Sajan Doshi
The journey of Bloomfield Hills High School student Sajan Doshi and the Lil Aces Tennis Academy began not just as a dream of its co-founders but as a heartfelt commitment to nurturing young talent in tennis. The tale is one of passion, perseverance, and the drive to make a meaningful impact.
At the center of this initiative is a young tennis enthusiast, Doshi, who has loved the game since the tender age of four. “My journey in tennis started when I was four-years old playing tennis with my siblings and my dad,” they shared. This passion grew as they honed their skills and sought to share their love for the sport with others. The inspiration to establish the Lil Aces Tennis Academy came from their own experiences at Wessen Indoor Tennis Club in Pontiac, where encouraging coaches played pivotal roles in their development. “The coaches and people there have been so influential throughout the past few years,” they explained, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and community support. Alongside their friend Matra Kaushal, they embarked on a mission to create a youth tennis program that could ignite a similar passion in younger generations.
However, co-founding the academy was not without its challenges. “Some immediate challenges we faced when starting the program was equipment and funding,” they recalled. The duo quickly realized that to run a successful program, they needed tennis balls, rackets, and conditioning equipment.
Fortunately, Wessen stepped in to offer vital support, supplying the necessary gear. Finding the right logistics for class schedules also proved daunting, but with guidance from parents and coaches, they navigated these challenges effectively.
A further testament to the commitment to the community comes from their fundraising efforts. The young founders of Lil Aces Tennis Academy have successfully raised over $3,000 to support Variety Children’s Charities, a cause close to their hearts. “
Our mission for Lil Aces is to inspire youth in our community,” they said, highlighting their desire to empower disadvantaged children in metro Detroit.
The rewards of offering free tennis lessons to students in Oakland County have been plentiful. “The most rewarding part of our program is the joy that the kids feel when they are constantly learning and gaining confidence,” they reflected. The sense of community fostered among the young players has been remarkable. They observed that the kids not only develop tennis skills but also learn valuable life lessons in teamwork and communication. “We take joy knowing that we might have had a little influence on the future of those kids.”
Engagement in sports like tennis offers young people more than just physical activity; it helps shape their character and skills. The ability to collaborate and communicate effectively is a lifelong skill, one that is essential as these young athletes grow and navigate their future paths.
Among the myriad of experiences from the academy, one moment stands out vividly. “One of my favorite stories from Lil Aces was the first day of the academy,” they recounted. The anxiety of launching a new venture melted away when they saw the kids excited to participate. “The feeling of accomplishment after all the work we put in will be a memory I will never forget,” they said.
Running the academy has equipped them with invaluable skills that extend beyond tennis. “Some important skills are communication, leadership, and problem-solving.” The experience has transformed them into a strong leader who can engage with diverse audiences and tackle challenges head-on. “I had to become a strong leader who took action when a problem arose,” they concluded.
Story: Raven Mial
Photo: Matthew Cromwell
