In the heart of the Bronx, a new wave of tennis prodigies is emerging. Crotona Park is a hive of activity every weekend, resonating with childlike laughter and the smacking sound of tennis balls being tag teamed on the tennis court fence. The local young population gathers there, trading playful volleys with law enforcement officials who have transformed into mentors, a part of a city-led initiative aimed at youth engagement and crime deterrence. The Cary Leeds Center’s weekly rendezvous has seen an upsurge in acceptance, rising as the city’s sole youth crime prevention strategy that leverages the allure of tennis. The Saturday Night Lights tennis initiative currently accommodates over 50 registered youth participants, the only such program across the city’s length and breadth.
For 12-year-old Amaya Paulino, the program provides an oasis of sorts in her busy schedule. ‘It’s wonderful, the chances they’re offering up! I get to venture out and expend my energy adequately since my folks can’t always accompany me to the park. Above all, it’s the sense of security, the camaraderie, the social interaction, and the sheer joy of the sport itself,’ Paulino expresses eloquently. Despite her recent introduction to tennis— merely six months ago—she already displays the skill set of an intermediate-level player. Paulino is among the enthusiastic fifty plus kids assembling at the tennis courts each Saturday, brought together by the city’s Department of Youth Services Saturday Night Lights program.
Across the expansive cityscape of the five boroughs, the crime prevention plan has evolved into a whopping 136 variations, predominantly aiding communities with limited resources. However, the Bronx holds the distinct privilege of housing the unique tennis-oriented version of the program. Excited young brimming with potential seize these opportunities, chasing dreams of joining the tethered ranks of Serena Williams or Taylor Fritz in the tennis pantheon.
The limited space inside the three assigned courts is now brimming every week, echoing with the thrills and laps of victory of budding tennis stars. Meet 13-year-old tennis aficionado, Christian Melhado, who clocking a solid six hours of tennis every Saturday. His dedication to the sport is both unmistakable and infectious.
“What truly fascinates me about the sport is the unbridled velocity, the relentless spirit that doesn’t bow to losing trails,” the soon-to-be 8th grader beams. He emphatically describes his colleagues from the Saturday Night Lights program as the perfect blend of bosom buddies and teammates.
The program has not just been a platform for budding tennis players, but it has also cultivated a passionate following for the sport. Santiago Reynoso, a 17-year-old tennis enthusiast, shares a similar narrative. After serving as a player for two years, Reynoso progressed to the position of a coach in his maiden year. He said eagerly, ‘I want to pass on the torch, embark on the coaching journey with these young talents. The anticipation is thrilling, yet carries its share of trepidation. I can’t predict how much they will end up relishing the sport in comparison to my deep-seated love for it.’
The program’s manager particularly underscores the necessity of the element of fun in their approach. As per him, the core philosophy of the operating strategy revolves around creating an appealing, judgment-free platform for the kids to engage. He adds a casual note, ‘Sure, some participants might just be swinging by for a slice of free pizza, but isn’t that still better than having no participation at all and potentially exposing them to the perils of the streets?’
The post Revolution in the Bronx: Tennis as a Crime Deterrent appeared first on Real News Now.
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