Three tennis professionals recently earned credentials as specialists in teaching children’s tennis. Lee Couillard of Honolulu, Tom Kelly of Daytona Beach, Fla., and Eric Mann of Winnetka, Calif., each established themselves as Specialists in Little Tennis through the United States Professional Tennis Association.

Each of the new specialists holds USPTA’s highest tested rating of Professional 1 and has been directing programs for young children for several years. They have demonstrated success organizing and marketing programs, working with young children and participating in continuing education.

Couillard is head tennis professional at Punahou School in Honolulu. Kelly is head tennis professional at the new Florida Tennis Center in Daytona Beach. Mann is head tennis professional at Burbank Tennis Center in Burbank, Calif.

“Orchestrating a tennis lesson so that even the youngest children feel successful is not a skill owned by all teachers,” said USPTA CEO Tim Heckler. “Specialists in Little Tennis not only have that skill, but also the business capability to build successful children’s programs. The importance of these programs can’t be overstated because they’re vital to getting entire families involved in a lifetime sport that they can play together.”

The specialist program is part of USPTA’s career development program. In addition to Little Tennis, USPTA recognizes specialists in competitive player development and computer technology. Additional specialist categories are added each year. For more information about this program, USPTA members should call (800) 877-8248 or write to education@uspta.org.