TGA of Bergen County

About

What began as a single program offered in the hallways of one school in Los Angeles, CA is now a nationwide network of passionate franchise owners. Trusted by families and schools for over 20 years, we are proud to use our platform to ignite a passion for play, develop a love of the game, and empower kids to Keep Swinging!® all while having fun!

In 2021, TGA joined the Youth Athletes United family of brands to advance the mission of positively impacting 1 million kids each year through sports.

We're committed to developing the whole person & player

We believe sports change lives and seek to make our students better players and better people. We strive to teach in ways that promote individual growth and development on and off the field, course, or court.

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Athletics

We help kids realize their athletic potential and utilize sports as a path toward an active and healthy lifestyle.

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Academics

We use sports as a vehicle for teaching academic lessons and encourage exploration and learning through playing.

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Life Lessons

We develop values that promote individual growth & teamwork by teaching lessons in sportsmanship, perseverance, and leadership.

Our Team

Kevin Rooney

Owner / Territory Director

Kevin Rooney started his TGA journey at the age of 22, becoming one of the first licensees in 2006 when he bought the rights to Bergen County.

While his business journey started in 2006, his youth sports path started way back to when he was introduced to the game of golf at the age 10. Kevin focused on Baseball and Basketball as a youth athlete. That lasted until he was introduced to the game of golf.

Kevin grew a love for the game after being introduced to it by his Dad, attending camps, father/son clinics, and what ever was available. Starting at the age of 14 he caddied and worked in the bag room at Ridgewood Country Club. It all led to him playing on the golf team for 4 years at St. Joseph Regional High School in Montvale, NJ; a team which he now coaches each spring. From there he went to University of Tampa, graduating with a Marketing and Sports Management Major.

After college he knew he wanted to be an impact in the game of golf beyond just playing and that led him to TGA. He wanted to provide youth of Bergen County, who were not members of country clubs or good enough to play in tournaments, access to the game. TGA provided that infrastructure.

Since 2006, Kevin continues to try to improve access to the game for kids in Bergen County. Since starting in 2006, Kevin’s involvement with TGA has grown to offer Golf, Tennis, and Team Sports in Bergen County, Golf and Tennis in Northern Westchester County, and Golf in NYC (since Fall 2022). 

Christine Kostianis

Chief Operating Officer

Christine Kostianis is our Chief Operating Officer and Master Tennis Coach. A certified PTR Instructor for over 20 years, she has been the Director of Tennis and Head Coach for TGA of Bergen County for 10 of those years. Originally from New York, she brought her passion for tennis to Bergen County, NJ. She Coaches all ages from 3 year olds to adults.

Her joy is seeing her students through to successfully being able to hold a rally. She has brought TGA Tennis of Bergen County from after school enrichment programs to HS Prep and Adult programs. She also has experience with running Special Pops programs. With her years of experience as director she is now embarking on making TGA Premier Sports one team with one goal: making sure our participants learn life lessons while having fun playing all the sports that we offer.

Ron Bishow

Golf Coach

A young golfer hits the green or sinks a long putt… they turn with bright eyes and a big smile, and are jumping up and down. This is why Ron coaches.

He has been coaching for over 30 years, including 30 with the Bergen County Pioneer tour, nine now with the TGA, the Fair Lawn Golf Team, the NJSGA, USGA, PGA, and other venues. But it’s that smile of joy that keeps him coaching.

Jashima "Shima" Brathwaite

Head Lacrosse Coach

Shima was born and raised in NYC and moved around a lot as a child — eventually to South Florida for high school. She started playing lacrosse her freshman year, and I spent countless summers, and spring breaks dedicated to playing the one sport she loved the most.

Along with her high school coach, Donna Rose, Shima began her coaching career with a local middle school start up. She played at a D2 college in Jersey, where she continued coaching on my free time. As a recent graduate, she has chosen to continue coaching all age range and stay involved in the game she loves most.

I used to be a multi sport athlete, and found that lacrosse highlighted everything I was good at in different sports.

John Duke

Lead Coach (Golf, Tennis, Athletics)

John has always been involved in sports. As a kid he played baseball, soccer, tennis and golf. Then soccer, golf and tennis in high school and soccer in college.

He coached his sons youth soccer and baseball teams in town until his son graduated.

John has been working for TGA since his retirement from the Ridgewood YMCA, coaching all sports but focusing on golf, tennis and lacrosse.

Matt Lewis

Head Tennis Coach

Matt became a lead coach for TGA Sports after retiring from a 44 year career in the footwear industry.

He brings his experience from coaching little league baseball for recreation and camp programs.

Matt is an avid sports enthusiast who was introduced to golf at a very young age and has enjoyed the pleasures of competition, performance, and camaraderie surrounding it.

My passion for golf is overwhelming and it has provided me with the gifts of patience, persistence, tenacity, and mental toughness. Getting the opportunity to impart these same joys and challenges to kids is why I coach!

Jessica O'Reilly

Cheerleading Coach

Jessica O’Reilly has been a cheerleader for 14 years. She discovered a love for the sport very early and has had a strong passion for cheerleading for most of her life. She was the captain of her high school cheerleading team. She also choreographed her team’s routine during her senior year.

For three years in high school, she was a Junior Assistant Coach for her town’s recreation cheerleading team. During this time, she worked with multiple age groups between ages 5 and 13.

Chris Polizzotto

Lead Golf Coach

Chris has a 15+ year background surrounding the game of golf, including a 10-year career in Customer Service and Marketing.

He has continued learning and practicing golf teaching methods for the past 4 years by receiving an associates degree in Golf Management with Keiser University.

Currently, Chris is on track to earn his bachelor’s degree in Golf Management with Keiser University.

I continue to learn and commit myself by receiving many certifications in the sport and my goal is to mold and help the youth of today reach their goals. The game of golf will continue to grow and expand by getting the youth involved and in love with the sport.

Art Wagner

Lead Golf Coach

Art became a lead golf coach for TGA Sports after retiring from a 44 year career in the footwear industry.
 
He is an avid sports enthusiast who was introduced to golf at a very young age and have enjoyed the pleasures of competition, performance, and camaraderie surrounding it.
 
His passion for golf is overwhelming and it has provided him with the gifts of patience, persistence tenacity, and mental toughness. Getting the opportunity to impart these same joys and challenges to kids is why he coaches!