JOHN A. RICHARDS III By. TENNIS.COM
Virgin Islander John A. Richards III, recently chosen by the Tennis Channel as one of the 50 best tennis coaches in America, made it to the top ten best tennis coaches in America list and could become the number one coach in the U.S. with the support of Virgin Islanders.
Each person can vote once a day every day until May 2 to help Mr. Richards make it to number one. Voting can be done 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.
