Southern NJTL Camp aces the Big Easy

Click for photos.
 

In the heart of New Orleans, the 2024 National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) Leadership Camp gathered youth leaders aged 12-17 from six Southern states.

The event kicked off with a tour of Xavier University, and over the next three days, the participants enjoyed activities such as lunch on the Natchez Steamboat, the Juneteenth Heritage Quiz Bowl and a tour of Mardi Gras World complete with a tasting of King Cake.

Rudy Lewis, USTA Southern NJTL Committee Chair, stated, "The NJTL Leadership Camp was an exciting tennis and educational experience for the 38 kids who attended from the sixteen different chapters and one that will always bring back good memories. Each year the camp gets better and better."

USTA Louisiana Executive Director Bill Phillips welcomed the youth at the historic Atkinson-Stern Tennis Center during the four-day camp and encouraged them to continue their junior tennis pathway. Participants also had the opportunity to not only witness but play alongside Tulane’s Micah Pierce, a former top-ranked recruit from Louisiana.

USTA Southern President & CEO Brett Schwart also greeted the campers and offered insights on the NJTL program and the importance of USTA volunteerism. Dr. James Ewers, keynote speaker and Black Tennis Hall of Famer, instilled words of wisdom with the campers as he shared his tennis journey and keys to success for the juniors.

Wearing their Wimbledon white outfits at Joe Brown Park, the participants enjoyed a fiercely contested team tennis event that included a three-way tie for second place decided by a singles match tiebreak. Beyond structured activities, social events like canoeing and Rock-n-Bowl fostered camaraderie, the camp also offered first-time experiences for many. The camp’s last day featured a PTR Assistant Coach Workshop led by facilitator Tomas Catar for over 20 teens and an introduction to Xavier tennis coach Alan Green.

Camper Maasiai Sales of Atlanta described her experience. “This camp opened my eyes to the wonders of New Orleans. It was extremely fun, and I was more than honored to be chosen to go. My favorite part was hitting against Micah Pierce. She was really nice, and I got to challenge my game.”

The 2024 NJTL Leadership Camp exemplified the power of sports and education in shaping future leaders while equipping them with skills and inspiration to positively impact their communities and beyond.