JOHN A. RICHARDS III Photo Credit: TENNIS.COM
Virgin Islander John A. Richards III has been chosen by the Tennis Channel as one of the 50 best tennis coaches in America — a national honor.
Mr. Richards can move to the Top 10 Tennis Coaches in America competition and become the Top Tennis Coach in the U.S. "if we, as a community take the time to vote for him," stated a release issued Tuesday.
Each person can vote once a day every day until April 11 to help Mr. Richards make it into the top 10 round. Once in the top ten, Mr. Richards moves onto the Top Tennis Coach in America competition, with voting for the latter starting on April 19. Vote here.
Mr. Richards is a former junior player representing the U.S. Virgin Islands in the International Tennis Federation (ITF) competition. He has competed in the Davis Cup Competition representing the U.S. Virgin Islands in Cuba and South America. He has also competed in the World University Games representing the U.S.V.I. in Beijing, China, and represented the USVI in Canada in the Pan American Games. Mr. Richards was on the Florida A & M University’s Tennis Team while in college and coached the Women’s Tennis Team for two years before moving to Orlando, Florida.
Currently, Mr. Richards is president of Central Florida Tennis Management Associates along with his brother, Albert who is vice-president. He is director of tennis at Ft. Gatlin Tennis Center. He is also vice president of the Posh Rock Tennis Foundation. This foundation is a 501c3 and its mission is to provide comprehensive tennis programs which change the trajectory for youths and promotes physical, educational, and life skills to prepare and empower them for success, according to the release.
Additionally, Mr. Richards is head tennis coach for Special Olympics Florida in Orange County. As a Special Olympics tennis coach, he has traveled as far Abu Dhabi and Dubai. His player in this event achieved a silver medal in the Singles and gold medals in the Doubles & Mixed Doubles. Mr. Richards is also tennis coach for Boone High School. He was selected to head the National African-America Diversity and Inclusion Task Force for USPTA. In 2014, Mr. Richards and his brother, Albert, conducted tennis clinics at the Doris Hodge Subbase Tennis Facility, St. Thomas.
