Lakes Region, NH

Lakes Region

Advantage Kids started in the Lakes Region and continues to offer a bulk of our Free! Tennis PLUS Programs here in the summer months. Free programs can be found through Parks & Recreation Departments in the towns of Gilford, Laconia, Meredith, Moultonborough, and Tilton, led by some of our most well-known and beloved Tennis Coaches and Yogis. Programs take place outdoors twice weekly in the summer months and then move into Boys & Girls Clubs and schools for the colder seasons.

The Story of the Lake Towns

Did you know that Advantage Kids used to be called “Lakes Region Tennis Association?!” That’s how important this region is to our organization. We were founded right here, in the heart of New Hampshire, to serve kids beginner tennis.

Back in 2012, the founders (Bob Ronstadt, Tim James, and Kamal Gosine) decided they wanted to offer kids in this aesthetically beautiful but demographically challenged location an opportunity to improve their lives. They decided to follow in the footsteps of Arthur Ashe and create an organization that would give kids an introduction to a sport that could do just that – for free.

Now, we offer so much more than beginner tennis lessons in five towns around Lake Winnipesaukee and Winnisquam. During summers in Laconia, Gilford, Tilton, Meredith, and Moultonborough, kids from anywhere can sign up for outdoor Tennis PLUS through Parks & Rec, our very first partners. We then work with Boys & Girls Club and local schools to offer tennis & yoga indoors during the Fall, Winter, and early Spring Seasons.

The Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction has proven to be a major partner for us in this area along with our friends at Belknap Landscaping and Irwin Marine. They understand what this community needs, with its massive wealth discrepancy and largely seasonal population, poverty and mental illness prevalence, and propensity for addiction – and they help us meet those needs year after year.

Partners

Irwin Marine

Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction

Belknap Landscaping

John J. Donovan Jr. Memorial Trust Scholarship

Parks & Recreation Departments of: Laconia, Gilford, Meredith, Tilton, and Moultonborough

Laconia Boys & Girls Club

Compass Academy

Tilton Prep School

Tavern 27

Gilmanton Pub & Cafe

Locations

Memorial Field – Laconia

Tilton Prep School

Gilford Town Tennis Courts

Suissevale Tennis Courts

Private Meredith Courts

Laconia Boys & Girls Club

Programs

Tennis PLUS (Yoga + Meditation) introduces kids to the lifelong activities of tennis and yoga with beginner instruction from professional, certified instructors in a low-pressure, fun, social environment. No equipment is necessary; participants will learn all the skills they need to hit, play, keep score, and rally in tennis along with gaining self-confidence, resilience, and mental toughness through yoga and meditation. All ages are welcome.

Team

Main Contact: Dawn Dragon

Head Coaches: Grant Workman & Susan Connolly

Yogis: Today Baker, Kim Corsak

Vision

The Lakes Region will always be our home base – our Headquarters are in Gilford, aren’t they?! We intend to continue expanding throughout these towns that want and need our programs, including more Tennis PLUS year round in more schools, more towns, and more indoor spaces.

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