Advantage Junior Programs at RIRC
For kids who’ve never held a racquet to those ready for tournaments
Players of all ages and levels are welcome in Advantage Junior Programs – where they’ll develop tennis and all-around athletic skills, confidence and a lifelong love of the game! Always with skilled coaches who are specially training in teaching kids.
Get in the game with Advantage QuickStart – Red Ball
- For ages 5 and up
- Real tennis sized for kids
- Engaging games & drills keep everyone active & learning
- Players learn more easily, rally faster
- Tennis is fun from day one!
Learn, compete and play with Advantage Junior Development
- For ages 7 and up
- Players improve their game and maximize their potential
- Year-round, easily accessible, well supervised development experience
- Instruction, practice, competition and special events
- Program has developed hundreds of ranked players and thousands of lifetime recreational players!
*Reserve your spot with a $500 deposit
Tennis Talks for Parents,
hosted by Bill Wiese
Contact:
Mike Barbato – By Email or 212.935.0250 ext 819
RED 1
Age: 3-5
Timeframe: 6-18 MO
Ball: Red Foam
Court: 36′ x 18′
Racquet: Up to 21″
RED 2
Age: 5-7
Timeframe: 6-18 MO
Ball: Red Foam
Court: 36′ x 18′
Racquet: Up to 21″
RED 3
Age: 6-8
Timeframe: 6-18 MO
Ball: Red Foam
Court: 36′ x 18′
Racquet: Up to 21″
ORANGE 1
Age: 6-9
Timeframe: 6-18 MO
Ball: Orange Felt
Court: 60′ x 21′
Racquet: 23″ to 25″
ORANGE 2
Age: 8-12
Timeframe: 6-18 MO
Ball: Orange & Green Felt
Court: 36′ x 18′
Racquet: Up to 21″
GREEN 1
Ball: Green & Yellow
Court: 78′ x 27′
Racquet: up to 27″
GREEN 2
Ball: Green & Yellow
Court: 78′ x 27′
Racquet: Up to 27″
YELLOW 1
Ball: Yellow
Court: 78′ x 27′
Racquet: Up to 27″
YELLOW 1
Ball: Yellow
Court: 78′ x 27′
Racquet: Up to 27″
Program Directors
Xavier Luna is the Director of Junior Tennis for the Advantage 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 players returning year after year to the Advantage Junior Tennis Programs.
Mike Barbato is the Junior Program Administrative Director for the Advantage Junior Tennis Programs. He comes to Roosevelt Island Racquet Club from the Aviator Sports and Events Center where he worked from 2015-2020 and managed their teen division summer camp, ran their flag football and baseball programming and managed enrollment for their youth athletic programs including tennis, soccer, baseball, and many other sports. He brings to RIRC his extensive experience in event management and working with athletic directors, league commissioners and high school, college, and semi-pro sports teams. He also ran the Open Pickleball Program at Aviator and created their first ever Pickleball tournament. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Sports Management from St. John’s University. Mike joined the RIRC staff as the Junior Programs Coordinator in 2021.
Pam Glick is the General Manager of Roosevelt Island Racquet Club. She has been involved in the tennis industry for over 25 years starting with The New York Junior Tennis League where she was the Special Events Manager. In her role she was responsible for all fundraising events, directing the USTA Pro Challenger tournament in the Bronx for 15 years, and directing The Mayor’s Cup Tournament 2017-2021. Pam has run adult leagues of all types in NYC from USTA to corporate, and everything in between! Along with her role here at the club, Pam still maintains her responsibility as the treasurer of Metrotennis CTA, which offers adult programs through out NYC.
Dates and Tuition – 2023-2024
Classes in the Junior Development are offered in 1, 1 1/2, and 2 hour units, 18 week sessions.
- Class Times: After school during the week and on Saturdays
- Tuition – Sibling Discount: There is a 5% discount on each additional child enrolled from the same family.
- All children enrolled in the Junior Program receive full Roosevelt Island Racquet Club membership for the duration of their program.
2023-2024 Fall/Winter
Red Ball
| Tuesday |
Times 4-5PM, 5-6PM |
Class Dates: Sept 19, 2023 – Jan 30, 2024 (18 weeks) No Classes Dec 19, Dec 26 |
Rate: 18 weeks–$1,325 |
| Red Ball |
| Thursday |
Times 4-5PM, 5-6PM |
Class Dates: Sept 14, 2023 – Feb 1, 2024 (18 weeks) No Classes Nov 23, Dec 21, Dec 28 |
Rate: 18 weeks – $1,325 |
| Red Ball |
| Saturday |
Times 2-3PM, 3-4PM |
Class Dates: Sept 16, 2023 – Feb 3, 2024 (18 weeks) No Classes Nov 25, Dec 23, Dec 30 |
Rate: 18 weeks – $1,325 |
| Red Ball |
Orange Ball
| Monday |
Times 4-5PM |
Class Dates: Sept 18, 2023 – Feb 5, 2024 (18 weeks) No Classes Dec 18, Dec 25, Jan 1 |
Rate: 18 weeks–$2,090 |
| Orange Ball |
| Tuesday |
Times 4-5PM, 5-6PM |
Class Dates: Sept 19, 2023 – Jan 30, 2024 (18 weeks) No Classes Dec 19, Dec 26 |
Rate: 18 weeks–$2,090 |
| Orange Ball |
| Wednesday |
Times 4-5PM |
Class Dates: Sept 13, 2023 – Jan 31, 2024 (18 weeks) No Classes Nov 22, Dec 20, Dec 27 |
Rate: 18 weeks–$2,090 |
| Orange Ball |
| Thursday |
Times 4-5PM, 5-6PM |
Class Dates: Sept 14, 2023 – Feb 1, 2024 (18 weeks) No Classes Nov 23, Dec 21, Dec 28 |
Rate: 18 weeks–$2,090 |
| Orange Ball |
| Friday |
Times 4-5PM, 5-6PM |
Class Dates: Sept 15, 2023 – Feb 2, 2024 (18 weeks) No Classes Nov 24, Dec 22, Dec 29 |
Rate: 18 weeks–$2,090 |
| Orange Ball |
| Saturday |
Times 12-1PM, 1-2PM |
Class Dates: Sept 16, 2023 – Feb 3, 2024 (18 weeks) No Classes Nov 25, Dec 23, Dec 30 |
Rate: 18 weeks–$2,090 |
| Orange Ball |
Green Ball
| Monday |
Times 4-5:30PM, 5:30-7PM |
Class Dates: Sept 18, 2023 – Feb 5, 2024 (18 weeks) No Classes Dec 18, Dec 25, Jan 1 |
Rate: 18 weeks – $3,100 |
| Green Ball |
| Wednesday |
Times 4-5:30PM, 5:30-7PM |
Class Dates: Sept 13, 2023 – Jan 31, 2024 (18 weeks) No Classes Nov 22, Dec 20, Dec 27 |
Rate: 18 weeks – $3,100 |
| Green Ball |
| Saturday |
Times 12-1:30PM |
Class Dates: Sept 16, 2023 – Feb 3, 2024 (18 weeks) No Classes Nov 25, Dec 23, Dec 30 |
Rate: 18 weeks – $3,100 |
| Green Ball |
Middle School Training Program
| Tuesday |
Times 4-6PM |
Class Dates: Sept 19, 2023 – Jan 30, 2024 (18 weeks) No Classes Dec 19, 26 |
Rate: 18 weeks – $4,075 |
| Green/Yellow Ball |
| Thursday |
Times 4-6PM |
Class Dates: Sept 14, 2023 – Feb 1, 2024 (18 weeks) No Classes Nov 23, Dec 21, 28 |
Rate: 18 weeks – $4,075 |
| Green/Yellow Ball |
High School Training/Yellow Ball
| Monday |
Times 5-7PM |
Class Dates: Sept 18, 2023 – Feb 5, 2024 (18 weeks) No Classes Dec 18, Dec 25, Jan 1 |
Rate: 18 weeks – $4,075 |
| Yellow Ball |
| Wednesday |
Times 5-7PM |
Class Dates: Sept 13, 2023 – Jan 31, 2024 (18 weeks) No Classes Nov 22, Dec 20, Dec 27 |
Rate: 18 weeks – $4,075 |
| Yellow Ball |
| Friday |
Times 4-6PM |
Class Dates: Sept 15, 2023 – Feb 2, 2024 (18 weeks) No Classes Nov 24, Dec 22, Dec 29 |
Rate: 18 weeks – $4,075 |
| Yellow Ball |
| Saturday |
Times 2-4PM, 4-6pm |
Class Dates: Sept 16, 2023 – Feb 3, 2024 (18 weeks) No Classes Nov 25, Dec 23, Dec 30 |
Rate: 18 weeks – $4,075 |
| Yellow Ball |
High Performance
| Tuesday |
Times 6-8PM |
Class Dates: Sept 19, 2023 – Jan 30, 2024 (18 weeks) No Classes Dec 19, 26 |
Rate: 18 weeks – $4,075 |
| Yellow Ball |
| Thursday |
Times 6-8PM |
Class Dates: Sept 14, 2023 – Feb 1, 2024 (18 weeks) No Classes Nov 23, Dec 21, 28 |
Rate: 18 weeks – $4,075 |
| Yellow Ball |
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.
Children in 1 class per week: One Match Play session is Free. Additional Match Play sessions are $100 each.
Children in 2 classes per week: Match Play is Free for the duration of the classes.
To register your child week please email Xavier Luna at xluna@advantagetennisclubs.com
Make-Up Policy
Make-up classes are not guaranteed and are at the discretion of the Junior Program Director. Make-up classes must be completed within the same semester. Make-up classes can potentially be carried over to the next semester providing the child is registered for the next full semester.
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 Mike Barbato 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 $500 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. In the event that a child is registered for a class and cannot continue club credit will be offered on a case by case basis.
Vacation and Holiday Week Camps
We offer Holiday Camps for ages 4-16 during the December and Spring vacations. On court time is divided between instruction, drills, competitive games, training in the Athletic Zone and match play. The hours of the program are 9 am-12 pm daily.
Note that students may also attend the Vacation Week Camps on a daily basis. Fees for Tuition and Transportation are pro-rated.
| Dates | Spring Break—3/14-318, 3/21-3/25 & 4/18-4/22 | |
| Tuition | QuickStart Camp for ages 4-7 | |
| 1 or 2 days | 3+ days | |
| $120/day | $105/day | |
| Tuition | Tennis Specialty Camp for ages 8-16 | |
| $155/day | $135/day | |
| Transportation: | N/A | |
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.
Liability Waiver
I understand and acknowledge the risk of injury is inherent when playing tennis or in any program involving physical activity. By playing tennis at the club or participating in any club program, I hereby waive and release any rights and claims for damages I may have against Roosevelt Island Racquet Club, HCK Recreation Inc., any Program Director, or any of the professionals, for any injuries sustained by the player. I also give my consent to medical treatment, emergency or otherwise, inclusive of necessary transportation in order to receive such treatment in the event of injury or any other illness.
For Information Contact
Mike Barbato, Junior Program Administrative Director at mbarbato@advantagetennisclubs.com or 212.935.0250 ext 819
Xavier Luna, Director, Junior Programs at xluna@advantagetennisclubs.com or 212.935.0250 ext 811