Dear NYJTL Family:

Nearly fifty years ago New York Junior Tennis & Learning was founded on public tennis courts in the middle of the Bronx under the vision of Arthur Ashe.  Arthur’s vision was to serve under-resourced children through tennis, and ultimately education. Since its inception, Arthur has served as both NYJTL’s inspiration and beacon.

Arthur wanted to harness his power and influence to effect and promote long-lasting positive advancement for the Black community.  As the world awakens to the many existing hardships and inequities that the Black community faces every day, NYJTL wants to do everything within its power to promote equality, champion Black lives, and embrace NYC’s wonderful and beautiful diversity.

We believe that tennis and education are a catalyst for long-term achievement.  Tennis and education are a powerful combination that can develop, empower, and improve society.  We are committed to doing our part and serving our community and seeing that every child is fully prepared for their future, regardless of race, gender, or socio-economic status.

During Black History Month, we recognize our many heroes who came before us and celebrate their remarkable contributions to tennis, education, and humanity.  Our journey will highlight and laud Arthur Ashe’s legacy and the many influential Black people and their many endeavors who preceded and followed his important work on and off the court.

Please look for updates throughout the month and join us on Instagram/Facebook while we kick off the month honoring Arthur Ashe.

Ahsha Rolle Promotion
It is with great pleasure, that the Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning (CLC) announces the promotion of Ahsha Rolle to Director of Tennis.  In her new role, Ahsha will take on additional responsibilities for scheduling and managing all full and part-time coaches as well as overseeing tennis programming at the center.

Ahsha was previously the Director of Adult Programs at the Cary Leeds Center and under her tenure those programs have seen extraordinary growth.  Cary Leeds Center customers will continue to see Ahsha on-court delivering the very highest quality programming.

In the new reorganization, Ahsha Rolle, Jay Devashetty, and Scott Hauthsor will continue to report directly to Bruce Manson, Interim General Manager and form the Cary Leeds Center Leadership Team.

Please join us in congratulating Ahsha Rolle as our new Director of Tennis, effective Monday, January 4, 2020.

More about Ahsha
Ahsha turned pro in 2007, after reaching top 20 national ranking in Junior Girl’s 18s. Having trained under Lori McNeil, #9 in the world in singles and #4 in doubles, and Ola Malmqvist, the head of professional tennis at the USTA, Ahsha has achieved a career high ranking of 82 in the world in singles and a ranking of 111 in doubles for the WTA. She has played in all four Grand Slam tournaments, at least twice, and has reached the 3rd round of both the US Open and Indian Wells in 2007. Ahsha also competed in the semi-finals Fed Cup tie against Russia in 2008. As staff pro at the Cary Leeds Center, she teaches Adults and High-Performance Juniors, seeking to develop each player’s unique game-style to help them reach their full potential with a blend of strategy drills and games to keep players engaged. In her own words, “Real growth occurs outside of your comfort zone, so I have a passion for pushing players to new levels in their games.” Contact Ahsha at arolle@nyjtl.org

The Racket ?

Dancing Classrooms

NYJTL partners with Dancing Classrooms, an organization that cultivates essential life skills in more than 150 schools and 17,000 NYC children annually through the joyful art and practice of social dance. As NYC children spend more time at home, NYJTL ACES Afterschool Program kids will have the opportunity to keep moving and learning through a series of pre-recorded and live/synchronous social dance lessons strengthening and diversifying its virtual offerings. Learn more about Dancing Classrooms.

The Cary Leeds Center

Effective December 1st, Liezel Huber has decided to step down as Executive Director of Tennis at the Cary Leeds Center for Tennis and Learning to spend more time with her family. We would like to thank Liezel for her years of service. Her work has been instrumental in the growth and success of the Cary Leeds Center and its mission to provide tennis to under-resourced children in the community. We wish her the best of luck in her future endeavors.

Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation

Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation (DSG Foundation), through their “Sports Matter” initiative, acknowledge Ms. Lorraine’s dedication to creating a positive and safe space for the community at Co-Op City. Read the whole story…

Mayor David N. Dinkins

NYJTL was saddened to learn of the passing of long-time Board Member and organizational mentor, Mayor David N. Dinkins.  We are honored that Mayor Dinkins chose to devote much of his time and efforts to bettering the lives of NYC youth through his work with NYJTL.

For over 40 years, Coach Lorraine Alexander has helped the children of Co-Op City through the New York Junior Tennis & Learning (NYJTL) Community Tennis Program (CTP).  CTP provides free tennis instruction to youth between the ages of five and 18 from trained coaches in schools and public parks in all 51 New York City Council districts year-round.

Coach Lorraine, along with her late-husband Milton Alexander, started the NYJTL Co-Op City site 40 years ago because of the powerful and positive impact that the sport had on their lives. As a child, Ms. Lorraine always loved tennis, but it was not something readily available in her community. Eventually, after finding someone willing to teach her tennis, Ms. Lorraine met her husband on the courts of Co-Op City and decided to teach tennis to the children in order to give them an opportunity that they would not have had otherwise.

Ms. Lorraine believes that, “if you engage children in something constructive, they will never get involved in anything destructive”, therefore creating a space for children to build character in her community was important to her and her husband.

Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation (DSG Foundation), through their “Sports Matter” initiative, acknowledge Ms. Lorraine’s dedication in creating a positive and safe space for the community at Co-Op City. DSG Foundation’s “Sports Matter” initiative recognizes that “sports build character, increase confidence, motivate kids to stay in school and aim for higher education; teaching life lessons that extend well beyond the playing field”.

At this year’s Virtual Leadership Luncheon, NYJTL announced the DSG Foundation’s generous donation of $100,000 to the NYJTL Community Tennis Program, so that coaches like Ms. Lorraine can continue to develop the character of young people though tennis.

NYJTL is honored to be select and proud of the recognition of Coach Lorraine and her lifetime of service to children.  This grant represents a future and a new beginning for children in Co-Op City and beyond in NYC. Good Morning America covered the DSG Foundation’s support on Giving Tuesday, December 1.

NYJTL would like to thank the DSG Foundation for their donation to the Community Tennis Program and thanks Ms. Lorraine for her dedication to the kids of Co-Op City.

[Tuesday, November 24, 2020] – New York Junior Tennis & Learning (NYJTL) is saddened to learn of the passing of long-time Board Member and organizational mentor, Mayor David N. Dinkins.  We are honored that Mayor Dinkins chose to devote his time and efforts to bettering the lives of NYC youth through his work with NYJTL.  Mayor Dinkins served on the Board of NYJTL for 36 years – only pausing during his years serving as Manhattan Borough President and Mayor of New York City.

His kindness radiated most brightly when working directly with children.  He deeply believed in the core mission of NYJTL of developing the character of youth through tennis and education and championed our work to provide these services free of charge to New York City’s most vulnerable populations.

A role model in and out of office, he buried his beloved wife, Joyce Dinkins, last month after 67 years of marriage and will now join her to rest in peace together.  He always adoringly referred to his wife as “his bride.”

Professionally, he holds the honor of serving as NYC’s first African-American Mayor.  While in office and among his various other achievements, he negotiated the deal to create Arthur Ashe Stadium and helped ensure that NYC remained the host of the US Open, cementing the legacy of NYJTL visionary co-founder Arthur Ashe and ensuring that this global event remained in NYC.

Skip Hartman, NYJTL co-founder and close friend of Mayor Dinkins, said the following: “NYJTL has lost a great supporter.  Tennis has lost an enthusiastic participant and devoted leader.  I have lost the best friend a person could have.  David, Joyce, and their family will always be loved by us.”

Mayor Dinkins’ devotion to NYC and its people is captured in the following quote. “The life of a city must endure. This city is about dignity and decency, it’s about the hope and determination of working people struggling to make a better life for their children, and their children’s children. My friends the gorgeous mosaic is alive.”

His legacy lives on.  In honor of his passing, NYJTL would like to rename the NYJTL Mayor’s Cup to the David Dinkins Cup. The David Dinkins Cup is the largest free inter-scholastic tennis tournament in the nation.

May he rest in peace.