2025 RSPA Intermountain Winter Edition Newsletter by RSPA

RSPA Intermountain Newsletter

Meet the RSPA Intermountain Board of Directors

KARL JONES - PRESIDENT

My passion for growing tennis was not an epiphany moment, rather a delayed experience over time It wasn’t until it became about serving others that I truly became ingrained in the fabric of this great sport I have had the distinct honor of being on the receiving end of some wonderful mentorship along my journey. Now I’m so excited to play a small part in serving tennis professionals with the tools to grow their careers. These tools include mentorship to younger professionals, on court education ranging from on court to management, and the ability to network and form lifelong relationships Thank you to the RSPA for providing this wonderful platform!

LAURIE LAMBERT - TREASURER

I believe that our sport needs educated people delivering the tennis experience, so I wanted to support the RSPA to help educate tennis instructors to be the best that they can be for our players!

GINGER PHILLIPS - SECRETARY

Serving on the Intermountain Board is a privilege as I get to work with such a wonderful group of RSPA pros, learn about and participate in Intermountain RSPA happenings, communicate and share ideas and stay involved off of the tennis court

MATT

HELM - REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT

I serve on the RSPA Board because I want to strengthen and support the organization that has impacted my tennis career in such a positive and influencing way.

KAREN

SCHOTT - VICE PRESIDENT

Giving back to a sport that has enriched my education, my career and my personal life is a privilege I am excited to strengthen the relationships of tennis and pickleball professionals in our Division and to mentor young pros If I can nurture the development of some dynamic young female pros, whichI feel our sport needs, I will be thrilled

ANDY ZODIN - PAST PRESIDENT

Serving on the Board, for myself in particular, has been an effort to contribute to the industry in the most effective ways I know how, as this industry has given me so much Helping Intermountain tennis continue to grow, improve, and evolve with the times has been very satisfying to be a part of Working with the tremendous people of the RSPA and USTA during my tenure, has been the icing on the cake.

MAL COYNE - VICE PRESIDENT

I joined the RSPA Intermountain board of directors to connect with fellow racquet sports professionals in my region, exchange knowledge, and collaborate on events. This opportunity will help me grow as a Director of Racquet Sports while also strengthening the racquets community and professional network in Idaho

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

RSPA Intermountain

President Karl Jones

RSPA Intermountain

Executive Director

Leanne Palmisano

Happy New Year, RSPA Members!

I hope you enjoyed the holidays and are excited for the year ahead On reflection, 2024 was an exciting year for the organization The re-branding set the tone for our profession becoming more, and in essence, we must strive to offer more at the Intermountain Level As your President, one of my goals in 2024 was to visit each District and connect with the professionals, the driving force behind tennis participation in the US Looking back on my travels I was so enthused by the number of top-quality professionals out there, not just dedicated to their craft, but also the development of newer professionals embarking on their journey.

I can say with confidence that your Board of Directors, District Presidents and Past Presidents are committed to offering networking, and educational opportunities with topics that you want to hear about Thanks to their volunteering spirit, I’m looking forward to a great year ahead.

We are kicking off the year strong with events in Colorado, hosted by Damon Gilette at The Club at Rolling Hills in Golden, CO Our District President in Southern Nevada, Chris Painter, is finalizing details for an event in Las Vegas, and we are all putting the finishing touches on the Annual Intermountain Conference in February. The Zoom style conference has allowed us to not only serve more professionals without having to jump on planes and incur all the other travel expenses, but also attract some of the game’s most prolific, and knowledgeable names People such as Tommy Haas and Dr Jim Loehr presenting from the comfort of their living room has been an enticing pitch for us This year will be no different, and if you enjoy a classic serve and volley game from England, you are not going to want to miss it! In addition to our headliners, we have aimed to provide a wellrounded experience There will be presentations on career building, financial planning, pickleball, and on court drills to name a few. We are excited to continue our tradition of hosting a GM Panel, to help our professionals learn from those that run clubs and organizations with multiple sports and food and beverage programs Lastly, please join us in celebrating our award winners for all their outstanding contributions.

Speaking of contributions, thank you to USTA Intermountain. Executive Director, Rob Scott, and his team have been an incredible ally, and the collaboration continues to help our organization stronger

At the end of the conference please look out for our survey Never to stand still, we want to hear from our membership and look forward to learning more about what the organization can do for you.

I trust you start the year off strong, igniting energy and excitement into all our students, members, and people we experience

See you all in February!

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

As I transition into my second year as executive director, I want to give a special thanks to our board of directors and district presidents. What a year it has been, with a whole lot of learning along the way. I’m grateful to this group of volunteers - each dedicated to elevating the RSPA mission I look forward to our continued work together I also look forward to meeting and getting to know even more of our RSPA members. Wishing you all the best in the new year!

If you have any news you would like to share with the division, such as job postings, promotions, tips, or upcoming events, please send it to me at leanne palmisano@rspa net

If you are not following us on Facebook and Instagram, please do so for the latest news and events

Coming Soon! 2025 Annual Conference

Murphy Jensen Tim Henman

Mark your calendar for the RSPA Intermountain Annual Virtual Conference on February 18-20, 2025.

You’ll soon receive a separate communique with more details.

Presentations are designed to help you elevate your career, both on and off the court. We’re thrilled to feature ATP No. 4 Tim Henman and French Open doubles champion, Murphy Jensen, as this year’s headliners. RSPA Intermountain Awards will also be announced.

Session topics include:

Born to serve - It’s not just about forehands and backhands with Murphy Jensen

Fireside chat with Tim Henman

State of affairs from RSPA national headquarters

News from and collaborations with USTA Intermountain

From dead ball to live ball drills

Junior Tennis

Integrate pickleball into your offerings

Financial planning

General manager panel

RSPA Intermountain District News

Happy New Year!

I’m thrilled to announce that we kicked off 2025 with Colorado’s first RSPA Networking & Education Night on January 11 at Rolling Hills Country Club This event brought together our teaching and coaching professionals for on-court activities, networking, and insightful discussions on how RSPA can support your professional growth

Our goal is to foster stronger connections within our community, gather valuable feedback, and create impactful opportunities for professional development throughout the year

I’m excited about what we can achieve together in 2025!

Colorado District President Damon Gillette

Idaho District President

RSPA Intermountain District News

Greetings from RSPA Idaho!

As winter rolls on, we’re reflecting on a fantastic few months for tennis in Idaho From engaging clinics to competitive tournaments, our tennis community continues to shine Here’s a recap of recent events and a look at what’s ahead!

Event Highlights

Idaho "Drill Share" Clinic

In November, we hosted the Idaho "Drill Share" clinic at the Boise Racquet and Swim Club (BRSC), and it was a smashing success!

Guest Speaker: The legendary Greg Patton inspired everyone with his passion and expertise.

Special Attendance: Karl Jones, Intermountain Section President, joined us for the event.

Highlights: Ten outstanding RSPA tennis pros shared their favorite drills, providing valuable insights for all attendees

A huge thank you to all the pros and participants who made this event memorable!

Team Idaho Junior Showdown Tournament

This past weekend, the BRSC was buzzing with energy during the Team Idaho Junior Showdown Tournament.

Format: Juniors competed in a team format, fostering camaraderie and sportsmanship.

Impact: The event provided an amazing experience for the players, showcasing their skills and passion for the game.

Congratulations to all the players, coaches, and supporters who made this event a success!

Looking Ahead

Winter Tennis Events

Larry Haugness will present a HSMS coaches clinic on January 25th at the BRSC We’re planning additional opportunities to keep players engaged and improving their skills.

Spotlight on Idaho Tennis Pros

We’re proud to celebrate the incredible tennis professionals who dedicate their time and talent to growing the sport in our region Special thanks to the pros who participated in the "Drill Share" clinic your contributions inspire us all! Spotlight on Idaho Tennis Pros

John Armstrong

RSPA Intermountain District News

Hello Montana RSPA Members

As the snow flies here in Montana it is indoor tennis season All RSPA pros are busy with their respective clubs and programs and gearing up for the ten weeks to high school season starting here in Montana

Many of our RSPA pros are sitting on local, state, and regional boards and committees with planning for summer leagues, charity events & special events The Montana Youth Tennis Foundation has been reignited and Brad Knutson & Scott Potter will serve as board members on this new board. RSPA tennis director at the Peak Health 7 Wellness, is also putting the final touches on the club's annual BNP Paribas Open trip.

It's a light time of the year for events and happenings in Montana but tennis is alive and well in the state and we'll also get behind the two college teams here in Montana (University of Montana & Montana State University) as they play for a chance at the Big Sky Conference title over the next 4 months.

Happy New Year from Montana

Happy 2025!

We’re kicking off the New Year with exciting updates, events, and initiatives aimed at growing the sport of tennis and expanding into other racquet sports like pickleball!

Annual L4 Snowball Sectional & L6 Offerings

We’re thrilled to announce that Utah Intermountain is hosting the Annual L4 Snowball Sectional to start off the year This event is sure to be a great comp success Additionally , we have L6 offerings scheduled in St George and the Springville/Lehi Utah County areas

Utah Coaching Initiative: Free Monthly Training

We are proud to introduce the Utah Coaching Initiative, in partnership with Wilson, to provide monthly training at no cost to all interested coaches. These sessions will feature a variety of subjects designed to elevate your coaching skills From engaging adult workouts to high school practice strategies, advanced junior drill concepts, and connecting with beginning adult players, we’ll cover it all! Plus, participants will have the chance to win a $100 Wilson gift card and earn educational credits This is a fantastic opportunity for coaches to enhance their knowledge and further develop their teaching techniques Thank you Utah Tennis!

New Name, New Opportunities: Expanding to More Racquet Sports

With a new name and a fresh vision, we’re excited to be expanding beyond tennis to offer pickleball lessons and clinics! In response to the growing popularity of pickleball, we’ll be offering programming at participating clubs throughout the valley Whether you’re a seasoned player or just getting started, there will be opportunities to learn and enjoy this fast-paced and fun sport

By branching out to include pickleball alongside our tennis offerings, we aim to make racquet sports accessible and engaging for everyone in our community helping players of all ages and skill levels get involved in the fun.

We’re looking forward to a year of growth, learning, and community-building in 2025

OUR MISSION

To champion the passion for racquet sports by developing professionals who lead with integrity, innovate in coaching, and inspire a diverse and inclusive racquet sports community.

OUR VISION

To elevate careers in racquet sports with a certified professional on every court, inspiring people in every sport

Montana District President Scott Potter

Utah District President Michelle Rawstrone

RSPA Intermountain District News

“Nevada Home Court Advantage

To wrap up the year, Nevada had a strong finish at the sectional and national level Nevada also hosted the Tri-Level sectional tournament at Darling Tennis Center This is always one of the most fun events since teams combine levels This results in new teammates and makes the tennis community stronger Darling Tennis Center is always one of the best places in Nevada to host an event like this due to the number of courts, the spacious viewing center, and layout of the facility

For the Tri-Level Sectional tournament Nevada won four events, two in men’s and two in women’s divisions Nevada won the Women’s 3 0/3 5/4 0 and 3 5/4 0/4 5 division, as well as the men’s 3 5/4 0/4 5 and 4 0/4 5/5 0 divisions Maybe you can call it home court advantage or maybe Nevada excels in the 4 0 divisions

Nevada also hosted the Mixed sectional tournament at Darling Tennis Center. Nevada won 3 divisions. Nevada won the Mixed 5.5, 6.5 and the 8.5 divisions. Again, maybe it’s a home court advantage.

Lastly Nevada had a strong showing at the national level to end the year. The Darling Tennis Center Men’s 6.0 55+ team won the national championship! They placed first out of about 130 teams. Even though the national championship wasn’t hosted at Darling Tennis Center, it shows Tennis in Nevada is healthy and thriving.

Winter is officially here in Wyoming which means indoor tennis is in full swing We have had two huge tournaments in November and December that kicked the season off In November we hosted the 28th Annual Pete Cook Thanksgiving Classic and in December we our premier L5 Christmas Cup right before the holiday which attracted players from 10 states

Red Ball for All and Triples have been being introduced across the state as mixers and fundraising tools as well as recruit new players to the game This continues to match the goal of 35 by 35. Tennis growth is defiantly up in the community.

We are looking forward to a solid spring of junior events after 40 kids attended the regional Holiday Camp in Cheyenne.

Wishing All RSPA Professionals a great 2025.

Nevada District President Chris Painter

Wyoming District President Josh Cossitt

RSPA Pickleball Coach Developer

Mark Chamko

Intermountain Pickleball News

Our next RSPA Pickleball certification course will be at the Ken Caryl Ranch Community Center indoor courts on February 1st from 12:00 to 4:00 PM To register please go to the RSPA web site to register and hold your space Space is limited We try to conduct about four of these pickleball clinics each year So if you need more time to prepare be assured there will be more of these clinics on the calendar in 2025

If you are planning on training and testing for your RSPA Pickleball Certification you should allow several weeks to complete all the on line training modules and prepare for the on court skills test and prepare for the on court lesson evaluation and the on line written test

Once you are registered, our Intermountain pickleball Coach Developer Mark Chomko will send you the grading forms from the skills test and the lesson evaluation With these forms you should be able to effectively prepare for the testing protocols that he will be administering at the training and testing clinic.

As soon as you register, if you have not already done so you will need to complete your safe play training on line. You should also execute the three on line pickleball training modules that have a wealth of valuable information you will need to pass the lesson evaluation and the written test. Tennis professional knowledge alone will not be enough to pass the pickleball certification exams.

During the the training and testing clinic Mark will review the written testing questions with you to help you prepare for the on line written exam.

In August of 2024 the RSPA overhauled the entire training and testing protocols for pickleball. The new protocols are excellent but much more demanding than the previous versions. Tennis knowledge alone will not be enough to pass. Tennis professionals seeking pickleball certification should have spent months if not years both playing pickleball and teaching pickleball.

Applicants who pass the pickleball certification will receive either an instructor or professional level classification based on all their testing results.

If you have any questions regarding the new RSPA pickleball certification you can call Mark Chomko at 720-933-9154.

Intermountain Padel News

Consider the delight and profitability of Padel

Padel was invented in 1969 in Acapulco Mexico Padel is a mixture of Squash and Tennis played indoors or outdoors on an artificial turfed court which has a glass back and corner walls and a meshed sidewall or “cage” The scoring is similar to Tennis although the rules, strokes and strategies differ greatly Padel is played with a racquet constructed of foam and carbon fibers and in lieu of strings is perforated The ball is similar to a tennis ball though slightly smaller with less pressure, think green dot Dress is casual

RSPA Elite Professional;

Pickleball & Padel

IInstuctor

Alden Bock

Padel has 27 million active players in over 90 counties worldwide Padel has a huge international profile being very popular in South America, Europe and the Middle East Spain, Sweden and Portugal have more Padel players than Tennis players The United States is a late comer to the Padel party, but participation is growing exponentially US Padel estimates there will be 32 thousand Padel courts in the U S by 2030

There are many attractions and benefits to Padel as a sport. Three Padel courts can fit into the space of one Tennis court and because Padel is primarily a doubles format, the ratio of players to court square footage is advantageous to club owners and managers. Although it has several pro tours, Padel is a more relaxed, laid back and social sport often played with music, creating a casual ambiance which has increased it’s popularity. The use of walls to play ricochet shots and the smaller court size make for long rallies and engaging game play where court positioning and tactics are essential.

The RSPA acknowledges and supports the rapid growth of Padel in the U.S. and offers in conjunction with Padelmba many certification opportunities. The RSPA Certification Program is headed by Marcos del Pilar. Marcos is one of the most vibrant and enthusiastic people you will ever meet! Marcos is known as the Godfather of Padel in the United States. I recently took the certification course in Orlando and it opened my eyes to the joys of Padel, it was truly a life changing event.

In conclusion, Padel is a lively, fun sport for those looking for a bit more physical and tactical experience than Pickleball. Now is the time to embrace this increasingly popular sport by getting RSPA certification and /or facilitating construction of courts at your club! Get ahead of the game, do it NOW.

RSPA Intermountain and USTA Intermountain join forces

RSPA Members don’t miss out on this great opportunity to earn some extra cash!

RSPA Intermountain Happenings

Save the Date

The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs will host a "Drill Share" event on Saturday, February 8th, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. for SOCO professionals. The event will feature demonstrations of various drills for both tennis and pickleball, followed by open doubles play for participants Appetizers and beverages will be provided Details coming soon

Welcome New Members

Anastasia Abramyan, Scranton, PA

Nicholas Anderson, Salt Lake, UT

Hana Bowers, Aspen, CO

Evan Brown, Aspen, CO

Louis Curto, Denver, CO

Ky Ecton, Fort Collins, CO

Alessio Ferro, Denver, CO

Level 1 Workshops

Visit the RSPA for a list of Level 1 Virtual Workshops

Alex Fraxier, Las Vegas, NV

Ashton Gessler, Fort Collins, CO

Kristin Gobberg, Colorado Springs, CO

Kristen Ladner, Colorado Springs, CO

Jorge Mena Casa, Highlands Ranch, CO

JoNee O’Brien, Kalispell, MT

Kai Otsuke, Ewards, CO

Level 2 Workshops

February 1-3 Golden CO

Visit the RSPA for a list of Level 2 l Workshops

Pickleball Workshops

Jeffery Rust, Littleton, CO

Joshua Taggart, Saratoga Springs, UT

Rudy Taube, Henderson, NV

Jeffrey Wacaser, Silverthorn, CO

Chase Walters, Lakewood, CO

Nolan White, Somers, MT

Ried Ziereberg, Orem, UT

February 1, 2025 Littleton, CO

Visit the RSPA to register and for a full list of the Workshops

Padel Workshops

Visit the RSPA to register and for a full list of the Workshops

Time to sign up! The Colorado High School Tennis Coaches Workshop will be on Saturday, January 25 at Denver South High School and Denver Tennis Park Please RSVP now and contact Bethany Brookens at CHSAA or Kristy Harris at USTA Colorado with any questions

Positive Coaching Alliance will lead the keynote first thing that morning. They will discuss mental toughness and visualization and lead a session on coaching with empathy.

CHSAA & USTA Colorado High School Tennis Coaches Workshop

Date & Time: Saturday, January 25, 2025 from 9 am-4 pm

Location: Denver South HS & Denver Tennis Park

What: Classroom sessions, demo opportunities, and on-court presentations

Cost: $60. This includes breakfast and lunch.

NOTE: The registration platform does not accommodate entering multiple people and making one payment. Therefore, please provide Kristy Harris with the name and USTA account number for each of your coaches, and she will bulk-enter them. We will then invoice you for the total amount due.

If any of your coaches do not have a USTA account number or membership number, they need to create a free account with basic information using either their phone number or email address To do this, go to www usta com and click on “Join” in the upper right corner and walk through the steps, including the verification code step