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Programs

  • Weekly wheelchair tennis and pickleball lessons, drills, clinics

  • Host annual ITF and USTA Wheelchair Tennis Tournament

  • Community Outreach Projects

  • Tennis camps and special events

  • Local, regional and national competition

  • Gear/equipment

  • Travel tournament expenses

  • Certified instructors for quality advancement

wheelchair player
MEET CHRIS UZZI, TROPICAL WHEELCHAIR SPORTS VETERANS
PROGRAM DIRECTOR

With my experience as a Veteran’s Peer Specialist working with veterans for over 20
years, I have found my passion in giving back as much as I can to those who have
served our country. Also, having a USPTA tennis background and experience in playing
in senior tennis tournaments, the game of pickleball came naturally to me.
When I started playing tennis and pickleball in Mindy’s sports programs, it lead me to
think about other ways I could give back to veterans. When I learned of her plans to
start Tropical Wheelchair Sports, an adaptive tennis and pickleball program, right away I
knew that this would be a great way to help adaptive veterans. Mindy enthusiastically
embraced the idea of adding a Veteran’s Division to the program. This would be an
essential element in my mission of supporting our servicemen and women in their
journey towards better physical and emotional health.

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CERTIFICATIONS AND ACCREDITATIONS
Certified Veterans Recovery Peer Specialist. Florida Certification Board CRPS100032
Wainwright Institute of Professional Coaching
Drug and Alcohol Treatment Specialist Stratford Career Institute
Christopher Leadership Course (The Christopher’s)
Verification and Evaluation Department of Veterans Affairs certified
State of Florida Veterans Enterprise Vendor
80th Class Non-Commissioned Officers School Fort Benning Georgia

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Our President

Mindy Rashbaum

PTR Certified Tennis & Pickleball Instructor/President

Mindy Rashbaum brings a passion for tennis to the court everyday. Her enthusiasm is infectious, as she balances a fun energetic game based style with her mission for helping players learn, enjoy, and win. Every session with Mindy is upbeat as she passes along specific techniques, match strategies, and advice to players of all levels. Players looking to improve both their fitness and results will enjoy every minute.

Mindy relocated to Naples, Florida in 2004 from Long Island, New York. With a strong passion for sport, she left her previous career as a Surgical Technologist to pursue a direction in tennis. She traded in the operating room for the tennis court.

She joined The Greater Naples YMCA in 2006 as a recreational tennis instructor and coach. In 10+ years serving the YMCA and it's members, she taught hundreds of people, coached many teams, and developed dynamic programming and events. Through these endeavors, Mindy was able to bring people together through tennis, and create a sense of community that went well beyond sports.

Coaching and Teaching

  • USTA adult league coach, advancing to local and regional championships

  • Created, developed, and sustained Pickleball program at the Greater Naples YMCA

  • Marketing and Advertising Director from 2009-2013

  • Sponsorships 

  • Tournaments  

  • Grants

  • Introduced and developed special programs, such as:

    • L.O.V.E. (USTA Sponsored Adult Beginner Tennis Program) 

    • Soundball tennis for the visually impaired, The Lighthouse of Naples, a Collier County non-profit for the blind and visually impaired and their caregivers 

    • Recreational tennis program for 'Justin's Place' residents of St. Mathew's House; "For adult males with problems of addiction."

    • USTA Area League Coordinator for Junior Team Tennis

    • Assistant Head Coach for The Community School of Naples Boy's Varsity Team

    • Lessons, clinics, leagues, Round-Robins, events, and LOTS & LOTS of fun!

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