Management
Xavier Luna
Director of Junior Tennis for the Advantage All-City Junior Tennis Programs
Xavier Luna is the Director of Junior Tennis for the Advantage All-City Junior Tennis Programs. Xavier has over 30 years experience in tennis, commencing as a ranked junior. He was the Director of Junior Programs at Stadium Racquet Club, the owner and founder of Metro Tennis Academy, and has held many other positions in the tennis industry. Xavier inspires players with his love of tennis and possesses the professional skills to keep campers returning year after year to the All-City Junior Tennis Programs.
Jason Speirs
Tennis Director
Jason is the Tennis Director at RIRC and teaches full time in the Junior Program. Playing tennis for Assumption College, he became a doubles player at the national level, attaining a ranking of 24 for Division II, and #3 in the Northeast Region. His tennis background includes Tournament Director for the Rochester Junior Grand Prix, teaching at The Harley School, New England Tennis Camp, and prestigious clubs such as the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Jason has worked at RIRC since 2004 and is a USPTA Certified Teaching Professional.
Gordon Kent
General Manager and Tennis Director
Gordon is the General Manager and Tennis Director of Roosevelt Island Racquet Club and was the Tennis Director of Stadium Tennis Center from 1979-97. He was also the owner and director of the New England Tennis Camp from 1991-2010. Gordon brings over 25 years of teaching experience with every level of junior – from beginner through tournament competitor. One of the finest coaches in the East, his programs each year attract hundreds of juniors. Gordon was named “Pro of the Year”, for the USPTR, Eastern Division (1989). In 1992 he received the same award from the USPTA, Eastern Division. In 1986 he received the USTA/USPTR “Public Service Award” for outstanding contributions to tennis development. He is a past chairman of the Junior Competition Committee for the Eastern Tennis Association.
Tom Manhart
Membership Director
Tom is the Membership Director at RIRC. As a native New Yorker he attended Trinity School and Queensborough Community College. Tom’s father was a pioneer in New York indoor tennis and owned Boulevard Gardens and the Randalls Island Tennis Clubs. Before coming to Roosevelt in 2004, Tom himself owned and operated the Randalls Island Tennis Club from 1991-2004. Tom’s vast experience in tennis court and air structure maintenance are a huge asset to the Club. Tom is also the main Game Arranger at RIRC. He resides in Bergen County, NJ with his wife and children.
Carole Wright
Assistant Director of the All-City Junior Tennis Program
Co-director of the All City Junior Tennis and Sports Camp at Roosevelt Island and the Assistant Director of the All-City Junior Tennis Program, Carole has been running junior tennis programs for children for over 25 years. She is one of the best women tennis players to come from New York. She was twice the National Indoor Women’s Champion, the Mixed Doubles Indoor Champion and the Canadian Women’s Singles Indoor Champion. She has been at Roosevelt Island Racquet Club since 1992. Prior to moving to RIRC, Carole ran programs at Crosstown Tennis. In her spare time, Carole creates handcrafted tennis ornaments. You can visit her web site at www.cwstainedglass.com.
David Gilbert
Junior Program Administrator & Tennis Professional
David has worked at RIRC since 2008. He is a native New Yorker and attended Bronx Science before moving on to Tulane University and Bloomsburg University. He grew up playing with Gordon Kent in the Junior Program at Stadium Tennis Center and was a ranked junior player. David has worked at Stadium Tennis Center, Stadium Racquet Club, and was the Assistant Director of the New England Tennis Camp for three years. He resides on Long Island with his wife and daughter.
