From The NJTL Web Site

The National Junior Tennis & Learning Network (formerly National Junior Tennis League) ("NJTL"), founded in 1968 by Charlie Pasarell, the late Arthur Ashe and Sheridan Snyder, is a non-profit organization created for the purpose of reaching out to underprivileged youth through recreational programs and to assist in providing a strong foundation of positive attributes such as sportsmanship, self-esteem and respect. Through tennis, the organization reaches out to those who may not otherwise have the opportunity to learn to play tennis and instills in youngsters the values of humanitarianism, leadership and academic excellence and gives them the opportunity to develop skills they can enjoy for a lifetime. This nationwide program has grown to over 950 chapters and programs servicing approximately 275,000 children under the structure of the USTA (United States Tennis Association).

Lisa Kempton, Program Director, says, "Our Coachella Valley NJTL is unique in that we have our own local chapter due to one of NJTL's founders, Charlie Pasarell. We offer many local outreach programs, including clinics, monthly tournaments, and tennis play days. We also have programs for the Coachella Valley Housing Coalition, the Barbara Sinatra Children's Center, the 29 Palms Military Base, and the Coachella Valley Boys and Girls Clubs."

Jack McFarlane, NJTL Coachella Valley Director, says, "We are trying to expand our outreach into the poorer Hispanic communities on the east side of the Valley. Working closely with the Coachella Valley Housing Authority we're bussing kids from this area in for our 3 week summer camps at the Tennis Garden. We are also trying to expand our activities at the Boys and Girls Clubs and the YMCA, where we have a captured audience and only need to send an instructor. One other area of outreach is our work at the 29 Palms Marine Base. Their two tennis courts are in bad shape and we're planning to refurbish them through our own funding and with the assistance of the USTA."

The Coachella Valley chapter of the National Junior Tennis & Learning Network continues to reach out to children ages 5 to 18 across the Valley by providing programs that promote education and a healthy lifestyle.

Through the many events, clinics, and tournaments offered, the NJTL is able to give thousands of children an opportunity to learn and play as well as grow the game of tennis at the grass roots level.

Pictured right: Orange Ball winners of the NJTL Coachella Valley Tournament October 28.

NJTL Coachella Valley Program Director Lisa Kempton, USPTA
Lisa grew up in Yakima, Washington. Her mom started her playing tennis at age 3. She continued to play junior tournaments, high school, college and started teaching at age 18. Lisa taught tennis for a while in Colorado and upon her return to Washington met Tom Fey, at that time Director of Tennis at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, who enticed her to move to the desert. From 2005 until 2008 she worked as Program Director for NJTL Coachella Valley and obtained that position again in 2014. She also teaches adult and children at the Tennis Garden and is the Director of Training for the BNP Paribas Tournament ball kids.

NJTL Coachella Valley Coach Tyler Kempton, USPTA
Tyler started playing tennis at age 8 and continued throughout high school and college. He worked as tennis pro at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden from 2005 until 2008. Then he moved to Eugene, Washington where he had a full time job as software programmer while teaching tennis part time. He moved back to the desert in 2014 and loves helping kids get into tennis.