Week 15 Recap: The 8th Annual KCTL Jamboree

On September 23, the weather around Brooklyn provided kids from around the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood with a summer welcome as they trickled into the Marcy playground for the Kings County Tennis League's 8th Annual Youth Tournament & Community Jamboree.

KCTL Program Manager David Webley arrived early to set up with the courts, as Michael Rojas, Educational Coordinator, and Kim Diehl, Sumner Site Leader, prepared the tournament draw: single-elimination for \]`the 10-and-under division and a round robin for the 11-and-over group.

Michael Rojas and Kim Diehl prepare the Jamboree tournament draw. 

"Dave ensured the kids had a competitive format, much like a USTA juniors tournament," said Rob Gerstman, the site leader of the Marcy Tennis Club, which had several competitive players with eyes on the trophy table. "But when the kids weren’t on the court, they were hanging out with their peers, making new friends, eating good food, getting their faces painted, having balloon swords made for them and cheering on other players."

After the players warmed up, the matches began -- and slowly, but surely the draw was whittled down to the finals, which took place onMarcy's Center Court. In the end, Jonathan and Xavier from the Marcy Club battled it out for the top prize, both hitting severe topspin and chasing down each other's drop shots. On their way to the top, they overcame Julius and Maya from Lafayette Gardens, Andre from Jackie Robinson and AJ from Sumner. 

Early rounds for the KCTL kids had the 10-and-under sector in serious competition. 

"Dozens of families and students gathered around to witness some amazing tennis! Lots of positive energy, support and great tennis etiquette," Gerstman said. "It was incredible. KCTL has made such a difference, and the kids have been inspired to put in an effort, only matched by that of the volunteers."

Julius shows off a mean backhand in the semi-final round. 

The crowds gather to watch the final match between Xavier and Jonathan of Marcy. 

After the championship, everyone gathered again for the award presentation, where Jonathan took the top trophy for winning the best of 3-set challenge. KCTL President and Founder Michael McCasland also presented plaques to one individual from each site who best represented the characteristics of KCTL. Smiles and cheers were had all around for the honorees. 

Michael McCasland, assisted by Marcy site leader, present trophies to the winners of the tournament and the kids who best embody KCTL principles. 

"No matter how you did in the tournament, all of you are winners, just for showing up, just for competing with pride and grace," McCasland said. "Billie Jean King has a saying: 'Pressure is a privilege.' You all accepted the pressure and the privilege, and we're all better for it."

Week 14 Recap from Lafayette Gardens

The final Lafayette Gardens class of the summer season began with a quick warm up before students were divided into groups. The more advanced students focused on one on one tournaments. Those waiting for their turn at a one on one either played doubles on a different court or practiced their form by hitting against the wall. Beginner students worked on their formand their ability to make contact with the ball at their courts. 

During the off-court session we discussed sportsmanship and how it can be be manifested at the Jamboree. At the end of class we played two different group tennis themed group games. A few students used the last 15 minutes to practice hitting with volunteers to get in more practice for the Jamboree. 

Once class ended, LG parents hosted a pizza party on the playground for students and volunteers. It was a great way to end the last class on the playground. 

Retro Racquet Bash 2017: Celebrating the Classic Pros and Feting Future Ones

On September 7, M1-5 Lounge was transformed from a swank TriBeCa club to 1970s Forest Hills, as the Kings County Tennis League (KCTL) held court to honor its players, revere in its 7th year and laud its future. 

The Retro Racquet Bash -- KCTL's annual 1970s tennis gala  -- drew more than 200 guests from the ranks of volunteers, parents and KCTL fans to drink, eat, try their best to look like Bjorn Brig and watch the women's U.S. Open Semifinal. While following Sloane Stephens -- previously ranked No. 973 in the world -- make quick work of No. 3 Venus Williams, KCTL fans dreamed of sending their charges to Flushing someday.

"With your help, we have had an amazingly successful year," said Michael McCasland, the founder and president of KCTL, before listing off the programs launched, courts restored and students reached, including two who earned scholarships to training academies. "We're not stopping until every kid in our neighborhoods has access to tennis."

Highlights of the night were in high supply -- as vintage racquets were passed around for a variety of creative party photos -- but many would say that hearing KCTL student-turned-volunteer Brandon Otero tell the story of how he came to KCTL and learned tennis marked the upmost  point of the evening. Otero now attends the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), where he studies Business Administration. 

In addition to Otero, McCasland and Board Chair, Adam Stolz honored volunteers of the year, Chase Altneu, Ephraim Kirkwood and Krystal Atwater with hand-framed photographs of the KCTL teams. District 36 City Councilor Robert E. Cornegy, Jr., who represents Bedford Stuyvesant and northern Crown Heights, also received an award for his involvement with the court renovation and other KCTL projects. 

In 2017, KCTL reached 195 children, up 18 percent from 2016, and trained 126 volunteers. up 14 percent from 2016.  It has expanded to a comprehensive year-round program, formed Upswing, an enrichment program for our most talented and dedicated students, and introduced an all-girls tennis clinic called Go Girl Go! to foster self-confidence and a passion for physical activity among female students

Below are a few photos from the event. To order or view more, check out KCTL's Facebook Page!

Week 13 Recap from Marcy

This week, the Marcy Club reviewed techniques for the major components of the game and developed their skills in singles competition to prepare for the upcoming Jamboree on September 23rd.

Marcy also had a photographer from the Daily News come out for a story about KCTL that ran on Sunday, 10 September! A journalist interviewed several staff and players throughout the session and they had a good time talking tennis. Here is the story.

Among the volunteers, Olivia led the Ladder Station to focus on “court” movement with racquet preparation. Rohun and Pooja targeted the serve by teaching a proper toss and practicing shoulder movement. Evan led his group in volleying, encouraging proper crossover steps and punching,  before mixing in some game play, which the kids really enjoyed. Chase led a session on proper groundstroke technique and point playing to prepare for the jamboree. Lucca, Jenny, and Brandon practiced hitting and recovering in all the moves of the game. They played the crowd-pleaser “King” of the court in singles -- Jenny spent a lot of the time as Queen.

The Education Session asked the students to think critically about the things they learned this summer and how they could apply them to their goals for the upcoming year, with volunteers leading small group discussions. There was lots of smiling and laughing all round -- everyone had a lot of fun with this. Thereafter, two groups played breakout and the other, King of the Court. Those on the main court participated in a Team Singles competition. 

At the end of the session, we all huddled up and did shout outs to our stand outs:

Ladder Station: Ada
Serving Station: Emeka
Volleying Station: Nour
Groundstrokes/ Points Station: Kyree
Main Court: Zion

Thanks Volunteers. One more Saturday and then it’s time for the Jamboree!

Go Marcy!

Members of the Kings County Tennis League hone their skills in Brooklyn on the corner of Marcy and Nostrand Aves. (ALEX RUD/FOR NEW YORK DAILY NEWS)

Week 12 Recap from Tompkins

For class this week, he team was part of the Tompkins Houses Block party!

The streets were closed off, providing us with the perfect space to play tennis. Neighbors hosted barbecues, played games, and invited a DJ to play music throughout the day.

Our tennis team set up class in the middle of the street. All kids in the community were invited to play tennis with us. Many did join or stayed to watch.

We started with drills at four stations: Forehand, Backhand, Volley, and a Surprise Station. Players had to jump from one station to the next keeping them moving and keeping their skills sharp. This format was also a great way to give the other community players a chance to hit. We then played a variety of other games from musical racquets to relay races to tennis caterpillar. 

Overall, it was a great day and many residents in the neighborhood who had not heard of KCTL were excited to learn about us and are hoping to enroll their children for the next season. 

Week 11 Recap from Sumner

We have a new tennis court (but its appearance is a surprise, hence the photo in this post)!

On Saturday, our group marked the important occasion by playing full court tennis against each other, which was a first at Sumner. We had four students and two volunteers (great job, Mike and Adam!) who paired up to play Champion of the Court for almost an hour. That was the first time our entire group played points against each other at Sumner, given the varying levels of abilities and ages.

Two of our youngest players experienced dramatic improvement over the course of one hour. Both girls, Nilda and Annahlis, bravely stepped up to play points with older players. Their confidence grew each time they made contact with the ball and they both surprised their opponents by hitting several winners.

We also practiced giving each other positive support when a player lost interest, felt discouraged or intimidated. All four Sumner students who participated on Saturday walked off the court with renewed confidence and enjoyment for the game.

It was an excellent day to mark an important moment for Sumner Tennis Club.

Week 10 Recap from Jackie Robinson

Saturday, August 5 at Jackie Robinson was a questionable day for tennis that ended up working out just perfectly in the end. Due to the weather, the site staff waited 15 minutes after the hour to begin, allowing more students to arrive. 

The students and volunteers began with a warm up of sprints, butt kicks, high knees, frog jumps, and side steps.

The class was then broken out into three courts according to skill, which ranged from beginner to intermediate. Team Jackie Robinson worked on the basics (forehand, backhand, and volleys) with a few games in between.

Educational Coordinators Christine and Michael led a great lesson where students used their artistic skills to design a puzzle piece with pictures that illustrated some of their interests or favorite things. 

The players ended with a game of tennis baseball, or Breakout, with the intermediate group and a game of Tennis Freeze Tag with the beginners.

Overall it was a rewarding experience for all participants!