USTA Eastern Metro Region Update

April 29, 2015 | By New York Tennis Magazine Staff
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A Message From USTA Eastern Metro Region President Jackie Clark
Wow! I cannot believe how fast the last two years have gone, and I am so honored and thrilled to start my second term as the USTA Eastern Metro Region President. As a new York City kid growing up in Queens, I would have never dreamed that I would have the opportunity to be a part of and lead such a talented, smart, compassionate and highly motivated group of passionate individuals that want to grow tennis in NYC and give kids and adults such wonderful opportunities. This is so amazing and we have already rolled up our sleeves and hit the ground running!

The Metro Junior Team Tennis League is in full force, as is our rolling grant application process. Our new Young Professionals Group, NYC Aces, will soon have their first social and we are rolling out a brand new college scholarship opportunity for our Junior Tennis Team players. Tennis play days are in the works and our Metro Board is coming up with more and more fun events for new and existing tennis players and fans. Folks, jump on, buckle up those seat belts and join the Metro NYC Express!

Please meet our 2015-2016 Metro Region Board Officers:

►First Vice President: Jeffrey Fairbanks
Jeffrey Fairbanks worked as a Community Outreach Specialist at USTA Eastern for almost two years. When that ended due to budget cuts, he joined the Metro Board.

“I strongly believe in the mission of the USTA,” said Fairbanks. “I felt that I could make an impact on the tennis community within the Region. It has been a pleasure to work alongside wonderful, dedicated and determined volunteers throughout the past six years, and I look forward to working hard in the next few years to continue the progress that has been made.”

 

►Second Vice President: Pablo Sierra
Pablo Sierra first joined the USTA when it was called the USLTA (the United States Lawn Tennis Association).

“I remember when the USLTA was located on 42nd Street in New York City, and I also remember taking the subway there one day so I could re-new my membership,” said Sierra. “The reason I enjoy being involved with the USTA is because it promotes the game that I have loved ever since I saw my first tennis match on Channel 13. I experienced the tennis boom during that period, with greats like Billie Jean King, Rod Laver, Roy Emerson, Virginia Wade … just to name a few. I feel confident that we are beginning to experience the next tennis boom in the United States, and that the USTA is at the forefront of this boom. However, this boom is happening at all levels, from kids, to juniors to adults to seniors. USTA is promoting the game throughout, meaning that all individuals will be able to enjoy and play this great game. This is a new and exciting time to belong to the USTA as we promote the game of tennis.”

►Secretary: Corrine Irish
A certified couch potato as a child, Corrine Irish discovered tennis in the last five years and immediately fell in love with the sport.

“After years of grueling lessons (thanks, Esu!), I have now gone from a tennis ‘practice player’ to a tennis ‘player,’” said Irish. “As a tennis novice, I hope to use my role on the Eastern Metro Board to promote introducing newcomers to the sport, at any age and at any skill level.”

In her other life, Corrine is an attorney at Squire Patton Boggs, a large international law firm, where she litigates and counsels clients on a wide range of complex commercial and public interest matters. In addition to tennis, she enjoys cooking and the arts. Corrine is also a “Big Sister,” in Big Brothers, Big Sisters of New York and an alumni mentor at her high school.

“I am is excited about serving as secretary for Eastern Metro, and am looking forward to an amazing two years,” said Corrine.

►Member-at-Large: Jonathan Williams
Jonathan Williams is a music business consultant for Chaotic Harmony Consulting and a legal assistant for Carroll, Guido & Groffman LLP. At Chaotic Harmony, he negotiates, manages and develops the careers of music producers, songwriters and recording artists. As a legal assistant, he modifies and drafts recording, publishing and various entertainment contracts. Jonathan is also vice president for Kings County Tennis League, a non-for-profit organization that teaches tennis for free to underserved urban youths in Bed-Stuy Brooklyn. In addition, Jonathan is also chairman of the Scholarship Committee and Game Day/Tournament Manager of the Junior Team Tennis Committee for the USTA Metro Region’s Board of Directors. Jonathan attended the University of Miami, where he studied Pre-Med/Psychology and minored in Business Law.

“At only 33-years-old, tennis has been a part of my life for last 30 years,” said Williams. “My dad teaching me tennis at the age of three changed my life forever, and I wanted to be able to share the same gift of tennis with youths in unconventional areas that haven't been exposed to the sport. In addition, I get to collaborate with other individuals who love tennis just as much as I do to grow the sport across the New York Metro area, which will always be my home.”

Jackie Clark, President
USTA Eastern Metro Region



 

Scenes From the USTA Eastern Conference
January 30-31 in White Plains, N.Y.

 

 

The first Metro Board meeting of the 2015-2016 term, as Metro Board Members, community volunteers and CTAs meet to discuss the goals of the new term

 

 

 

The USTA Eastern Conference Welcome Reception: Metro Board member Natalie Ferguson, Metro Region President Jackie Clark, Tennis Service Representative Jocelyn Cruz, USTA Eastern Assistant Executive Director Jenny Schnitzer, Metro Board member Joani Akpan and Southern Region President Olga Harvey

 

 

 

 

 

President of the Kings County Tennis League, Michael McCasland, with Metro Region President Jackie Clark at the USTA Eastern Awards Dinner

 

 

 



 

Congrats to USTA Eastern Metro Award Winners …

 

USTA Eastern Junior Sportsmanship Awards winners from Brooklyn, N.Y. Arnelle Sullivan and Anna Ulyashchenko are congratulated by Pablo Sierra (left) and Jackie Clark (right)

 

 

 

 

 

 

The USTA Eastern Collegiate Awards winner for Community Service was the Wagner Men's Tennis Team

 

 

 

 

Congratulations to USTA Eastern’s Tennis Family of the Year, The Yee Family

 

 

 



 

Metro Region Grant applications now available
Start, support and participate in our mission to promote and develop the growth of tennis in the USTA Metro Region. We are focused on fostering participation in tennis and USTA programs with the USTA member organizations of New York City. Special consideration will be given to organizations seeking to expand tennis programs to the following groups:

1. Special populations

2. Minority populations

3. Parks and recreation

4. Community Tennis Associations

5. Schools/after school

6. Wheelchair tennis

7. Senior tennis

Click here to access the 2015 USTA Metro Region Grant Application.


New York Tennis Magazine Staff
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