Cities Academy
Minneapolis’ Premier Tennis Academy
Age Four to Eighteen ❘ All Skill & Experience Levels
Registration opens 10 weeks in advance for Junior Members, and 8 weeks in advance for youth who hold a Public Membership.
Thanks to feedback from parents and pros — and in step with broader trends in youth sports — Cities Academy is evolving. Starting fall 2026, the responsibility for player skill assessment will move from parents to our teaching pros. To that end, we are consolidating registration across skill levels within each age group into one of six “Levels,” which replace our previous programs as follows:
- Level 6 (Age 4-6): replaces 6U Red Ball 1, 6U Red Ball 2, and 6U Red Ball Advanced
- Level 5 (Age 6-8): replaces 8U Red Ball 1, 8U Red Ball 2, and 8U Red Ball Advanced
- Level 4 (Age 8-10): replaces 10U Orange Ball 1, 10U Orange Ball 2, and 10U Orange Ball Advanced
- Level 3 (Age 10-12): replaces 12U Green Ball 1, 12U Green Ball 2, and 12U Green Ball Advanced
- Level 2 (Middle School) and Level 1 (High School): replace 18U Acers Intro, 18U Acers 1, 18U Acers 2, Performance Transition, and High Performance
During the now larger sessions, our teaching team will assign players to specific courts and instructors based on skill level; i.e. “Red Ball Advanced”, “Yellow Ball Intro” and “High Performance” will now be court assignments made by pros within the new construct. Our new players, our heaviest-hitting tournament players, and everyone in between will get the space, coaching, and peer competition they need to improve their game and have a blast.
We expect this change to be a meaningful improvement for players, parents, and pros alike.
Questions? Don’t hesitate to reach out to Scott Pennington, ICT Tennis Coordinator, or any other ICT staff or pro.
Overview
Cities Academy is InnerCity Tennis’s year-round youth program, welcoming players ages four to eighteen of every ability, from first-timers to soon-to-be D1 athletes, into one community.
Registration
Registration takes place through CourtReserve. If creating a Court Reserve account for the first time, parents should create a Head of Household account first, then add youth to their account as family members. Additional help on Court Reserve can be found here.
Details
InnerCity Tennis coaches are nationally accredited and bring years of on-court teaching experience. Their curriculum draws on the USTA’s Net Generation framework and ICT’s own developmental methods, adapted to each player and group.
Cities Academy is about more than tennis: alongside skills, coaches work on the core values of enthusiasm, integrity, perseverance, respect, responsibility, service, and teamwork—so you’ll often see them asking questions and prompting reflection that carries beyond the court.
Cities Academy principally refers to ICT’s top class coach-led group training sessions, each lasting 60-90 minutes, and each meeting once a week for the duration of a season There are seven seasons youth are able to participate in throughout the year. They typically last about seven weeks:
- Early / Late Fall
- Early / Late Winter
- Early / Late Spring
- Summer (several, commonly shorter)
Beginning in Fall 2026, ICT will shift away from use of the concepts “Development Pathway / Performance Pathway” to the below.
Cities Academy’s player pathway leads through six ‘levels’, from Level Six up to Level One. Registration is principally determined by age, though some players with top USTA Ratings may “play up” a level. Within each session, players possess a variety of skill levels, and our teaching staff assign players to specific courts and and pros to assure that all players are challenged and supported.
| Program Name | Primary Ball Color | Age Range |
| Level 6 | Red | 4-6 |
| Level 5 | Red | 6-8 |
| Level 4 | Orange | 8-10 |
| Level 3 | Green | 10-12 |
| Level 2 | Yellow | 12-14 |
| Level 1 | Yellow | 14-18 |
See additional session information below.
What’s up with the colors?
Over the last few decades (but since many parents learned tennis as children) the USTA has developed and deomonstrated the efficacy of the use of different color balls – of differing size and weight – to support young player development. These red, orange, green, and yellow balls are designed to be age-appropriate. It is an extremely effective tool and our programs are tagged in alignment.
Scholarships are available to all young athletes needing financial assistance. Scholarship amounts / rates are determined by documented family capacity.
In addition, InnerCity Tennis hosts one of the founding USTA Foundation Excellence Teams, providing high potential athletes with financial need additional support – e.g. travel, tournament entry, equipment and more.
See the Scholarships & The Excellence Team to learn more about both.
“Cities Academy” most commonly refers to ICT’s coach-led group training sessions which last 60-90 minutes and meet once a week for a 6-8 week season. Programs, classes and sessions are all terms used interchangeably to describe the same thing.
But two additional elements of Cities Academy exist:
- Conditioning – appended to many on court sessions, our middle school and high school Cities Academy sessions are commonly preceded or followed by a 30-minute conditioning period.
- Open Match Play – taking place on weekend nights and during other out-of-school hours, Youth Open Match Play allow players to get low-stakes match time in a coach facilitated manner.
Contact
Contact juniors@innercitytennis.org with program questions and info@innercitytennis.org for registration help.
Cities Academy — The Six Levels
What players experience at each level of the Cities Academy pathway.
Cities Academy’s player pathway runs through six levels, grouped by age. Each level is one community that brings together a wide range of abilities, with coaching differentiated by skill so every player—whatever their starting point or goal—is challenged and supported.
What to Expect
A welcoming first step onto the court. Through games and play, our youngest players build the athletic foundations—agility, balance, and coordination—while getting comfortable with a racquet and ball. Complete beginners and children with a bit of a head start learn together, with coaches meeting each one where they are. No experience needed; the aim is confidence, fun, and a first love of the game.
What to Expect
Players build on the basics and begin to look like tennis players—rallying, moving to the ball, and shaping real strokes. Sessions stay active and game-based, using red balls and right-sized racquets so every child can succeed. Experience within the group naturally varies, and coaching flexes so newcomers and more seasoned players are equally challenged.
What to Expect
This is where the game comes together: players rally with control, serve, keep score, and play real points on a court scaled to their size. The group spans a range of abilities —some just finding their footing, others already competing—so coaches differentiate within each session, keeping everyone progressing as skills and friendships grow.
What to Expect
On a full court and with more time to train, players sharpen consistency, accuracy, and court awareness, and start constructing points with intent. Expect a broad span of experience here, from players new to the green ball to those competing regularly— coaching is tailored so each one keeps improving at their own pace.
What to Expect
Players move to the standard yellow ball and full-court play, developing power, spin, and the tactics of competitive tennis—building points, moving an opponent, and learning to compete. Abilities range widely, from players new to match play to experienced tournament competitors, and the program differentiates by skill so everyone is challenged within one team.
What to Expect
Our most advanced level brings the full range of high-school-age players together in one community. Some are working to earn a spot on their high school team; others are aiming to play in college, including at the Division I level. Training develops the complete game—technique, tactics, and fitness—with coaching differentiated by skill so every player, whatever their goal, is pushed and supported in reaching it.
Upcoming Sessions
Youth may register for Cities Academy group sessions with a free Public Members six weeks in advance.
Youth Members may sign up eight weeks in advance. If creating a Court Reserve account for the first time, parents should create a Head of Household account first, then add youth to their account as family members. Additional help on Court Reserve can be found here.
Contact juniors@innercitytennis.org with program questions and info@innercitytennis.org for registration help.
Frequently Asked Questions
BILLING – REFUNDS – MAKE-UP POLICIES
Our refund policy has been updated. Make-up classes will no longer be available, and refunds will not be issued for missed classes. All withdrawal, refund, or credit requests must be made in writing by emailing us at juniors@innercitytennis.org; ICT will not accept verbal requests.
- When is our payment due?
Payment is required before or during the first week of class. - Do you allow make up classes if my child needs to miss a day?
ICT will not provide make-up classes or account credit for individual dates missed during a program session (i.e., a player misses a class due to a school or family event) - What if I need to cancel my registration after the session has begun?
Requests made before the program starts will be provided with an account credit unless you request a refund (see below) - What if InnerCity Tennis closes due to weather?
We will provide a credit for any classes ICT cancels. To request a credit on your account, please email juniors@innercitytennis.org
- What is your cancellation policy?
Account credits will only be considered if a player must withdraw for the remainder of the session due to a physician-verified illness or injury. No refunds will be provided after the session begins. - What is your refund policy?
– Make-up classes will no longer be available, and refunds will not be issued for missed classes.
– At least one week notice: Refund requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis
– Less than one week notice: If we can resell the spot, a refund will be considered
– After the program begins: No refunds will be provided
Only full program refunds may be requested. No refunds will be provided for individual dates missed during a program session.
*All refunds will include a 5% refund fee
CLASS REGISTRATION AND PLACEMENT
- How do I register for classes?
You can register online through Court Reserve. If you have issues registering for a particular class, email juniors@innercitytennis.org. - What class should my child register for?
We suggest all players start based on their current age regardless of experience level. Coaches will reach out to parents when they feel players are ready to progress to the next level. - How do I get a scholarship?,
Fill out our Scholarship Application; proof of income is required for those requesting 75% but do not qualify for free or reduced lunch programs. - What if I’m interested in the Performance Pathway classes?
Please reach out to the following coaches to set up an evaluation Spencer Jones - What if the session has already started?
Kids may join the session at any time, your cost will be prorated automatically when you get to the “cart”. - What if I feel my player should move up a level?
Please email us at juniors@innercitytennis.org. - What if we want to change class days or times?
– Only updates requested at least one week in advance will be accepted.
– Players will be moved to requested class if there are spots available.
Do you have additional questions? Please feel free to reach out to us at juniors@innercitytennis.org.