Middle school girls from New York Edge, the city’s largest provider of school-based afterschool and summer programming based in Woodside, gathered at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on June 13 for an afternoon of tennis training and empowerment.
In the shadow of Arthur Ashe Stadium, ten girls laced up in new tennis shoes and took to the court to practice skill-based drills and scrimmage with professional tennis coaches.
The event, held from 4-6 p.m., was organized through New York Edge’s L.E.A.D (Leadership Empowerment through Athletic Development) program. This initiative aims to address gender disparity in tennis by offering inclusive opportunities for young women across the city to engage in sports, regardless of their background or prior experience.
“This is the second year of the program, which started in 2023,” said Sara Steward, Coordinator of Girls L.E.A.D. at New York Edge. “We felt that it was important to give an opportunity for the girls to play tennis because it typically has financial constraints and a culture that comes with it. So we wanted to give these girls the opportunity to experience something they might not in everyday life.”
Participants engaged in drills and scrimmages and received training from USTA coaches. The program not only taught tennis skills, but also instilled critical life skills, confidence and a passion for the sport. Through this experience, students learned discipline and commitment, valuable as they pursue their academic and professional goals.
“When the kids come here, they see themselves here, and that’s what we’re trying to cultivate,” said Rachael Gazdick, CEO of New York Edge. “The skills, the passion, all of that will come out because they’ve come to a place that is not their typical school playground.”
Gazdick emphasized the importance of introducing children to sports they might not typically be drawn to. “Tennis is a lifelong sport, and if we can teach kids more about tennis, then they have something to take with them, not just as kids but as adults as well.”
The event provided the girls with a unique opportunity to train at a world-renowned tennis facility and interact with professional coaches, further inspiring them to pursue tennis both recreationally and competitively. The program received a grant from the USTA, enabling the girls to play on the U.S. Open courts.
“I like to play new sports, so when I found out about tennis, I thought, ‘let’s give it a try,’ because I was bored without any sports,” said Syaran Gurung, 13. “I’ve never been to any tennis courts, so I’m thankful.”
Navya Ranjitka, also 13, added, “I think this program is really fun because we get to learn new positions that can help us later on if we ever want to play tennis. I love rallying because you can go against the coaches or with your friends and really improve your skills.”
As the sun set over the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, the young athletes left the courts with newfound skills and a renewed sense of confidence, ready to take on their next challenges both on and off the court.
