Category: Latest News

Inaugural Tennis For America Program

Posted on by Sachi Kurup

NYJTL is proud to announce that it is one of the six nationally recognized organizations who will work in conjunction with the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) to help address the issues of poverty through tennis in the United States.  NYJTL is looking for three recent college graduates or current seniors to fill positions with New York Junior Tennis & Learning and the Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Education from June 1, 2020 to May 31, 2021. Recent graduates or seniors will have the opportunity to work with under-resourced children in one of the five boroughs and to help NYJTL carry out its mission to develop the character of young people through tennis and education for a lifetime of success on and off the court.

Why should you apply to be a Tennis for America Fellow?

If you believe in making a difference and don’t back down from a challenge, then this program is for you!  This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play a part in making a difference in the lives of NYC youth through tennis.  Whether you want to learn more about nonprofits, get a better understanding of the tennis industry, or make life-long connections, then this is the program for you. 

Benefits

  • VISTA Living Allowance
  • Each VISTA member gets to choose an end of service benefit: A cash payout of $1,800 or an education award of $6,195
  • Housing
  • Relocation Stipend – $750 + .24 cent per mile for those relocating more than 50 miles from partnering site
  • Mileage assistance or bus/train monthly pass
  • Orientation/Professional Development – Phoenix, Arizona (June 1-5)
  • Continuing Education – ITA College Coaches Convention, Naples, Florida (December 2020), with all expenses paid by ITA
  • Graduation Ceremony – US Open (August 2021), with all expenses paid by ITA
  • Individual Mentor
  • The development of a strong network of Tennis For America colleagues to offer support during the year of service and for many years afterwards
  • Exposure to and experience with critical 21st century skills, including: non-profit strategy, teaching, problem solving and communication skills
  • Networking opportunities and collaboration with a large range of stakeholders.

What are the requirements to apply?

  • Graduating from an ITA Member Institution in May, 2020 or have graduated form an ITA member institution anytime in 2019 or 2018
  • At least 21 years old by June 1st, 2020
  • Member of a Competitive Tennis Team at NCAA D I, D II, D III or NAIA ITA member program for a minimum of two years (current or former Tennis on Campus team members are eligible to apply)
  • U.S. citizen or national or lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder)
  • Available for a full year of service from June 1st, 2020 to May, 31st, 2021 
  • Able to pass all necessary background checks and clearances to work with children under the age of 18

If you think this is the program for you then read more about the exciting pilot project and submit your application here.

What Does Mentoring Mean To NYJTL?

Posted on by Sachi Kurup

According to MENTOR, The National Mentoring Partnership, “Young adults who had mentors speak highly of these relationships. They offer that their mentors help them stay on track in school, make good choices, and provide consistent support”.  At NYJTL’s core we believe in developing the character of young people through tennis and education for a lifetime of success on and off the court. Mentoring is at the forefront of what we do, and we believe that every child in New York City deserves the opportunity to be guided thoughtfully, and we are confident that the life skills gained through our programs can provide a powerful catalyst for long-term achievement.  Whether that means helping a child with their homework through our ACES Afterschool Program, or incorporating physical activity through tennis in our Community Tennis Program, or even having a child participate in our Serve & Connect Program so that NYPD 42nd Precinct officers can create life long relationships and mentor kids.  

Founded in 1971, NYJTL is active in every borough of New York City, operates in all 51 NYC Council Districts and providing free access to tennis in schools, community centers, and on playgrounds year round reaching 85,000 K-12 youth throughout NYC.  Our Community Tennis Program, which has mentored and served thousands of children over the years, creates a safe environment for children to learn the sport of a lifetime that instills teamwork, stamina, grit, and persistence. Our dedicated coaches, many of them NYJTL alumni, are committed to teaching tennis to the youth of NYC, for example Coach Gaetan said, “Mentoring kids is important because growing minds often need guidance.  I’m drawn to mentoring kids because my mentor growing up was very influential in making me the person I am today. My mentor was Scott Daly (NYJTL Senior Director, Community Tennis). I work for NYJTL because it’s given me so much as a growing teen that the least I can do is pay it forward to the next generation”. Coach Gaetan has impacted the lives of many children, but especially Allycia Santa-Cruz, a sophomore at Bard Early College High School.  Allycia said “To me, Gaetan is not only a mentor, but a friend, a father figure and also just a cool dude I met two years ago. He’s made tennis become more meaningful, which nourished my love of the game. I’m always making time for tennis, whether it’s a school night or six in the morning on weekends. Starting the summer program with him not only helped me become a better tennis player, but become a better person”. NYJTL looks forward to continuing to foster and mentor the youth of New York City through tennis, education, healthy living and character development programs.

Meet Christopher and Isis, the Recipients of the 2019 Leadership Luncheon Student Awards

Posted on by Sachi Kurup

Last year’s Leadership Luncheon was held at the Metropolitan Club on Wednesday, November 6, 2019.  Tommy Hilfiger, Andrea Jaeger, and Bethanie Mattek-Sands served as honorees, and Christopher Perez and Isis Rodriguez won the student awards.

Christopher Perez – Recipient of the Seymour Propp Achievement Award

The Seymour Propp Achievement Award recognizes an exemplary student who has demonstrated growth in tennis and life skills during their participation with NYJTL, particularly in the Intensive Training Program. 

The availability of free tennis lessons introduced Christopher to a sport that now plays a central part in his life.  Christopher takes two buses to get to the Cary Leeds Center each day, and despite the long commute, he began showing up for every possible opportunity to play.  He quickly improved, getting accepted into the Intensive Training Program and then eventually the Tournament Team. He played in the 2019 NYJTL Mayor’s Cup presented by Disney and joined his high school tennis team, earning the Varsity MVP award the last three years.  In his spare time, Christopher also coaches at the Crotona Park Community Tennis Program site to inspire the next generation to discover the sport that he loves so much.

Christopher’s passion for tennis has taught him valuable life skills that he applies off the court and in the classroom.  Juggling school, tennis team practice, getting to the Cary Leeds Center a few times a week, and competing in tennis tournaments takes commitment and time management skills.  Christopher told us, “Tennis has become apart of me and is not just something I can leave behind”. With his applications submitted, he is now anxiously awaiting college acceptances. 

Isis Rodriguez – Recipient of NYJTL Sportsmanship Award

The NYJTL Sportsmanship Award recognizes a student who shows great character and sportsmanship, as evaluated by NYJTL coaches, mentors, and educators.  The winner demonstrates the ability to make all feel welcome on and off the court, win or lose with grace, and serves as a role model for conduct and integrity.  

Tennis has given Isis the opportunity to break out of her shell.  She credits the sport and NYJTL’s ACES Afterschool Program for helping her find herself, and sparking an interest and passion she didn’t know she had.  Once extremely shy and afraid to speak, tennis ultimately gave Isis the confidence to improve her skills, take risks, and gain confidence in herself. Isis is a leader on and off the court, winning decisive matches for her team and supporting and encouraging her teammates from the sidelines.  Her spirit is infectious: her mom noticed the change, her teammates noticed, and NYJTL noticed. Isis was named the captain of her ACES Afterschool tennis team last year and led them to victory in the elementary team division at the 2019 NYJTL Mayor’s Cup presented by Disney.

Isis’s transformation through tennis translated to success in school as well.  Her classmates started seeing her confidence in the classroom. Although Isis’s middle school does not have an ACES Afterschool Program, she and her mom made a plan to further her success through a local Community Tennis Program, where she can continue making great strides in her tennis and character development.

The January Racket

Posted on by Sachi Kurup

Goodbye 2019, 2020 Here We Come!

This past year, NYJTL created many learning opportunities for NYC youth, from providing SAT prep classes to building a community bond with the NYPD 42nd Precinct. In addition, NYJTL Capstone Events enriched the youth education experience with non-traditional forms of learning outside the classroom designed to get kids on their feet. These events included our STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) Expo, Visual Arts Showcase, and Youth Leadership Summit, among others.

NYJTL believes that the life skills gained through our tennis and education programs are a catalyst for long-term achievement! Every program, activity and event is designed to enable under-resourced children in New York City to grow with the game and to set them on a pathway of success.

Looking Back – 2019

We coordinated with Nike to give five NYJTL girls the chance of a lifetime to meet Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka, Madison Keys, Simona Halep, and Sloane Stephens during Nike’s Queens of the Future event.  The inaugural NYJTL Bronx Open afforded 85 NYJTL kids the chance to get up close and personal with the world’s best professional tennis players as ball kids.

Our flagship, The Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning greeted more than 15,000 guests through their doors this year and hosted the NYJTL Mayor’s Cup, the NY Empires, the NYJTL Bronx Open, and the US Open Junior Qualifying Tournament, on top of dozens of local and national junior tournaments.  The Cary Leeds Center welcomed First Book and Disney to distribute 20,000 free books to the community and partnered with Tie Break Tens to host a tiebreak tournament and fly out eight lucky juniors to the BNP Paribas Tournament in Indian Wells.

Looking Ahead – 2020

NYJTL is thankful to work with the NY Open again this year to bring our ACES and Community Tennis Program children to see world-class tennis at this 250k International men’s tournament!

Meet One of Our Kids! 

Meet 11-year-old Rachel Breland (third from the left), the Community Tennis Program’s Holiday Tournament 14s winner!  Rachel’s three older brothers also played in CTP and are now coaches. Rachel plays year-round in our CTP program and has shown incredible growth both on and off the court.

Take two minutes to see our 2019 highlight slideshow featuring NYJTL kids!

Take a deeper dive and view this year’s Annual Report to learn more about how NYJTL enables kids to Grow With The Game!

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Goldfarb Properties Becomes First Local Sponsor to Support NYJTL Bronx Open

Posted on by Allison Kelly

For Immediate Release

Bronx, NY – When it was announced on June 17 that New York Junior Tennis & Learning (NYJTL) will be hosting a $250,000 WTA International Series tournament at the Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning in Crotona Park during the week preceding the US Open, Goldfarb Properties immediately reached out to support NYJTL’s undertaking.

“We recognize the importance of bringing world-class events to the Bronx,” said Joshua Goldfarb, Partner at Goldfarb Properties. “Our company is proud to join the NYJTL Bronx Open as an official sponsor.”

Major financial backing has been secured by NYJTL from the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) and United States Tennis Association to bring world-class tennis to the Bronx. Additional supporters include the USTA Eastern Section, donors Deborah Larkin and Lawrence Leeds, and Taste of Tennis, which has designated NYJTL as a beneficiary of its summer event.

“We are thrilled to welcome Goldfarb Properties to the NYJTL team,” said Tournament Director Joe Ceriello. “We hope that Goldfarb is the first of many local Bronx businesses to associate with the NYJTL Bronx Open which will be broadcast daily nationwide on Tennis Channel.”

Goldfarb Properties entered the Bronx real estate market 40 years ago in 1979 and has expanded to more than 15 Bronx properties in its portfolio of more 6,000 residential units and commercial properties throughout the tri-state metropolitan area.

“NYJTL serves the New York City metropolitan area where we have our presence,” said Goldfarb. “We consider it an important civic duty to be committed within the communities we serve.”

Among its philanthropic efforts, Goldfarb supports the New York Restoration Project, which is focused on preserving and improving New York City parks, the New Rochelle Police Foundation, the Police Benevolent Association, the Hospital for Special Surgery, among other projects.

Women’s Professional Tennis to Return to Bronx

Posted on by Allison Kelly

NYJTL to Host Pre-US Open Tournament at Cary Leeds Center

 

For immediate release

 

NEW YORK (June 17, 2019) – New York Junior Tennis & Learning will host the NYJTL Bronx Open, a WTA International level women’s professional tournament offering $250,000 in prize money at the Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning in the Bronx from August 16-24, 2019.

“We are thrilled to welcome women’s professional tennis back to the Bronx after a seven-year break during the construction of the Cary Leeds Center, “said NYJTL CEO George Guimaraes. “The WTA and the USTA have both stepped up to make this a world-class tournament to serve as the players’ final preparation for the US Open which starts two days after our final.”

The NYJTL Bronx Open will be the only WTA tournament during the week prior to the US Open and will feature a 48-singles qualifying and 30-player main draw plus a 16-team doubles draw.

WTA CEO and Chairman Steve Simon stated, “We look forward to bringing the WTA Tour to the Bronx this season, providing our world class athletes the opportunity to compete at the new state of the art Cary Leeds Center.”

“The Bronx looks forward to the return of women’s professional tennis to our community,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “This tournament will inspire the next generation of future sports stars to pick up a racket and get out to play in the new Cary Leeds Center in Crotona Park. We are grateful to NYJTL for everything you do as a partner in the community, and we thank the WTA for bringing the world’s best players to the Bronx.”

“NYJTL previously promoted one WTA Challenger and more than 15 USTA Pro Circuit professional tennis tournaments in Crotona Park from 1993-2012,” explained NYJTL Tournament Director Joe Ceriello.

“While temporary facilities were constructed each year in the past, this year the $26.5-million Cary Leeds Center will provide a world-class facility with two stadium courts and access to a total of 20 additional courts,” he continued. “The Cary Leeds Center also includes a two-story, 12,000-square-foot clubhouse with classrooms, and the Victor Kiam Stadium and the Pershing Square Stadium create an up-close and intimate tennis viewing experience.”

“Introducing new people to the sport of tennis and opening up our doors to the community is our life’s work,” said Liezel Huber, seven-time Grand Slam Champion and Executive Director of Tennis at the Cary Leeds Center.

NYJTL is the largest tennis and education non-profit in the nation committed to creating the ultimate aspirational experience for thousands of New York City children served through its programs.

The tournament has received generous support from Platinum sponsors RBC (Royal Bank of Canada), the United States Tennis Association, Gold sponsors USTA Eastern, Taste of Tennis, and Deborah Larkin and Larry Leeds, who co-founded the Heroes Circle for individual contributors. Media and broadcast sponsors include the Tennis Channel and Vector Media.

Learn more at https://www.nyjtl.org/nyjtl-bronx-open/

About New York Junior Tennis & Learning

The mission of New York Junior Tennis & Learning is to develop the character of young people through tennis and education for a lifetime of success on and off the court.  Since 1971, NYJTL has changed lives through tennis, education, healthy living, and character development programs. Today, it is the largest youth tennis and education non-profit in the nation, reaching 85,000 K-12 New York City youth.

In June 2015, the $26.5 million Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning opened its doors as the flagship home of NYJTL in the heart of the Bronx.  In April 2017, the Cary Leeds Center completed its final phase of construction with the opening of the Pershing Square Stadium, the Victor Kiam Stadium, and the Dalia and Larry Leeds Viewing Bridge.  The Cary Leeds Center provides more than 6,000 hours of free tennis court time annually to the community’s under resourced youth.

Contact: Joe Ceriello
jceriello@nyjtl.org
(917) 693-6672