Essex Grassroots Tennis & Education
Our mission is to prepare young people from under-resourced communities using tennis, education, nutritional health, life skills, and wellness to inspire and empower them to be productive and engaged citizens.
2024 Registration Coming Soon..
Vision
EGTE’s vision is to use tennis, academics, nutritional health, and fitness to improve the quality of life for children within under-resourced families in our community. Our vision is to provide pathways to recreational and educational opportunities, and to promote life values of health, integrity, self-esteem self-discipline and respect for diversity. EGTE is an affiliation of NJTL, which strives to teach children Author Ashe’s ideas and the impact that he made on the world so that they may carry on his legacy using tennis as a way to gain and hold the attention of young people so that we can teach them about matters more important than tennis.
History
Founded in 2016 Essex Grassroots Tennis and Education Inc. is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. In 2017 EGTE was recognized by the United States Tennis Association, USTA Foundation, USTA Eastern, Net Generation, Community Tennis Association and National Junior Tennis and learning. EGTE has a strong team of certified teaching professionals and is continuing to build a strong reputation since its inception in 2016.
Our Programs
are based on the philosophy of tennis legend Arthur Ashe, who began to play tennis at the age of seven in a neighborhood park.
About EGTE
EGTE operates a fall and winter program in Wayne indoor club and also at the Irvington recreation department.
We also offer outdoor programs in the spring and summer in East Orange, Irvington and Newark NJ in partnership with each city’s recreation department.
We provide quality tennis instruction, life skills, fitness, nutrition, health, and educational curriculum to over 200 children annually and growing.
Most participants pay little or no cost through our indoor, outdoor and after school community programs. EGTE uses tennis as the primary motivator to challenge our student’s athletics and empower them not only to succeed but to also be productive, responsive and engaged citizens.
2024 Tennis Programs
Summer Camp 2024 (Newark)
Learn to play in a fun way
- Basic Instruction focusing on the foundations: Balance Agility & Coordination
- Components of tennis: Footwork, Basic Movement, and Stroke Production.
- Racquets and balls will be provided to use free of charge for campers.
Price:
The EGTE Program is a free program for children, however in order to keep our program successful we recommend a donation of $60 per youth for a 6 weeks session.
Camp will be conducted in compliance to NJ an USTA Covid-19 Youth summer CampStandards.
NEWARK LOCATION: (AGES 5 to 17)
Mount Vernon Place
Newark, NJ 07106
Monday – Friday
10:00AM to 2:30PM
Youth (Ages 5-17) & Adult Clinics
EGTE offers youth and adult clinics during spring, summer and fall to all levels at Ivy Hill Park, Newark, NJ.
The program introduces tennis to youth between the ages of 5-17 and adult of all ages.
Emphasis is on introducing the fundamentals of all strokes, movement, footwork, shot selection, court positioning and technique. EGTE is a great way to improve your game play with people of similar skill levels and enjoy a friendly, social environment.
Program is develop through drills and games play opportunities for players of all skill levels from those with years of experience. Email us for more information.
After School Program
The programs are held in school gymnasiums and community centers using USTA’s Netgeneration format and the ACE Curriculum.
Email us for more information.
A.C.E Education & Benefits
Academic Creative Engagement (A.C.E) is designed to improve kids’ attitudes and behaviors around Math, Literacy and school climate.
ACE is an out of school academic curriculum connected to common core state and National Educational standards and the sport of tennis. Activities encourage academic achievement, health and wellness and social and emotional skills.
A.C.E reflects the ideals and principles of Arthur Ashe by giving children access to a safe, healthy and educational opportunity.
It can easily operate in partnership with schools, community centers, governmental programs, universities and other after school providers. Additionally, we have our
STEM and Life skills curriculums that are integrated into our after school and summer camp programs. EGTE puts hefty emphasis on education, providing Math and English tutoring throughout the duration of our program.
A.C.E. Benefits
- Provides and engaging multicultural approach that addresses the achievement gap.
- Promotes social/emotional skills, health/wellness, and family involvement
- Teaches problem-solving strategies on and off the tennis court.
- Includes fun and relevant learning activities.
- Includes pre and post surveys to measure impact.
Staff
Samuel Inalegwu
CEO/Executive Director of Tennis
Jason Thigpen
Director of Operation/Education Coordinator
Mark Kass
Director of Tennis Afterschool Program
Charles W. Smith
Director of Tennis
Joseph Nenganga
Elite Junior Development Director
Emmanuel Ameh
Adult Tennis Director
Board of Directors
Samuel Inalegwu
Executive Board Chairman
Angela Lin
President
Ken Gottesman
Vice President
Jason Thigpen
Director of Operation/Education Coordinator
Heather Blake
Sally M Allen
Executive Secretary/Head of Strategy
Emmanuel Ameh
Adult Tennis Director
John Johnson Ogwuche
Patricia wel yuan Hsu
Junior Board & Staff
Marcell Inalegwu
President / Director of Operation
Drew Karch
High school Coordinator /Junior Board Member
Jason Most
High School Network / Junior Board Member
Values, Character Development,
Academic Achievement,
Healthy Lifestlyes,
Community Engagement,
Creating Fun!
Support Partners
Program Locations
Summer Camp Location 1
Ivy Hill Park
230 Mount Vernon pl,
Newark, NJ 07106
Summer Camp Location 2
Irvington Park Tennis Courts
161 Augusta St
Irvington, NJ 07111
Contact Us
For more information contact
Jason Thigpen
Director of Operations/Education Coordinator