Addvantage 2010 July

2

ADDvantage/June 2008

www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

contents departments

the total professional – enhancing your career

2 USPTA Executive Committee

Ask the Professor 7 Supervised training can benefit child athletes, but consider age – and exercise care –

by Jack L. Groppel, Ph.D., FACSM, USPTA Master Professional

3 CEO’s message 4 USPTA – Celebrating diversity

5 Vice president’s message

19 USPTA drills 11 The rising son: “Junior” Bangoura gets a jump on pro 22 Classifieds career – by Jill Phipps, USPTA staff writer 36 Career development

15 Get creative to help kids catch up on basic skills –

by Alan Cutler and Feisal Hassan, USPTA Master Professionals

38 Industry action

23 An Egyptian adventure: Taking tennis to the people and Love-ing it – by Bob Love, USPTA Master Professional

news 21 Hall of fame offers unique opportunities for players and museum goers 22 USPTA seeks nominations for national board 25 InnerCity pros grow tennis and build futures

convention 27 2010 USPTA World Conference 29 Conference schedule 31 USPTA women’s/diversity fund 33 Registration form 34 Hotel form 35 International Championships form

On the cover – Sekou Bangoura Jr., 18-year-old son and lifelong student of USPTA Professional Sekou Bangoura Sr., has been selected for an elite training program for top American collegiate players and has already gained professional-level tournament experience.

Photo credit: Jim Burgess/UF Communications

volume 34 • issue 7

www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com ADDvantage magazine editorial offices USPTA World Headquarters 3535 Briarpark Drive, Suite One Houston, TX 77042 Phone – 713-978-7782 800-USPTA-4U Fax – 713-358-7794 e-mail – magazine@uspta.org

Shawna Riley Kimberly Forrester Kathy Buchanan John Dettor

Office hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Central time

www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

Editor Managing editor Circulation Advertising

ADDvantage is published monthly by the United States Professional Tennis Association.

The opinions expressed in ADDvantage are those of the authors and not necessarily those of ADDvantage or the USPTA. Copyright© United States Professional Tennis Association, Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

Reproduction of any portion of the magazine is not permitted without written permission from USPTA. ADDvantage/July 2010

1

USPTA Executive Committee Division presidents, regional vice presidents and past national presidents:

California Division

National Board of Directors: Tom Daglis

President 310-340-6185

Randy Mattingley First vice president 281-358-2181

Bunny Bruning Vice president 515-285-1459

Mark Fairchilds Vice president 209-571-2582

Chuck Gill Vice president 561-624-8900, ext. 8932

Jack Groppel, Ph.D. Vice president 847-658-1077

Eric Stephens President 562-496-3530 Pierre Mareschal Regional vice president 626-744-1650

Eastern Division Ron Dyson President 585-325-3219 Mark Savage Regional vice president 845-565-7600

Florida Division Richard Centerbar President 561-487-7070 Dave Richardson Regional vice president 239-495-8100

Hawaii Division Jerry Cape President 808-382-5968 Ken Nakama Regional vice president 808-679-3197

Intermountain Division Jim Loehr, Ed.D. Vice president 407-438-9911

Harry Gilbert Immediate past president 386-793-0084

Kim Davis President 719-536-0797 Alden Bock Regional vice president 303-232-6272

Middle States Division Bill Sember President 484-888-8329 Wilson Pipkin Regional vice president 717-898-3102

Midwest Division Molly Card Beckmann President 317-582-1550, ext. 229 Paul Marcum Regional vice president 248-626-9880, ext. 4006

Missouri Valley Division Gary Trost President 405-848-2994 Kendell Hale Regional vice president 816-436-1608

New England Division Jacques Faulise President 401-952-7000 Christopher Stevens Regional vice president 603-610-0183

Northern Division Brian McCoy President 763-656-1590 Dilcia Pederson Regional vice president 612-824-6099

Pacific Northwest Division Hunter Lipscomb President 541-753-1043 Nancy Cox Regional vice president 503-409-2567

San Diego Division Dophie Poiset President 858-756-4459 Nelson Alapi Regional vice president 858-382-6571

Southern Division Pat Whitworth President 678-482-6357 Jeff Hawes Regional vice president 504-482-4084

Southwest Division Sara Stablein President 602-636-9840 Vicki Foster Regional vice president 602-930-8423

Texas Division Jim Sciarro President 903-581-7788 Joe Snailum Regional vice president

Past presidents Mid-Atlantic Division Pat Hanssen President 434-295-6167 John Cleary Regional vice president 301-924-3450

Northern California Division Michael Galli President 510-673-6875 John Sharpe Regional vice president 925-283-5448

Ron Woods (2005-2007) 361-991-7501 David T. Porter, Ed.D. (2003-2005) 808-675-3755 Joseph Thompson (1999-2003) 720-470-6550

CEO’s message Team effort required to promote “new-style” pro to employers, secure better benefits for profession

J

ust like any membership-driven group, USPTA gains a ­certain that are usually part of each professional’s compensation package number of members, and also loses a predictable group of through an employer. It’s our job to advocate for the entire profespeople based on various factors, including the economy, sion so employers and owners view USPTA Professionals as valued change in career, disability and retirement, just to name a few. assets to their businesses. To spread this message, we communi When people decide to drop their membership with USPTA, we cate with leaders of the club industry, we write articles for their encourage them to fill out a questionnaire that helps us understand magazines and we place ads in magazines and on websites. We are their reasons for letting their affiliation lapse and allows us to tweak promoting you and your skills so that employers will see the need our benefits to meet the needs of a changing membership. to provide the benefits that so many other professions receive.

So, about this time each year, I read these questionnaires, As a supporter and promoter of the tennis-teaching profesincluding personal notes and entire letters from members who sion, USPTA provides education and other resources that enable are dropping their membership. Some have endured you to not only enhance your professional skills, hardships, including illnesses or the loss of jobs, while but also tools to help you promote your expertise to others are retiring or moving on to new careers outside employers. It’s through this team effort that we hope the tennis industry. to improve the teaching professional’s livelihood, This year, as I read the various notes, I was surincluding the benefits that employees provide. prised at the number of people who listed employer An example of this is USPTA’s “Technology related issues, including a lack of benefits, as their Tools” that were released earlier this year and placed reason for leaving the profession. One member wrote, on the home page of our website at uspta.com. Using “As naïve as it sounds, I would rejoin if you could give these tools to perform regular daily tasks will give me medical insurance.” employers a more professional impression of your Another member commented, “The club where I job skills and help you become a “new-style pro.” work offers no vacation time, no sick time, no ben We would welcome the help of our influential Tim Heckler efits at all.” Other members complained that tennis industry partners, USTA and TIA. Their direct apwas not viewed as a popular sport, pros are given little respect by peal to owners and managers on your behalf would help spread the owners and managers and clubs are still doing away with tennis word that a quality tennis professional is vital to a facility’s success, courts and cutting pros’ salaries, which further limits their ability especially if he or she is given the time and leeway to develop and to adequately promote the game and teach. manage programs, interact with customers and work with other While it’s sad to admit, this member feedback is rather telling departments to enhance the overall image of the club. about some of the current attitudes

As I said in an earlier message, It’s our job to advocate for the entire profession of the club/facility business toward club managers and owners call me tennis-teaching professionals. It’s on a regular basis. They explain so employers and owners view USPTA Professionals only natural to feel unappreciated their desire to hire top tennis manas valued assets to their businesses. if you work for a business, yet your agers to run their programs and compensation is cut and your job does not include vacation, sick interact with their members, yet many don’t seem to understand time or health insurance. that they must adequately compensate hard-working, experienced The news from the tennis industry is good. Tennis is one of professionals with some of the same benefits they expect as manthe only traditional sports showing growth even in a sluggish agers: insurance, vacation, sick leave, and maybe even retirement economy, and many of our members say their lesson schedules are benefits! full. Both the USTA and TIA say we need more teachers, yet it’s So, our members are left feeling “pushed” out of the managenot implausible to question how our profession expects to attract ment team and forced more and more into on-court duties. We a larger workforce if they are not given the respect they deserve. It’s know USPTA pros can and do offer much more from their arsenal easy to see how happy, well-treated people would be more willing of professional skills. And, we will keep on promoting you as a total to take on extra projects and be supportive of the many industry professional – someone who can manage an entire department, its programs touted by the tennis industry. staff and a multitude of other business responsibilities as well as As a trade association, we cannot directly supply the benefits teaching.  www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

ADDvantage/July 2010

3

Special Olympians deliver new on-court experience to Houston teaching pro

S

hirley Mendoza Gearon, USPTA, has been involved in Houston tennis for the past 23 years. As a student, competitor and now teacher, she’s come full circle in the game.

Ranked as high as No. 1 in Texas as a junior, she earned a full tennis scholarship to the University of Wyoming, where she played on the inaugural NCAA Division I women’s team and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 2000.

After graduation, she decided to return to tennis – something that had always been an important part of her life – because she believed the sport “held so much more possibility than simply hitting balls around.”

Gearon, a USPTA Professional 1, returned to Houston, where she has worked at many of the city’s top tennis clubs, including Westside, Piney Point Indoor, The Houston Racquet Club and currently The Forest Club.

The tennis possibilities for Gearon began to open up when she met Kim Richards in 2003. Kim and Don Richards are the parents of Katherine Richards, who is an accomplished Special Olympics athlete. The couple started the Kim and Don Richards Family Foundation, which helps fund Special Olympics programs, and in 2009 they asked Gearon to coach their daughter’s team – the Houston Hot Shots.

From the very first practice Gearon said she felt a strong need to spread the game of tennis to all populations, including Special Olympics athletes. Coaching the special Olympians added a new

NOTICE A sluggish economy and limited employment prospects have given rise to new schemes for making money at the expense of unsuspecting people looking for jobs.

In the last few months, USPTA has learned of at least two instances in which members sent money to foreign addresses in the hopes of securing employment as tennis pros. It is important to note that most of the questionable job advertisements sound legitimate, usually boast of high-paying positions and excellent benefits, and mention affiliations with legitimate tennis associations. While the initial ads do not ask for money, subsequent correspondence with the principals who placed them includes requests for money to be wired to foreign addresses. One person was asked to send copies of personal papers, including his passport. Both members lost thousands of dollars before they realized the job offers might be suspect.

In an effort to thwart questionable methods designed to extract from you as much money as possible, it is important to remember: 1. Most, if not all, job offers do not request money from prospective employees up front. If you are hired and are required to obtain work visas or other documents, you can obtain them after you are hired and have met with your employers.

2. Do not send copies of personal information, including your Social Security number, passport or driver’s license.

3. If a job offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

USPTA attempts to screen all of the job ads in its Find-a-Pro site, however, we cannot guarantee the legitimacy of all the listed positions. Please use caution when applying for any job. 

4

ADDvantage/July 2010

USPTA Pro Shirley Mendoza Gearon and student Patrick Burke.

dimension to Gearon’s coaching skills and allowed her to enjoy the game in a different way.

In the 2009 Special Olympics Texas Summer Games the Hot Shots accumulated 11 tennis medals: five gold, four silver and two bronze.

Gearon has been elected to be the Team USA Special Olympics coach at the World Games in Greece. The games are set for June 25-July 4, 2011.

In the meantime, this busy pro is active on the USTA Texas Wheelchair Committee, volunteers with adaptive surfing and produces her own line of women’s tennis apparel, K-Claw. 

Calling all writers …

Writing for ADDvantage magazine offers USPTA members numerous benefits. They can share knowledge from their field of expertise, such as coaching, pro shop management, sport science and club management. Having an article published can enhance a pro’s career or add to a resume. Also, being published in ADDvantage is worth 25 points toward USPTA Master Professional certification (a maximum of 50 is allowed).

Articles should be approximately 2,000 words long.

Articles should cover some aspect of a teaching professional’s job.

Articles must be typed in a narrative form.

Contributions will be edited for magazine format and focus.

Please send good quality, in-focus photos related to the topic, if available.

Digital files should be sent as TIFF or JPEG files and must be at least 300 dpi.  Authors must sign a release form for any work submitted to us. This form assures us that the article is your original work, that you have not released the article previously to any other publication and prevents you from releasing it for further publication for a period of six months from the date of the agreement.  Send articles to the attention of the managing editor at the USPTA World Headquarters or via e-mail to magazine@uspta.org.     

www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

Vice president’s message Our ever-changing business climate –

and what a “new-style pro” can do about it!

C

hange – it’s everywhere, and it never ends. In event with the winners advancing to the championthe past few years, we’ve seen lots of changes ship round played on the following weekend. You in the club, recreation and, specifically, tennis guessed it, while many of the “traditionalists” were business. At some level, almost everyone is affected. opposed at first, almost everyone could set aside one We’ve witnessed a loss of job security, changes in day, and participation has never been better! Many compensation and benefits, and even actual job clubs have been successful in offering less formal losses. What’s a USPTA Professional to do in such “drop-in” round robins or clinics where players do turbulent times? not need to worry about making multiple phone Today’s successful pros need to be able to navi- calls to find a game or lesson program. The USTA gate the changes and react to the trends that will has offered “flex leagues,” which allow players to affect (positively or negatively) their schedule matches on a flexible format profession and, ultimately, their liveand play at a time convenient to both lihoods. In the coming months, you players. They are also offering more will be hearing more about what our “compressed-format” tournaments, profession will be referring to as the to shorten the event and allow more, “new-style pro.” It is a pro who is able shorter matches in a condensed to experience a bit of “job stretch” and period of time. Provide customers embrace and actually thrive in these a quick and easy way to play tennis changing times. In a recent issue of and it will be a home run – and just McMahon’s Club Trends™ titled “The smart business.

Changing Role of Golf and other Recreation Activities,” five “megatrends” Health and wellness: We live in an Chuck Gill were identified that will affect all club increasingly health-oriented society. and recreational businesses in the next few years. A Wellness activities for adults and children will be an brief description of these “megatrends” and what increasing part of the club scene. Wow, could there the “new-style pro” can do about them is as follows: be a better time for all of the benefits we already have in place via Tennis – for the health of it! ? TenTime-constrained society: People have less leisure nis has such a built-in way to promote exercise and time than in the past, which will continue to cause wellness. Many clubs have been quick to partner a dramatic change in social and recreational habits. with their growing fitness centers to promote tenLimitations on time availability must be considered nis as an alternative to a treadmill, or a great way in all future club offerings. This is where tennis has to complement an existing fitness routine. Pros a huge advantage over other sports. A tennis lesson, can promote tennis lessons and clinics as not just clinic or social game can be completed in less than instruction sessions, but as workout sessions too. two hours, making it the perfect recreational choice Many of your existing players already pay as much for “time-constrained people.” The old model of as $70 per hour for personal training, so what the weeklong tournament is now being replaced could be a better workout than an hour playing by shorter, compressed formats that allow players lesson, or a fast-paced drill clinic? Cardio tennis to know starting (and completion) times. Working can be scaled for almost any level of player or cardio parents typically cannot spend entire weeks or even capacity. The recent “cardio for kids” program is a entire weekends committed to a tennis tournament. great addition and can be introduced as a part of At our club, we had a steady drop in participation the many summer camps that USPTA Professionals for all of our one- to two-week club champion- run each year! Need an easy format to get kids and ships. After much debate with our committees, we seniors introduced to tennis? QuickStart works for have switched to a one-day round robin qualifying both groups. continued next page www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS President First Vice President

Tom Daglis Randy Mattingley

Vice Presidents

Bunny Bruning Mark Fairchilds Chuck Gill Jack Groppel Jim Loehr

Past President

Harry Gilbert

WORLD HEADQUARTERS CEO

Tim Heckler

Director of Operations

Rich Fanning

Administrative Director

Marty Bostrom

Director of Communications

Shawna Riley

Creative Services Director

Julie Myers

Publications Manager/ Managing Editor

Kim Forrester

Director of Public Relations

Poornima Rimm

Communications

Jill Phipps

Director of Marketing

John Dettor

Sports Marketing Coordinator

Rick Bostrom

Digital Asset Director

Timothy Heckler

Digital Asset Coordinator/ Ramona Husaru Tennis Multimedia Management Video Production Director

Joe Birkmire

Video Editor

Nick Warwick

Video Editor/ Flash Designer

Aisha Nelson

Director of Fred Viancos Professional Development Corporate Janice Stollenwerck Services Administrator Receptionist

Erin Ortbal

Director of Information Technology

Dan Wilson

Information Technology/ Multimedia

Scott Bucic

Divisional Executive Administrator

Kalin Cogar

Director of Computer Service

Kathy Buchanan

Director of Membership and Certification

Vicky Tristan

Membership/ Certification Coordinator

Sylvia Ortiz

Membership/ Melony DeLoach Insurance Coordinator Director of Finance Payroll/Benefits Controller Merchandise/ Accounting Assistant

Kathy Ladner Renée Heckler Ellen Weatherford Shelina Harris

Legal Counsel Attorney-at-law

Paul Waldman

For information, write the USPTA World Headquarters 3535 Briarpark Drive, Suite One Houston, TX 77042 Phone 713-97-USPTA 800-USPTA-4U Fax 713-978-7780 uspta@uspta.org www.uspta.com Office hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Central time

ADDvantage/July 2010

5

from previous page Changing role of women in society: Marriages and committed relationships are increasingly partnerships of equals when decisions are made on how to expend the family’s time and money. Clubs will need to shift their male-dominated roots and identify ways to engage women in the organization. Again, the old paradigm of women’s teams in the day and men’s leagues at night is becoming somewhat obsolete, as both spouses are working equal hours and have similar earnings. There is an increased demand for “working women’s” night and weekend leagues and clinics where once or twice a week, mom goes out for exercise and dad watches the kids. Smart tennis and golf operations are reacting to this trend by having “couples” events, where both spouses can participate and have some quality time together as they recreate and get exercise.

Again, one of our most popular programs at our club has been an after-work tennis social, while golf provides a “Nine and Dine” (nine holes and dinner), and all members gather for a barbecue poolside.

If you cannot find a league that suits the schedule of your working women, start a USPTA adult league and model it after one of the many success stories from across the country. Women represent a larger percentage of the workforce than at any time in our history. Are you programming to accommodate them?

Community: Our increasingly diverse society is creating demand for places that forge bonds among organizations and people. Clubs have an opportunity to be a place that their members value because of the meaningful associations formed and perpetuated there. Look at your facility, not just the courts, but the surrounding areas.

Does it look inviting? Are there places for people to meet and be comfortable before and after tennis? The best facilities have a “family” feel, where players can relax and watch others play, have a drink in the shade or just enjoy the company of other players. Is your pro shop welcoming? Does your staff greet players by name and take the time to learn all of their particular habits? Some players prefer the stadium court and to be watched, while others like privacy. Are you programming to maximize the social aspects of tennis? Again, many

6

ADDvantage/July 2010

clubs are discovering the comeback of “couples nights” where the emphasis is on social tennis, and less competition, giving players a chance to spend time with people who share a common interest – TENNIS! Parent-child events – or at older clubs, grandparent-child events – are great ways to build bonds within the family and bring tennis-playing families together. If you work at a country club, a combined golf-tennis event is a great way to build on the sense of community and transcend the typical tennis experience. Do you run a charitable event? These types of events can bring great PR to you and your facility, and attract new players who typically would not be at your club.

Green: The green movement has taken hold in society. Members are increasingly concerned about their club’s impact on the environment. Eco-friendly practices will be requested and rewarded. Look around, the “green” movement is here to stay.

Members are caring about good practices everywhere and tennis is no exception.

Although it may or may not be profitable, take a closer look at how you do business.

Do you donate your used tennis balls to local schools, or collect old racquets for inner city programs? Do you recycle paper and plastic at your club? If you have clay courts, do you promote the fact that subsurface irrigated courts use less than half the water of a conventional court? If you use cups, a good alternative to paper and Styrofoam is permanent plastic. Some facilities put their club logo on these cups, use them as prizes for events, or sell them at $3 to $5 each. Either way, you are encouraging players to reuse them daily and eliminate waste. Instead of sending out fliers or brochures on events, e-mails and club websites are a great way to be more timely in your communications and eliminate paper waste. Have you tried our newest USPTA endorsee, CourtsideUSA? It has the ability to create an efficient “community page” for your club, get information out to your players, and be “green” in the process. Another way to go green is to research green products online.

Benches, chairs, waste bins, and almost every imaginable product at a tennis facility can be purchased green. Go green when

possible, and let your members know that you are doing it. This creates great public relations value for you and your club.

Business practices will continue to change and evolve in the coming years, and successful tennis professionals will need to evolve with them.

Do your best to remain on the cutting edge of the tennis business by keeping abreast of these industry “megatrends” that are here to stay!  McMahon’s Club Trends™ is a quarterly publication by McMahon Group’s senior management team that monitors and identifies major private club trends and the evolution of change in our society. It is an in-depth, research publication dealing with those issues affecting private clubs and written by club consultants who know the private club industry. For more information on ­McMahon’s Club Trends please visit its website at www.mcmahongroup.com or you can contact Martha McMahon-Acker at Martha@McMahonGroup.com.

Tennis enhances your immune system through its conditioning effects, which promote overall health, fitness and resistance to disease.

www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

Supervised training can benefit child athletes But consider age – and exercise care

Q

by Jack L. Groppel, Ph.D., FACSM, USPTA Master Professional

Question: At what age should kids start working with a professional trainer in a supervised fitness training program that would include circuit training, light weights and stretching exercises?

A

Answer: Given the era in which we live, with heightened levels of obesity, diabetes and inactivity, I have to say that your question is a breath of fresh air. I am all for the phrase, “the more active, the better,” when it comes to anyone, but especially children.

However, your question goes far beyond the issue of getting kids

more active. It goes to the heart of training issues for children, preteens and adolescents.

In considering my response, I felt compelled to request opinions from several experts, both in tennis and outside of tennis, but especially in the general field of fitness training. So, what about supervised fitness training for young people?

I have always believed that children would benefit from exercise programs that involved heart-lung conditioning as well as resistance training. Please note that I intentionally did not use the words ‘weight training’

According to one expert, the ideal age to begin a supervised training regimen starts from age 7 and up, but depends on individual readiness.

Jack Groppel, Ph.D., USPTA Master Professional, is ­co-founder of the Human Performance Institute. He is the author of The Corporate Athlete and co-author of World Class Tennis Technique. Information can be found at­ ­­energyforperformance.com. www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

because those words can elicit various responses from people.

Resistance can come in many forms other than just using weights or machines. One’s body weight, medicine balls (light in this case), rubber tubing and dynabands are forms of training that can provide tremendous benefits. But, let’s examine what our panel of experts had to say. I posed the question exactly as you worded it above, and asked that they respond with their best thinking. The panel consisted of Ron Keable, certified personal trainer and co-founder of K-Star Fitness in Lake in the Hills, Ill.; Paul Roetert, Ph.D., USPTA Master Professional and CEO of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance; Todd Ellenbecker, USPTA Master Professional, Doctor of Physical Therapy, and chair of the USTA Sport Science Committee; Jennifer Lea, certified personal trainer with ACSM and NSCA, at the Human Performance Institute; and Mark Kovacs, Ph.D., USPTA and head of USTA Coaching Education/Sport Science.

Each expert felt that one needs to be careful making decisions about fitness training using chronological age as the only indicator of whether a child is

ready. Children of similar ages can have very different physical, emotional, and mental capacities that will play a role in determining their individual readiness.

Each expert also emphasized that supervision is the key word in your question. Children should never be left to themselves in a fitness training regimen (please note that I am discussing actual fitness training here and not just the concept of play or activity).

To that end, Mark Kovacs noted, “Young kids can and should start supervised training that develops physical components as young as possible. The earlier the kids learn correct movement patterns the greater development can be achieved as they age. However, this should be performed in a fun games-based environment that focuses on movements that develop agility, balance and coordination. The major limiting factor in young kids (less than 10 years of age) is each kid’s ability to understand instructions and perform the activities with proper technique.”

Jennifer Lea felt that, “Children and adolescents can exercise at any age though there needs to be special consideration when it comes to strength training. They need to have proper instruction and supervision. In most cases, adult guidelines apply continued next page ADDvantage/July 2010

7

from previous page for strength training but with children it is important to decrease the intensity. The recommendations, from the American College of Sports Medicine in 2009, are for children to engage in eight to 15 repetitions for each exercise and to perform to the point of moderate fatigue with good mechanical form.

Circuit training is a great form of exercise for children and adolescents because it is short, fun and interesting. It also can help because it can mimic specific sport exercises.”

Paul Roetert responded that, “Typically, I would recommend that players can start with a fitness training program as soon as they can follow directions properly. This may be a better indicator than actual age. In addition, most programs for prepubescent athletes can be very successful utilizing the player’s own body weight. Following puberty, players can start with light weights, always focusing on proper technique. The same goes for flexibility training. Technique is very important.

As the player gets stronger, the weight, sets and repetitions can increase.”

Todd Ellenbecker replied, “Our experience with elite-level tennis players and working with young athletes from other sports is that meaningful resistive exercise can take place as young as 7 to 8 years of age in many children. This, of course, must be done under the supervision of a qualified person, someone with a background in both exercise science and also in growth and development. Placing the young athlete on a program using mainly body weight and balance type exercise such as squats and lunges and single-limb stance variations can provide an element of strength training and also train the athlete in much needed balance and proprioception. With supervision these exercises can provide meaningful training stimuli to tennis players, preparing them for the sport-specific demands of the split step, and many other on-court movement transitions developing players must master with optimum levels of lower body strength and balance. Additionally, our research has shown strength imbalances in the shoulders of developing players as young as 7 to 8 years of age. The use of light elastic bands to work on the rotator cuff and scapular musculature in young players is a recommended activity for both tennis players and young baseball players to normalize and balance the shoulder muscles secondary to the overuse incurred with high level performance in those types of sports. Finally, simple and basic core exercises such as the plank, sit-ups and bridging can

8

ADDvantage/July 2010

provide training for the muscles of the core.”

Ron Keable began by asking, “At what age are the children mentally ready? Do they possess the cognitive maturity? Meaning, do they have the sensorimotor development skills? This development typically occurs between the ages of birth to 2 years.

Do they have the preoperatory skills to where they can mentally act upon objects?

This typically occurs between the ages of 2 to 7 years. Do they have the ability to sort objects according to size, shape, or any other characteristic? Do they have the ability to recognize logical relationships among elements in a serial order, and perform ‘transitive inferences’? Do they have the ability to name and identify sets of objects according to appearance, size or other characteristics, including the idea that one set of objects can include another? These developments typically occur between the ages of 7 to 11 years.

If a parent were to ask me today, “What is the best age to start training my child?” I would tell them this: From my personal experience and observation, the ideal age to begin a supervised training regimen starts from age 7 and up. There are always exceptions. At this age most children possess the basic mental and physical requirements nec-

essary to begin their training with a greater chance of success and personal satisfaction.

Keable continued by asking, “At what age does your child have the ability to focus and pay attention? Every child is different.

As parents and coaches we should know our kids. Honestly ask yourself the above question prior to embarking on a training regimen. My daughter was diagnosed with having ADHD when she was 2 years old.

She did not have the ability to stay focused or pay attention for any length of time until she was around 7 years old. At that time we got her involved in a group supervised training regimen. Every child is unique and different. Please note that there can be tremendous advantages with the individual, supervised training of your child with this condition. When considering a training regimen, try to match the program to your child’s current ability. Make sure the training program incorporates future room for challenge and growth.

In summary, there was one unique assertion from most members of this expert panel. No matter what the plan for the child, fun has to be involved. If it’s not fun, nothing will be sustainable. Isn’t that true about life as well? 

www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

The rising son: “Junior” Bangoura gets a jump on pro career

by Jill Phipps, USPTA staff writer

T

he star student of USPTA Professional Sekou Bangoura earned a national No. 1 ranking in boys’ 18s last year and has just finished a stellar first season of college tennis.

Bangoura is both father and coach to this promising young player, Sekou Bangoura Jr., known to family and friends as “Junior.”

“I get calls from people who ask me how you get to work with your own children ...

I think it takes a lot of dedication to do it, and you’ve got to be passionate about the game from the beginning.”

The elder Bangoura is proud of his son’s success, but determined to help him stay focused on moving forward and making the most of his decision to play at the NCAA Division I level before pursuing a full-time pro career.

Bangoura, a USPTA P-1 and director of the Sekou Bangoura International Tennis Academy in Sarasota, Fla., said that Junior has improved a lot and is doing well, but “could do better, we’ve just got to add some work.”

As the 18-year-old college freshman continues his dual career as a University of Florida team member and a part-time professional player, “the objective is to get some maturity, physically and mentally,” his father said. “In the summer we have a plan to play a lot of tournaments; we’ll

focus on Futures. You can play pro as long as you don’t take money.

“His ultimate goal is to play on the ATP tour. It’s been his dream for a long time,” Bangoura said. “In reality, there’s no sense in rushing. My philosophy is not doing 100 meters; we’re doing a marathon – one step at a time. I say, ‘Try to clean up and polish your skill as much as you can before you get into the big league.’ ” And Sekou Jr. keeps polishing away, with one achievement after another. Most recently, he and Florida teammate Bob Van Overbeek were named to the men’s 2010 USTA Summer Collegiate Team, administered by the United States Tennis Association and the Intercollegiate Tennis Association.

The 13-member team is part of an elite

Sekou Bangoura Jr. delivered a notable first season on the University of Florida men’s tennis team and is shooting for a pro career. Photo credit: Jim Burgess/UF Communications www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

Sekou Bangoura Jr., right, with his father and coach, Sekou Bangoura Sr.

training program for the top American collegiate tennis players. In addition to competing on the USTA Pro Circuit, the players trained in a Pro Tour Transition Camp hosted June 21-24 by USTA Player Development.

During the 2010 collegiate season, the freshman took ITA Southeast Region Rookie of the Year honors, posting a teamhigh 21 dual singles wins with the No. 6-ranked Florida Gators (under head coach Andy Jackson). He also achieved a national ranking of No. 34 in doubles alongside teammate Joey Burkhardt.

On the professional track, Sekou earned enough points in ITF Futures events last year to secure a spot in the USTA $50,000 Savannah Challenger this May. He lost in tough singles and doubles matches. He and partner Michael Sinha, also coached by Sekou Sr., fell 6-4, 6-3 to Taylor Dent and Jan-Michael Gambill. But Sekou went on to beat Robert Kendrick in the first round of the Sarasota Open.

In addition to earning a boys’ 18s top spot, Sekou won the 2009 Pan American Junior Championships and was the runnerup at the 2009 USTA Junior Nationals.

“He’s coming from a very good foundation,” his father said. Sekou Jr. started continued next page ADDvantage/July 2010

11

12

ADDvantage/July 2010

www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

Get creative to help kids catch up on basic skills

by Alan Cutler and Feisal Hassan, USPTA Master Professionals

H

ow many tennis coaches today find themselves working Also, to have them start to learn the parts of the court, you with a student in his or her early teens who cannot throw might try Simon commands such as telling them to touch the a ball or lacks the basic skills of balance and movement? net or stand on each of the following: a sideline, center service line, doubles sideline and baseline. You would be surprised how According to the National Association for Sports and Physical quickly kids learn the court when a game is involved.

Education, “Children do not automatically develop the motor or We also use a game called Big ‘n Small Statues. This warmphysical skills they need to successfully participate in physical acup exercise has children jogging around the court until the tivities and sports.” Our parents taught us to throw and catch balls instructor says either “big” or “small.” On either command, as part of “play time,” but today’s parents seem to have much less players have to stop very quickly and hold their balance. When time for play. So, where are today’s children to learn these skills? the instructor says “small,” the children curl up as small as they There is also the question of the appropriate age to start can. When the instructor says “big,” the children stop and try teaching this skill set. With childhood obesity reaching epidemic to be as big as they can while still proportions, people are looking holding their balance. for a complicated answer and developing complicated programs Balance when there are simple solutions Being in control of your body is that every tennis coach can apply. probably the most basic skill. By We can simply use tennis, tennis age 3, children have been walkcourts and equipment to help ing and will probably be runchildren develop these pre-sport ning. This skill can be developed skills. Although we would love for further through simple activities. every child who comes through our programs to play tennis the Here are some examples: remainder of his or her life, these Walk the line – Have the chilskills cross over to other sports dren walk with every step falling and basic physical fitness. on the lines of the tennis court.

We believe that between the Walk sideways – Have them walk ages of 3 and 6, the basic set of sideways with a shuffle, then foot skills that every child needs to over foot. participate in sports includes: balance, skipping, running, jumpWalk backward – A little more ing, throwing, catching, hitting, care is necessary for this activity, tracking and moving. In order Because the attention span of young children is short, change games often, plan but is worth the extra effort. Not to provide a program that will multiple rest periods, and keep the duration of lessons between 30 and 45 minutes. only are they walking backward, successfully develop these basic but also they will have to learn skills, we have to remember that working with children ages 3 to to coordinate watching and moving with their head looking in 6 – with their various attention spans and physical development a different direction.

– differs a lot between individuals in this age group. To keep their Stand on one foot or “Stand like a bird” – Ask the children to attention, you will need to keep things moving, change games stand with one foot bent at the knee, with their arms out, and often, and always be as encouraging as possible. not to move. This is very tough for younger children.

Warm-up

We use the “Simon Says” game to make the warm-up fun and functional. Instructions such as “Touch your head,” “Touch your toes,” and “Swim with your arms” get the kids moving. As the kids’ skills improve, you can add hopping, jumping, walking or any other skill that you have been working to develop like side shuffling, running forward and backward. www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

Two-foot hop or “Hop like a bunny” – Start with small hops and as their skill levels increase, have them hop around the service box or no-man’s land.

One-foot hop – Hop in one spot and then along a line.

Hop across the line – Have kids hop onto the opposite side of the line, back and forth. continued next page ADDvantage/July 2010

15

16

ADDvantage/July 2010

www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

ADDvantage/July 2010

17

USPTA drills Chasing down the lob

Type: Doubles Levels: Beginner/int./adv.

prepared by USPTA

Description and goals: This drill helps players practice chasing down lobs and keeping their team in the point.

Organization: Players A, C and D start on the baseline, player B is at the net.

Player D feeds a short ball to A, who hits a crosscourt approach shot. Player C hits a lob over B, forcing A to chase it down. A hits a lob back and the point is played out. Rotate as often as needed to keep players moving.

Serve to targets

Description and goals: The goal of this drill is to practice serving while hitting specific targets.

Organization: Players line up along the baseline and hit both first and second serves to respective targets (make sure targets are large anough to be hit easily). After players hit both serves, they then switch to another position. Players earn 1 point each time they hit a target.

Whoever hits a target calls out the name of another player who must go pick up three balls. The first player to 7 points wins. You then switch the location of the targets to practice other serves. www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

Variations: Beginners can do drill with a pro and have it be a dead ball drill. With more advanced players, vary the direction of the approach and lob. Return shot off the lob doesn’t have to be another lob. Keep score as a team. Do it as a singles drill.

Key points: Approach shot should be offensive to elicit defensive lob. Players should chase down lob and select best return shot under the circumstances. Learn to use the lob to control points.

Type: Singles/doubles Levels: Beginner/int./adv.

prepared by Wayne Bryan, USPTA

Category: Doubles/lob Time/players: 15 minutes/1-8

Category: Serve Time/players: 15 minutes/1-4

Variations: Use only second serves. Use smaller targets with more advanced players. Keep score as a team.

Key points: Make sure players are hitting both first and second serves. Players should focus on not hitting serves into the net. Emphasizes variety in serves.

Generated by iTennisSystem – www.InterTennis.com

ADDvantage/July 2010

19

Hall of Fame offers unique opportunities for players and museum goers

T

he International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, R.I., is one of only a few places in the United States where the public can play tennis on grass courts.

The Hall of Fame is home to 13 grass courts that are open to the public for lessons or court rental from May 3 to October 14.

When Wimbledon rolls around each year, interest in both tennis and grass court play is at a peak, according to Anne Marie McLaughlin, marketing and communications manager with the International Tennis Hall of Fame. In fact, she said, the courts are extremely busy from the beginning to end of the season.

Playing at the Hall of Fame offers the opportunity to tread where so many of the game’s legends have competed in the past.

Adding to the unique appeal of the Hall of Fame courts is, of course, their location. Playing at the Hall of Fame offers the opportunity to tread where so many of the game’s legends have competed in the past. Fans can say they’ve played on the same courts as superstars like Andre Agassi, Jim Courier, Chris Evert, Monica Seles and many others.

These beautiful courts also boast a remarkable history. In fact, the courts at the Hall of Fame are the birthplace of tournament tennis in the United States. The Newport Casino hosted the first U.S. National Lawn Tennis Championships. That 1881 tourna-

The allure of playing on the Hall of Fame’s grass courts makes for a busy summer and fall season.

ment evolved into the present-day U.S. Open. The Hall of Fame itself was founded by tennis innovator James Van Alen in 1954 as “a shrine to the ideals of the game.”

Court rentals start at $90 an hour per court for up to two people. Instruction is available starting at $80 for a private lesson for nonmembers. The ITHF does have an active club membership with special rates.

When they finish on court, tennis players can wrap up the experience with a tour through the world’s largest museum dedicated to the sport. continued next page

Living history abounds on the show court of the Newport Casino, home of the International Tennis Hall of Fame. www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

ADDvantage/July 2010

21

from previous page A new exhibit in the museum commemorates the history of the building; July 26 marks the 130th anniversary of the Newport Casino, which opened as a social club for the city’s wealthy. Today, the impeccably preserved structure and its surrounding 13 grass courts is a National Historic Landmark.

The Hall of Fame museum chronicles the history of tennis and honors 218 tennis legends from 19 countries. The extensive USPTA member Owen Davidson collection features memorabilia, is a newly inducted member of the art, fashion and more from the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

Photo courtesy of the Fernberger 12th century through today.

Families can do a scavenger Photo Collection, ITHF Museum. hunt through the museum, and on select days participate in activities ranging from playing a few points on the QuickStart Tennis court to playing a virtual match in Wii Tennis.

The museum is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time. Admission is $11 for adults and $9 for seniors. Kids 16 and under are free during 2010!

Visitors are treated to an up-close look at attire belonging to the game’s biggest stars (such as Venus Williams), vintage tennis equipment, and even the current U.S. Open trophy. Other attractions include video highlights of great matches and tribute exhibits to the 211 Hall of Famers.

This year’s Hall of Fame induction was held on July 10 in conjunction with the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships, the only pro tournament held on grass courts in North America.

The Class of 2010 consists of legendary Australian doubles partners Todd Woodbridge and USPTA member Mark Woodforde, winners of an amazing 61 ATP World Tour events and 11 Grand Slam championships; the 14-time Grand Slam doubles tandem of Gigi Fernandez and Natasha Zvereva; men’s and mixed doubles champion Owen Davidson, USPTA member and winner of 12 Grand Slam titles; wheelchair tennis pioneer Brad Parks; and Derek Hardwick, who was instrumental in the transition to the Open Era. For more information, visit tennisfame.com or call 401-849-0642.

USPTA seeks nominations for national board The national Nominating Committee is accepting applications from members who are willing and able to serve on the national USPTA Board of Directors for 2011-2013. Applicants must submit a resume and a 250- to 500-word essay outlining their opinions on the goals and directions of USPTA. These materials must be postmarked no later than August 13 and sent to:

Mike Andrews, Wildwood Racquet Club 508 North Hadley Road Fort Wayne, IN 46804

Classifieds BOOKS AND VIDEOS www.netprofittennis.com

Log on and see why NETPROFIT: The Business Program for Club ­Tennis ­P rofessionals by Dave ­Sivertson is a must for the career development of all tennis professionals or call 805-222-5397.

Tennis Intelligence Applied. www.Tennissmith.com, 365-plus videos, fact-based system for players, parents and coaches. Proven results in progressive player development

by Steve Smith.

DRILLS NEED TENNIS DRILLS? USPTA Master Professional Jorge Capestany’s new website has more than 700 videos of tennis drills and tips. Log on to www. tennisdrills.tv to see (and print) more than 18 free samples.

EMPLOYMENT USPTA’s Find-a-Pro. The best job-posting service so you can find the best jobs, free. For more information, visit uspta.com.

EARN EXTRA $$$. High commissions! Referrals sought for phone-based mental coaching services by leading sports psychology consultant. Call 561451-2731.

TennisJobs.com – The tennis industry’s ONLY international tennis professional employment service. Subscribe today!

Former Australian doubles partners Todd Woodbridge and USPTA member Mark Woodforde are members of the International Tennis Hall of Fame Class of 2010. Photo by Michael Baz.

22

ADDvantage/July 2010

TENNIS PRODUCTS PRO/COACH PRICING on racquets, apparel, shoes, bags, balls, strings and accessories. Get baskets, carts, training equipment, books, videos and more. www.TennisExpress.com/800833-6615.

VACATION OPPORTUNITIES Vacation opportunities for ­tennis professionals at the No. 1 all-­ inclusive Sandals and Beaches ­resorts in Jamaica and St. Lucia for you and your partner. Certification required. For information contact Mike ­Romisher at 847-207-9475 or ­­­­­e-mail Vis10sPro@aol.com.

Five-Star Caribbean Resorts are Waiting for You! Working ­vacations available for certified tennis professionals. Family and couple resorts available. ­Contact: www.fitbodiesinc.com or call ­Denise Cox, 678-778-4673.

MISCELLANY Curtain Bluff Tennis Challenge is a great week of tennis pro-ams, clinics and guest tournaments.

Dates are November 6-13, 2010.

All played at one of the Caribbean’s finest resorts on the island of Antigua. Interested pros contact Bob Raedisch at 972-385-3612 or rraedisch@aol.com.

Rates: $30 for 20 words, minimum per issue. 50 cents per word thereafter. Pay by check, money order, Visa or MasterCard. Prepayment is required. Supply typed copy and include full name, telephone number, credit card number and expiration date. (No agency or cash discounts.) Issue closes 15th of month, two months preceding cover date. Fax to 713978-7780, attn: ADDvantage classifieds. No classifieds will be accepted by telephone.

No exceptions are made. USPTA cannot verify nor be responsible for the contents of any advertisement. The USPTA is committed to the policy that all people have equal access to its programs, facilities, employment and membership without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, marital or veteran status. USPTA is an equal opportunity employer. USPTA reserves the right to reject any advertisement at its discretion, or to edit the advertisement to be certain that any employment requirements set forth in it conform with the law.

www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

An Egyptian adventure:

Taking tennis to the people and Love-ing it

by Bob Love, USPTA Master Professional

I

’ve always wanted to visit Egypt. As a child, I loved reading about world history, and now that I am in my 70th year and in declining health, I thought I should make the journey while I could still enjoy it. So I went!

I booked passage on a tour that would allot me two days in Cairo. I really wanted to contact a tennis hero of mine, Ismail El-Shafei, who is now on the board of the International Tennis Federation and chairman of the ITF Coaching Committee. He was one of the world’s top players in the late 1960s and ’70s. I officiated at the first seven U.S. Opens and, in 1970, chaired an El-Shafei match. Therefore, it was four decades between meetings for us. He has always been one of the finest gentlemen in tennis, and I felt blessed that we had a very pleasant meeting on Monday of my journey.

From Cairo, my tour took me on a fournight Nile cruise. After that, I would have two days left to my own design.

I just had to include some tennis in my journey, so I did some “Google work.” In searching for information about El-Shafei, I learned of the BNP Paribas Tennis Academy at Katameya Heights in New Cairo City, where Dr. Khaled Farouk was the tennis manager. I sent him my credentials and said I would love to have an Egyptian “ten-

nis experience.” When I volunteered to go share ideas and teach tennis, he was most gracious and invited me to the academy.

I was about to have an amazing two days on my own “TAA” (Tennis Across Africa) adventure!

I began by doing a clinic for the ball boys who work at the club. In the evenings, when it was cooler, I held clinics for the juniordevelopment players. And – something I will never forget – I worked with one of the few wheelchair tennis teachers in Egypt during a clinic for four very special athletes.

I also provided professional-development training for the academy teaching staff as part of every session.

All in all, those were two of the best, most joyous days in my entire tennisteaching career. The experience started with a planning session the day before.

Here’s how it all played out: Saturday, May 1: After six days of doing tourist “stuff,” I returned to Cairo, and Dr. Farouk came to the hotel so we could have

Bob Love shares a court with Dr. Khaled Farouk, at his tennis academy in New Cairo City.

a planning meeting for the next two days’ activities. In the spirit of George Bacso and Tim Heckler, I believe that teaching tennis should touch lives in as positive a fashion as possible. As soon as I met him, I knew he was a kindred spirit. George would have really liked Dr. Farouk!

Because of my desire to be of service, the first activity we set up was a clinic for ball boys. Yes, Egyptian clubs have ball boys who, sadly, are usually kids who can’t afford to go to school, so the tennis courts become their activity and earnings center.

Dr. Farouk was overjoyed when I proposed these clinics because they would make the boys feel “special.”

Sunday, May 2: We had only four ball boys for this day’s clinic so I used the ­session to also train some of the teaching staff on angular placement and patterns. At Dr. Farouk’s request, I also did a session on volleying for the players in the junior development program. We had a grand time!

The most interesting reaction I had to this session came from parents who observed the fun that we had while the kids

Bob Love connects with a group of Egyptian ball boys through the international language of tennis. www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

continued next page ADDvantage/July 2010

23

from previous page were obviously learning. They said that their children seldom seemed to have a lot of fun playing since the focus of Egyptian tennis is tournaments and more tournaments.

Monday, May 3: I held another ball boy clinic and they all showed up this time. We worked on groundstroke basics, and they made a lot of progress. I could tell they really liked the special treatment we gave them through the lesson. At the conclusion, someone taught them to say “thank you” to me and each boy came up, shook my hand, and expressed his gratitude. I felt SO blessed!

For the junior-development program we presented a session on pocket-to-pocket strokes and topspin lobs.

Also that day, a wheelchair tennis clinic was a huge and pleasant surprise for me!

The ITF has made a “silver grant” to facilitate the development of wheelchair tennis by purchasing 20 sports chairs and training Tarek Zhodi to be its chief instructor. Dr. Farouk had arranged for Tarek to bring some students to the academy for the clinic.

I shared my learning concepts of path generation through “end-pointing” and using the chair to enhance lower-body mechanics.

Again, we had a terrific time, the students made immediate progress, and Tarek was quite appreciative!

Summary: What started as a search for Ismail El-Shafei resulted in two of the finest days in my tennis career! There were several key cultural findings for me: 1. As hot as Egypt is, the warmest things I saw were the smiles of the children!

Love leads a clinic for ball boys, who generally work because they can’t afford to go to school.

2. Love crosses cultural lines! Teaching in a Muslim culture was a wonderful experience. Walking through a locker room and observing a man kneeling on a rug to offer prayers showed me that Muslims are activists in their religious beliefs, and, on the courts, are warm, loving parents with their children.

3. Language barriers were reduced because the junior-development students had all studied English, and their educated parents also spoke English, in addition to Arabic. Amusingly, the biggest language barrier was raised by me because I spoke “American,” which several of the “English” speakers didn’t understand!

Also, my form-based learning methods were successful with the ball boys, who did not need verbal instructions. From

my perspective, the net is immaterial when students use proper form, and language differences vanish when instructors understand visual learning methods.

4. Cultural differences also vanish when people care! The contrast between teaching higher-income students in the United States and lower-income students on another continent did not matter in a positive learning environment, with caring instructors.

On a very personal note: When I came home to Kentucky I saw a sign that captured the source of my “energy” during my Egyptian tennis adventure. The sign said, “What you are is God’s gift to you. What you do with your life is your gift to God!” At this stage of my life, I want to “give back” every chance I get. For me, Egypt was an environment for serving, and I am immensely proud that I, as a USPTA Professional, could touch lives through tennis. Yes, I know that I was the person most blessed by my activities. Tennis can cross cultures and touch lives in amazing, positive ways!  Bob Love is one of the 18 original USPTA Master Professionals. He is a member of the USPTA Midwest Division Hall of Fame and was the Southern Division Pro of the Year in 2007. Love lives in Elizabethtown, Ky., with his lovely wife, JoAnn.

The tennis adventurer shares a smile with the kids in his junior development clinic.

24

ADDvantage/July 2010

www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

InnerCity pros grow tennis and build futures

L

ike so many of their USPTA peers, three Minneapolis teaching professionals use tennis to help kids develop an interest in healthy and positive living.

Dilcia Pederson, Paul Vang and Nancy Akpan are role models for youth in their full-time jobs with InnerCity Tennis, a nonprofit organization that has introduced several generations of kids to the sport.

The 56-year-old Minneapolis-based program also offers lessons in character development, and helps children learn the value of physical fitness and good nutrition.

Kidspeed, the successful ICT approach, has yielded a measurable 20 percent to 40 percent behavioral improvement in the life skills it teaches to more than 5,000 children annually.

ICT is the largest provider of programming for the Minneapolis Park and Recreation summer activity program, which runs for six weeks in 16 community parks. Families that can afford it pay a small enrollment fee for ICT’s summer program. Scholarships are available for those that can’t afford the program fee.

Pederson, a USPTA P-1, is an assistant director and Vang and ­Akpan are program delivery specialists with InnerCity Tennis.

Akpan and Pederson participated in ICT programs growing up, which they credit with their own introduction to tennis.

www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

In addition to working with the summer program, the pros introduce children to the sport at Head Start programs, in charter schools and community after-school programs. These efforts are made possible by community organizations and corporate sponsors such as Bollettieri Tennis Academy. USPTA Master Professional Nick Bollettieri is an ICT board member.

“ Being USPTA-certified makes a huge difference in my work with kids,” Akpan says. “I have the tools to teach and to make the experience of learning tennis fun for the kids.”

Pederson, Vang and Akpan also promote tennis outside of their roles with ICT. Pederson is the regional vice president of the USPTA Northern Division, Vang sits on the sectional USTA Diversity Committee, and Akpan is a volunteer coach for the North (Minneapolis) High School girls’ tennis team.

“Being USPTA-certified makes a huge difference in my work with kids,” Akpan says. “I have the tools to teach and to make the experience of learning tennis fun for the kids.”

“The most rewarding part of the job is watching kids I’ve worked with become new players and successful young adults,” Vang says.

For more information, visit www.innercitytennis.org. 

ADDvantage/July 2010

25

2010 USPTA World Conference

T

he USPTA World Conference on Tennis will be held Sept. 27-Oct. 2 at the La Quinta Resort and Club in La Quinta, Calif.

The conference is the premier educational event for the tennis industry with 40 general sessions, seminars and specialty courses ­offered. It is the country’s largest tennis gathering with approximately 1,500 attendees expected, including tennis professionals, industry leaders and representatives, manufacturers, wholesalers and media.

Also during the conference, USPTA hosts its International Tennis Championships, board and Executive Committee meetings, nighttime parties, industry meetings, the nation’s largest tennis-only buying show, silent auction, awards presentation and more.

Attire for conference events Attire for all conference events is resort casual or tennis attire. Please wear a collared shirt or socially casual attire to the awards breakfast on Thursday, Sept. 30.

Room share USPTA members who would like to find a roommate for their stay at the conference should contact Janice Stollenwerck at the USPTA World Headquarters at 800-USPTA-4U, or janice.stollenwerck@uspta.org.

Airport and transportation services Taxis, limousines and shuttles can be arranged to transport you and your group to and from LAX, Ontario and Palm Springs International Airports or any other destination. Please contact the hotel concierge at 800-598-3828 for rates and information.

Car rental Avis and Enterprise will offer discounted rates. 

Avis: Call 800-331-1600 and use discount code U353920

 Enterprise:

Call 800-593-0505 and use discount code L060268 (PIN: USP)

Main registration Main registration fees include all educational programming ­(except specialty courses), admittance and meals at parties and the awards breakfast, admittance to the USPTA Tennis Buying Show, early-morning cardio workouts and conference giveaways. Tournament registration is not included. Save up to $100 by registering by Aug. 21.

Guest registration Guest registration includes all educational programming (except specialty courses), admittance and meals at parties and the awards breakfast, admittance to the USPTA Tennis Buying Show, early-morning workouts, conference giveaways, and admittance to the spouse/ guest luncheon.

Specialty course registration Attendees may sign up for specialty courses on the official conference registration form.

Specialty courses are worth 2 USPTA Continuing Education Units and cost $40 for the first course, $35 for the second course, and $30 for all other courses. Outlines will be available at the conference registration desk.

Tournament registration The USPTA International Championships will be Sept. 27 – 30. The entry fee is $50 for singles and $20 per person for doubles. The deadline to enter is Sept. 10. Professional-level members in good standing who preregister for the World Conference are eligible. All certification requirements must have been completed by June 27 to allow for exam grading and application processing. The tournament is sanctioned by the USTA. Players who would like to represent their divisions may compete in the USPTA Team Championships, Oct, 1. It will be a prize-money event and will include a team entry fee. Contact your division president or executive director/ administrator for more information.

Tax deduction Education expenses incurred to maintain or improve skills required by a person in his or her employment are generally tax-deductible.

Educational expenses include tuition (conference registration and specialty courses), books, local transportation and travel, meals and lodging while away from home when the trip is primarily to obtain education (Treasury Regulation 1.1625). Consult your tax preparer for details.

Visit uspta.com for more information.

Testing/upgrading Members interested in taking the PTCA I or upgrading their classification must register by Sept. 7 by calling the USPTA Membership Department. The exam and PTCA I will be offered in portions over a four-day period. The PTCA I will be available in English and Spanish. Anyone interested in becoming certified must meet the requirements for membership before registering for the exam.

Spouse/guest programs Spouses and other guests who would like to take a free private and/or group tennis lesson may do so by calling the USPTA Membership Department. You may also sign up on a spaceavailable basis at the registration desk. The following times are available: Tuesday, Sept.

28, 1 – 6 p.m., Friday, Oct. 1, 3 – 5 p.m., and Saturday, Oct. 2, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

A spouse/guest luncheon will be held Wednesday, Sept. 29, from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. To be eligible for the luncheon, spouses and other guests must be registered for the convention.

Education Conference attendees may choose from a large number of education sessions. Programs will address current issues and future challenges facing all tennis teachers. Forty educational sessions have been planned, including eight specialty courses. All sessions will fall under one of the following four educational tracks: teaching, facility management, professional development and sport science. 

Conference schedule Please note: This is a tentative schedule for planning purposes only. Speakers and times are subject to change.

Monday, Sept. 27 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Registration

9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

International Championships

7:30 – 9 p.m.

Tournament player party

Tuesday, Sept. 28 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Registration U.S. Pro Tennis Shop

8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Executive Committee meeting International Championships

11 a.m. – noon

Turning negative income into positive income in your club – Fernando Velasco Seminar – TBA

1 – 2:30 p.m.

General session

1 – 6 p.m.

On-court upgrading

2:45 – 6:45 p.m.

Specialty course 1: East meets West – Scott Ford/Desmond Oon Specialty course 2: seminar – Joe Dinoffer

3 – 4 p.m.

Seminar – Page Love Seminar – Presentations by Master Pros

4:15 – 5:15 p.m.

Clay court maintenance, part 1 – Ed Montecalvo Playing tennis is as easy as 1,2,3: From beginners to ranked players – Mary Pat Faley

5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Staying “bullet proof” at your club – Matt Grayson Clay court maintenance, part 2 – Pat Hanssen

7 p.m.

Division parties

Wednesday, Sept. 29 7 – 8 a.m.

Desert run – Nelson Alapi Cardio Tennis TennisCize – early-bird tennis aerobics, Donnia Bondallian

7 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Registration U.S. Pro Tennis Shop

8 a.m. – noon

PTCA I (written, grips, stroke analysis, English and Spanish) Specialty course 3: Managing a tennis facility – Rod Heckelman Specialty course 4: Creative drill design for doubles teams – Feisal Hassan

8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

International Championships

8:30 – 10 a.m.

TennisCize – spouses tennis aerobics, Donnia Bondallian

9 – 10 a.m.

The art of selling racquets and strings – Bruce Levine From adult beginners to players – Townsend Gilbert

10:30 a.m. – noon

General session: Using technology to enhance your career – Randy Mattingley

11:30 a.m.

Spouses luncheon

1– 2:30 p.m.

General session: Women’s winning biomechanics – Joy Macci

1 – 6 p.m.

Certification Exam (on-court portions)

3 – 4 p.m.

Developing champions through Little Tennis – Craig Jones Optimal recovery for high-performance tennis – Todd Ellenbecker/Mark Kovacs

4:15 – 5:15 p.m.

Seminar – CourtsideUSA OK, good to great tennis lessons – Ajay Pant

continued next page www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

ADDvantage/July 2010

29

from previous page 6 – 7 p.m.

Manufacturers ad staff meetings

7 – 10 p.m.

Welcoming party

Thursday, Sept. 30 8 – 10 a.m.

Awards breakfast

10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Registration

10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

U.S. Pro Tennis Shop

10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

International Championships finals

10:30 a.m. – noon

General session – General membership update

11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

TennisCize – Spouses tennis aerobics, Donnia Bondallian

11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Buying show setup (exhibitors)

12 – 1 p.m.

Cardio Tennis feeding contest qualifying

1 – 2:30 p.m.

General session: Nick Bollettieri

1 – 5 p.m.

Manufacturers on-court demos

3 – 4 p.m.

Seminar – Phil Lancaster Seminar – Tom Gorman

4:15 – 5:15 p.m.

Open forum – Business essentials Open forum – Best practices Open forum – The new-style pro

5 – 10 p.m.

Tennis Buying Show

6 – 8:30 p.m.

Silent auction

6:30 – 8 p.m.

Tennis Buying Show dinner

Friday, Oct. 1 7 – 8 a.m.

Desert run – Nelson Alapi Cardio Tennis TennisCize – early-bird tennis aerobics, Donnia Bondallian

8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Registration U.S. Pro Tennis Shop Specialty course 5: Advanced stroke production – John Yandell Specialty course 6: Dynamic total body tennis: Future of the game – Martin Baroch

9 – 10 a.m.

Teaching methodology – Jim McLennan TBA – Ken DeHart

10 – 11:30 a.m.

TennisCize – spouses tennis aerobics, Donnia Bondallian

10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Tagging – the new age of match charting – Warren Pretorius The best doubles drills – Ron Holmberg

Noon – 1 p.m.

Cardio Tennis feeding contest finals

1 – 2:30 a.m.

General session: Rick Macci

1 – 6 p.m.

International Team Championships

3 – 4 p.m.

Choking: causes and fixes – Allen Fox Seminar – Drills

3 – 5 p.m.

Certification Exam (on-court portions)

4:15 – 5:15 p.m.

Investing and saving for the future – Patti Lee Heidorn

5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Image is everything, well almost – Christi Turdo Synthesizing the modern game – all methods considered – Oscar Wegner

Saturday, Oct. 2 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Certification Exam (on-court portions)

8 a.m. – noon

Specialty course 7: Equipment customization – David Bone Specialty course 8: Cardio Tennis – Michele Krause

30

ADDvantage/July 2010

www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

USPTA women’s/diversity fund

T

he Women’s Committee Fund was instituted at the USPTA Women’s Open Meeting during the 2006 World Conference in Las Vegas. Women were discussing how it was hard to attend conventions, especially the World Conference, because of the expenses. A cup was passed around the room and money was raised for a USPTA woman member to attend a World Conference.

Since this fund was set up, the former Women’s Committee and Multicultural Committee have been combined to form the Diversity Committee. In addition to women, all members who are of diverse populations are invited to apply for the World Conference expense fund. If you would like to make a donation, write a check to USPTA women’s/diversity fund and send to Molly Card Beckmann, 1004 East 81st St., Indianapolis, IN 46240.

The winner of this fund will receive $474 toward expenses for the USPTA World Conference at the La Quinta Resort, Palm Springs, Calif., Sept. 27-October 2, 2010.

The recipient must be a P-1, P-2 or P-3 career tennis professional and be employed year-round either at a facility or her own business.

He/she must be a member in good standing with the USPTA for the year 2010 and attend at least four days of the conference and not just play the International Championships. All candidates must have never attended a USPTA World Conference before.

Please answer all questions on this form and include a typed ­essay of why you deserve this fund for 2010. Include your current job description and what you have accomplished during your USPTA career.

In return, the recipient attending the 2010 USPTA World Conference must attend the Diversity Committee open meeting and shadow Bunny Bruning and Molly Card Beckmann for one-half day each in order to meet other conference attendees.

Only one person will win this award. This award is nontransferable. If the recipient cannot attend, the money will be rolled over to the 2011 USPTA World Conference.

The winner will be announced on July 30, 2010, via e-mail.

USPTA Diversity Committee members will select the winner.

Please e-mail the form to Molly Card Beckmann by July 31.

Put USPTA women’s/diversity fund award in the subject area. 

Name _______________________________________________________ USPTA No. __________________________________ Home No. ___________________________________________________ Cell No. _____________________________________ Division _____________________________________________________ USPTA member since _________________________ Describe why you think you deserve this award: ________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Describe your current job position: ____________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Describe what events, programs or meetings you have attended in the USPTA or other tennis activities: __________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ If you need additional space please add a page. Thank you for responding to the USPTA women’s/diversity fund.

USPTA conference registration form Register by August 21 and save up to $100.

Main registration Name _____________________________________USPTA member No.________________ Division _______________ Nonmember  Address ___________________________________City _____________________________ State _________________ ZIP _________ Daytime phone number (____)__________________

Fees

Member Nonmember

e-mail __________________________________

By Aug. 21 $325 $370

Please indicate parties you plan to attend:  Wednesday night  Thursday awards breakfast  Thursday night 

Vegetarian meal option.  No. 2

 No. 5

 No. 6

 No. 3

Guest registration

 No. 7

Subtotal 1 ______

Specialty course fees

Specialty courses  No. 1

After Aug. 21 $375 $420

 No. 4  No. 8

$37.50 ea. X ____ =

Subtotal 2 _______

Must be registered to attend parties.

Name ____________________________________ USPTA member No. __________ Division _________________ Nonmember  Please indicate parties you plan to attend:  Wednesday spouse/guest luncheon  Wednesday night  Thursday awards breakfast 

Thursday night

Fees

By Aug. 21

Guest

$145

After Aug. 21 $195 Subtotal 3 ______

 Vegetarian meal option.

Child registration Fees per child

Child 1 ___________________________________________ Age _______ Child 2 ___________________________________________ Age _______

Payment options  Visa

 MasterCard

Age 5-12

____X $65

Age 13-18

____X $115 + _____

_____

Subtotal 4 ______ Check or money order payable to USPTA, or charge my:  American Express

Name printed on card _______________________________

Total fees Subtotal 1

___________

Subtotal 2

___________

Signature _________________________________________

Subtotal 3

___________

Arrival date: ________ Departure date: ______

Subtotal 4

___________

Total

___________

Card No.__________________________________________ Exp. date ___________

Are you staying at La Quinta Resort? yes  no  If not, why? ______________________________________________________________________

Return this form with payment to: USPTA World Headquarters 3535 Briarpark Drive, Suite One, Houston, TX 77042 or fax to 713-358-7785 or register online at www.uspta.com

Career Development conventions (division conventions, 5 credits; World Conference, 8 credits) Aug. 19-21

Sept. 27- Oct. 2

Texas Division mid-year meeting and Southwest buying show Houston USPTA World Conference on Tennis La Quinta, Calif.

exams, upgrades & certification review courses (4 credits for PTCA I segment) July 9 July 10 July 10-11 July 11 July 12 July 17 July 18 July 18 July 18 July 19-20 July 24 July 25 Aug. 1 Aug. 1 Aug. 1 Aug. 5-6

Minneapolis Fort Wayne, Ind. Boca Raton, Fla. Myrtle Beach, S.C. Frederick, Md. Ocala, Fla. San Diego Memphis, Tenn.

Jackson, Miss.

Houston* Kansas City, Mo. Jackson, Miss.

Hilton Head Island, S.C. Denver Des Moines, Iowa Flushing, N.Y.

Aug. 6 Aug. 7 Aug. 8 Aug. 8 Aug. 8 Aug. 8-9 Aug. 14-15 Aug. 14-15 Aug. 15 Aug. 20 Aug. 21 Aug. 22 Aug. 23-24 Aug. 29 Sept. 4-5 Sept. 11-12 Sept. 12

Oklahoma City Wilmington, Del. Mansfield, Texas Lexington, Ky. Hamden, Conn.

Los Angeles Atlanta Rockville, Md. Tallahassee, Fla. Rochester, N.Y. Gastonia, N.C. Cincinnati San Francisco Nashville, Tenn.

Boca Raton, Fla. Aurora, Ill. Rome, Ga.

* This course is held at the USPTA World Headquarters.

Exam reservations must be made at least 21 days prior to the dates listed. Each date includes an exam, upgrade and PTCA I unless noted. Exam cancellations must be received no later than 14 days before the exam, or a cancellation fee will be charged accordingly. Applicant: late cancellation fee – $95; failure to cancel – application fee is forfeited. Certified members: late cancellation fee – $25; failure to cancel – $25 plus the upgrade fee is forfeited. Registration for another exam will not be accepted until cancellation fees are paid.

specialist degrees Little Tennis® Facility Management





Computer Technology Sport Science

 

Competitive Player Development  Pro Shop Operations 



Wheelchair Tennis

CPD (Competitive Player Development) – Gained through the USA ­Tennis High Performance Coaching Program a ­ dministered by the USA Tennis Coaching E ­ ducation Department.

For more information about USPTA’s specialist degrees, including applications, please visit our Web site at www.uspta.com or contact the USPTA Education Department at 800-USPTA-4U or education@uspta.org.

cardio tennis (Seminar DVDs, ½ credit/specialty course DVDs, 2 credits)

specialty courses East meets West: An integrated approach to peak performance, Sept. 28, La Quinta, Calif., S. Ford/D. Oon Managing a tennis facility, Sept. 29, La Quinta, Calif., R. Heckelman TBA, Oct. 1, La Quinta, Calif., J. Yandell Dynamic total body tennis: Future of the game, Oct. 1, La Quinta, Calif., M. Baroch Equipment customization, Oct. 2, La Quinta, Calif., D. Bone Cardio Tennis, Oct. 2, La Quinta, Calif., M. Krause

The deadline to register and/or cancel a course is 15 working days before the event. Anyone canceling late or failing to cancel will forfeit one-half the course fee. Schedule is subject to change.

Call the USPTA Education Department for more information or e-mail education@uspta.org.

Earn education credits from World Conference DVDs Receive your education credit report card via e-mail by visiting the members-only section of uspta.com.

Please visit www.growingtennis.com (workshops) to register online.

36

ADDvantage/July 2010

www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

Industry action Members – The Association of Private Clubs and Directors, along with The BoardRoom magazine, recently honored Chuck Gill, tennis director at Ibis Golf & Country Club, with its Distinguished Club Award. This award spotlights professionals who set the bar for excellence in the club industry and recognizes Gill’s accomplishments and improvements in the Ibis Golf & Country Club tennis facilities, staffing, and programming, along with his numerous charitable efforts. As director of tennis for the club in West Palm Beach, Fla., since 1995, Gill oversaw a fiveyear, $1.2 million capital improvement program, which included new hydrogrid courts, regrading and resurfacing 10 existing courts, replacement of all awnings and windscreens, and pro shop renovations.

Gill has been a member of the USPTA since 1984, currently serves as vice president of its national board of directors, and served two years as the president of the Florida Division. Under his direction, all Ibis tennis professionals are certified

by USPTA and regularly attend seminars and conferences.

Darryl Lewis, USPTA, has been named director of tennis for the Wintergreen Resort, the famed 11,000-acre, four-season mountaintop retreat in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Lewis will be responsible for implementing a variety of tennis programs, organizing member and guest tournaments, and teaching private and group lessons. Most recently, Lewis was the director of tennis at PGA Tour/TPC Sugarloaf near Atlanta. During his tenure, TPC Sugarloaf’s tennis

Friends and supporters of Camphill Special School gathered at the historic Sunnybrook Ballroom in Pottstown, Pa., on May 7 and raised a record amount – more than $150,000 – for the school and its students. A record 330 people enjoyed fine dining, dancing and live and silent auctions at the 2010 Pro-Am Tennis Ball. Roger Begelman, president of the board of directors of the Camphill Foundation, announced the awarding of a $500,000 challenge grant to the school as part of its “Sharing Life and Learning” capital campaign. The goal is to raise $3 million to build a new student residence and an education and resource center for the school’s Transition Program for 18- to 21-year-olds. The next day, at host Tennis Addiction Sports Club in Exton, Pa., the Pro-Am team of Wasyl Manko, USPTA, and Lynn Dickson won the 2010 Camphill Pro-Am Tennis Tournament. Manko and Dickson placed second at last year’s pro-am tournament. Camphill Special School, established in 1963, is a private residential and day school for children and youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The school is certified by the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America and licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as an Approved Private School. Tennis Addiction pro participants, in addition to Manko, included Anthony Dececco and Marie Thomas, both USPTA Professionals. center was awarded numerous honors by both national and Georgia tennis associations.

A fundraiser for Operation Breakthrough of Kansas City was held at Midtown Athletic Club in Overland Park, Kan., June 19. Sree Ramamurthy assisted in organizing the event for the second year in a row. Ramamurthy is a Midtown member and leader with the Chandana Kannada Sangha, an organization that serves to promote cultural, educational, humanitarian and social activities of Kannadigas in the Kansas City Metro Area. This event raised $1,100 for Operation Breakthrough, which provides childcare for the working poor. More than 45 children attended. All were provided with tennis games, instruction, prizes and a pro exhibition. Midtown Athletic Club tennis professionals involved in the event are pictured in the back row from left: Dave Gary, USPTA Master Professional; Jennifer Howe, Operation Breakthrough executive director; Guerin Smith, USPTA; Kelly Ewert, USPTA; and Anthony Perkins, USPTA.

38

ADDvantage/July 2010

Hilton Head Island resident Stan Smith, USPTA, was inducted into the 50th Class of the South Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame. In addition to claiming the 1971 U.S. Open singles and 1972 Wimbledon singles titles, Smith won 54 doubles championships, including five Grand Slams and eight runners-up. Smith also made 10 Davis Cup appearances. The threetime All-American from the University of Southern California collected the 1968 NCAA singles championship, and the 1967 and 1968 doubles

titles. He was inducted into the South Carolina Tennis Hall of Fame in 1985 and the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1987.

Member product showcase – Tenniscrunch.com, a goalsetting/match-planning tool for tennis players, has been launched by USPTA member Jonathan Fralick and Greg Strickland. Goal setting and follow-up can be one of the most important skills athletes are taught in order to achieve optimal performance.

Tenniscrunch allows coaches and players to assess where they need www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

Industry action to improve, what they want to accomplish, and how to perform better in matches. Tenniscrunch is free for coaches and subscription-based for players. Coaches can e-mail forehand@ tenniscrunch.com to request a free coach login.

The website address is www.tenniscrunch.com.

Manufacturers – Lee Tennis Court Products, the manufacturer of Har-Tru, will be hosting a Har-Tru Maintenance Certification Seminar August 12-13. In addition to construction and maintenance techniques, the seminar will include information on the causes of indoor and bubbled court surface compaction and what techniques are

being used to alleviate it. The event, held at the John McEnroe Tennis Academy in New York, is designed for anyone managing, maintaining or considering installing clay tennis courts, including club managers, teaching professionals, court builders and maintenance professionals. For more information, contact Ed Montecalvo at 877-4HARTRU or emontecalvo@leetennis. com.

Miscellany – The Legends Ball, which benefits the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum, returns to New York City Sept. 10.

Regarded as the premier social event of the U.S. Open, this special

USPTA teaching pros from the Delaware District of the Middle States Division joined with volunteers from the USTA and the City of Wilmington Parks and Recreation for Tennis in the Streets on May 14. Tennis in the Streets is an annual event, held in Downtown Wilmington, that serves more than 800 inner-city children and introduces them to tennis, some for the first time. This year’s USPTA volunteers included Larry Hampton, co-creator of the event, Greg Barkley (not pictured), and Jackie Roe, certified instructor working at Greenville Country Club and new USPTA president of the Delaware District.

USPTA pros pictured are, at left, Mark Centrella, then starting third from left, Monty Cullum, Don English, Tim Fitzgerald, Rob Wirth, Jim Flesch, Larry Hampton, Anthony Carey, Laura Travis and Jackie Roe. Delaware pro Al Thompson is second from left. www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

Andy Murray’s preparation for this year’s Wimbledon included not only intense on-court training, but also a bit of fun! The street-smart Scot went urban in HEAD’s newest viral video, demonstrating that his superb touch with his HEAD YOUTEK Radical Pro is not just limited to the tennis court. To watch the video, visit: http://www.head.com/urraystreetmagiclondon/index.php. You can also download the music ringtone and learn more about Murray’s racquet, the YOUTEK Radical Pro, on the website. In the photo above, Murray lets loose on the streets of London in HEAD’s latest video. night of celebration will honor a host of tennis luminaries including the Hall of Fame Class of 2010. The Legends Ball honors some of the sport’s great contributors and raises money for the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum.

The event, benefiting the International Tennis Hall of Fame and Museum, will honor the Hall of Fame Class of 2010. The Hall of Fame will also recognize several other people and organizations for their contributions to the sport with the Eugene L. Scott Award and the Joseph F. Cullman III Award. The Legends Ball auction will feature an array of exclusive experiences and luxury items, such as autographed tennis memorabilia and ticket and travel packages to Grand Slam events.

For tickets, sponsorship opportunities, or to learn more about The Legends Ball, call 212-843-1740 or e-mail legendsball@ hgnyc.com.

Passings – Charlie Patrick passed away at age 86 after a valiant battle with cancer.

Charlie was the athletic director at Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, N.Y., for 21 years. He was one of the first 300 members of the USPTA, and he served for years as the professional at the Saratoga Golf and Polo Club in Saratoga, N.Y., and the Indian Creek Club in Miami.

Until very late in his life, he routinely trounced men half his age playing the game he loved and mastered. He lived life fully as a devoted husband, father and friend, an athlete, a scholar, a woodworker, a builder, a chef, a lover of music, an awesome handicapper, and a writer.

He was awarded the prestigious Bard Medal, the Bard/St. Stephen’s Alumni/ae Association’s highest honor, an achievement and honor he was profoundly proud of.

ADDvantage/July 2010

39