Author: joe

30th Annual NYJTL Mayor’s Cup Expands Reach & Impact

Posted on by joe
New York (April 23) – 2018 marks the 30th consecutive year that New York Junior Tennis & Learning (NYJTL) has hosted the Mayor’s Cup, which is the largest interscholastic tennis tournament in the nation with more than 600 participants representing 160 private, public, and parochial schools in New York City competing in elementary, middle school, and high school divisions.
The NYJTL Mayor’s Cup, which runs from May 31 – June 9, is free to participants and includes 16 team and individual events for beginners to experienced varsity athletes all competing at the Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning in the heart of the South Bronx. Early round matches are played on 22 courts with the final varsity individual matches featured on the state-of-the art Victor Kiam and Pershing Square Stadium courts with viewing for more than 800 spectators.
“With the goal of breaking down all barriers to entry for NYC youth to play tennis, we are preparing to greatly expand the number of participants in the NYJTL Mayor’s Cup,” said George Guimaraes, NYJTL CEO and President.
The NYJTL Mayor’s Cup will offer the innovative UTR (Universal Tennis Ranking) system for the first time. Among its many benefits, UTR is the ranking system used by college coaches to evaluate the talent of players hoping to continue their tennis careers at the intercollegiate level.
“We are honored to work with NYJTL to provide student athletes with more access to tennis and more opportunities to play,” said Mark Leschly, Universal Tennis Chairman & CEO.
In addition, through NYJTL’s partnership with USTA Eastern, individual girls’ and boys’ quarterfinalists will receive free entries to the USTA Eastern College Showcase Day in November.
“We knew we had to get involved because getting more kids on the court and creating college opportunities for them is what we are all about,” said Jenny Schnitzner, ED of USTA Eastern.
Kicking off the NYJTL Mayor’s Cup on Saturday, June 2, 500 program participants, community members, and staff members will “spell out” “NYJTL” on the Cary Leeds Center courts. An aerial photograph will be taken signifying the impact that children playing the sport of tennis have in a community such as Crotona Park.
The NYJTL Mayor’s Cup culminates on Saturday, June 9 with an awards show featuring live entertainment by NYJTL’s ACES Afterschool dance troupe and singers performing today’s hottest hits. Awards celebrating scholar athletes include:
  • NYJTL Growth Award -The highest honor, given to the graduating senior(s) who have inspired others through their dedication to tennis and education
  • USTA Eastern Sportsmanship Award – Presented to the NYJTL Mayor’s Cup player(s) who have shown character and integrity while competing
  • UTR “Impact Story” Award – Awarded to Mayor’s Cup participant(s) who have created video submission(s) describing how tennis has impacted their lives
  • NYPD Precinct 42 Service Award – Recognizing scholar athletes who have shown personal growth through their participation in the Cary Leeds Center Serve & Connect Program
  • Victor Kiam “Going For It” Scholarship – Awarded to the NYJTL program participants who have demonstrated character and “grit”
  • NYJTL Mayor’s Cup Team and Individual Awards – Presented to each team and individual elementary, middle, and high school division winner and finalist
The official NYJTL Mayor’s Cup application is now online at www.nyjtl.org/mayors-cup.
Media are welcome to attend the NYJTL Mayor’s Cup. The Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning is located at 1720 Crotona Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10457.

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 75,000 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 South Bronx.  In April 2017, the Center completed its final phase of construction and opened 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.
NYJTL celebrates the diversity of the children who participate in every program, providing 3,000,000 hours of year-round programming that serves youth from all five boroughs.  All NYJTL Community Tennis and Afterschool programs are offered at no cost to its participants.

About Universal Tennis

Universal Tennis is the company behind UTR Powered by Oracle, a rating system that provides a single unifying language and standard for tennis players across age, geography, gender and economics. UTR Powered by Oracle is the official tennis rating system for ITA, PTR, Tennis Channel, USPTA, and WTT.

 

About USTA Eastern

 

The USTA Eastern Section, based in White Plains, N.Y., is a not-for-profit community service organization whose mission is to promote and develop the growth of tennis.

 

The section encompasses all of New York State, Northern New Jersey and Greenwich, Conn. It is one of 17 geographic sections of the United States Tennis Association, the governing body of tennis in the United States, and supports more than 49,000 members. The section also establishes and maintains rules of fair play, high standards of sportsmanship and represents, in its jurisdiction, the programs and policies of the USTA.

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Contact:
Joe Ceriello
jceriello@nyjtl.org

NYJTL Launches Serve & Connect, Engaging Law Enforcement and the Community

Posted on by joe
New York (February 13) – Serve & Connect, a community engagement program connecting police and children in a safe and fun tennis setting, returns on February 24 for the second season for three months at the Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning in Crotona Park.
Serve & Connect will be held Saturdays at the Cary Leeds Center, which is within walking distance of 30,000 school children, from 4 – 7 pm from February 24 through May 19. The program provides on-court tennis, off-court mentorship, and a warm meal for all participants.
Designed by New York Junior Tennis & Learning (NYJTL) with partner USTA Foundation, Serve & Connect, formerly known as Volley Against Violence, is designed to improve perceptions and relationships among youth, police, and residents.
“Through comprehensive and positive youth engagement strategies such as Serve & Connect, NYJTL builds character in under-resourced youth living in the most challenging neighborhoods in New York City,” said George Guimaraes, NYJTL CEO.
Local NYPD Precinct 42 has fully embraced the program, and under the watchful eye of Deputy Inspector, Ernest Morales III, Precinct 42 provides police officers on a volunteer basis.
“We have 12 weeks to build a long lasting relationship between officers and kids all while providing them a safe haven and teaching them tennis,” said D.I. Morales. “These are life lessons that can make a real difference.”
Serve & Connect originated in Boston conceived by Sportsmen’s Tennis Enrichment in 2009. Based on the acceptance of the program in the communities, the USTA Foundation has expanded to eight programs this year, including Sportsmen’s Tennis & Enrichment Center and NYJTL.
“The USTA Foundation is committed to the youth participants from our hundreds of NJTL programs throughout the country and teaching them the importance of developing into model citizens and is proud to launch the Serve & Connect initiative,” said Dan Faber, Executive Director, USTA Foundation.
NYJTL launched “Grow with the Game” in 2017 investing significant funding to introduce its Intensive Training Program and to expand its pathway program from Community Tennis and ACES Afterschool programs to its highest level of training in the Advanced Training Program (also known as NYJTL Tournament Team). In addition to expanding its on-court offerings, NYJTL utilized the Cary Leeds Center to offer a 10-week Princeton Review SAT Preparatory class for high school juniors which began earlier this month.
Media are welcome to attend the Serve & Connect classes. The Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning is located at 1720 Crotona Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10457.
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 75,000 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 South Bronx.  In April 2017, the Center completed its final phase of construction and opened 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.
NYJTL celebrates the diversity of the children who participate in every program, providing 3,000,000 hours of year-round programming that serves youth from all five boroughs.  All NYJTL Community Tennis and Afterschool programs are offered at no cost to its participants.

NYJTL Salutes John Lloyd!

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NYJTL is able to achieve so much for so many kids because of the generosity of friends who support our mission.

As NYJTL closes out another successful year making a difference in the lives of New York City youth, we are want to thank all of our incredible supporters and to welcome a new friend to our inner circle.  Leadership Luncheon master of ceremonies John Lloyd answered our call and traveled from Florida to host NYJTL’s major annual fundraiser.

While John is widely known for his tennis exploits and victories, including winning mixed double titles in both the French Open and Wimbledon, as well as for being a commentator and analyst for the BBC’s tennis coverage, his other lifelong passion is real estate. Since entering the real estate industry, John has achieved great success in the marketing and sales of real estate.

John can be reached through Sotheby’s International Realty:

Cell 310-795-8901

340 Royal Poinciana Way, Suite 337

Palm Beach, FL 33480

John.lloyd@sothebyshomes.com

 

 

NYJTL Appoints New Executive Director of Development

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New York Junior Tennis & Learning is pleased to announce that Angie A. Calderwood has been named the Executive Director of Development, effective November 1, 2017.

Prior to joining the NYJTL team, Ms. Calderwood was most recently the Director of Individual Giving at the Morgan Library & Museum, responsible for raising over $3 million in membership and general operating funds. She has also held various fundraising positions at other prominent New York City institutions such as the Metropolitan Opera, Central Park Conservancy, and the Museum of Modern Art.

“I am thrilled to be a part of the team at NYJTL. My love of the sport and our great city made the mission of developing the character of young people through tennis and education resonate strongly, and I am passionate about enabling NYJTL to expand its impact on the lives of children in all five boroughs,” said Calderwood.

A graduate of Williams College, Ms. Calderwood is a native of Savannah, GA and resides in Manhattan with her husband and two dogs.

About NYJTL:

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 75,000 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 South Bronx.  In April 2017, the Center completed its final phase of construction and opened 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 underserved youth.

NYJTL celebrates the diversity of the children who participate in every program, providing 3,000,000 hours of year-round programming that serves youth from all five boroughs.  All NYJTL community tennis and afterschool programs are offered at no cost to its participants.

NYJTL Recognized as FIRST National Sports Organization of Character

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New York Junior Tennis & Learning becomes a national leader in character development education and practices with its certification and partnership with Character.org.  NYJTL is the largest youth tennis and education non-profit in the nation and serves children in all five boroughs in New York City.  With this certification, NYJTL becomes one of two organizations in the nation to be recognized as a Sports Organization of Character.

The certification is awarded after a lengthy eight part approval process, a comprehensive understanding of the 11 Principles of Effective Character Education, and a commitment to on-going site visits from Character.org.  “At Character.org, we are extremely proud of the inaugural group of National Sports Organizations of Character.  Their dedication to character development has proven over time to increase the well-being of so many young people, their families and their communities,” said Doug Karr, Character.org’s President & CEO.

“The partnership between Character.org and NYJTL was organic in nature as NYJTL’s mission statement is to develop the character of young people through tennis and education for a lifetime of success on and off the court,” said George Guimaraes, NYJTL President & CEO.  This certification validates NYJTL’s character development initiatives and serves as national model to be replicated for like-minded organizations.   The First Tee shares the honor with NYJTL as the only other organization to be recognized and certified.

Zeroing in with laser focus, NYJTL has defined its vision to enable youth to “Grow with the Game”.  As part of an impact measurement study conducted over the last 18 months, NYJTL has determined that life skills learned through tennis and education are the catalyst for long-term achievement.  Recognizing that character development and healthy living play a major role in development, the organization has looked to expand its resources, knowledge base, and offerings to NYC youth.

“Tennis is our tool to build life-changing social, academic and career networks, giving children the best chance for individual growth and success. We are weaving a character-driven mission, core values and a caring community structure throughout our initiatives. Through comprehensive, meaningful and positive youth engagement strategies, NYJTL builds character in under-resourced youth living in the most challenging neighborhoods in New York City for a lifetime of success on and off the court,” said Jessica Kruskamp, NYJTL Chief Education Officer.

New York Junior Tennis & Learning has served as a leader in grass roots tennis instruction in New York City with over 45 years of continuous service.  Early this year to enrich its educational offerings, NYJTL partnered with First Book to distribute over 6,000 developmental level books to its student athletes as part of its ongoing commitment to assist long term growth and achievement.

About NYJTL:

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 75,000 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 South Bronx.  In April 2017, the Center completed its final phase of construction and opened 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 underserved youth.

NYJTL celebrates the diversity of the children who participate in every program, providing 3,000,000 hours of year-round programming that serves youth from all five boroughs.  All NYJTL community tennis and afterschool programs are offered at no cost to its participants.

About Character.Org:

Founded in 1993, Character.org, is a national non-profit based in Washington, D.C. The mission of the organization is to provide leadership and advocacy for character worldwide.  It is dedicated to help people everywhere become educated, inspired and empowered to be ethical and compassionate citizens.  Charcater.org validates character initiatives in schools, sports, families and the workplace through certifications and sharing best practices.  Results of effective character initiatives in schools typically include improved academic achievement, a decline in behavioral problems and an increase in an overall positive school climate.

Character education is an approach to organizational culture and climate improvement that supports the social, emotional and ethical development of young people.  It is the proactive and intentional efforts by schools, districts, communities and states to help young people develop important core ethical (recognizing what’s right) and performances (doing what’s right) values such as caring, honesty, diligence, fairness, fortitude, responsibility, grit, creativity, critical thinking and respect for self and others.

NYJTL in the News

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New York City was treated to another electrifying US Open and tennis captured the attention of the world once again this season.  New York Junior Tennis & Learning is proud to be part of this community and understands the impact that the tennis can have on a child, a family and a city. Follow the stories of NYJTL and see how tennis and education are shaping the next generation. “Through tennis, lives can be changed and spirits reclaimed.” – Arthur Ashe
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The Today Show
The Ntonga family, an NYJTL family who immigrated from Cameroon, discovered the courts at the Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning and made tennis an important part of their family’s journey. The Today Show has a special surprise for them!
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The NY Times
New York Junior Tennis & Learning provides free tennis to children in all five boroughs of New York City. The NY Times shines a light on the work of NYJTL and the many children it serves.
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WPIX11

Christopher Perez wasn’t playing tennis a year ago, but all that changed when this Bronx-based teen discovered the Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning. Christopher first started in the NYJTL FACES program, but after a year of diligent work and great passion for tennis, he decided to take his next step in training to try out for the Advanced Training Program, and got accepted!  Watch WPIX11 followed his progress and learn what tennis is doing for Christopher.
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Bronx News12

Millie and Mercy Ortiz, twin sisters have fallen in love with the sport of tennis.  The Bronx sisters have been long standing players in NYJTL programs, frequent the Cary Leeds Center, and just recently made the new Intensive Training Program.  Bronx News 12 follows their story.