For more than 30 years, the New York Junior Tennis League (NYJTL) has been a driving force for both New York City’s youth as well as the tennis community.

True to its mission, the NYJTL has brought the sport of tennis to children of all social, cultural and economic backgrounds. It has also helped to provide these youngsters with the critical skills needed to succeed in life.

The origin of the NYJTL is rooted in the founding of the National Junior Tennis League (NJTL) by Arthur Ashe, Charlie Pasarell, Eugene Scott and Sheridan Snyder. In 1969, Arthur Ashe founded the NJTL as a way to interest city children in tennis. In 1970, as a result of Ashe’s work, the New York Junior Tennis League was born and has been transforming the lives of New York City children ever since.

The NYJTL’s mission is to provide New York City youngsters, through the sport of tennis, with character development, physical conditioning, social skills development, learning disciplines, and educational opportunities. By providing tennis programs for more than 170,000 youngsters on 1,000 converted tennis courts in more than 400 school yards, playgrounds and New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) sites, the League has become the largest and most respected scholastic tennis programs in the United States.

At a time when there is a critical shortage of structured in-school sports programs, the NYJTL provides opportunities for informal social interaction with positive role models in safe places. Through the sport of tennis, the NYJTL offers New York City youngsters a meaningful alternative to the negative influences that surround them everyday. The programs offer boys and girls an opportunity to develop their academic, social, physical and recreational skills.The NYJTL is a vital factor in maintaining youngsters interest in school.

The NYJTL programs make school fun. Children taking part in these programs learn tennis, receive peer counseling, take part in homework clubs, SAT tutoring, and learn about scholarship opportunities. The League has built a strong educational support system utilizing tennis as its vehicle. In the past three years, 150 NYJTL students received nearly $6,000,000 in annual aid and scholarships to colleges and secondary schools.

Contact person: Tiffany Ransom, Administrative Assistant, (347) 417-8151, (email)

Address:

58-12 Queens Boulevard, Suite 1 Woodside, NY 11377 (See a map)

Directions:

7 train to 61st Street, Roosevelt Avenue   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: 7,   Walk distance (in minutes): 10   Nearest Bus Stop: Q60, 3 minute walk