Courtesy of Rakiyah Lenon, Augusta Good News
Described as the “best kept secret in Augusta,” MACH Academy has been teaching tennis and cultivating community for decades.
Founded in April 1992, MACH Academy is approaching its 32nd anniversary this upcoming spring. For years, the organization has instilled the importance of nurturing a love for tennis, while implementing educational and developmental skills for kids to take with them along the way.
Open to kids ages 5-18, practices in Augusta are often held four days a week from 5 to 7 p.m. at Fleming Tennis Center on 1850 Chester Ave. MACH Academy also offers private lessons and summer camp sessions.
“MACH is nothing without the kids,” said Helen Pope, operations manager at MACH Academy.
Pope mentioned that though their presence in the local area has been long, many people discovered them in 2020, as tennis became a growing interest due to its natural outdoor environment and ability to social distance.
“We were able to continue programming,” she said. “Following guidelines from of course, national, state, local and also the USTA (United States Tennis Association) guidelines.”
Pavan and Priya Shukla, parents of students at the MACH Academy, have been with the program for more than two years.
“We need to engage kids in some sports, so that was the main reason we decided that this place was good for them, otherwise they sit in front of the computer or the phone and just watch,” Pavan Shukla said. “Any parent that doesn’t bring their kid here, they’re missing out a lot,”
“I like the coaches also,” said Priya Shukla. “They are very disciplined.”
Mr. Shukla described the tennis academy as, “best in the universe.”
Pope said MACH Academy is recognized by the United States Tennis Association as an “excellence team.”
“We’re one of 19 of those types of organizations in the country,” she said. “We’re glad to be a part of that.”
MACH Academy isn’t limited just to tennis either. The organization also hosts STEM events and continues to grow its coding program.
“Coding is a big part of what we do,” said Pope. “We’ve been offering it to them this session on the very cold nights, especially the little ones.”
Bhupinder Farmaha, a father with three children in the program and associate professor at Clemson University, said MACH Academy is exemplary in showing how to build community.
“Most importantly, people who run it, they are the fundamental success for this program,” he said. “The coaches are really spending good time with the kids.”
Amisha Amin, a mother of twins, said that although there are several tennis programs in the area, she finds that the experience at MACH Academy can’t be matched.
“With the expense-wise and their way of teaching, this one is the best,” she said. “The kids get so much good attention here.”
Farmaha said MACH Academy’s focus on the growth and development of the kids builds connections in a diverse and inclusive way.
“They treat us like family,” he said. “They are also very welcoming.”
Farmaha mentioned that many families, including his, travel upwards of 20 minutes, just to come. Parents get two hours of “no-nonsense time” and kids get to learn life skills in addition to tennis.
He said he sees MACH Academy as a place, “where people come, talk, have no bias, no prejudice.”
“It is difficult to happen if you don’t have a common goal. Here we have a common goal…We need to have that kind of message going to society,” Farmaha said.
Speaking of MACH Academy’s diversity, Pope said “Our faces are many.”
MACH Academy also hosts several events throughout the year to encourage community involvement. The organization’s upcoming Universal Tennis Rating (UTR) event is scheduled for Jan. 7.
Mike Harden, president and CEO of MACH Academy, said adults who would like to participate in tennis also have several opportunities in the community as well, through organizations like CSRA Tennis Association.
