Yasiris Ortiz is introducing table tennis to children across New York City through her nonprofit organization, Spin and Learn [1, 2].

The initiative aims to remove financial and social barriers to entry for a sport that is often inaccessible to youth in underserved neighborhoods. By providing free programming, Ortiz is creating a pathway for the next generation of New York kids to access the sport and its associated opportunities [1, 2].

Ortiz is a Dominican-born Latina table tennis champion who is 28 years old [2]. Her work focuses primarily on the Bronx, where she implements programs designed to engage children in athletic competition and skill development [1, 2].

The effort comes amid a broader push to diversify the demographics of competitive table tennis in the U.S. Through Spin and Learn, Ortiz provides the equipment and coaching necessary for students to progress from beginners to competitive players [1, 2].

This community-led approach leverages Ortiz's own success as a champion to inspire local youth. The program operates as a nonprofit to ensure that cost is not a deterrent for families in the city [1, 2].

Reporting on the initiative highlighted the impact of these programs earlier this year in March 2026 [2]. The focus remains on expanding the reach of the sport across the five boroughs to ensure more children have the chance to compete at a high level [1, 2].

“Yasiris Ortiz is introducing table tennis to children across New York City through her nonprofit organization, Spin and Learn”

The expansion of free table tennis programming in the Bronx represents a targeted effort to democratize access to niche sports. By utilizing a champion's visibility and a nonprofit structure, the initiative addresses the systemic lack of athletic infrastructure in low-income urban areas, potentially diversifying the talent pipeline for the sport in the U.S.