Julie, Executive Director of the Raleigh Tennis Association (RTA), joins us to discuss her lifelong love for tennis. That includes her past tennis experiences and how they helped land her a career in one of the most active tennis communities in the country.

Julie has been a force in each community she has lived in. She started teaching preschoolers and juniors to play tennis. In addition, she created several community programs in Kentucky. For 33 years she has coached, played, coordinated and worked in tennis. Her love of the game is infectious and she believes being involved in tennis was “meant to be”.

From Kentucky to Raleigh, NC

Several years ago, Julie and her family were visiting Raleigh to watch her son play in a junior tournament. Her husband was looking to buy a CPA firm and when they were in Raleigh, he found one! With their impending move, Julie connected with RTA and landed a job as the Executive Director.

Raleigh Tennis Association Programs

RTA leads Rusty Racquets and Try Tennis Programs (in addition to many other social and USTA leagues). Julie believes these fun programs will keep a new player interested in tennis for the rest of their lives!

Continuing Her Lifelong Love for Tennis

In 2021, Julie helped to develop and run the Cy King Summer Classic. The Cy King Summer Classic helps raise money to support the Cy King Community Tennis Fund. This fund will help to provide small application-based grants for under-resourced youth and youth impacted through NJTL programs in Raleigh.

We had the privilege of interviewing Cy about the tournament and the fund named after him. Listen here.

If you are new to tennis or just getting back into it, here are other episodes you may be interested in: