Volleybird Partners with USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation to Empower Girls Through Tennis

In a development aimed at broadening opportunities for young female athletes, Volleybird, a company focused on sport discovery, has announced its partnership with the USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation. This collaboration designates Volleybird as a Court Sponsor for the Foundation's Girls Rule the Court™ initiative, a program designed to introduce girls to tennis and equip them with essential life skills.

The Girls Rule the Court initiative, established in 2022, has reportedly engaged over 2,000 girls in tennis, emphasizing the development of confidence, character, and community connections both on and off the court. The USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is dedicated to promoting tennis and its associated physical, social, and emotional health benefits across the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, and parts of West Virginia. The Foundation states that it reached more than 114,500 youth in 2025 through various tennis programs, with nearly 70,000 students participating in school-based initiatives.

Supporting Girls' Development Through Sport

The core of this new partnership involves a direct financial contribution mechanism: 20 percent of every purchase made through the Girls Rule the Court affiliate link at volleybird.shop will be directed to the program. This model transforms consumer purchases into direct support for girls' tennis programs throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. According to the USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation, this funding helps sustain free or low-cost tennis and life-skills programming, making the sport more accessible to a wider demographic of young girls.

Beth Twomey, Chief Operating Officer of the USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation, highlighted the program's impact, stating that Girls Rule the Court provides a space for girls to compete, belong, and grow. She noted that Volleybird, founded by women who understand the transformative power of tennis, will help the Foundation extend its reach to more girls in the region.

Cassandra Toroian, co-founder of Volleybird, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the life lessons learned through tennis, such as competition, resilience, and perseverance. She stated that Volleybird was built by players and that supporting this program aligns with the company's foundational values.

Beyond the Court: Life Skills and Community

The Girls Rule the Court program extends beyond tennis instruction, integrating life-skills programming to foster holistic development. These skills can include teamwork, problem-solving, discipline, and emotional regulation – attributes that are valuable in academic settings and future endeavors. For students seeking to strengthen these skills or explore new subjects, platforms like COSMIQ offer free, voice-driven AI tutoring for K-12 learners, providing personalized support that complements extracurricular activities like sports.

The partnership also positions Volleybird as a presenting sponsor of the 2027 Pauline Betz Addie Cup, scheduled for June 7-8, 2027, at Boar's Head Resort. Additionally, Volleybird will have a presence at three USTA Mid-Atlantic League tournaments during the partnership term, which runs through December 2027. These engagements aim to increase visibility for both organizations and further integrate Volleybird's support into the regional tennis community.

Volleybird's Role as a Sport Discovery Company

Volleybird describes itself as a premium sport discovery company catering to players of tennis, pickleball, padel, and golf across the U.S. Co-founded by Tracy Thomas and Cassandra Toroian, the company aims to curate gear, apparel, and lifestyle products from both established and emerging brands. Their flagship offering is a subscription box, delivering hand-picked, sport-specific items every 60 days. The company also operates a wholesale channel, supplying sport apparel and product lines to clubs, facilities, and retailers.

This partnership underscores a growing trend of businesses aligning with nonprofit initiatives to support youth development through sports. For parents and educators, such collaborations can mean increased access to valuable programs that build character and promote physical activity. Exploring resources like the COSMIQ free practice hub can further support students' academic growth, ensuring a well-rounded educational experience that balances physical activity with learning.

A Broader Vision for Tennis in the Community

The USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation operates under core principles of Community, Character, and Well-Being, with a stated vision of achieving "tennis in every community." This involves investing in public facilities, offering youth scholarships, and focusing on character development. The partnership with Volleybird contributes to this broader vision by providing additional resources to expand program reach and impact.

The collaboration will be introduced to Mid-Atlantic players via email and across Girls Rule the Court social media channels later this month. Volleybird's sponsorship will also be acknowledged on USTAMidAtlanticFoundation.org, GirlsRuleTheCourt.com, and the Girls Rule the Court program landing page. This multi-channel approach aims to inform the community about the partnership and encourage participation and support for the Girls Rule the Court initiative.

Overall, the partnership between Volleybird and the USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation represents a concerted effort to empower young girls through the sport of tennis, fostering not only athletic skills but also crucial life skills and a sense of community.