Future Stars Camps Expansion Fueled By Tennis

In any successful business or organization, the ability to surround yourself with like-minded people who share the same goals is essential. Just like a professional sports team, it can only work if everyone is pulling in the same direction.

For the last 40 years, Future Stars has provided a summer home for countless children on Long Island. It began as a passion for the game of tennis and sharing a desire to illustrate its benefits to the public at large. The first camp hosted a modest amount of campers while soccer star Pele ran a very successful soccer camp at the same Manhattanville College facility. When the soccer camp did not return the following year, Future Stars filled that void, and expanded into the world of soccer camps in addition to tennis.

Those humble beginnings have morphed into one of the most prominent camps in all of the tri-state area, with 30-40 different programs at ten unique locations. And while Future Stars provides camps and programming for an array of sports, tennis remains the nucleus of its offerings, and its success is guided by the strength of its team.

“Our incredible team is the backbone of our organization, driven by a passion to inspire everyone involved,” said Pablo Montesi, the Director of Tennis at Future Stars. “We live by our S.T.A.R.S. protocol, which emphasizes Safety, Teamwork, Attitude, Responsibility and Sportsmanship. These core values guide us in creating a positive and supportive environment, ensuring that every experience is not only enjoyable but also enriching for all.”

Montesi has been at the forefront of growing Future Stars programming, and its desire to expand upon just offering summer camps. It offers tennis camps all-year round, and has branched out to hosting programming beyond camps, including private and group lessons, as well as tournaments.

In 2024, Future Stars implemented tournaments to offer its campers the opportunity to showcase what they have learned and improved on during the summer months.

“Our tennis tournaments are expanding, reflecting our belief that children are eager to put their skills to the test in a match setting,” Montesi added. “Kids thrive on competition, and we’re dedicated to fostering this excitement and growth through well- organized, engaging tournaments. We’re committed to creating more opportunities for young players to showcase their abilities and enjoy the thrill of the game.”

Montesi says that a commitment to year-round programming is a key part of the Future Stars mission, and the latest evidence of its desire to meet the needs of its clientele, something it has been dedicated to doing since its inception nearly a half-century ago.

In addition to tournaments, Future Stars has added an expanded pro shop, mini-camps which it runs during breaks in the school year, and increased junior programming.

“Our junior program is constantly evolving to provide the best experience for our participants,” Montesi said. “We’ve expanded our class offerings, placing greater emphasis on tournaments and events. Our curriculum is always being refined to ensure it meets the needs of our students, keeping them engaged, challenged and excited about their progress.”

Future Stars hasn’t just grown its junior offerings, but has also successfully navigated the the world of adult tennis, introducing clinics and leagues for adult players.

“We’ve refined our adult clinics by leveling them and creating a rating system for all players, using the USTA tennis rating as a guide to help players find the right fit and improve their game,” Montesti said. “We offer a variety of weekly match play opportunities tailored to adults of all skill levels. With three dynamic doubles leagues and one singles league for both men and women. With over 70 active players, these leagues provide the perfect setting not just for improving your game, but for building lasting friendships through tennis.”

Building friendships through tennis is one of the redeeming aspects of our sport, and something that Future Stars has been able to do throughout these years. The values that continue to drive the Future Stars team forward have been instilled from the top down, and remains the impetus in providing its customers with whatever they need.

“These efforts reflect our commitment to delivering an exceptional experience for all of our members, and ensuring there’s always something exciting happening at our club,” said Montesi.

One of the directors underneath Montesi, Omar Lopez, emphasized this:

“I truly enjoy working at Future Stars because it’s about more than just helping young athletes develop their skills, it’s about fostering a supportive and empowering environment where they can grow as individuals. At Future Stars, we emphasize our STARS values (Safety, Teamwork, Attitude, Responsibility and Sportsmanship) and I try to maintain them in every interaction I have. Whether is on the field or off, I make sure to lead by example and always try to create a positive atmosphere that encourages kids to challenge themselves while having fun.”

For the last 40 years, Future Stars has grown significantly to offer its customers everything they need, but have never forgotten its roots, and never abandoned the values which were at the heart of why it was created in the first place.

The benefits of tennis are far-reaching, and the Future Stars team is dedicated to sharing those benefits with as many people as it can. As we head into the winter months, the Future Stars mission will continue, and Montesi and the rest of his staff are excited to maintain its growth beyond being a summer camp.

What began as one small camp 40 years ago has grown into multiple locations scattered throughout Long Island, in both Suffolk and Nassau County, as well as in Westchester. While Future Stars has blossomed into one of the premier choices for parents and kids alike, it has not abandoned the values that it was born out of.

“Our dedicated team and love for the sport are what keep our clients coming back,” concluded Montesi. “We listen closely to what our players are looking for, and always strive to

find solutions that meet everyone’s needs. We take pride in what we do, constantly challenging ourselves to improve and deliver the best experience on the courts. We stay busy year-round because we love what we do: bringing people together on the tennis courts!”