About
Junior Tennis Programs includes Junior Tennis Sessions and after-school classes for kids ages 4-18. The program also connects with Special Events & Tournaments that take place at the same facility, including professional tournaments and local member mixers. Middle school and high school prep classes and middle school and high school tennis camps are part of the junior training pathway.
• Ages: 4–18 years old
• Schedule: Program and facility hours are available Monday–Friday 9:00am–9:00pm, Saturday 9:00am–4:00pm, and Sunday 10:00am–4:00pm, with specified holiday closures.
• Price: Outdoor courts are $5 per person per hour for non-members.
Junior Tennis Programs is part of a larger racquet sports offering that also includes Adult Tennis Programs, beginner Tennis 101, Live Ball classes, Pickleball classes, Pickleball events, and Pickleball tournaments. The program operates within a facility that has received multiple recognitions, including USTA Outstanding Facility of the Year awards in August 2019 and August 2025 and Municipal Facility of the Year from Racquet Sports Industry Magazine in December 2019. The General Manager is Colt Gaston, and the leadership team includes Penny Clavijo, Jim Richards, Luis Rojas, Caleb McCurry, Rylan Pickens, Ethan Ellison, Zach Nelson, Emily Alvarado, Eddie Bethune, Kyle Williams, and Debra Ault-Butenko.
Coaching staff credentials include extensive junior coaching and competitive experience. Colt Gaston has worked with juniors for over 15 years with expertise in player development, has worked with 2 top 100 ATP/WTA players, helped over 30 kids obtain college scholarships, and previously served as Head Women’s Tennis Coach at the University of Missouri for 4 years. Jim Richards is a USPTA certified P1 Elite Professional, a GPTA Board Member, GPTA Pro of the Year, a USPTA and GPTA speaker, and a contributing writer and editor for several tennis publications. Luis Rojas has competed in state, regional, national, ITF, and professional tournaments in Mexico and played college tennis at Linfield College, where he was captain of the men’s team. Caleb McCurry played at Rome High School and Young Harris College, was top 25 in the nation in doubles, earned 2nd Team All Conference honors, and was a Conference Carolinas champion. Collegiate Tennis Instructors include Rylan Pickens, Ethan Ellison, and Zach Nelson, and Ethan Ellison graduated from Model High School in 2024 and will play for the Berry College men’s team.
Rome Tennis Center at Berry College, where Junior Tennis Programs are based, opened in 2016, added an indoor facility in 2020, and added Top Spin Terrace in 2021. The facility has a satellite site in downtown Rome and notes that it is central to Birmingham, Atlanta, and Chattanooga. One testimonial from a member who joined in the summer of 2024 mentions using the indoor courts during cold weather, participating in indoor glow in the dark tennis, valuing membership and drills, and describes the pro shop staff as friendly and helpful, with multiple shoe options available. The same testimonial notes that Tennis Director Jim Richards runs engaging, fun, and challenging drill sessions and has promoted an Inaugural Spring Women’s Morning League with daytime inter-club competition.
Last updated April 23, 2026.
• Ages: 4–18 years old
• Schedule: Program and facility hours are available Monday–Friday 9:00am–9:00pm, Saturday 9:00am–4:00pm, and Sunday 10:00am–4:00pm, with specified holiday closures.
• Price: Outdoor courts are $5 per person per hour for non-members.
Junior Tennis Programs is part of a larger racquet sports offering that also includes Adult Tennis Programs, beginner Tennis 101, Live Ball classes, Pickleball classes, Pickleball events, and Pickleball tournaments. The program operates within a facility that has received multiple recognitions, including USTA Outstanding Facility of the Year awards in August 2019 and August 2025 and Municipal Facility of the Year from Racquet Sports Industry Magazine in December 2019. The General Manager is Colt Gaston, and the leadership team includes Penny Clavijo, Jim Richards, Luis Rojas, Caleb McCurry, Rylan Pickens, Ethan Ellison, Zach Nelson, Emily Alvarado, Eddie Bethune, Kyle Williams, and Debra Ault-Butenko.
Coaching staff credentials include extensive junior coaching and competitive experience. Colt Gaston has worked with juniors for over 15 years with expertise in player development, has worked with 2 top 100 ATP/WTA players, helped over 30 kids obtain college scholarships, and previously served as Head Women’s Tennis Coach at the University of Missouri for 4 years. Jim Richards is a USPTA certified P1 Elite Professional, a GPTA Board Member, GPTA Pro of the Year, a USPTA and GPTA speaker, and a contributing writer and editor for several tennis publications. Luis Rojas has competed in state, regional, national, ITF, and professional tournaments in Mexico and played college tennis at Linfield College, where he was captain of the men’s team. Caleb McCurry played at Rome High School and Young Harris College, was top 25 in the nation in doubles, earned 2nd Team All Conference honors, and was a Conference Carolinas champion. Collegiate Tennis Instructors include Rylan Pickens, Ethan Ellison, and Zach Nelson, and Ethan Ellison graduated from Model High School in 2024 and will play for the Berry College men’s team.
Rome Tennis Center at Berry College, where Junior Tennis Programs are based, opened in 2016, added an indoor facility in 2020, and added Top Spin Terrace in 2021. The facility has a satellite site in downtown Rome and notes that it is central to Birmingham, Atlanta, and Chattanooga. One testimonial from a member who joined in the summer of 2024 mentions using the indoor courts during cold weather, participating in indoor glow in the dark tennis, valuing membership and drills, and describes the pro shop staff as friendly and helpful, with multiple shoe options available. The same testimonial notes that Tennis Director Jim Richards runs engaging, fun, and challenging drill sessions and has promoted an Inaugural Spring Women’s Morning League with daytime inter-club competition.
Last updated April 23, 2026.
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