Mayor Rilling to Receive Honor from Norwalk Tennis Group

NORWALK, CT - Norwalk Grassroots Tennis & Education (NGTE) will host its 14th annual tennis tournament and gala – called Play in May – at Woodway Country Club in Darien, and this year's honoree will be Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling.

“The Mayor has been a strong supporter of NGTE since our formation 21 years ago when he was Norwalk’s Chief of Police, and as Mayor his support has only grown as he implements a vision for a bright future for everyone in our community," said NGTE founder, Arthur Goldblatt, in a statement. "We are delighted to honor his love and advocacy for the children of Norwalk.”

NGTE’s mission is to improve the lives of under-privileged children through tennis, education, life skills and leadership programming, according to the group. Several NGTE graduates are now in professional careers and have graduated from college with financial assistance from the group.

The program serves youngsters living in and around the Norwalk Housing Authority, and more than 2,000 children have directly benefited from NGTE. In fact, the program has grown into a 4-Star United States Tennis Association National Junior Tennis and Learning Chapter.

“NGTE is the best program for kids in Norwalk,” said Rilling in a statement.

The tournament and gala are scheduled for May 7. For more information and tickets, visit the organization's website, or contact Ellen Simmonds, NGTE administrative director, at 203-939-1770 or ellen@norwalkgrassrootstennis.org.

Photo credit: Norwalk Grassroot Tennis & Education