Today marked the successful completion of the Lifetime Sports Academy’s 21st summer with more than 1,000 participants this year and a total of 27,961 participants over the last 21 years. Group lessons in the lifetime sports of golf, tennis and swimming were offered to boys and girls, ages 7 – 18. Lessons focused on skill development.

Each year, the Parks and Recreation Department provides certified coaching and highly trained professionals who direct lessons in swimming, tennis and golf. Offering instruction in three sports has been a successful formula throughout the years. The Lifetime Sport Academy has developed a solid reputation and attracts a huge number of kids each summer.

This year, the following numbers of lessons were given: 2,029 golf lessons, 1,051 tennis lessons and 1,023 swim lessons. Participants have the opportunity to earn new tennis rackets, golf clubs, and more. In 2018, 85 rackets and 21 sets of golf clubs were earned.

Since its beginning in 1998, Lifetime Sports Academy has awarded more than 2,055 tennis rackets and close to 1,346 sets of golf clubs to participants who passed their skills tests.

“After 21 years, the Lifetime Sports Academy continues to fulfill its mission of teaching the lifelong sports of tennis, golf and swimming for free to youth.

This national, one of a kind program, was a public-private partnership between the Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department, Jerry Fox, and Tom Jehl,” said Deputy Director Chuck Reddinger.” “Almost 28,000 youth have had the opportunity to participate in activities that they would not have considered trying if it was not for this program. Many participants have gone on to play on their local high school and college teams.”

The Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation Department’s Lifetime Sports Academy is sponsoring the First Tee National School Program in 34 Fort Wayne Community Elementary Schools for the fifth year this fall. The First Tee in-school golf program promotes character development and life-enhancing values through the game of golf and is the result of a cooperative effort between the Indiana PGA, the Indiana Golf Foundation, Inc. and the Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation Department.