USTA Eastern Long Island Region Update (November and December 2011)
Malverne’s “Coach” named L.I. hero
Charles Nanton of West Hempstead, N.Y., affectionately known as “Coach” throughout the Malverne schools community, was named a “Hero on Our Island” by FIOS-1 News, the Long Island-focused news channel seen on Verizon FIOS cable systems. Coach Nanton was profiled in a 15-min.-long segment filmed at Malverne High School and Hempstead Lake Indoor Tennis in West Hempstead. Nanton was previously named Adult Volunteer of the Year by the U.S. Tennis Association/Eastern-Long Island Region in May 2011 (pictured here with USTA/Eastern-Long Island Region President Daniel Burgess).
The news segment focused on Coach Nanton’s volunteer work with both the Malverne High School tennis and football teams, and included interviews with current and former students who have worked with Coach for many years.
“Charles Nanton has worked tirelessly on Long Island as a volunteer to provide positive outlets for children through athletics,” said Daniel Burgess, president of the USTA/Eastern-LI Region.
Since his retirement from the New York City Police Department, Nanton has taken on the role of president of the Lakeview Youth Federation, which organizes community tennis programs and basketball leagues, funds and administers track teams and provides tutoring programs. He has been a volunteer tennis coach for many years in the Malverne School District, where he works closely with the athletes to ensure their academic eligibility.
“With his dedication and leadership, the overall academic average in the Malverne School District has improved significantly,” Burgess said. “Charles’ tennis mission is to accomplish a standard of excellence in the spirit of friendship, brotherhood, peace, tolerance and respect for all.”
Nassau County thanks the USTA/Eastern-Long Island Region
USTA/Eastern-LI Region Vice President Michael Pavlides (left) and William Mecca (right), USTA/Eastern Tennis Service Representative, have been honored by Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano (center) for contributing to the health and welfare of Nassau County youth through their efforts in coordinating the 4th Annual Tennis Blitz in the Parks. The event, held in late July, brought nearly 1,000 children to eight different Nassau County parks for free tennis lessons. Conceived and organized by Mecca, along with Karen Beckhard-Ravener from Nassau County’s Parks & Recreation Department, the Blitz teaches children the basics of tennis.
Many of the lessons utilized the USTA’s QuickStart tennis format, a program specially designed for children under the age of 10 where the racquets are smaller, the balls are lighter and courts are shorter. Nassau County Executive Mangano presented Pavlides and Mecca with special County Citations recognizing their efforts along with the support of the entire Eastern Section and Long Island Region and all of the pros and tennis clubs that participated, making the event a success.
Long Island Region plays at Bellmore Fair
The USTA/Eastern-LI Region took its talents outdoors at the 25th Annual Bellmore Family Festival, where the region made it first appearance with a special 10 & Under court set up in the fair’s Sports Expo area. QuickStart courts were the place to be during the Festival, as hundreds of kids took their turns trying out tennis the QuickStart way. Tennis pros from across Nassau and Suffolk Counties volunteered their time and equipment to make the day a success.
“Not only did the Bellmore Festival provide an opportunity for us to expose numerous children to the sport of a lifetime, but we also signed up 100 kids for 10-and-under U.S. Tennis Association memberships,” said Daniel Burgess, president of the USTA/Eastern-LI Region.
Children ages 10 and under who sign up for a new USTA memberships can do so for free until Dec. 31, 2011. For more information on becoming a USTA member, please visit www.TRYUSTA.com/KIDS or call (800) 990-8782 and mention source code “NEWGAME.” A USTA kids’ membership includes:
â–ºAn annual subscription to the Bounce newsletter
â–ºAccess to play USTA Junior Tournaments
â–ºAccess to play USTA Junior TeamTennis
“Special thanks to Bill Mecca, Marian Morris and Melanie Rubin, who coordinated the Region’s activities at the Bellmore Fair, as well as all of the pros who came to help give lessons and sign up new members,” said Burgess. “Additional thanks to the Bellmore Chamber of Commerce for their support. We look forward to participating again next year.”
Ed Fishkind, Sunny Fishkind and Melanie Rubin set up for the 25th Annual Bellmore Family Festival
Bellmore JFK High School Tennis team members Ross Binder (left) and Jared Zeitlin (right) join USTA/Eastern-LI Region President Daniel Burgess and Nassau County Legislator David Denenberg
Noah Rubin (center) with Dylan (age 5) and Ryan (age 3) Levinter of Merrick, N.Y.
Michael Liu, Marian Morris and Steve Haar show their support for USTA/Eastern-Long Island Region tennis at the Bellmore Family Festival
Sunny Fishkind teaches tennis basics
Tennis pro Kerrisha Buckley introduces young players to the sport
Marian Morris prepares the USTA/Eastern-LI booth for the Bellmore Street Fair
08-Ed Fishkind gives a lesson
Noah Rubin introduces five-year-old Dylan Levinter to tennis
Tennis players in disguise
USTA/Eastern-LI Region President Daniel Burgess (left) gets ready for the Fair with 15-year-olds Ross Binder (center) and Jared Zeitlin (right) both of Merrick, N.Y.
A local dog shows his support for the USTA/Eastern LI Region
