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 The National Jai-Alai Association (NJAA) is a non-profit association devoted to promoting and preserving one of the world's most treasured sports.
There are three directors of the NJAA. The three directors were instrumental in getting the St. Pete jai-alai court built.
Paul Kubala
Paul Kubala was born and raised in St. Petersburg, Florida. He is a former 15-year veteran St. Pete firefighter, and is currently a Future Home Realty agent; a property manager of several buildings, and owner of a day care center. Paul is 42 years old and married to his wife Joyce, and has three children; Courtney, 15; Kendal, 13; and Kyle, 12, who is a rising jai-alai "superstar". His hobbies include golf and fishing. Paul has been playing jai-alai for 20 years now.
Jeff Conway
Jeff Conway was born in Auburn, Indiana, but spent most of his childhood in Fairfield, Connecticut. He left Connecticut in 1974 to attend Florida Southern College in Lakeland, where he graduated. In 1978, he moved to St. Pete as has lived in the area ever since. He currently resides in Madeira Beach. Jeff is 52 years old and his married to his wife Pam, and have four children - Angela,18; Brad, 17; Ariana, 8 and Arielle 7. He is currently owner of Clearwater Enviro Technologies, a water purification company in Clearwater, Florida. His hobbies include beaching and boating and is a huge NY Yankee fan. Jeff has been playing jai-alai for 29 years now.
Tom DeMint
Tom DeMint was born and raised in St. Petersburg, Florida. Tom practices real estate with Future Home Realty and is owner of Seabreeze Title company. Tom is 34 years old and is married to his wife Holly and has a 8 year old son Bradley. His hobbies include kayaking and has been playing jai-alai for about 3 years now. |
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 Our associates are vital to our association's success and to the "day-to-day" operations of our leagues, tournaments and more. If you would like to be an associate, and help us in our league formations, score keeping, officiating, please contact one of the directors.
Derek Smith, Club Pro / Player Manager
Derek Smith played professional jai-alai for 8 years. In addition to playing in Ocala, Ft. Pierce, and Miami, he played six years at the Tampa Jai-alai court until it closed in 1998. He started practicing right on the same location where our court is now, when it was just the side of a practice handball court, at the age of 15. He will assist in league forming and will be available for court instruction for beginners.
Derek was born in Middlebury, VT and moved to St. Pete when he was 13. He is 34 and single.
 (Click here to view a 1994 news clip of Derek Smith)
Kyle Kubala, Junior Development
Kyle is the 12-year old son of Paul Kubala, so jai-alai was clearly in this guys blood when he was born! With the athletic genes of his parents, Kyle just might be the next rising star of jai-alai. With perfect jai-alai form, he has already played with former Miami jai-alai great Benny and often competes competitively with several "A" league players on the St. Pete court today. Kyle has been playing jai-alai now for about 3 years, and will help organize our junior leagues. He is an avid golfer, soccer and baseball player on top of jai-alai.
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