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Disney GOALS Tennis

The A+ Opportunity Academy
Untraditional Out-of-School Time – 12-month School Year

Goal: Provide educational, athletic and social awareness components to elementary school kids who are out of school for a one-to-two, non-scheduled months during the school year due to overcrowding

Program Size: 300-450 kids estimated for first year; second year estimated to reach 850 kids (program runs year-round)

Location: Anaheim, Calif.

School district Size: 25,000 enrolled elementary students, 22 local schools

Community Size: 6,715 (undergraduate), 12,424 (graduate)

Lead Advocate Organization: David Wilk, Program Director of Disney GOALS, a 13-year-old Sport and Education program

Length of Program: Year-round

Budget: $25,000

Funding Source: USTA Tennis & Education Foundation, existing funds

Introduction: Disney GOALS (Growth Opportunity Athletic and Learning Services) has successfully operated after-school programs in the greater Anaheim area and San Diego since 1994. The centerpiece of Disney GOALS was built around the sport of ice hockey, with low-income participants getting to play weekly at premier facilities such as the Anaheim ICE arena, the Kroc Center in San Diego and GOALS Gardens Arena in Anaheim (a roller hockey rink). Another major initiative of Disney GOALS after-school activities involves community service activities designed to support other needy populations (mentally challenged or disabled individuals, senior citizens, veteran’s organizations and organizations that help feed the hungry).

History: Due to the overcrowding at the more than 22 local elementary schools, the city of Anaheim developed a year-round school format with four “tracks” of students. One track is rotated off (out of school) for a month at a time. Thus, each track spends about two months off, but these occur and various points throughout the year. This means students are often left at home alone without proper supervision or the mental and/or physical outlets for their considerable energies. To fill the gaps in the year-round school format, Disney GOALS decided to pilot a morning tennis edition of its after-school program, called the “A+ Opportunity Academy.” It features an educational, athletic and social awareness component and is offered free of charge to off-track students. The A+ Opportunity Academy partnered with the Anaheim Elementary City School District and the city of Anaheim to provide for the students’ needs; the school district will provide one teacher to each education session at Disney GOALS headquarters during weekday mornings, while the city will provide free access to public tennis courts located one mile from Disney GOALS headquarters. The academy also will bring in guest speakers to supplement the morning program. Disney GOALS solicited help from the USTA’S Tennis & Education Foundation to help with funding for coaches, some equipment and transit shuttles, as well as additional tennis activities to inspire the participants. It is expected that somewhere between 300 and 450 low-income youngsters (primarily Hispanic) will benefit from the combined education and tennis activities during the first year of the initiative. Disney GOALS provides all transportation, tennis equipment, tennis handouts, coaches and court time completely free of charge. A Disney GOALS “Tennis Open” tournament will also be offered in May 2007 for all interested Disney GOALS tennis players to compete in. Disney GOALS has set a goal of having 850 youngsters participate annually in the next year or two. Additionally, with the support of outside tennis organizations and advocates, Disney GOALS hopes to develop a tennis complex with at least two tennis courts to promote additional tennis opportunities in the years ahead.

Funding:

  • Grant from the USTA Tennis & Education Foundation
  • Existing funds from other Disney GOALS programs
  • Partnering organizations included the Anaheim Elementary City School, City of Anaheim, USTA, local leaders (City Council)
Dave Wilk, Executive Director, Disney GOALS: "Disney GOALS requires that participants attend a weekly 'GOALS Class' at a location within a designated 'GOALS neighborhood.' Classes are hosted weekly at locations such as schools, park and recreation buildings or community centers convenient to neighborhood youth. Neighborhood areas are selected based on surveys conducted by Disney GOALS and local municipal leaders, and are oriented toward low-income areas with few other youth services available."

Lesson: Determine a need in your community and work to fill that need. Disney GOALS saw a void created by the year-round schooling and stepped in with a program that benefited students and parents alike, while also taking some of the burden off the city and school district. By promoting a program that benefits the city, Disney GOALS was better able to secure the city’s help in securing its program.

Contact Information:
Dave Wilk, Executive Director
Disney GOALS
1170 La Palma Park Way • Anaheim, CA 92801
Telephone: 714-956-4625 • E-mail: disneygoals_dtwilk@go.com • Website: www.goals.org