June 17, 2022
During the past year, Executive Director Nora Ryan has led Kings County Tennis League through a period of tremendous growth as our community emerged from the trauma of Covid-19 and its safety protocols while demand for the sport of tennis was at an all-time high. It is with great appreciation for Nora's accomplishments that we share with you her decision to move on to the next chapter of her career, as of July 1.
Over the past 12 months, KCTL student enrollment increased and participation rates doubled across our wide range of year-round programming. We now serve over 500 students, including pre-K children via a partnership with Brooklyn Kindergarten Society. Nora also championed and launched new paid jobs and college access programs, thereby expanding the impactful opportunities available to our growing number of older students as they advance along the KCTL Pathway, preparing for life after high school. Nora's enthusiasm and smile will be sorely missed but her contributions leave a lasting impact on KCTL and set us on a clear path forward.
Looking ahead, we are pleased to announce the appointment of long-time staff member Mohammad El-Haj Ahmad to Interim Executive Director, as we also conduct a marketplace search for the Executive Director position. For the past six years, Mohammad has served as a strong ambassador of KCTL and was integral in deepening our ties to the local and national tennis community. We are fortunate to have the benefit of his experience during this transition; Mohammad will continue to advance our mission of using tennis and education to spark the potential of youth living in and around Brooklyn's public housing developments.
About KCTL
Kings County Tennis League (KCTL) combines tennis and education to spark the potential of children living in and around Brooklyn public housing. Founded in 2010, KCTL provides free, year-round tennis-centered programs to children living in and around six NYCHA developments; the children in each housing development form a “tennis club” (e.g. Marcy Tennis Club), which comprise the Kings County Tennis League. By creating courts on underused play spaces in NYCHA developments, and bringing our staff, volunteers, equipment and programs directly to where our students reside, KCTL eliminates the physical and financial barriers to tennis. A thoughtfully-designed pathway and an ensemble of caring and authentic staff andvolunteers help KCTL cultivate safe spaces for children to play, learn and develop the social and emotional learning capacities that youth need to succeed.