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.

To all of you who have sent such wonderful tributes and condolences.

David and I really met while watching a competition at the Harlem Armory in 1975. He was then Clerk of the City of New York and an influential leader in the Democratic Party. I was a budding indoor tennis entrepreneur.  He actually was part of a group of tennis friends that was then playing at my first indoor club, Stadium Tennis Center in the Bronx. David loved to play tennis, was a solid intermediate player who kept improving his game , He greatly admired Arthur Ashe and embraced NYJTL’s mission of bringing tennis to all children. He gladly served on the NYJTL Board from 1975 to 1985, and then again, after serving as Manhattan Borough President and Mayor, from 1994 to 2020. 36 years. He was instrumental in the early 1980’s introducing NYJTL to the NYC Board of Education and his prestige opened many doors to NYJTL’s work.

When David became Mayor he and Joyce lived in Gracie Mansion, the Mayor’s official residence. Sara and I lived ( and still do) a few hundred feet away. David wanted to play in the mornings for exercise and relief. If he had to last minute cancel for a City emergency, I would not be way out of pocket. So from his many tennis friends I got the call to play. We played vigorous singles tennis several weekday mornings for the next 22 years, and became best friends.

Our City has lost a great public servant and elder statesman. NYJTL has lost an invaluable supporter. Tennis has lost an enthusiastic player.  The USTA has lost a devoted leader. I have lost the best friend a person could have. David, Joyce, David Jr., Donna and their families will always be loved by us.

– Skip

The Racket ?

2020 ITP Tryouts 

On September 26, the Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning hosted the Intensive Training Program tryouts. More than 130 players came to show us their tennis skills and passion! With smaller coach-to-student ratios and increased access to tennis, ITP bridges the gap between recreational community-based programs and high performance training. It is designed for current or past participants of NYJTL Community Tennis and ACES Afterschool Programs.  This year’s team will be announced on October 14.

You can learn more about the ITP Program here.

ACES Afterschool Program!

Monday, October 5 was an extremely important day for NYJTL and one that represents a great deal of preparation and effort from the team and New York City. We are happy to report that the NYJTL ACES Afterschool Program is in full swing and providing in-person and virtual programming. Many congratulations to the ACES team and we wish for everyone’s continued health and safety.

Welcome VISTA Fellows!

Welcome Justin and Emily to the NYJTL Family! For the next year Justin and Emily will work in various departments of NYJTL to learn what we do for the children of NYC.

Fall CTP!

Get your tennis on this fall by joining our Community Tennis Program!

Find the site nearest to you and register today!

New York Junior Tennis & Learning commends and stands in full solidarity with the sports community demanding justice for our fellow Black and Brown Americans.  We reaffirm the dedication of our visionary founder, Arthur Ashe, and continue to be committed to provide children of every color the opportunity to excel and reach their full potential through tennis and education.

NYJTL adds its voice to the fight to end racial injustice and discrimination in our country. The violence must stop now.

#BlackLivesMatter

NYJTL’s Previous Statement