MAY 2018 The Battle of the Boroughs is Back USTA League Captain Kudos USTA Eastern is excited to present the 6th Annual Battle of the Boroughs, an adult Vlad Salomon is a captain for five teams throughout recreational tournament that will be held in Queens and Manhattan. He June and July in New York City parks. This enjoys being a captain as it tournament features the best of team allows him to meet a lot of competition and borough pride! people and form really meaningful relationships “We are thrilled for the return of the Battle of that translate to off the court the Borough Tennis Challenge to the Metro friendships. Region,” said Jenny Schnitzer, Executive His favorite part of Director and Chief Operating Officer of USTA captaining a team is the Eastern. ability to be strategic and find the best ways to This year, boroughs are not only competing with motivate his team. One of the each other for bragging rights but they will also methods he employs is face-off against the best teams from Long Island, writing match recaps – he New Jersey and Westchester. This section-wide narrates the match highlights and success of the Battle Championship will be held on July 21 in team. Flushing Meadows – Corona Park, Queens. Thank you for all your work! 1 Events Heating Up Net Generation Festival Series is sweeping New York City parks this summer. This new youth platform powered by the USTA makes it easier and more fun to get kids and teens into tennis. The USTA and USTA Eastern provides the tools, world-class curricula, marketing materials and training to empower coaches, teachers, parents, volunteers, NJTL networks and community organizations to grow the game. Feel free to share these events as a way for the community to try tennis in a fun, festival setting. Upper West Side Staten Island Brooklyn Riverside Park May 6 May 20 June 23 & 30, July 7 10:00 am - 11:30 am 11:00 am - 1:00 pm August 11 & 18 Time TBD Sol Bloom Skyline 11:00 am - 1:00 pm 96th St Park Playground Playground Squibb Park The Metro Region Board is hosting a Stars and Stripes event at Fort Hamilton Army Garrison on May 19, which is Armed Forces Day from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. This will be open to military veterans and active duty soldiers and their families. The Hispanic Federation is sponsoring an event in Washington Heights called Vive Tu Vida! Get Up! Get Moving! event on Saturday, June 2 from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Please contact Metro Region President, Pablo Sierra at [email protected], if you are interested in volunteering. NYC Aces NYC Aces Tennis, the Metro’s organization that hosts exciting and memorable tennis events for the city's young professionals, has evolved their mission to include helping underserved youth from central Queens reach their full potential. Using these popular events and the large number of socially responsible millennials who attend them, NYC Aces has been able to fundraise, attract volunteers, and raise awareness of 2 its new junior program that takes place at the historic West Side Tennis Club. NYC Aces partners with the world-class venue to host its free and low- cost, high-quality NYC Aces Team program once a week from April through October for talented young athletes from the surrounding area. The NYC Aces Team consists of 20 children from Pre-K through second grade chosen during the organization's open tryout who were selected for their talent, athletic skills, and behavioral traits. The program focuses on developing the young athlete's skills using the Net Generation curriculum and appropriately sized equipment and courts. This platform – ensures young athletes have the proper foundation for future success, while building a community atmosphere that aims to empower them – and introduce them to all the benefits that tennis has to offer. As NYC Aces grows, its staff plans to host after-school and camp programs for children at local public schools and community centers. These programs will provide hundreds of children in central Queens the opportunity to learn the game, enjoy the many physical and mental benefits that come along with playing tennis, and develop lifelong skills. For those children who are talented and want to train more often, they will have the opportunity to try out to be part of the NYC Aces Team program. Please contact NYC Aces President, Jonathan Raude at [email protected] to learn how to get involved. Highland Park Tennis Association’s Spring 2018 Community Play Day Our Metro Region Board had the opportunity to visit the Highland Park Tennis Associations 2018 Community Play Day. The tennis courts were filled with kids playing tennis and having fun. Parents volunteered and were actively involved with all the on-court activities and some off-court activities – including photos with cardboard cut-outs of some of the top pros in the game! It was a delight to see kids on outdoor courts and ready for the summer season! The region is excited to be a part of other fun events happening in Highland Park this summer. Brooklyn Tennis Association at PS 27 Our Metro Board truly enjoys getting out around New York City and seeing the various tennis programs that are happening. They recently visited a fantastic Net Generation program with the Brooklyn Tennis Associations Program at PS 270 in the Clinton Hill. Junior Team Tennis in Metro Junior Team Tennis (JTT) is a flagship junior program of the USTA that provides tennis in a team-centered atmosphere. The Metro Region players have enjoyed play opportunities filled with incredible, once-in-a- lifetime experiences. Highlights include: Q&A session John Isner prior to a NY Empire match Net Generation on-court demonstrations during Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day and the US Open Played on-court at the first U.S. Tie Break Tens at Madison Square Garden, featuring tennis sensations including Serena Williams, Coco Vandewege and others New York Empire Don’t miss the best tennis players in the world take the court in NYC this summer. The New York Empire play all home matches at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Top American John Isner, Genie Bouchard and Mardy Fish will all suit up as they battle for the King Trophy. Join the Empire for a unique tennis experience as they are offing exclusive discounts to USTA Members and New Jersey Providers. Use discount code CLUB18 to access 10% off all ticket purchases! Visit nyempiretennis.com. .