The After School Care tennis program in Holy Cross School, Rumson, was recently awarded a $5,000 grant from Net Generation, the official youth tennis division of the United States Tennis Association (USTA).

Nory Martinez, director of the After School Care Program, has an extensive background in tennis and brought her knowledge and talent to her students.  Initially, it was just another activity for kids to enjoy after finishing their homework. But soon, she began seeing them develop a real talent and love for the sport.  To foster enthusiasm, she acquired her first grant from USTA in 2016, which provided the school with portable nets and better rackets and balls for use in the school gym. More recently, Martinez became a Ten and Under-certified and Net Generation- approved instructor, which  motivated her to acquire a new grant from Net Generation for $5000, which will provide the students access to year-round indoor court time at Little Silver Tennis Club.

 “Choosing a life sport for their children is the best way to promote the love of the game at an early age; to foster discipline, creativity, focus, concentration and not to mention the etiquette of the sport,” said Martinez. “Fortunately for me, working with this wonderful group of parents is a dream come true – a winning match!”

Amy Bindler, mother of three frequent After School Care attendees, said, “I am so excited for you [Mrs. Martinez] and cannot thank you enough for your incredible efforts to obtain this grant. Because of you and the caring coaching that the kids receive from you, not only as it relates to tennis but also education and life in general, I have a house full of boys excited to start the school year, two of which are going on to after school tennis activities and will also continue to do tennis at After Care throughout the year.”