Play in the Second Annual KCTL Open!

In addition to their support for KCTL's mission to enrich the lives of children, we know that many of our volunteers and staff were motivated to join our program because they're passionate about tennis. So we're bringing back the opportunity for organized singles tennis play in the form of the Second Annual KCTL Open!

Awesome news, right?! We happen to know know very well how difficult it is to play tennis in New York City. So we're doing the hard part for you: coordinating matches! It's up to you and your opponent to choose a time and place each week.

KCTL_Volunteer Tournament Final

Registration is available to the public and all funds will directly support KCTL's youth tennis programming. To reserve a spot in one of the tournament's three divisions--Men's Competitive, Women's Competitive or Co-Ed Recreational--sign up and submit payment by June 24 at midnight.

Thanks all for your participation. Have fun!

2015 Volunteer Training Recap

After a successful series of training workshops, our volunteers are officially ready to bring tennis to the kids of Bed-Stuy! Comprised of approximately 90 individuals of all ages, backgrounds and professions, our 2015 volunteer base is the largest in KCTL’s history.

Director of Programming Meredith Brown led two large group sessions on April 25 and May 2. Both meetings enjoyed high attendance rates, welcomed many new faces, and shined with enthusiasm.

April 25 at Marcy

The April 25 session was held at Marcy. Given the relatively pleasant weather and the large size of our group, we deviated from our initial plan to meet in a classroom at Marcy Library. Instead, volunteers absorbed the 2015 tennis curriculum in a much roomier setting: a big, seated circle on the Marcy tennis court.

volunteer-training-2015-marcy-2

Surrounded by several dozen volunteers, Meredith outlined the organization’s history, our goals, typical class structure, and expectations for volunteers. The outdoor space was especially useful for Lafayette Gardens Site Coordinator Candice’s simulation of an off-court activity and discussion. Following the curriculum overview and the mock off-court session, volunteers divided into small groups to practice tennis drills and games. The session commenced with Breakout to familiarize volunteers with our typical end-of-class game.

View photos from April 25 training on Facebook.

May 2 at Asphalt Green

On May 2, volunteer training was held at Asphalt Green Battery Park City, an athletic facility in lower Manhattan. Though a markedly different space than the Marcy court, this training session was equally effective and engaging.

asphalt-green-training

Here, volunteers learned about KCTL in a traditional classroom setting complete with a presentation screen to visually reinforce Meredith’s speech. Again, volunteers participated in a demonstration of an off-court discussion—but the relatively smaller space didn’t prevent them from having fun! After a short break, training resumed downstairs on an indoor basketball-court-turned-tennis-court with a portable tennis net. Meredith led a series of drills with the entire group, which included each volunteer's opportunity to practice feeding balls with lots of energy. Again, training wrapped up with a few rounds of Breakout.

View photos from May 2 training on Facebook.

Volunteer training didn’t end on May 2, though, as was originally planned. Following unexpectedly high volunteer interest, we added a medium-sized group session this past Saturday, May 16. We also have a few smaller meetings planned throughout the final days before the season’s start. Volunteers still interested in participating with KCTL who have not yet registered for a training session can contact Meredith Brown to arrange an individual meeting.

Thank you so much to everyone who's come out so far! We couldn't do this without you.

Time to Register for Volunteer Training

Hey, Volunteers, let's get this season started! We've redesigned our tennis curriculum to equip you better than ever before with the resources to engage and inspire our youth athletes.

volunteer-training

All volunteers--returning and new--are required to attend one training session of their choice in order to qualify to mentor our students this season. Training will be held in Brooklyn on Saturday, April 25 and in Manhattan on Saturday, May 2.

Led by Meredith Brown, KCTL Director of Programming, the training sessions are divided into a sit-down presentation and an on-court demonstration.

Our training sessions are filling up quickly. Be sure to register ASAP for your preferred date and location.

Pre-Season Volunteer Socials

We’re still more than 12 weeks (and 50 degrees Fahrenheit!) away from our tennis season, but we’ve already heard from many of you about volunteering.

As a warm welcome our newcomers—and to provide fun opportunities for returning volunteers to catch up with KCTL—we’ve planned several unique social events in Brooklyn and Manhattan.

Big thanks to all who came out to our tennis and pizza event at Prospect Park Tennis Center on Saturday, February, 28! Below, you’ll see everything else that’s happening.

Please RSVP to all events on Meetup or by email to social@kingscountytennisleague.org.

Coffee Cupping at Blue Bottle Coffee
Saturday, March 7 (Tomorrow!) at 11:45 AM
450 West 15th Street, Manhattan
Experience a professionally-guided tasting of various coffee flavors in Chelsea.

Tennis at Prospect Park Tennis Center
Saturday, March 14 at 6:00 PM
50 Parkside Avenue, Brooklyn
Enjoy one hour of play for $5/participant, followed by tacos, quesadillas and burritos at El Acuario (Five-star Yelp rating!) around the corner from the tennis center.

Brunch at Michael McCasland’s Apartment
Sunday, March 22 at 1:00 PM
50 Greene Avenue, Apt 4F, Brooklyn
Mix a little bit of breakfast with a little bit of lunch with us!

Ping Pong Happy Hour at t.b.d. Brooklyn
Wednesday, April 1 at 7:00 PM
224 Franklin Street, Brooklyn
Because the only thing better than tennis is table tennis.

Bowling at Brooklyn Bowl
Sunday, April 12 at 1:45 PM
61 Wythe Avenue, Brooklyn
We’re covering 90 minutes of play, including shoes, for $10/participant.

Season Kickoff Dinner at Meredith Brown’s Apartment
Tuesday, April 28 at 7:00 PM
135 Meserole Street, Apt 3, Brooklyn
Eat and have fun as we head into the final month before the season starts.

If you are interested in volunteering, but haven’t told us yet, we’d love to hear from you.

Please keep an eye on all of our Facebook, Twitter & Meetup pages for changes or additions to our social calendar.

Volunteer Social Events/Training in Brooklyn and Manhattan

We're holding several social events throughout April for everyone interested in being a part of the program--on and off the court--to meet each other and learn more about the program. We're gearing up for an amazing season this year and we want you to be a part of it! Come out and say hello!

For the latest news on volunteer socials, follow us on Meet-Up, Facebook and/or Twitter.

Upcoming Events:

Tasty Eats at Klimat
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Klimat Lounge
77 East 7th Street, New York
We'll be downstairs. Look for the KCTL shirts.

Pizza and Pints at Brooklyn Brewery
Sunday, April 6, 2014
3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Brooklyn Brewery
79 N 11th St, Brooklyn
Look for the KCTL T-Shirts

Indoor Tennis at Prospect Park
Saturday, April 12, 2014
6:30 PM to 8:15 PM
Prospect Park Tennis Center
50 Parkside Avenue, Brooklyn
Free court time from 7pm - 8pm

On-Court Volunteer Training
Saturdays, April 19 and April 26, 2014
12:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Tennis Court at Marcy Playground
753 Myrtle Avenue, Brooklyn

For new and old volunteers: Come join us on, meet other volunteers, learn more about the program and get a refresher on tennis basics and teaching tennis to kids. Lunch will be provided.Volunteers only need to attend one training meeting. However, feel free to attend both! If you can’t attend either training, please email us and let us know. First class with the kids is Saturday, May 3rd!