Free Tennis For Kids Now Available At These Local Schools

Is your kid the next Roger Federer or Anna Kournikova? They could be, and now there are free programs at local schools to help them get there.

The New York Junior Tennis & Learning (NYJTL) organization launched their free community tennis summer programs for kids earlier this month, and registration continues to be open.

The program provides free use of tennis racquets, qualified instructors and lessons to kids ages 5 to 18. Participants will learn the basics of tennis strokes and how to rally, and then be put to the test in competition with others of similar skill levels.

The summer season kicked off July 7, but there are no deadlines to register and no wait lists to slog through. Registration is done on-site, and parents or guardians must accompany the child during the registration process. It’s a six to eight week program which runs three to six hours a day, five days a week – although schedules vary from site to site.

Locally, kids can sign up and begin playing at the following area schools during the days and times indicated:

• P.S. 229 – 1400 Benson Avenue – Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. – Site director: Colin Clarke
• McDonald Park – McDonald Avenue at Avenue S – Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Site director: Gennady Shuminov
• P.S. 238 – 1633 East 8th Street – Wednesday and Thursday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. – Site director: Colin Clarke
• Andries Hudde Junior High School Playground – 2500 Nostrand Avenue – Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Site director: Bob Spigner

More information can be found here. The full list of sites citywide can be found here.