Since 1972, our renowned youth tennis program has offered urban youngsters the chance to learn an unfamiliar sport and sharpen their skills on and off the courts. Participants transition from the Grassroots and Munchkin levels to the Tournament Level. Our top-level players are selected to participate on the Jack Shapiro Team. Admission to the HJTEP programs is on a first-come basis with preference
given to returning students and Central Harlem residents. While learning tennis, our players are hitting the books as well as the courts. We urge them to do all they can academically, to complete high school and to enroll in college. A 2.0 GPA is required in our program, but our participants average a 3.1 GPA. Our Tennis Against Obesity (TAO) program is designed to help schools, students and parents recognize, address and combat a growing obesity epidemic. TAO has four keystones: fitness, nutrition, discipline and fun.
