Our Programs

At JMTP, our programs combine world-class tennis coaching, mentorship, life-skills, and academic support to build long-term pathways to success for under-resourced youth. 

Community Program | Excellence Program | Scholarship Program

Child in purple jacket playing tennis on an outdoor court.
Group of four children smiling and posing together on a tennis court.
Outline of a tennis racket and tennis ball.

Community Program 

JMTP invests in empowering local youth by offering free weekly tennis sessions year round. Our Community Programming sessions last up to 34 weeks, serving up to 800 children each day. Programming is provided on- and off-site, during school and after-school, at local public/charter schools and facilities.

Through JMTP’s partnership with Sportime/JMTA, participants learn from world-class coaches and utilize state-of-the-art facilities, equipment and learning technologies. The JMTP Community Program is geared towards elementary school students with the goal of fostering interest in the sport at an early enough age to lead to unlimited future success.

Average achievement and health indicators are far lower in the communities neighboring Randall’s Island than in greater New York City and even nationwide. JMTP forms partnerships with public and charter schools in East Harlem and the Bronx through JMTP School Day Community Programming by providing weekly tennis sessions to students on site at JMTP’s homebase, Sportime JMTA Randall’s Island, and off-site at partner locations. 

JMTP partners with like-minded organizations by providing weekly tennis sessions to children off-site at partner locations throughout different boroughs, including the Harlem, Queens, and Brooklyn communities through JMTP After School Community Programming.

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    Year-Round Programming

    Free year-round tennis sessions for under-resourced NYC youth offered on-site at Sportime Randall’s Island, and off-site at partner locations. 

  • 5,000+ Students Weekly

    Reaches 5,000+ children weekly through school-day, after-school, virtual, and summer programming. 

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    NYC Based Partnerships

    Offered both on-site at Sportime Randall’s Island and off-site at public/charter schools and community partner locations across Harlem, the Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn. 

  • Early-Aged Development

    Geared primarily toward elementary school students to spark early interest and foster a lasting connection to tennis. 

Young boy sitting on the floor holding a pair of sneakers, smiling. A woman in the background standing with a box and a stroller.
A young girl playing tennis on an indoor court, preparing to hit a tennis ball with a green racket.
Green outline medal with a star in the center.

Excellence Program 

Community Program participants who demonstrate potential and desire, graduate to the JMTP Excellence Program, which features four hours of dynamic group training weekly. Increased personal attention, and tennis equipment are all included, with the goal of helping community players and their families prepare for long-term tennis training and success.
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Excellence Program coaches have been trained in our Under 10 philosophy and techniques. Working through clearly defined stages of development that follow a progression of court sizes, ball types (red, orange, green, yellow) and net heights, makes it possible for children to actually play tennis from the moment they step on a tennis court, to learn experientially, and to have fun. 

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    4 Hours of Weekly Training

    Provides 4 hours of dynamic group training each week, including on-court drills, point play, and dedicated fitness training. 

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    Player Development & Fundamentals

    Guided by JMTA’s Under 10 philosophy, players learn through an age-appropriate progression that grows with them. Each session blends fun and focus, helping athletes build essential skills through real match play. The result is confident, capable players with a lifelong passion for tennis. 

  • Academic & Mentorship Support

    Excellence players have access to JMTP’s tutoring resources, reinforcing the importance of balancing academics with athletics. Through our Speaker Series, student-athletes gain valuable life skills, inspiration, and insight into the student-athlete journey by hearing stories from JMTP alum, industry leaders, and more. 

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    Family & Equipment Support

    JMTP builds lasting relationships with families through consistent communication. Each player receives transportation assistance, tennis equipment and sneakers, ensuring that financial barriers never stand in the way of training or progress. 

A young man playing tennis on an outdoor court, preparing to hit the tennis ball with his racket.
A young girl playing tennis on a court, preparing to hit the ball with her racket.
Line drawing of a hand holding a graduation cap.

Scholarship Program 

To date, JMTP has provided over 500 individual scholarships to train at the John McEnroe Tennis Academy.

Through scholarship tryouts, progression through JMTP programs, and a dynamic recruiting and outreach effort, we place children from under-resourced families in the tri-state area into our ongoing academy programs. Scholarships represent the largest and longest-term investment in fulfilling our mission of removing economic and social barriers to success through tennis. Our goal is that no child with ability and interest will be denied the opportunity to receive a college education through tennis. 
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JMTP players have been placed into NCAA collegiate programs including Columbia, Harvard, Princeton, University of North Carolina, Wake Forest, and Yale, among others.

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    Scholarships

    Provide scholarships to train at the John McEnroe Tennis Academy (JMTA) on Randall’s Island - JMTP’s home base in New York City. More than 575 scholarships have been awarded to date, representing JMTP’s largest and longest-term investment in breaking barriers to opportunity. 

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    Pathway & Selection

    Scholarship recipients are identified through annual tryouts, progression from JMTP’s Community and Excellence Programs, and proactive recruiting across New York City and the tri-state area. Each student-athlete earns their place through demonstrated talent, commitment, and financial need. 

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    Academics, Mentorship & College Readiness

    All scholarship athletes participate in mandatory weekly tutoring to ensure academic success alongside athletic training. JMTP provides mentorship opportunities, as well as personalized college recruiting guidance, helping players identify programs and prepare for the student-athlete experience. 

  • Leadership & Community Impact

    Scholarship athletes are required to complete volunteer hours by assisting with JMTP’s Community Programs - serving as mentors and role models for younger players. This experience reinforces empathy, leadership, and the importance of giving back, helping each athlete grow both on and off the court. 

FAQ

  • JMTP serves under-resourced youth across New York City. Community Programs are open to elementary school students through school and community partnerships. 

  • Students may be recommended by JMTA/P coaches, identified through the Community Program, or attend our annual Scholarship Tryout. Selection is based on talent, commitment, potential, and financial need.

  • No, all JMTP Programs are fully funded, ensuring financial barriers do not prevent participation.

  • JMTP runs school-day programming and training at Sportime Randall’s Island/John McEnroe Tennis Academy, as well as after-school programs across Harlem, the Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn. 

  • JMTP provides academic tutoring, mentoring, life-skills, and college recruiting guidance to ensure student-athletes are fully supported in their education and future careers. 

  • “How amazing is it to be able to provide Central Park East II's 3rd graders with tennis lessons year after year? Every year our students receive weekly tennis instruction, an experience that would not be accessible to almost any of our students without the support of JMTP. A million THANK YOUs!”

    Naomi Smith, Principal, Central Park East II 

  • "The Johnny Mac Tennis Project has been truly life-changing for my daughter, opening doors to the sport of tennis that were previously inaccessible. Today, she's not only a freshman on the high school Varsity team but also harbors dreams of playing at the collegiate level, a testament to the program's profound impact."

    Arlene Diaz, Parent of Tennis Pathway to Success® Scholarship Player

  • “Before we had a tutoring program, I was struggling to keep up with schoolwork while balancing tennis. The extra tutoring has really helped me understand my assignments better, and now my grades have improved. I feel more confident in school. Having the option to get help outside of regular hours means I can fit it into my busy schedule more easily.”

    Dylan Ortiz, Age 15, JMTP Scholarship Player 

  • "JMTP has done wonders for Wyatt’s confidence and independence. It’s inspired him to push himself both on and off the court. He has such a great time on the court that he never wants to leave!"

    Megan Moore, Parent of Tennis Pathway to Success® Scholarship Player

  • “Johnny Mac Tennis Project has provided our students a unique opportunity to develop skills in perseverance, focus and discipline that extend beyond the court and positively impact their academic performance. Our students eagerly look forward to attending tennis each week where they receive exceptional instruction in a nurturing environment fostering teamwork and cooperation.”

    Azizi Madramootoo, Principal, South Bronx Charter School

Be part of a child’s journey

From their first swing to college and beyond. Join us in breaking barriers and building futures. 

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