Essex Grassroots Tennis and Education is a non-profit organization founded by Samuel Inalegwu that prepares youth for a bright future through tennis instruction, scholarships, and coaching clinics. Currently, Essex Grassroots Tennis and Education has programs in East Orange and Irvington, but our most successful experience for 4 years running is in Newark.
On behalf of the entire organization, the students and families, we thank Mayor Ras Baraka and his staff for partnering with us for another successful year. Through our partnership with the Mayor’s office and Newark Recreation and Community Services Department, we provide a tennis summer camp for ages 5-14 at Ivy Hill Park for over 100 children. The 7 week camp teaches children how to play tennis and the importance of fair play while having fun through competition and exercise. Newark recreation also provides free breakfast and lunch all summer long. Going into 2023, we hope to make all programs at Essex Grassroots Tennis and Education year long.
Most recently, the Mayor’s office coordinated and sponsored our invitation from the United States Tennis Association (USTA) to perform a tennis demo at this year’s US Open on September 4, 2022. Net Generation is an innovative celebration of tennis, developed by the United States Tennis Association. As the world still battles the effects of Covid-19 and a global pandemic, the news of the Net Generations ‘On court’ experience returning to the US Open is exciting. The net gen on court experience gives tennis coaches, their organization, students, and families an opportunity to attend one of the biggest events in the sport of tennis, the US Open.
Although we were excited about the invitation from the USTA to attend this year’s US Open, the task of financing such a trip can be difficult. The Mayor’s office was willing and able to answer our call. Over 40 families and their children enjoyed a continental breakfast, a full lunch, and a bus ride to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, NY. The on court experience demo was a success. Not only did our children play tennis on professional courts, but families were also able to see tennis matches and take part in US Open activities.
Thank you again for the generous help and support.
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