Abilities Tennis Volunteer Spotlight
Abilities Tennis Association of North Carolina (ATANC) has been honored by the service of many high school students throughout the state. We love to highlight the outstanding contributions of our volunteers and would like to introduce you to James Dover of Belmont.
In 2019, the Dover family began planning and organizing the first Abilities Tennis clinics in their community. These clinics were inspired by and in honor of Matthew Lieu, James’ close friend and tennis partner who tragically died at the age of 12. James’ passion for tennis and desire to give back to the community led him, his brothers, and his parents to establish the Belmont chapter of Abilities Tennis. Their focus on ATANC’s mission to promote fitness, foster community, and champion inclusion for individuals with intellectual disabilities across North Carolina through the adaptive sport of tennis has ensured the program’s success in Belmont.
James' commitment to inclusion and the sport of tennis extends beyond Abilities Tennis. He is an active volunteer for Wheel Serve NC and the United Tennis Organization, which works to make tennis more accessible in North Carolina. Along with his service, he is also an avid tennis player. As a member of Charlotte’s Olde Providence Tennis Academy, he has earned over 35 first- and second-place finishes in USTA tournaments James is the first person in his school’s history to be named All-State in tennis and lead his high school team to its first-ever state championship.
James' journey is one of determination and service. Diagnosed with profound single-sided deafness at birth, he has not let this challenge hold him back. Among his many achievements, James founded North Carolina’s only chapter of the Junior National Association of the Deaf and serves as a mentor for Beginnings for Parents of Children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, Inc. His advocacy for the deaf community and his personal journey have been instrumental in shaping his path.
James believes his disability has helped him relate to the athletes. “It helps me empathize with the difficulty of the life that they have. I want to help them live the best life that they can. Through Abilities Tennis, it’s not just about teaching tennis, but we’re forming lessons of community and family that can’t be taught anywhere else.”
James’ heart to serve others and to do good in his community has paid off in a big way. As a rising senior at South Point High School in Belmont and the North Carolina School of Science and Math online program, he was awarded the prestigious Coolidge Scholarship, a full-ride presidential scholarship. The Coolidge Scholarship honors students who demonstrate academic excellence, an interest in public policy, an appreciation for the values championed by President Coolidge, and a commitment to humility and service.
The Dover family's dedication to tennis earned them the Blount and Dargan M. Williams USTA of North Carolina Family of the Year Award in 2023. Despite juggling the demands of being a student-athlete with his weekly commitment to running Abilities Tennis clinics, James finds it fulfilling rather than burdensome. “What makes it easy is how much I want to do it and that this is something that brings joy into my life. Even though one could say it’s a bit of a task to work and manage and maintain the clinics, I really enjoy it.”
James Dover's story is one of perseverance, empathy, and leadership. His achievements, both on and off the court, serve as an inspiration to many. His involvement with Abilities Tennis exemplifies how sports can be a powerful tool for inclusion and personal growth, and his recognition at the national level is well-deserved.
