ELEVATE YOUR TENNIS GAME with Coach Kirstie Marx
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kirstie Marx, Junior Tennis Director at Kildaire Farms Racquet and Swim Club in Cary, NC, has been selected for the prestigious Women Who Rally Global Leadership Program
Veteran Tennis Professional and Abilities Tennis Founding Member, among twenty coaches selected worldwide following a highly selective global application process.
CARY, NC —May 8, 2026 — Kirstie Marx, Junior Tennis Director at Kildaire Farms Racquet & Swim Club in Cary, North Carolina, has been selected as one of twenty coaches worldwide for the inaugural Women Who Rally Global Leadership Program, a joint initiative of the Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) and Professional Pickleball Registry (PPR). Coach Kirstie was chosen from a highly competitive applicant pool, underscoring her exceptional standing in the tennis coaching community.
About the Women Who Rally Program
The Women Who Rally program is a ten-month leadership experience focused on personal growth, professional development, and meaningful connection within a global community of women coaches. Participants engage in collaborative learning, mentorship, and leadership development opportunities designed to expand their impact both on and off the court. The cohort-based journey is guided by a flexible development framework shaped by participants, which fosters an environment in which coaches can grow as leaders, advocates, and mentors within the sport.
A Quarter-Century of Excellence in Tennis Coaching
Coach Kirstie has been a PTR-certified tennis professional for more than 35 years and has served at Kildaire Farms Racquet & Swim Club since 2005. Her dedication to tennis education has earned her numerous honors, including the 2009 USTA Southern Volunteer Service Award, the 2012 USTA Southern Education Merit Award and the 2025 USTA NC Junior Team Tennis Coordinator of the Year.
In 2014, she received the prestigious Educational Merit Award from the International Tennis Hall of Fame, recognizing her decades of impact on tennis learning and community development. Passionate about teaching players at every level, Coach Kirstie continues to shape the sport through her leadership, mentorship, and commitment to inclusive player development.
Abilities Tennis and Community Impact
Coach Kirstie is a founding member of the” Abilities Tennis Association of North Carolina” a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting tennis for individuals with intellectual disabilities. The organization impacts over 3,000 individuals across more than thirty locations in North Carolina, offering free clinics, tournaments, and programs that make tennis accessible to all.
She served as Director of Special Olympics Tennis for over 11 years. She is also the author of PEAT (PE Adaptive Tennis), an innovative curriculum used throughout Wake County and other school systems across North Carolina. Her work in adaptive tennis has set a standard for inclusion in racquet sports across the nation.
Tennis Coaching Cards
In addition to her on-court work, Coach Kirstie has developed Tennis Coaching Cards —a collection of concise on-court reminders drawn from her decades of teaching experience. Designed to support players when she can’t be beside them on the court, the cards reflect her thoughtful, encouraging approach to coaching and her commitment to helping athletes build confidence and clarity in their game.
“Kirstie Marx has been such a valuable asset to the Kildaire Farms Racquet and Swim Club. Her commitment to our tennis community is unmatched. She’s developed junior programs, supports Try Tennis, Tennis For Life for breast cancer survivors, and led the local Special Olympics tennis events for a number of years. She continues to work with those with special needs through the Abilities Tennis program. She has been recognized beyond the state of North Carolina too, with the Educational Merit Award from the International Tennis Hall of Fame. In short, she exemplifies what a tennis teaching professional should be and the very characteristics the Women Who Rally want in their program.
— Barbara L. Marshall, Board President of Kildaire Farms Racquet & Swim Club
About PTR & PPR
The Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) and Professional Pickleball Registry (PPR) form the largest global organization of tennis teaching professionals, with more than 20,000 members in over 127 countries. Dedicated to educating, certifying, and supporting coaches at every level, PTR & PPR is committed to growing the game through excellence in coaching. Learn more at ptrtennis.org and pprpickleball.org.
About Kildaire Farms Racquet & Swim Club
Kildaire Farms Racquet & Swim Club is a premier private member facility located in Cary, North Carolina, in the heart of the Triangle area. The club offers a full range of tennis, racquetball, pickleball, swimming, and fitness programs for individuals and families.
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Media Contacts:
Coach Kirstie Marx
Michelle Alarcon, Marketing & Communications Support