USTA Eastern Long Island

Volume 6, Issue 3 USTA Eastern Long Island

September 2017 On The Ball: News From LI USTA Launches Net Generation with Local Juniors at US Open

Coming Soon The USTA launched its revo- folk County lutionary new youth brand, Junior Tennis 10/14 Nassau “Net Generation,” at the US League, Spor- Girls’ High School Open, with on-court demon- time clubs, strations by Long Island jun- Robbie Wag- Individuals Tour- ior players. ner’s Tourna- nament ment Train-

ing Center and Carefree Indoor Racquet 10/23-25 Long Is- tion will activate throughout Club. land Girls’ High all competitive levels includ- School Team ing youth tennis, team tennis For more information, please and junior competition. By visit NetGeneration.com. Championship setting new standards and collaborating with programs 10/28-30 NY State across the board, these ef- High School Indi- Net Generation is designed forts will help unite the ten- to inspire the next generation nis industry by sharing the viduals Tourna- of tennis players by serving as one unified youth brand ment for children to get into the sport. Net Generation will 11/5 USTA East- make it easier for kids and ern College Show- their parents to learn about tennis and get into case the game in schools, parks and tennis clubs across the 2/10-18 New York country. The movement Open embraces all aspects of youth play for children ages 5-18. same mission to get more kids playing The USTA will be working tennis. closely with schools and school districts by providing Net Generation equipment, training and re- kicked off at Arthur sources for teachers. The Ashe Kids Day at the US USTA has developed a new Open; throughout the Open, visit us at school tennis curriculum and local junior players were in- www. will encourage schools to vited to take to the courts at have a community partner to the BJK National Tennis longisland. help kids find a tennis facility Center Tennis to demon- usta.com to play after school in part- strate their skills. Participat- for details on all nership with SHAPE Ameri- ing in the Net Generation ca. launch at the Open were a events large group of future tennis Furthermore, Net Genera- pros from Long Island. Par- ticipants came from the Suf- On The Ball: News from LI Page 2 4th Title for Farmingdale GF Sports Recruits for NY Open

The Farmingdale State Profes- the NYCB Live Nassau Vet- ticipate as marketers and Women's Tennis Team sional erans Memorial Coliseum. promoters. GF Sports is won their fourth consecutive D3 Skyline tennis seeking Brand Ambassa- returns The weeklong event dors, Tennis Pro Ambassa- Conference title in (February 10-18, 2018) will 2016-17. They earned to Long dors and Event Managers their fourth Island in be presented by GF Sports to help spread the word February LLC and Brooklyn Sports & about the New York Open. when the Entertainment. It will bring New York Open ATP Tour- top US and international Those interested can e- nament (formerly Memphis tennis stars to Nassau mail a cover letter and re- Open) makes its debut at County and offers the op- sume to Josh Ripple at jrip- portunity for locals to par- [email protected]. Point Set Hosts Wheelchair consecutive trip to the NCAA National Tennis Pros Tournament, falling to SUNY Geneseo in the first round in Point Set Indoor Tennis (Oceanside) was proud to host the practice Middlebury, Vt. courts for the 2017 US Open wheelchair tennis competitors. Wheelchair tennis players from around the world competed in six divisions -- men's singles, men's The women's team doubles, women's singles, women's doubles, quad singles and quad doubles -- with earned the #1 seed for $200,000 in prizes awaiting the champions. For the first time in the history of the US the playoffs and Open, wheelchair players competed in Arthur Ashe stadium. The US Open Wheelchair captured their fourth Competition is in its 10th year. straight Skyline Con- ference title, defeating Point Set has long supported and fostered wheelchair tennis, having established an ongo- #4 Sage, 5-0, and #3 ing program under the leadership of former owner Dan Dwyer, who passed away in 2010. St. Joseph's-LI, 5-2. A strong advocate on behalf of wheelchair athletes, one of Dan’s most visible and endur- ing legacies is his creation of the National Tennis Association for the Disabled and the Four Farmingdale State international Lichtenberg Buick-Mazda wheelchair tournament in the mid-1980s. He players earned All- made Point Set wheelchair accessible and began hosting one Conference honors: of the country’s first free wheelchair tennis clinics. Point Set senior's Tatiana continues to offer programs for wheelchair athletes, includ- Rosamilia (Malverne) ing its Multiple Sclerosis tennis program, which is conduct- and Priscilla Signore ed in conjunction with the National Multiple Sclerosis Socie- (Staten Island) were each named to the First ty of Long Island. The program is supervised by our Director Team, while Qurat-ul- and taught by Point Set's ain Rai (Lahore, staff professionals who do- Pakistan) and Kayla nate their time. Private les- Reidy (Sayville) earned sons are available for those Second Team honors. able to stand with or without Head coach Adam a walker and for those in Waterhouse was wheelchairs, and a free clinic named the Skyline is offered weekly. Conference Coach of the Year. Photos courtesy of Point Set Indoor Photo: Farmingdale State Tennis Women’s Tennis Team 2016- 2017 On The Ball: News from LI

Page 3 Long Island Commits to No Cut Important Dates: High School Tennis Girls’ HS

The USTA Long Is- Season land Region is working with high school 2017 coaches to expand the USTA’s vision for No 9/16 Suffolk Cut High School ten- County Play for nis this season. Pink Tournament Nassau and Suffolk @the Hamlet coaches have been Commack enthusiastic in their support for the pro- October: Breast gram. Cancer Awareness Month (teams In reaching out to coaches across the across LI will wear Island to introduce the pro- will receive pink “No Cut Ten- enough for a coach to know pink) gram, Mike Pavlides, USTA nis” wristbands. who the best players will be Long Island Regional Board in four years. Coaches are 10/14 Nassau Girls’ High Schools Coordinator, To see a list of high schools often pleasantly surprised by High School said “The USTA recognizes participating in the No Cut the contributions made by Individuals the critical role you play in Tennis Program, please visit individuals considered to Tournament growing tennis by allowing www.longisland.usta.com. have less potential. @Eisenhower Park students of all abilities to join a team and represent their According to the USTA, No- *Participating on a team 10/23-25 Long school. Your contribution Cut tennis programs are im- helps create well-rounded creates well-rounded student- portant for several reasons student athletes, develops Island Girls’ Team athletes, develops leadership including: leadership and teaches re- Championship and teaches responsibility.” sponsibility, discipline, team- *It’s the right thing to do— work and cooperation- skills 10/28-30 NY State According to Pavlides, “the LI every child should have the every student should be enti- Region is proud to recognize opportunity to engage in High School tled to develop. and support the high school healthy, lifelong activities in Individuals tennis teams on a safe and sup- *Veteran no-cut coaches typ- Tournament @Tri- Long portive ically have higher winning City Fitness No Cut tennis “...creates well- percentages because they are (Latham, NY) rounded student-athletes, devel- able to capitalize on talent from a larger pool of players. 11/5 USTA Eastern ops leadership and teaches re- Coaches conducting no-cut College Showcase programs implement better sponsibility.” Day @Saw Mill coaching techniques, group Is- en- management skills and set a Club (Mt. Kisco, land that great example for other NY) have No Cut teams. We vironment with school activities. are taking this opportunity to their peers. 11/7 Suffolk County give the players on these Does your school have a No Girls’ Awards teams pink wristbands to *A no-cut policy sends the Cut team? Please email us at wear during their October message that developing [email protected] Dinner (sponsored matches (Breast Cancer kids, even the less talented with the name of the school by Suffolk County Awareness Month) and, in and/or late bloomers, is im- and coach and a team photo Tennis Coaches the process, support two important to the coach and and we’ll include it on our Association) portant causes.” school. web site at www.longisland. usta.com. All No Cut team members *One week of tryouts is not Photo: Massapequa HS Girls team On The Ball: News from LI

Page 4

All’s Fair USTA Leagues

If it’s fall it must be fair season! Sportime Lynbrook Men Win The USTA LI Region enjoys participating in several community Sectionals; Next Stop Nationals festivals throughout the late summer and Sportime Lynbrook’s Ali Anwar, Daniel Bin- early fall seasons. Men’s 18 & Over 4.0 dler, Sean Coonerty, team, captained by Mark Karmazin, John On the 2017 calendar: Gabe Moreira and Ferrari, John Valgoi Merrick Fair, Town of Miguel Gordon, won and Ian Zaslansky. Hempstead’s Lido its USTA Eastern Bottom row (from Beach Family Festival Sectional Champion- left): Dan Derosalia, by the Sea and ship and will repre- Brian Connor and Freeport Library’s By sent Long Island and Gabe Moreira. Not the Book Festival, the Eastern Section pictured: Miguel Gor- which this year at Nationals in Sur- don. Says Moreira: included the formal prise, Arizona in October. “We all play in a weekly seasonal and it dedication of the was an amazing seasonal and accom- newly refurbished Team members are: (top row, from left): plishment for us!” tennis courts at the Bishop Frank White Park on Parsons Ave. LI League Teams Take on Sectionals

Several Long Island Regional Champion USTA League Teams competed recently at the Eastern Sectional League Championships. Participating teams were:

18 & Over 5.0 women, Sportime Lynbrook, Captains Tina Buschi & Hali Katz

18 & Over 4.0 women, Christopher Morley, Captains Mona Giovanni & Janine Buss 18 & Over 4.0 men, Sportime Lynbrook, Captain Gabe Moreira 18 & Over 5.0 men, Christopher Morley, Cap- tain Devang Parmar 40 & Over 3.5 women, Sportime Lynbrook, Captains Nadine Letts & AnnMarie Cosma 40 & Over 4.0 women, Sportime Kings Park, Captain Angela O'Leary 18 & Over 3.5 women, Carefree, Captains Caryn Gallitto & Annmarie Conniff On The Ball: News from LI

Page 5 Teaching It’s All About the Kids Tennis at Computer More than 300 children en- new friends. The kids who Associates joyed the USTA Long Island attended – coming from as far Region’s annual summer Kids as Long Beach and Roosevelt Days, coordinated with Long – had a wonderful time learn- The USTA Long Island Tennis Magazine. ing to play tennis, enjoying Island Region and carnival games, face painting USTA Eastern were Nassau Kids Day was held at and pizza, and dancing on the happy to partner the Engineers Country Club in court to tunes from the DJ,” with Computer Roslyn while Suffolk Kids Day said Terry Fontana, USTA LI Associates, Islandia, took place at the Hamlet Golf Region Nassau County Kids & to bring tennis Day Chair. “Thank you to all programming to the Country the volunteers who helped those who already play," said Club in throughout the day, to Long Randi Wilkins, USTA LI Re- company’s summer Com- Island Tennis Magazine for gion Suffolk County Kids Day camp. Serving more mack. their co- Chair. "It's than 75 children, Partici- sponsor- wonderful to the Computer pating ship and see kids with Associates Summer camp the Engi- different Camp has been groups neers Club skill levels offering tennis includ- for host- all involved lessons as part of its ed Alliance Junior Develop- ing.” at the same program for the past ment, AMC Child Care Cen- event." ter, Circulo de la Hispanidad, Volun- several years. Kid's Clubhouse of Suffolk teers at Long Island County, YES and Fit4Moms of Nassau Tennis Mag- Suffolk County West. Kids Day azine “was included proud to LI Region tennis pros volun- partici- once again teered their time at both pants in join forces events to teach tennis basics the Hicksville Community with USTA Long Island this and run clinics and games. Tennis Association program, summer for both the Nassau Long Island Tennis Magazine while Suffolk Kids Day volun- and Suffolk County Kids' provided a water dunk, face teers came from the Ward Days,” said David Sickmen, painting and a DJ. The partic- Melville High School girl's publisher. “Together we gave ipants enjoyed a pizza lunch tennis team and the Miller over 300 kids the chance to and prizes. Place Middle School. enjoy a great day of free tennis, food, music and games. “Nassau "The USTA Long Island Re- Our goal with these events is Kids gion is happy to work with LI to expose kids who either Day Tennis Magazine and the haven't played before or don't was a Hamlet Golf & Country Club get to play often, to play the terrific to provide Kid's Day, which is sport we all love. By creating a day of a fun introduction to tennis positive atmosphere and envi- tennis, for children who have never ronment both on and off the fun and picked up a racket and addi- court, we hope these kids will tional exposure for want to continue playing. We look forward to doing it again next summer!"

Photos courtesy of USTA Eastern

Photos courtesy of On The Ball: News from LI

Page 6 Community Service & Fundraising

Tennis Helps Tennis Serves Community Heroes Tennis players 16-year-old Jill Lawrence of nated with the support of at World Hauppauge is using her pas- Sportime Syosset and its ten- Gym sion for tennis to help chil- nis director, Mike Kossoff. Setauket dren with Autism and other participated in the first developmental disabilities. In addition to tennis competi- Heroes to Heroes tion, Jill organized a raffle for Jill, a high school senior, cre- autographed photos of Rafael Tennis Round Robin ated her “Tennis Serves the Nadal and Roger Federer. Tournament event, Community” charity event raising money to help three years ago; since then Jill has been playing tennis US military veterans. she has raised $3,900 for since she was six years old The Heroes to Heroes the Developmental Disabili- and enjoys competing in Foundation provides a USTA tournaments. She says ties Institute of Smithtown, spiritual healing, which helps children and she launched “Tennis Serves suicide prevention, and adults with developmental the Community” after hearing peer support program disabilities experience per- about the DDI from a friend for veterans who suffer sonal growth and fulfillment. whose brother uses their ser- from Moral Injury and vices. “I knew I wanted to PTSD. The event Jill’s charity event is a round robin tennis tournament raise money for such a great raised $3,000. open to junior players. It program,” she says. takes place at and is coordi- Photos courtesy of Jill Lawrence

For More Tennis 4All and All 4Tennis Information

Syosset High School senior Bradley Greenberg was driving through a low-income neighborhood in New York and saw children running around and playing in the streets. “I realized that they Like us on Facebook: had never been exposed to the same opportunities and activities, such as tennis, as I was,” Brad- ley says. “I thought that opening them up to this fantastic sport could teach them valuable ath- USTA letic and interpersonal skills, such as respect, teamwork and integrity, that they can use for the Long rest of their lives.” With that thought in mind, Bradley launched the Tennis 4 All Foundation to Island provide opportunities for underprivileged children to become involved in various activities, including tennis. He partnered with the Fresh Air Fund which, he Follow us says, was very supportive of his goals, allowing him to include his on program with their visiting children. Twitter: USTA_LI The first clinic took place this past summer at the courts at Syos- set High School, where the Fresh Air Fund brought seven children ages 7-14. Bradley and friend Arjun Saluja started with a variety Visit us of fun warm-up activities utilizing tennis props and quickly on the moved on to basic junior tennis instruction. We “educated them web at about the various parts of the court, grips and how to hit a fore- hand and backhand,” he says. “Groundstroke drills were done to teach the children strokes and accuracy, including volleys and www.longisland.usta. serving. We ended the day with various other games and activi- com ties.” Equipment was donated by local tennis venues. Says Brad- ley, “I will be expanding my program into local and regional areas Email us at: so that many underprivileged children can be exposed to tennis ustaonlongisland@ and other activities. Photos courtesy of Bradley Greenberg gmail.com

Around the Region… nis programs in the Mineola schools A second free this past spring. Elementary school program took children at the Jackson Avenue School place at the enjoyed two days of tennis program- Kornreich ming, with nearly 200 fourth graders Early Learn- picking up a racquet, many for the ing Center, first time. Phys Ed teacher Bill De- where Divya Gennaro coordinated this event along Navrekar’s with volunteers Joe Arias, Fabiana Pre-K Class Rezak and Nicole Rezak. USTA East- enjoyed a ern provided both a free equipment free tennis package and curriculum, which will demonstration. Volunteers Joe Arias allow DeGennaro to incorporate ten- and Nicole Rezak ran this program. The USTA LI Region and its member nis as part of his gym class this For information on bringing tennis to clubs coordinated tennis lessons for fall. “We hope to your local school, please contact Neil hundreds of children at several Nas- expand the pro- Thakur at [email protected]. sau County Department of Parks & gram throughout Recreation Summer Camps this the summer. school Pros from district Sportime, since Long Mineola Beach currently Tennis does not Center offer ten- and Care- nis,” said Neil Thakur, USTA free Racquet Eastern Tennis Service Repre- Club provid- sentative. “Many teachers and ed coaches to run the camps at Eisen- administrators came to ob- hower, Cantiague, Wantagh and Nick- serve and were very im- erson Beach Parks... The USTA LI Re- pressed. Most of all, the kids gion hosted two free introductory ten- enjoyed themselves!”

USTA Eastern Long Island

Like us on Facebook: USTA Long Island We are committed to the promotion and growth of tennis, the "lifetime Follow us on Twitter: USTA_LI sport," for people of all ages and abilities to play and enjoy the game. Through the efforts of volunteers, USTA staff and strategic partners, we are dedicated to the highest standards of integrity, honesty and ethics in To subscribe to On the Ball: News from developing tennis programs in local communities throughout Long Is- LI, please send your email address to: land. Our mission will be served by having our youth, our adults and corporate partners enjoy the "sport for a lifetime." [email protected]

On The Ball: News From LI is published quarterly by the USTA Eastern Long Visit us on the web at: Island Region. Written and produced by Jacki Binder. Edited by Michael Pavlides. www.longisland.usta.com Founded by Daniel Burgess.