_jp.jpg)
Grand Dedication of Cadwalader Park Tennis Courts
Join Us! Tennis Drill & Play Social
Saturday, June 13, 2026 / 9:00am to 3:00pm
Serving up Bright Futures for NJTLT Student-Athletes
Join NJTL of Trenton on Saturday, June 13, 2026, beginning at 9:00 AM at Cadwalader Park for our Grand Dedication of the Cadwalader Park Tennis Courts — a celebration of tennis and community. This year’s friendraiser event highlights the newly renovated and resurfaced outdoor courts made possible through the City of Trenton’s investment in Cadwalader & Villa Parks. Participants are invited to take part in an exciting Tennis Drill & Play experience led by your favorite local tennis professionals. We are proud to honor this year’s special honorees: City of Trenton, Mercer County and the USTA Foundation and will welcome special guests from both organizations, with more announcements coming soon.
LOCATION:
Historic Cadwalader Park Tennis Courts
1000 W State Street, Trenton, New Jersey 08618
HIGHLIGHTS:
-
Live ball feed Drill & Play for USTA Levels 3.5 & below, 4.0+
-
Drill with your favorite local pros!
-
Meet and play with NJTLT Ashe Elite Students
-
FREE Red Ball Clinic
-
Light Breakfast and Lunch served
-
Honoree & Student Awards Ceremony
-
Rain Date: June 20, 2026
SPONSORSHIP
All proceeds from the Grand Dedication Friendraiser help advance NJTL of Trenton’s mission to empower youth from under-resourced communities through academic enrichment and the lifelong sport of tennis. Our flagship Cadwalader Park Junior Champions Tennis Center is part of a national network of over 270 nonprofit youth organizations supported by the USTA Foundation. Twice honored as USTA Chapter of the Year, NJTL of Trenton continues to lead with innovation through our nationally recognized ACE (Academic Creative Engagement) program, which uniquely blends tennis, education, and creative learning to expand opportunity and inspire future success. We are so grateful for the generosity and kindness of our sponsors and participants, who support our mission. Together, we are helping make a difference in the lives of so many youth. NJTL of Trenton is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. Tax I.D. #52-1260470
Schedule of the Day
8:45 AM - 9:00 AM - Register
Sign in. Light breakfast buffet is available
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
"B" Level 3.0-3.5 Drill & Play
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
FREE Red Ball Clinic
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Awards Ceremony / Lunch Buffet
Albert M. Stark Sportsmanship Award
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
"A" Level - 4.0= Drill & Play (Come early to watch the "B" Drills & enjoy lunch!)
3:00 PM - End of Event
Registration Fees
Drill & Play Participant - 1 ticket included $105
Red Ball Clinic FREE
Sponsorship Opportunities
Capital Cup Presenting Sponsor $5000
Platinum Sponsor $2500
-
6 Participant tickets (includes breakfast/lunch)
-
Listing on the social media & website
-
Sponsorship will support one college scholarship for an NJTLT student-athlete
Gold Sponsor $1500
-
4 Participant tickets (includes breakfast/lunch)
-
Listing on social media & website
-
Sponsorship will support NJTLT summer camp for one Ashe alumni coach
Silver Sponsor $1000
-
2 Participant tickets (includes breakfast/lunch)
-
Listing on social media & website
-
Sponsorship will support NJTLT summer camp experience for one child
Patron Ticket $500
-
1 Participant and 2 lunch tickets
-
Listing on social media & website
-
Sponsorship will support Ashe Elite strength & conditioning program
2026 Honoree
City of Trenton
The City of Trenton is being honored in recognition of its long-standing partnership with the NJTLT and its commitment to expanding opportunities for local youth. Together, the City and NJTLT have built a collaboration rooted in youth development, community engagement, and the revitalization of public spaces.
Since 1975, NJTLT has been based at Trenton’s Cadwalader Park, working closely with the City of Trenton to operate and maintain municipal tennis facilities, including the Cadwalader Park tennis complex. NJTLT expanded its programming to include Villa Park in 2017. Through this public-private partnership, previously underutilized courts have been transformed into a nationally recognized community facility, including the development of the Daniel L. Haggerty Jr. Pavilion.
Serving as a primary youth outreach partner for the City’s parks and recreation system, NJTLT provides tennis, education, and mentoring programs to more than 2,500 children annually across Trenton, Ewing, and Hamilton. The City of Trenton has played a vital role in supporting NJTLT’s mission through ongoing collaboration on facility improvements, community programming, and civic engagement events. This partnership continues to serve as a model for how cities and community organizations can work together to create lasting impact for young people.
2026 Honoree
Mercer County
Mercer County, New Jersey is a proud Capital Cup Honoree recognized for its long-standing commitment to strengthening communities and investing in opportunities for local youth. Through its ongoing partnership with NJTL of Trenton (NJTLT), the County has supported programs that use tennis, education, and mentorship as tools to help young people build confidence, discipline, and long-term success.
This collaboration reflects a shared focus on youth development and neighborhood enrichment, particularly in Trenton and other underserved communities. Mercer County has formally acknowledged NJTLT’s 50-year legacy of service through official proclamations and continues to support initiatives that activate public spaces and expand access to safe, structured programming for local youth.
Together, Mercer County and NJTLT have advanced community-based efforts such as the ASHE Program, which combines tennis instruction with academic support and personal development. By leveraging public parks and shared resources, this partnership helps ensure that young people have consistent access to enriching opportunities that foster growth on and off the court.
Mercer County Executive Dan Benson will accept this honor on behalf of the County. A lifelong Mercer County resident, Benson grew up in Hamilton Township and has built a career in public service across local, county, and state government. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University and later received a Master’s in Public Policy from Rutgers University’s Bloustein School. He began his career in elected office at age 25 on the Hamilton Township Council, later serving on the Mercer County Board of Commissioners and spending twelve years in the New Jersey General Assembly, where he sponsored nearly 400 bills signed into law. In 2023, he was elected County Executive, where he has focused on strengthening county services, improving fiscal stability, and expanding community initiatives such as Tourism, Food Security, and LGBTQIA+ Affairs, while also supporting regional investments that enhance quality of life for residents. He continues to reside in Hamilton Township with his wife, Dr. Hande Benson, and their son, Nicholas.
2026 Honoree
USTA Foundation
The USTA Foundation brings tennis, education, and mentorship together to transform the lives of young people in under-resourced communities across the country. The USTA Foundation accomplishes this mission through its support of a national network of over 270 community organizations nationwide –including NJTL of Trenton –that use tennis as a tool to help prepare young people for the challenges and opportunities of life.
These organizations offer programs that combine tennis instruction with academic support, mentorship, social and emotional learning, leadership development, and scholarship opportunities that create pathways to success. In 2025 alone, this national network reached more than 233,000 young people. Through this relationship, NJTLT is able to strengthen and expand its programming locally, ensuring young people in the Trenton area have access to high-quality tennis programs and meaningful youth development opportunities.
Tennis, with its unique emphasis on discipline, focus, and mental resilience, serves as a powerful learning tool that extends far beyond the game itself. Research consistently shows that youth sports participation positively impacts academic achievement, physical and mental health, and long-term career success. However, many young people in under-resourced communities continue to face significant barriers to entry—particularly in accessing sports like tennis. The USTA Foundation is committed to breaking down these barriers and ensuring equitable opportunities for young people to play, learn, and thrive.
While the USTA Foundation celebrates the accomplishments of standout alumni such as Frances Tiafoe, Robin Montgomery, Ann Li, Hailey Baptiste, Clervie Ngounoue and James Blake, its true mission is broader: to develop thriving, confident young adults and ensure that tennis remains a gateway to opportunity for generations to come.
Presenting Sponsors
Ellen & Albert Stark
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Ginny Mason
Silver
Benedict-Willig Family
Tamara Franklin
Kochmann Family
Patron
