John Block has been playing tennis since 2004, and teaching kids since 2005. "I've always liked teaching kids because the always find a way to make me laugh. Kids are funny people" John says. Tennis is very expensive so as soon as he found his love for the game he immediately needed a way to pay for things like lessons and equipment. He got a job at Players Racquet Shop East in 2005 and secured a permanent Junior Pro position at Portland Tennis Center working under and learning from the pros there. By late 2006 he was teaching adult lessons and had also become very knowledgeable in all racquet sport equipment, especially stringing. In the summer of 2010 John earned the USPTA Professional 3 certification as a certified tennis instructor. John also competes in local tournaments at the 4.5 and open levels. After graduating from Grant High School in 2008, John spent 2008-20010 studying International Marketing in Switzerland and is now back studying in Portland, excited to be with Portland After School Tennis and Education. John plans to return to school and major in Exercise Science and hopefully be able to apply it to high level athletic development one day. "It's impossible" says Pride.
"It's risky" says Experience.
"It's pointless" says Reason.
"Give it a try" whispers the Heart.