Junior Tennis is On the RISE

Summary

Jeremy Saline, a former Division I baseball player and father of four, shares the story behind On The Rise Tennis (ontherisetennis.org), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit he founded to help offset the financial burden of competitive junior tennis and build a team environment for young players ages 10-18. The organization provides grants for training and tournament costs, pairs players with mentors, and emphasizes community service, leadership development, and the mental side of competition. Saline explicitly mentions connecting with INTENNSE founders Charles Allen and Randy Jenks and liking the concept of what they are building.

Guest Background

Jeremy Saline is based in Ohio and played Division I baseball in college. He has four children (ages 4-13), with his oldest daughter being the primary tennis player who competed through USTA tournaments including Little Mo events and nationals at the USTA campus. He has no tennis playing background but brings experience in coaching, leadership development, and nonprofit management. He founded On The Rise Tennis in 2025, launching officially in October 2025 with three inaugural team members.

Key Topics

• The escalating cost of competitive junior tennis: court time, private lessons, travel, tournament fees become unsustainable as players advance
• The gap between academy-trained players (5+ hours/day) and families funding 6-7 hours/week of court time
• On The Rise Tennis structure: 501(c)(3) with application process requiring GPA standards, letters of recommendation, personal statement, and demonstrated aspiration to play at a high level
• Grant funding goes directly toward player expenses (coaching, court time, tournament travel) with receipts and accountability — not pay-for-play
• Team element: “Team Rise” travels together, trains together, builds camaraderie — filling the team void that exists in individual junior tennis until high school
• RISE Individual Performance (RIP) program: leadership development, communication skills, resilience training — not tennis-specific but life skills
• Mentorship component: seeking collegiate players and former players to mentor Team Rise members
• NCAA eligibility protections: grants are not tied to performance or results, aligned with NIL landscape changes
• Virtual coaching and check-ins for geographically dispersed team members
• AI mental coaching partnership with Arthur Gutch and “Life Writing Trails”
• Community service requirement for all team members
• Direct mention of INTENNSE: “I connected with Charles and Randy Jenks from INTENNSE. I really liked the concept of what they’re trying to build and what that’s going to do for potentially for junior tennis.”

Actionable Advice for Families

• If your child aspires to play competitive tennis but finances are a barrier, apply to On The Rise Tennis at ontherisetennis.org
• Consider the team element: junior tennis burnout is often driven by isolation — find or create team experiences for your child
• Approach tennis development as more than court time — leadership skills, mental coaching, and community service contribute to long-term success whether or not tennis becomes a career
• Volunteer as a mentor if you have collegiate or competitive tennis experience
• Businesses can sponsor Team Rise players with transparent, direct-to-player financial support

INTENNSE Relevance

• Direct partnership signal: Jeremy Saline explicitly names Charles Allen and Randy Jenks as people he has connected with and expresses alignment with the INTENNSE concept — this is a warm lead for collaboration
• Team-based model validation: On The Rise Tennis independently arrived at the same conclusion INTENNSE holds: junior tennis lacks a team element, and creating one improves retention, joy, and development
• Accessibility mission overlap: Both organizations target the “broad middle” of tennis families who want more but cannot afford it — potential for coordinated events, shared grant frameworks, or co-branded team competitions
• Mental performance: The AI mental coaching partnership and RIP program parallel INTENNSE’s interest in whole-player development beyond just on-court skills
• UTR-focused events: Saline envisions round-robin, UTR-style team events where losing is acceptable and development is prioritized — directly compatible with INTENNSE’s event philosophy

Notable Quotes

“I connected with Charles and Randy Jenks from INTENNSE. I really liked the concept of what they’re trying to build and what that’s going to do for potentially for junior tennis.”

“Kids burn out because they feel like they’re just doing it by themselves. Other kids are playing volleyball and basketball and football and other sports, and they have a team to train with.”

“If she still wants to pursue this at the level that’s required to play at a high level, we’re going to need to build something that maybe can help support her, but also other kids that are struggling with the same aspect.”