Students Learning to Play Tennis Without a Court

April 10, 2026

New York Junior Tennis & Learning (NYJTL) operates a free after-school tennis program that teaches students across New York City in unconventional spaces like hallways, cafeterias, and auditoriums when gyms are unavailable. The nonprofit, which is the nation's largest youth tennis and education organization, serves approximately 90,000 children through programs in over 30 school buildings, primarily in Brooklyn. Students participating in the program have formed competitive teams that play in citywide tournaments despite limited facilities and resources.

Who is affected

Approximately 90,000 children served by NYJTL programs
Students at P.S. 9 in Brooklyn (specifically mentioned: Addison Absolam, age 9, and Laila Leslie, age 10)
Families who would otherwise pay up to $3,000 per child for tennis programs
Students in more than 30 school buildings, mostly in Brooklyn
Deja Martyr, former program participant and current program manager

What action is being taken

Students are learning and playing tennis in school hallways, cafeterias, and auditoriums
NYJTL is running dozens of after-school programs across more than 30 school buildings
Student teams are competing in tennis tournaments citywide
The NYC Department of Youth and Community Development is supporting the program through COMPASS

Why it matters

This program makes tennis accessible to thousands of urban youth who might otherwise be priced out of the sport, eliminating barriers related to cost (saving families up to $3,000 per child) and facilities. It provides enriching physical activity and skill development opportunities in underserved communities, demonstrating that limited resources and space don't have to prevent quality athletic programming. The program's long-term impact is evident through success stories like Deja Martyr, showing how youth sports access can create pathways for personal development and career opportunities.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint