FAMILY TENNIS AND READING PROGRAM
The family tennis and reading program provides tennis instruction for children 10 and under and their parents. Parents are required to participate. Age appropriate sized rackets and balls are provided. The program runs from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. on Saturday mornings during the months of July and August. Age appropriate books are provided each week and participants are asked to share them with their friends when they finish reading them.
Instruction is presented in a warm, friendly manner designed to increase knowledge of early childhood development and to ensure that everyone has a memorable experience. The emphasis is on developing an activity that parents and children can do together for the rest of their lives. Participants are encouraged to attend Arthur Ashe kids day at the US Open as a group.
Sam Penceal is a tennis teaching professional certified by the US Professional Tennis Registry in Adult Development and Junior Development. As president of the David Dinkins Tennis Club at the Jungle, he directs an annual free Ten and Under Family Tennis/Reading Program staffed by volunteers for children and their parents at the Fred Johnson Park in Harlem each summer. He enjoys competitive tennis, long-distance biking, fishing, swimming, and cooking.
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July 13TH
Opening Day & Celebration for Mayor David Dinkins 92nd Birthday.
David Norman Dinkins is an American politician, lawyer, and author who served as the 106th Mayor of New York City, from 1990 to 1993. He was the first African American to hold that office.
August 22TH – Last FTRP Clinic session
For our last class on Aug. 22nd, we will be spotlighting Robert “Bob” Ryland’s new book “My Story”. This will be a chance for the students to hear how Bob helped break the color barrier in tennis. Bob is known for being the first African-American to play professional tennis and compete in the NCAA National Championships.
Mr. Bob was the first black player/coach to lead a college team twice to the small college national championships, the first black tennis player to play at the Los Angeles Tennis Club.
has coached some of the world’s top-ranked professionals, including; Harold Solomon, Renee Blount, Leslie Allen, Arthur Ashe, Bruce Foxworth, Venus Williams and Serena Williams.
