Free of charge, professional lessons have been provided to DHH children at more than 15 schools in Southern California. Roy 's sound foundation of teaching skills addresses the wide array of athletic abilities in each group.  From beginning levels to advanced players, we have directly reached over 1800 DHH students since DhhEAF's inception in 2003.

Advanced players and quick learners with a comprehensive conceptual understanding are utilized as mentors for students where these skills are more difficult to master. As mentors, they gain their own level of self-confidence and gratification. The program is then customized so that each student progresses within his/her own level of success.

Students understand they can play at a competitive level or socially just to have fun. In the future, for those so inclined, teams will be organized. Here, the advanced players will appreciate the rewards of hard work and practice and can enter tournament competitions as they wish.

What's new:

Spearheading the DhhEAF Project are Roy Trafalski and Tom Baxted.  Roy approached Tom regarding the DhhEAF Program in 2002, and they quickly became friends because they spoke a common language……. tennis.  Tom, formerly the top Deaf tennis player in the U.S., is currently starting a new career with NASA after 20 years as a Senior Financial Analyst at Boeing in Long Beach, California.  Roy is a former university coach/teaching pro, nationally ranked senior tournament player, and coached the 2005 USA Deaflympic Tennis Team where competition was held in Melbourne, Australia.  There are few individuals who possess their unique tennis/communication skills to introduce and nurture the growth and advancement of this special needs population.  

Tom grew up in a middle-class family in the South Bay area of Los Angeles.  He was one of the best athletes on his Little League Baseball Team.  Mostly though, he sat on the bench because of communication challenges with his teammates and coaches.  Then he found tennis, and practiced, and practiced, and practiced.  He became skilled enough to compete (and beat) many of the top SoCal junior players who were privileged with Country Club lessons.  The experience gave Tom immeasurable self-confidence.  

Roy was a high school football player in Buffalo, NY when a friend introduced him to tennis and he took a liking to the sport.  His parents could not afford lessons; let alone, premium costs for indoor court time.  However, he read books / magazines, observed skilled players, practiced hitting on the wall, and honed his game.  In the process, he learned important lessons:  The benefits of hard work, problem solving, and fair play.