Advantage Junior Development – Learn, compete and play
Players receive instruction, practice, enjoy competition and attend special events which are designed to be fun for new and recreational players, as well as to motivate and train serious tournament players.
We have developed hundreds of ranked players and thousands of lifetime players. Let us help your children get in the game!
Court: 78′ x 27′
Racquet: Up to 27″
Court: 78′ x 27′
Racquet: Up to 27″
Court: 78′ x 27′
Racquet: Up to 27″
Court: 78′ x 27′
Racquet: Up to 27″
Program Directors
Gordon Kent is the General Manager of Roosevelt Island Racquet Club and was the Tennis Director of Stadium Tennis Center from 1979-97. He owned and directed 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, Gordon’s programs each year attract hundreds of juniors. He was named “Pro of the Year” for the USPTR, Eastern Division in 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. Gordon is a past chairman of the Junior Competition Committee for USTA – Eastern. He has been at Roosevelt Island Racquet Club since 1997.
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.
Carole Wright has been running 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. Carole has been at RIRC since 1993.
Dates and Tuition – 2018-19
Classes in the Junior Development are offered in 1, 1 1/2, and 2 hour units, once weekly, in two, 17 week sessions.
| Semester I: | Thursday, September 13 – Sunday, January 27 (17 weeks) with no classes Thursday, Nov. 22 – Sunday, Nov. 25 and Dec. 24-Jan.6 |
| Semester II: | Monday, January 28 – Monday, June 10 (17 weeks) with no class March 18-31 and May 27 |
Sibling Discount: There is a 5% discount on each additional child enrolled from the same family.
| 1 hour classes: | Red Ball Program(ages 4-7), $815 per session |
| 1 hour classes: | Orange Ball Program(ages 7-9), $1445 per session |
| 1 1/2 hour classes: (With Athletic Zone) |
Green/Yellow Ball Program(ages 10+), $2075 per session |
| 2 hour classes: (With Athletic Zone) |
Yellow Ball Program, $2765 per session |
Athletic Zone
All 1 1/2 hour and 2 hour classes after school and Saturday include 30 minutes of training in the Athletic Zone with the goal of developing athletes as well as tennis players. We feel it is critical to a child’s tennis development to improve athletic skills. Players will participate in level- and age-appropriate exercises and drills focusing on improving balance, agility, footwork, speed and strength. Athletic Zone classes are conducted primarily on court.
Match Play/Supervised Practice
Sessions are scheduled on Fridays and Saturdays from 6-8PM and are supervised by a member of our professional staff. The cost per week is $80, or if your child is registered for two classes per semester then match play/practice is FREE. To register your child week please email Xavier Luna at xluna@advantagetennisclubs.com
Transportation
Door-to-door transportation is available for weekday and some weekend classes at an additional cost of $765 per session.
Tryouts and Enrollment
Being in the right class is key to having a successful tennis experience! To ensure this, we must evaluate each new student. Tryouts are essential to our enrollment process and are conducted personally by Xavier Luna, and the RIRC Professional staff and are scheduled starting in August on weekdays from 4-7PM, Saturdays from Noon – 4PM, or by special appointment. Call Steve O’Keefe or Dave Gilbert at 212.935.0250 to make an appointment for a tryout.
Children are placed in classes based on the following criteria:
| Skill Level | Players within a group must be at similar levels. |
| Age | Generally a class is most successful when players are near the same age. |
| Location | If a child needs transportation, logistics of pick-up and drop-off become a significant consideration in class placement. (Available at Roosevelt Island Racquet Club only) |
We need as much information about the player as possible. Available time, playing experience, and transportation needs are very important. Please supply this information in the appropriate spaces on the application. A deposit of $400 is required with online submission and the balance is due in two scheduled payments or paid in full. Delinquent accounts will be charged interest at the rate of 1 1/2% per month. While we attempt to find make-ups for missed classes, make-ups are not guaranteed and refunds are not given.
Holiday Camps
We offer Holiday Camps for ages 6-17 during the December and Spring vacations. On court time is divided between instruction, drills, competitive games, training in the Athletic Zone and match play. There is a 15 minute break daily for snacks. The hours of the program are 12-4PM daily except for Wednesdays when the hours are 1-5PM.
Note that students may also attend the Holiday Camp on a daily basis. Fees for Tuition and Transportation are pro-rated.
| Dates | December 26-28 , January 2-4, March 18-22, March 25-29, and April 22-26 |
| Tuition | $750 per five day week, $450 per three day week |
| Transportation: | $250 per five day week, $150 per three day week |
RIRC Membership Benefit
Junior Program players receive full membership benefits at Roosevelt Island Racquet Club for the entire time they are enrolled in the Program. Benefits include member prices on court rentals and private lessons plus reservation privileges two weeks in advance.
For Information Contact
Steve O’Keefe, General Manager at sokeefe@advantagetennisclubs.com or 212.935.0250 ext 812
David Gilbert, Tennis Coordinator at dgilbert@advantagetennisclubs.com or 212.935.0250 ext 819
Xavier Luna, Director, Junior Programs at xluna@advantagetennisclubs.com or 212.935.0250 ext 811