Play to Grow empowers underserved kids in grades K-8 through the sport of tennis
We are a non-profit run by high school tennis players in Illinois
Our mission
We believe that sports like tennis will teach kids important life skills such as teamwork, confidence, leadership, sportsmanship, and mental resilience.
We are on a mission to increase access to tennis and its benefits.
Global Impact
Play to Grow is SO excited to partner with the Pisingos Foundation in Bogotá, Columbia to teach local kids tennis and empower them to their best potential through sports. We want to thank our community in Chicago, especially Midtown Willowbrook and Hinsdale Racquet Club for your continued support and generosity.
Such a great opportunity and experience that we are super grateful for! Can’t wait to continue to expand our impact in the upcoming future!! 🚀
Check out this podcast!
Greater Than Zero Percent (GTZP) is 501(c)(3) non-profit on a mission to find people and organizations that are changing the world and sharing their stories.
“In this episode we interview Nicole Hu, Founder of Play to Grow. Play to Grow is on a mission to empower underserved youth in grades K-8 through the sport of tennis.”
SO proud to announce our partnership with Children First Fund and Chicago Public Schools! We had a super fun time bringing PTG curriculum and donations from our local tennis clubs to the student athletes in this wonderful program.
All the players were rockstars! 🎸⚡
Our high school coaches host free summer camps for kids in grades K-8
Our summer camps provide kids an introduction to tennis through warm-ups, games, drills, and more.
Play to Grow coaches are also mentors to the kids. We host a Q&A session during camp for kids to ask any questions they have about school - elementary school, middle school, or high school.
We collect and donate gently used tennis equipment
We organize collections of gently used tennis racquets (kids sized preferred!) and tennis balls, that we provide for free to schools in underprivileged areas. We started partnerships with inner city schools in Chicago and have plans to expand internationally - to Africa and South America.
Coming soon: We’ll be launching digital tennis instruction videos so kids anywhere can learn!
Stay tuned for more to come!
“Tennis has personally helped me build my confidence and real-life problem-solving skills. I want to share my love of the game and spread its benefits to other kids.”
— Nicole Hu, Play to Grow Founder
Get involved!
Email us at playtogrowclub@gmail.com if you’d like to become a PTG Coach or to donate gently used tennis racquets or balls.