Michael Ouvarov stands as the founder and CEO of Tennis and Pickleball 4 All, a local nonprofit committed to making racquet sports accessible to athletes with diverse abilities. This remarkable organization has been at the forefront of providing opportunities for athletes to thrive in the world of sports.

Unlock the Potential of Adaptive Sports with Tennis and Pickleball 4 All

15-Year-Old Iskra Ouvarova's Inspiring Victory

In a truly remarkable display of perseverance and growth, 15-year-old Iskra Ouvarova from Bunnell achieved victory in Level 2 Pickleball Singles at the Special Olympics Florida State Championships held from November 8th to 9th at ESPN Wide World of Sports in Kissimmee. Her journey from a 9-0 loss in her opening game to becoming a champion vividly showcases the transformative power of adaptive sports programs within our community. Witnessing this transformation was an awe-inspiring experience. As a volunteer coach for the Special Olympics pickleball program from August to November, it became evident to me that athletes require year-round training and competitive opportunities to truly develop their skills. While the Special Olympics program is wonderful, consistent, year-round engagement greatly benefits athletes.Through Tennis and Pickleball 4 All, our aim is to offer ongoing training and create additional competitive avenues throughout the year. These regular tournaments and events play a crucial role in athlete development, confidence building, and continuous progress.

Flagler County Athletes at the Special Olympics Regional Games

The dedication of Flagler County athletes like Kimberley Jenkins, Jamie Morrow, Kennet Lefkovic, and Iskra Ouvarova, under the guidance of coach Michael Ouvarov at the Southern Recreation Center in Palm Coast during the Special Olympics season, reinforced the need for such programs. These athletes maintained perfect attendance at their weekly practices, made possible by the generous support of the Southern Recreation Center, which provided them with pickleball courts for the program. Despite their unwavering commitment, quota restrictions meant only one athlete could advance to the state championships.

Expanding Year-Round Programming and Building Dedicated Courts

Looking ahead, Tennis and Pickleball 4 All aims to expand its year-round programming at our facility, which currently houses three tennis courts. Although we have adapted these tennis courts for pickleball practice, our adaptive athletes would greatly benefit from dedicated pickleball courts. The organization is currently raising funds to construct three such courts, estimated to cost $64,200. These courts will provide a clearer and more focused environment for athletes and enable the program to host regular tournaments and events starting in January 2025.The nonprofit's mission extends beyond sports training. We are committed to creating an inclusive and empowering environment where athletes of all abilities can flourish. Through our adaptive tennis and pickleball programs, we are building confidence, fostering independence, and forging lasting connections within our community.We are actively seeking new athletes with intellectual disabilities to join our programs. Pickleball is an incredibly accessible sport that can be adapted to various ability levels, and we are eager to welcome new athletes into our supportive community.To fulfill this mission, Tennis and Pickleball 4 All seeks community support on multiple fronts:- Financial Support: The annual cost to support one athlete is $1,500, covering weekly professional coaching ($25 per session for 48 weeks), quality pickleball equipment, tournament entry fees, and travel expenses. Our capital campaign aims to raise $64,200 for dedicated courts to provide optimal training conditions, host inclusive tournaments, expand program capacity, and create a hub for adaptive sports in Flagler County.- Volunteer Opportunities: We need volunteers for fundraising coordination, social media management, facility maintenance, playing partners for athletes, and event organization.While the organization has received initial support from USTA and Walmart, we are actively seeking additional community partnerships to expand our impact. Our goal is to ensure that no athlete misses out on competitive opportunities due to resource limitations.Every athlete deserves the chance to experience the joy of competition and the sense of accomplishment that comes with it. With the support of the community, we can make this a reality for more athletes in our area.Interested volunteers, potential athletes, or donors can visit tennisandpickleball4all.com/donate to support the program or contact Tennis and Pickleball 4 All at [email protected] or call 386-227-7157 to learn more about joining as an athlete or volunteer.