Background

            During November of 2023 Watering Seeds, a nonprofit organization, and BAM! FITennis organized and executed an event that has since been trademarked and has become known as the Serve Challenge. The Challenge operated as workshop led by Hall of Fame tennis player Roscoe Tanner and was functioned to improve the technical proficiency of the serves of youth participants.  Some sixty youth along with parents, sponsors and coaches attended the one day event that included two components. The first was a group instructional module provided by Mr. Tanner. He offered helpful hints on the mechanics to execute an effective serve – particular attention was paid to the toss. It also allowed youth participants the opportunity to receive direct instruction from Tanner as they warmed up. The second component were two distinct performance challenges for participants. One was measuring the velocity of their respective serves in miles per hour using a radar gun. The second was an accuracy test wherein participants attempted to hit specific targets to win corresponding prizes. In both instances the participation rate and accompanying enthusiasm was extraordinary with youth being captivated on improving their success rates.  The event was deemed an overwhelming success by participants, parents and sponsors and there was united appeal for a follow-up event.

The New Serve Challenge: Blending Performance and Purpose Based Learning

           The organizers of the Serve Challenge have regularly met since the first event and have formulated an innovative approach that builds on early success. This new youth development program intends to merge performance-based activities associated with serve improvement (accuracy and velocity) with community service learning. The proposed service learning component seeks to instill in participants a sense of contributing to something bigger than themselves. Specifically, that adolescent youth can serve as an active community change agent and thus build a purpose-based identity as they grow towards adulthood.  Thus, the simple symbol of serving a tennis ball may become a dual challenge of service to self and as well as to others. In sum, as participants work to improve their own tennis serve they also actively partake in a process of character development. These twofold purposes (performance & purpose) are to be cultivated over a time period of roughly six months between public events (November 2024 through May 2025). The timing of each of these two events coincide with key observance days of U.S. Veterans – Veterans and Memorial days. A special emphasis will be placed on serving veterans.

Process  

           The next Serve Challenge public event is scheduled for early November 2024. At that event participants will be presented with the option to partake in the community service component. They will be provided with an overview and encouraged to engage as either individuals or as part of a team. Many participants from the initial event in November 2023 were members of tennis teams either from local high schools, clubs, sports academies or camps. While others shared no affiliation and participated as individuals. Although teams will be encouraged individuals will be also be welcomed. Thus, there will be two categories of community service campaigns – one for teams and one for individuals. Initial launch will take place a kick-off event in November 2024. Ultimately, at the second event in May 2025 judges will review and award prizes for each category.

           At the onset of the community service component a dedicated web portal will be developed to provide instructions, rules and to accept applications. An overview detailing the purpose, guidance and best practices will also be included. It will serve to familiarize participants with how to launch, grow and ultimately achieve outcomes for their respective community service campaigns. Additionally, the portal will also include a set of character development modules that highlight seven core values of how best to compete as champions on the court and in life. The core values are taken from Dr. Larry Lauer’s curriculum entitled: Live like a Champion – A Character and Life Skills Program. The seven core values include: Confidence, Determination, Engagement, Professionalism, Resiliency, Respectfulness and Toughness. Larry developed the curriculum as the Senior Sports Psychologist for the United States Tennis Association Player Development Program. An additional value will be added to include Compassion.

           It should be noted that the community service program is comprised of both a campaign (awareness/advocacy) as well as a corresponding project (tangible outcomes through a series of activities). During the November 2024 kick-off event the following process will be detailed for the community service program (Figure 1):

1.    Introduction to the access portal to register and submit applications. Applications will include the selection of core values from the Lauer curriculum to amplify, a personal statement; project description with partnerships; and beneficiaries and anticipated outcomes for both the applicant and the community. The application should also specify a mentoring coach. Such coaches could be parents, older siblings, tennis coaches, school instructors, representatives from churches or scouting troops, etc.

2.    A small committee of Watering Seeds representatives and sponsors will review and approve applicants and their community service campaigns. The selected program manager will schedule interviews with approved applicants and accompanying mentor/coaches to provide guidance and assure for a successful launch.  During the interview a work plan and timetable for implementation will be jointly formulated. The timetable will include check-in dates to share updates for staying on track or for making adjustments. One interim report will be required to be submitted by participants halfway through the performance period.

3.    Towards the conclusion of each participant’s community service period a short presentation will be developed. The presentation will assist the participant in sharing their activities, challenges, successes and outcomes for their respective community service campaigns and accompanying projects. The Water Seeds program manager will assist in refining the presentation based on content, style and impact on audiences, including the judges. Multi-media tools might be suggested but simple but powerful messaging will be encouraged. The following presentation motto will be emphasized to ensure clarity and brevity: Be Bright, Be Bold, Be Real and Be Gone!

4.    As we approach the culminating May 2025 event the Watering Seeds committee along with selective sponsors will be asked to convene for a short orientation. At that time committee members will be asked to volunteer as judges. Additionally, updates and previews for specific presentations will be shared and discussed. Also, the orientation will provide a simple scoring sheet to assist in evaluation. Finally, at a time logistically possible just before the May 2025 event participants will make their presentations formally to the judges. Judges will be allowed to engage in a short period of questions and answers (Q&A) with the presenters. Upon completion of all presentations and Q&A, the judges will have a brief time to reflect, share and offer their recommendations. Winners for each category will be selected and they will be announced as part of a celebration ceremony during the May 2025 culminating event.

Impacts and Considerations

            The Serve Challenge is a unique and innovative approach towards cultivating dual outcomes for participating youth. While sharpening a key technical element of their game youth will also learn the meaning of service at a formative time in their lives. The timing is also important since the November kick-off event coincides with several holiday efforts to cultivate sharing and thankfulness.  In Houston it is a usually a time for family reflection and engaging in acts of charity towards those less fortunate.  As youth return to school from the Christmas break they are preparing for the spring tennis season in the middle of winter which is traditionally a slow season for outdoor activity.  The winter doldrums is a perfect time to work on community service projects. The Serve Challenge seeks to fill this void by catalyzing enrichment opportunities for selective youth during the academic school year.  As they return to school form the Christmas break their work during the winter should spark renewed enthusiasm that carries into the spring tennis season.  In short, they feel good about themselves and hit the ground running during the normally dormant winter months and gain momentum towards the spring tennis season. The program will conclude with an ultimate culmination at an award celebration in May 2025 to coincide with Memorial Day activities.  

            Tennis has often been referred to as the pursuit of a solitary activity. Youth participants with advanced capabilities are groomed as individuals to build proficiencies that ultimately translate to on-court competitiveness. Such a process can also cultivate virtues that can stimulate off-court performance such as school, work and family. Seven of those have been previously cited through Larry Lauer’s Life Skills curriculum. However, what might be missing for youth during their formative years is the self-awareness of belonging to a greater community. A community filled with opportunities to learn, work and leave a positive imprint.  In doing so they evolve into become a fully functioning and fulfilled adult. Finally, youth learn that they too can shape the world around them for good – that simple but powerful acts of service are ripe learning opportunities. The community service program of The Serve Challenge has been conceptualized to fill that role.

            In coordination with family, school, coaches, churches and other supporting individuals, youth participants situate themselves at the center of a social eco-system (see Figure 2).  A system that they stimulate to bring awareness by performing self-less acts for the well-being of others. In short, they learn during their formative adolescent years the concept of altruism. Ultimately, in the words of Arthur Ashe, one of the sport’s greatest philanthropists, they are becoming good citizens of the world by “starting where they are, using what they have and doing what they can.” For as Arthur so eloquently illustrates “success is often a journey not a destination – the doing is more important than the outcome”.  In sum, Watering Seeds has conceptualized the Serve Challenge as a vehicle for participating youth to navigate a journey of enrichment through their local social eco-systems. A journey that by stretching outward with deeds of service culminates in the growth of inner self.

Figure 1: Community Service Program Highlights

Step 1: Kick-off Event (11/24)                                       Step 2: Applications Process (early 12/24)

a.    Announcement & Call to Action                        a. Application Approval

b.    Application Portal Opens                                     b. Work plans & Timetable Established

c.     Character Development Curriculum                 c. Program Manger Support Launch

d.    Oversight Committee Seated                             d. Overall Monitoring Plan Developed

Step 3: Performance Period (12/24 – 5/25)              Step 4: Presentations & Celebration (5/25)

a.    Provide Technical Assistance via Portal           a. Wrap up Campaigns/Projects  - Lessons

b.    Interim Reports Submitted                                 b. Seat Judges Panel/Orientation Scorecard

c.     Ensure Inclusion of Core Values (2-4)               c. Finalize Presentations using 4bs

d.    Initial Work on Summary & Presentation       d. Formal Presentations, Judging & Awards