USTA Eastern Announces the 2021 New Jersey Region Junior Council

The USTA Eastern New Jersey Region recently announced the founding members of its first-ever junior council. They are the third Eastern region to establish a volunteer council for student athletes, after the Southern and Northern Regions enjoyed much success with their respective iterations. The eight founding members were chosen from a wide range of geographic locations across New Jersey and compete through different clubs, Community Tennis Associations (CTAs), National Junior Tennis & Learning organizations (NJTLs) and schools. They also represent a variety of diverse backgrounds and playing levels so they can best collectively serve as a voice for the junior-playing population of the area.

In joining the council, members have committed themselves to helping increase awareness of tennis as a healthy, safe, fun option for physical activity in their local communities. They will also be tasked with developing and organizing events that encourage other junior athletes to participate in tennis. Ultimately, they will work to grow interest and access to a sport they all love. 

The eight members of the USTA Eastern New Jersey Region are:

Ashley Caldwell - 17, New Brunswick High School (Sports, for Life)

Ashton Crook - 18, STEM Academy East Orange (Greater Newark Tennis & Education)

Drew Karch - 15, Millburn High School (Brooklake Tennis and Essex Grassroots Tennis & Education)

Miles Kelly - 14, Pingry School (Mountainside Racquet Club)

Satvik Repaka - 15, Watchung Hills Regional High School (Murray Hill Tennis & Fitness and Warren Racquet Club)

Emi Shivkumar - 16, Laurel Springs School (West Orange Racquet Club)

Valencia Xu - 17, Livingston High School (Garden State Tennis Center)

Joanna Yu - 13, Newark Academy (Centercourt Tennis Academy)