Junior Challengers for Younger Players
We’re excited to announce a new partnership between the Garden City Tennis Series and the NXT Athletics Institute of Learning, starting this summer!
NXT Athletics, founded by former Harvard coach Dave Fish and former ATP tour pro and coach Dick Herbst, will now organize the Garden City Junior Challengers). Their mission is to create a fun, supportive environment where kids grow as tennis players and as people.
We’re also thrilled to share that Sophie Wax, former captain of the Tufts women’s team, will serve as Junior Challngers Director and NXT Athletics Head of Communications and Programming. Her leadership and passion for the game will bring great energy to the program.
The Junior Challenger series gives beginner players a chance to:
- Play real matches without outside coaching,
- Learn from wins and losses,
- Build confidence, sportsmanship, and self-control.
The junior challengers are not clinics but actual matchplay with on-court coaching.
Note: If you child requires an five-day summer instructional program, we recommend you contact City of Newton Parks, Recreation and Culture.
We’re pleased to partner with NXT and Sophie —and we can’t wait for a great summer of growth and tennis!
Supported through a grant from the USTA New England.
Age: 7-13, Coed; UTR: 0 - 5; Level: Novice, Beginners
For more information, contact:
NXT Athletics Junior Program Director
Sophie Wax
617-678-4658
The reason to play: LEARNING!
Playing tournaments and matches is not about winning and loosing, but rather the LEARNING that takes place during the match that leads to a child's own realizations, thoughts, and behaviors that impact them.
After the tournament, we hope kids have achieved the following:
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Make new friends
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Play WITH friends, learn from one another, push each other in a supportive way (as opposed to against – we are all here to make each other better)
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Learn the Buddy Bench system: converse with your opponent after the match to discuss what each other did well and what could be improved upon
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Learn how to conduct themselves in a respectful manner and treat others with integrity
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Learn how to practice with friends – play matches!
Each tournament has popsicles as well as various awards including "Best Sport," and first and second place.