Innovative program in Trenton uses tennis to help children learn

TRENTON, N.J. (WPVI) -- It's after school and instead of sitting in front of a TV or maybe getting in trouble, several kids from Trenton are learning to play tennis.

They are part of National Junior Tennis and Learning, a program started by the late tennis great Arthur Ashe, who wanted to use the sport as a way of engaging and helping at-risk youth.

"The tennis piece is one portion of many. Our focus is really the whole child so it's social and emotional development, healthy lifestyles and really just building productive citizens," said Robert Howland, executive director of NJTL Trenton.

In August, there was a ribbon cutting at Cadwalader Park to unveil the largest outdoor youth-focused tennis facility in the country.

All of NJ TL's innovative programs are absolutely free and about 2,500 city kids participate.

One is called ACE: Academic Creative Engagement. It ties math, literacy and activities together.

"So if you are teaching geometric angles, you're using the lines of the tennis court. If you are teaching surface area, you're using the tennis court," said Howland.

With in-school and afterschool activities, the program starts in the third grade and tracks students through high school.

NJTL's program director Michelle Gbelama knows about it first-hand.

"I went through the program, received college scholarships to attend Drew University, where I played number one tennis and after that I went to grad school and now I'm here," said Gbelama.

NJTL in Trenton is supported in part by private and corporate sponsors, who say they're impressed by programs combining tennis, nutrition and education for kids.

"I have personally visited some of the programs in action. The children are engaged, enthralled and we're delighted to see the great results," said Pat Hartpence, NJ Manufacturer Insurance.

"We want kids to leave wanting to come back for more," said Howland.