My passion for coaching stems from my desire to introduce others to the tennis experience so that they can enjoy its rewards.
In my coaching practice, I strive to create a nurturing, non-judgmental environment to help my students be their best. I celebrate their accomplishments, and thoughtfully address areas of challenge, aiming to make each lesson educational and enjoyable.
Currently, I am affiliated with STL City Tennis, and The Dwight Davis Tennis Center NJTL, providing group and individual training for beginners, intermediate, and advanced players.
Amanda Matthesien
As a college athlete playing both tennis and basketball, I was not ready to "hang up" my tennis shoes once my competitive career was over. Knowing I wanted to continue my tennis career as a coach, I received my PTR Certification and for the past thirty years I have coached both children and adults. Coming from a background as an active elementary school teacher, my tennis practice is the perfect connection between my profession as an educator and my craft as a professional tennis instructor. Although I enjoy working with all age groups, I feel my particular skill set is best utilized when working with children. Teaching and learning, regardless of the subject, is an avenue for personal reflection and development and to that end I strive to bring a curiosity and introspection to all interactions and opportunities.
During the Covid pandemic I saw a stark need for more diversity in tennis. After taking some time to imagine what a tennis program that was accessible to all would look like, my partner and I developed STL City Tennis.
The interest in tennis in St Louis continues to skyrocket, and with STL City Tennis' steady growth over the past five years, the time was right to take the program to a fresh and even more progressive level and so a new partnership was formed – The St Louis Tennis Collective. I am so proud to partner with Gary and Jerry to continue the journey to help bring tennis in St Louis to new heights.
We can help.
Customized Lessons
The Collective offers four class skill levels for beginners, Intermediates, Ball characteristics and developmental phases of play.
Special Events
The Collective plans tournaments, open play nights, team competitions & competitive weekly ladders.
Team Building and Development
The St. Louis Tennis Collective provides USTA & ITT certified team coaching, access to STLTC sponsored teams and Non-STLTC sponsored teams as well as custom training packages.