Pioneering Southeast Queens Tennis Academy Hits Ace Training & Mentoring Local Youths
COMMUNITY NEWS
Scores of local youths put on a tennis exhibition as part of the Annual Youth And Tennis Academy fundraiser to bring awareness and generate public support for the not-for-profit program housed at Roy Wilkins Park in Jamaica, officials said.
As parents, elected officials and local civic leaders looked on, the young players showcased their tennis skills serving, volleying, and hitting impressive forehands and backhands from the baseline.
“The purpose of the organization is to train and mentor our kids in not only learning to play tennis but to develop valuable life skills including developing friendships and working with others,” said Bill Briggs, the program’s executive director and legendary youth fitness advocate who founded the program in 1972.
Local principals, community leaders and elected officials were present as the budding tennis aces received gold medals acknowledging their achievements in the Tennis Academy housed at The Roy Wilkins Park Tennis Center at 177th Street & Baisley Boulevard in Jamaica.
Special Guests included Dr. Ola Akinboboye of the Queens Health Institute, Jeff Terry of The 1906, Project Inc., Queens Borough President Melinda Katz and New York State Senator Leroy Comrie, among others.
“The Youth And Tennis program is a community institution here in Southeast Queens,” Comrie said. “It tutors so many children. My children were here and benefited. I would encourage everyone to be involved to help them whether it is volunteering or helping with fundraising. It is an excellent program here at Roy Wilkins Park and other schools throughout Queens.”
The Youth & Tennis Academy holds year-round clinics both indoors and outdoors in the Winter Tennis Bubble. The children receive personal and group instruction for a small registration fee, subsidized through a variety of funding sources, including local government, corporate and individual sponsors, officials said.
More than 30,000 youths have participated in the program since its inception.
The Youth and Tennis Academy continues to expand with the new Early Exposure Initiative focusing on gifted students in schools to develop a sustainable pipeline of local talent and to promote youth fitness through tennis. Currently, there are 16 public schools in Districts 28 and 29 participating in the program, officials said.
Briggs said it takes the entire community to keep the program operating.
“Many of our children have gone on to college with some playing on the professional circuit,” Briggs said. “It takes courage and discipline to be a part of our program. I am proud of every one of our kids and the commitment the community, city, parents and children have made through the years to make this event and the program a success.”
For additional information about registration, volunteering or making a donation, please call: (718) 658-6728 or E-mail: youthandtennis@msn.com.
Contact: 1906 Project, Inc. | Jean Duchatellier | (917) 309-8283
Curtis Taylor at (646) 741–9615 | curtismediapr@gmail.com@gmail.com
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