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 three trimesters.
| Fall Term: | Thursday, September 13 – Sunday, December 23 (14 weeks) with no classes Thursday, November 22 – Sunday, November 25 |
| Winter Term: | Monday, January 7 – Sunday, March 17 (10 weeks) |
| Spring Term: | Monday, March 18 – Monday, June 10 (12 weeks) with no classes on Monday, May 27 |
| 1 hour classes: | $1180 for the 14 week term, $1020 for the 12 week term, and $850 for the 10 week term |
| 1 1/2 hour classes: (With Athletic Zone) |
$1710 for the 14 week term, $1460 for the 12 week term, and $1220 for the 10 week term |
| 2 hour classes: (With Athletic Zone) |
$2280 for the 14 week term, $1950 for the 12 week term, and $1625 for the 10 week term |
| Sibling Discount: There is a 5% discount on each additional child enrolled from the same family. |
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
Sessions are scheduled on Fridays from 6-8PM and are supervised by a member of our professional staff. The cost is $1120 for the 14-week term, $960 for the 12-week term, and $800 for the 10-week term. You can also pay weekly for match play at the rate of $85 a match.
Transportation
Door-to-door transportation is available for weekday and some weekend classes at an additional cost of $630 for the 14-week term, $540 for the 12-week term, and $450 for the 10-week term.
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 Gordon Kent, Carole Wright, and their staff and are scheduled starting on August 29 on weekdays from 4-7PM, Saturdays from Noon – 4PM, or by special appointment. Call Gordon Kent or Dave Gilbert at 212.935.0250to 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 the balance due two weeks before the session begins. 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
Gordon Kent at gkent@advantagetennisclubs.com or 212.935.0250 ext 825
David Gilbert at dgilbert@advantagetennisclubs.com or 212.935.0250 ext 819
Xavier Luna at xluna@advantagetennisclubs.com or 212.935.0250 ext 811
Carole Wright at 212.935.0250 ext 816