A new women's tennis program officially launched on August 18, 2026, at the Frank Black Middle School (FBMS) racquet center, offering beginner and advanced clinics on the facility's four courts.
Sessions begin at 9 a.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays and are primarily open to residents of the 77018 ZIP code—an area long underserved by public tennis facilities for adults and students alike.
The launch comes at a time of unprecedented growth in tennis participation nationwide and across Texas. According to the latest USTA data, U.S. tennis participation reached a record 27.3 million players in 2025—an increase of 6% from the previous year.
This marks the sixth consecutive year of growth. Interestingly, first-time participants hit 4.9 million in 2025. Specifically, women were the prime drivers of the expansion, with 1.1 million more female players taking the court—a 10% jump.
Texas mirrored and, in some metrics, outpaced the national trend. Roughly 1 in every 11 Texans play tennis, well above the national average.
In Greater Houston, the growth has intensified pressure on limited public courts, particularly in the broader Waltrip High School feeder pattern. Local organizers note that the scarcity of affordable, accessible facilities for adults and students has left many potential players without convenient and low-cost options—making the new women's clinics and the school's reopened four-court complex especially timely.
The women's initiative is part of a broader expansion by Space City Tennis (SCT), a mission-driven organization focused on empowering students—particularly those attending Title I schools in Houston—with the technical skills, strategic knowledge, on-court confidence, and sportsmanship needed to compete and succeed in life.
In 2026 alone, SCT served more than 170 students through its non-profit model, which ensures that a family's budget never limits participation. Participation expectations for 2026-2027 are to engage 220 students.
Led by executive coach Fausto Catoni, the women's clinics quickly filled up, prompting the addition of new sessions to the schedule.
"We want to offer an engaging experience for tennis beginners by following our ten-week curriculum. These small clinics will introduce all of the strokes and how to play competitively,” said Catoni, a USTA-certified SafePlay coach.
"For advanced players, we are focusing on game-winning strategies for both singles and doubles."
A key aspect of this innovative program is a fundraising option. Those who donate to the FBMS Tennis Booster Club receive various benefits, such as discounts and court reservation privileges.
Of note, 100% of these donations are used to build and refurbish tennis courts primarily at the Houston Independent School District Title I A schools, such as FBMS.
Additional membership information is posted at this link.
Written by Don Hackett
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