Leadership.Education.Excellence.Discipline.

Academic and leadership success through the power of sports.

Since 2007, East Tampa kids ages 3 to 18 have learned to win on the court, in the classroom and in life at The Skills Center.

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A Skills Center Elite team in orange and black holding their trophy at Gasparilla Hoopfest — Skills Center Elite at Gasparilla Hoopfest

2007Serving East Tampa since

55,000Square feet of courts, classrooms and event space

3 to 18Ages we serve

4.7★On 92 Google reviews

Five plays

Pick your play.

Five ways into The Skills Center. Each one goes straight to the right place.

Something for every age.

Sports with life skills and academics built in, from first dribble to college applications.

Ages3 to 5

Nurturing Rising Young AthletesFirst movement and ball skills
Family eventsOpen houses, health fairs, community days

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Grades1 to 8

The CollabFree afterschool and limited Saturdays
Academic CafeTutoring and homework help
Basketball and volleyball trainingOne-hour skill sessions
Brains for SportsMiddle school math through sports

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Grades6 to 12

Tampa Y.E.S.Girls: academics, life skills, wellness
Skills Center EliteTraining and travel teams
Level Up SAT and ACT prepSessions December to April
College and career toursThrough The Collab

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Kids running drills on turf with a coach at a Skills Center event

Two students working on homework at the Academic Cafe

The Collab is free.

From now on, we're leveling the playing field. The Skills Center Collaborative brings partner organizations under one roof to serve youth, young adults and families.

Field trips and college tours
College and career tours
Visual and creative arts
Sports
Gaming and esports
Coding
Job development
Personal academic support

Enroll in The Collab

Twenty years of comebacks.

Founded in 2007 by John Arroyo, Celeste Roberts and Chris Ward. The proof is in the kids who came through the doors.

Thierry Moliere playing for the Skills Center Elite travel team

Thierry MoliereStarted on the SCE travel team at 12. Academy Prep, Jesuit High School, Hillsborough Community College, then a bachelor's in business management from Florida State in 2023.

The Skills Center helped me build my self-esteem and confidence. It became a place where I could develop my social skills, grow as a leader, and progress as an athlete.

Marquav'is HamiltonJoined in 2010 at age 10, starting with the Junior Magic League.

2 yearsof college paid for. Jacob was awarded a two-year Florida Prepaid Scholarship to attend any college or university in the state.

Jacob RobinsonScholarship Success Spotlight, age 13.

Host it at The Skills Center.

Galas, tournaments, conferences and workshops. Rates are published, and every space is on one page.

See spaces and rates Book a tour

The SNKR Ball gala filling the multisport event space at The Skills Center

500Theatre style

3Full courts or 9 pickleball

7Rentable spaces

125Parking spaces

Coming up.

Mar62027

8th Annual SNKR Ball

Black Tie + Sneakers. Celebrating 20 years of The Skills Center.

Details

Dec22026

Level Up SAT and ACT Test Prep

Ten sessions, December 2026 through April 2027.

Dates

SpringTBA2027

Gasparilla Hoopfest confirm dates

Boys and girls, 2nd through 11th grade.

Details

In good company.

The building and the programs are backed by partners across Tampa Bay and beyond. confirm logo use

Bank of America Neighborhood BuildersOffice of U.S. Rep. Kathy CastorVinik Family FoundationBloomin' BrandsToronto RaptorsTampa Bay LightningOutback SteakhouseRooms To GoTECOReliaQuest BowlLifeLinkWingstop

What we stand for.

Loyalty

It's how a family tells you, you belong.

Discipline

It is the glue that holds our dreams together.

Hope

It allows us to believe beyond "impossible."

2nd Chances

They pave the way for a comeback.

Time

We only get what we've got. No more. No less.

Every kid deserves a coach in their corner.

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