On August 28, 2012, City Parks Foundation presented Sabrina Bragerton-Nasert with the Billie Jean King Junior Tennis Award. Each year, one exceptional athlete from the CityParks Tennis program receives the award and is honored at t

he annual CityParks Tennis Benefit, and event that raises important funds for the free youth instructional program that serves over 7,000 children in parks throughout New York City each season.

Sabrina poses with (l-r) CPF President Alison Tocci, CPF Board Chair David Moore, Billie Jean King and Budd Mishkin

After receiving her award, Sabrina gave a very touching speech, telling the audience how she became involved in CityParks Tennis and what the program means to her. The entire speech appears below. Congratulations again Sabrina!

Sabrina giving her speech

Good evening, everyone. My name is Sabrina Bragerton-Nasert. I am so fortunate to be a former participant of CityParks Tennis, a program that I can honestly say changed my life.

When I was 13, my father took me to the courts at Silver Lake Park, handed me my first tennis racquet and said, “Come, let’s try.” I fell in love with tennis from that very first moment, even though I had no idea what I was doing! A year later my father and I saw a City Parks Tennis poster at the parks advertising free lessons. I immediately joined and met coach Bill Noonan, and the drills began. He quickly noticed

my wacky excuse for a backhand and after he stopped laughing he taught me the proper way to hit. After many hours of practice, I finally learned to do it right. My skills improved, but just as importantly, so did my self-confidence. I also made a lot of new friends who shared my interest in tennis.

At the end of the summer I was selected to compete in my very first tournament, the Chase Aces tournament for intermediates at Flushing Meadows. Just the thought that I was on a court that Roger Federer may have practiced on thrilled me. I made my way through the draw, relying on my athletic ability and everything I learned, how to hit and how to

strategize. To my surprise I actually won! I felt the confidence inside me starting to soar. I’ll never forget how good I felt about myself that day. After accepting the trophy, Mike Silverman called me over to tell me that the Girls 14s winner, qualified to compete at a similar tournament that fall in London against juniors from different countries. I thought I was dreaming. I had never been on a plane or traveled abroad before – never in my life was I so excited! The experience encouraged me to keep improving, to keep trying, and to keep reaching for my dreams.

Mike Silverman awards Sabrina with a trip to compete in London

The following year, I had improved so much that I earned the 3rd singles position on my high school team and won the Chase Aces again.

Sabrina (front left) poses with the other winners of the 2010 Chase Aces Tournament

I attribute this to the free indoor training during the winter that City Parks Foundation provided.

In 2011 I suffered a devastating blow with the loss of my father, I didn’t know if I could ever look at my racquet again. With the support of my family, friends and coaches from the City Parks Foundation, I was able to fight through it and find peace and inspiration playing the game we shared so much together. I ended my high school career as 1st singles, captain of the tennis team where we had an undefeated season and I won numerous awards for tennis and academics.

This fall I’ll be playing on the tennis team as a freshman at The College of Staten Island.

Every once in awhile I’ll ask myself, “What if my dad and I never went to that park and never saw that poster for free tennis lessons in my park?” My whole life would have been different! That is why I am so thankful for all the opportunities that City Parks Foundation has given me. Tennis will always be a part of my life forever. Thank you.

For more photos from the 2012 CityParks Tennis Benefit, please visit our Facebook page.