First Serve NoCo
Tennis is the first serve.
We help Northern Colorado kids stay active, build confidence, learn leadership skills, and feel like they belong through free and low-cost tennis, mentorship, and English/Spanish education.
More Than Tennis
At First Serve NoCo, tennis is how we open the door.
Once kids step on the court, they learn much more than forehands and backhands. They learn how to keep trying. How to work with others. How to handle mistakes. How to speak up. How to lead. How to believe they belong.
We bring tennis, education, mentorship, and bilingual learning to schools, Boys & Girls Clubs, parks, and community spaces across Northern Colorado.
The Problems We Help Address
1
Access
Many kids in our service area attend schools where half or more of the students qualify for free or reduced lunch. We remove cost barriers by providing free and low-cost programs, equipment, and coaching.
2
Health
Kids need movement. Tennis helps kids stay active, build coordination, and develop healthy habits. With children ages 8–12 spending an average of 5.5 hours a day on screens, tennis offers a fun way to get moving and balance screen time.
3
Belonging
Only 66% of Colorado middle school students say they feel like they belong at school. We create a place where kids are known, included, and encouraged.
4
Mentorship
Not every child has enough trusted adults. Our coaches and volunteers help kids feel seen, supported, and valued.
Who We Are
First Serve NoCo, formerly NJTL of Fort Collins, is a youth development nonprofit serving children and families across Northern Colorado.
Our roots come from the National Junior Tennis and Learning movement, inspired by Arthur Ashe’s belief that tennis could build character, education, and opportunity. Today, we carry that mission forward in Fort Collins, Loveland, and surrounding communities.
Donate Today
When you donate to NJTL of Northern Colorado, you’re investing in more than just tennis — you’re creating opportunities for underserved youth. Your support provides equipment, coaching, bilingual education, and leadership training that help kids grow on and off the court. Every dollar fuels programs that build confidence, open doors to college, and change lives through the game of tennis.
Who We Serve
600+ Participants in 2025
- Wellington
- Fort Collins
- Loveland
- Estes Park
At NJTL of Northern Colorado, we are dedicated to creating a clear pathway for underserved youth that combines tennis, bilingual education, life skills, and leadership development. In 2025, we successfully expanded our reach, serving over 600 children across our diverse programming initiatives.
Our Developmental Pathway
Building skills from Preschool to high school.
01.
Preschool
Partners: La Familia & Teaching Tree. Introduction to tennis, where children learn basic athletic skills and tennis vocabulary in a bilingual environment (English and Spanish).
02.
Elementary
Partners: Putnam Elementary lunchtime tennis. Four Boys and Girls Clubs locations. Programming focuses on early tennis skill acquisition, leadership training, and listening skills.
03.
Middle School
Partners: Boys & Girls Clubs Players continue development through club programming and our Boot Camp. Support includes funding for equipment and fees to remove barriers to entry.
04.
High School
Focus: Leadership Development. Our high school program emphasizes advanced leadership development to prepare students for critical roles as team captains, mentors, and future coaches.
2025 Highlight
Middle School Boot Camp
One of our proudest achievements this year was our Middle School Boot Camp. In partnership with the CSU Women’s Tennis Team serving as coaches, we filled 12 courts to capacity with 144 middle school players. This event provided invaluable mentorship and high-level instruction to aspiring athletes.
Partnerships & Program Locations
Boys & Girls Clubs Partnership
We continue our unique partnership with the Boys and Girls
Clubs of Larimer County (BGC LC).
Fort Collins
- Dunn Elementary
- Putnam Elementary
- CSU Women's Tennis
- Middle School Tennis Programs
- Genesis Health Club
Loveland
- Truscott Elementary
- Teaching Tree Loveland
Estes Park
- Estes Park Elementary
- YMCA Rockies
- Home School Programs
Watch the video to see Lunchtime Tennis in action and the smiles it brings to our community’s kids!!
Our Lunchtime Tennis program brings the game directly to kids where they are on the playground! We set up kid-sized nets, racquets, and low-compression balls to transform the blacktop into a fun and welcoming tennis court. Right now, we’re running this program at Putnam Elementary, giving students the chance to stay active, learn new skills, and discover the joy of tennis during recess.
Donate Today
To make a donation to support NJTL FC programs and the youth of Fort Collins, click below.