Inside this issue USPTA World Conference – 46 Good to Great Characteristics of Outstanding Teaching Professionals – 54
USPTA Serves up Tennis-Themed Groundbreaking Ceremony – 56 Departments: 42 CEO’s Message 44 President’s Message 46 USPTA World Conference
54 56 58 60
Master Pro Corner USPTA News Career Development Member News
Read more articles online at www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com On the cover: Join us for the USPTA World Conference at the Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa in Indian Wells, Calif., Sept. 25-29.
CEO’s Message
Underutilized Assets by John Embree
W
hen was the last time you visited the USPTA website? When was the last time you checked out the totally redesigned website, tennisresources.com? As I travel around to division conferences or speak to USPTA members on the phone or in person, I am amazed at how few people make a point of using these assets in their daily work life. The information that is housed on uspta.com is voluminous. Now the relaunch of tennisresources.com can be an incredible tool for our members to “elevate their standards” and make them better professionals. The USPTA has historically taken great pride in being considered “cutting edge” when it comes to technology, dating back to the late ’70s and early ’80s. With the speed of change that is happening in the tech world today, we have to keep up with innovation by having the latest and greatest capabilities. Yet, I often wonder if it is all worthwhile when such a small segment of our association takes advantage of what we have to offer. Did you know, for example, that on uspta.com: 1. there are videos in our benefits section that describe what comes along with your USPTA membership and how you can access them? 2. you can view your education report card so that you can see how you are tracking against our professional development requirement of 12 hours or 6 credits over a three-year period? 3. you can understand what all of our endorsees are offering to you that will enhance your earnings while prolonging your career? 4. you can learn about the AIM initiative that rewards you with tangible savings on your dues for the following year just by recruiting new people to join the USPTA?
42 www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com
5. you can search for a job on FindA-Pro and employers can post job openings for FREE? When we announced the redesign of tennisresources.com earlier this year, were you aware that: 1. it is the most comprehensive website in the entire industry with a library of more than 3,000 drills, instructional videos, tips, specialty courses, educational seminars and “On Court with USPTA” shows that have been filmed for the Tennis Channel? 2. you can log on and get professional development credits for watching “On Court” shows, seminars and specialty courses from the comfort of your desk or home? 3. almost all of the content available is FREE of CHARGE to USPTA members? What an incredible member benefit! 4. it is so easy to navigate? The site was purposely designed for efficient use and is intuitive by nature. During my tennis-teaching professional life that extended for more than 10 years, there were numerous times when I struggled to come up with lesson plans or drills for a group of students or a regular customer that I had been working with on a consistent basis over a long period of time. I wanted to make sure that each session was energizing and motivating, but that was a challenge if I did not have any new material with which to work. Had tennisresources.com been available when I was on court 30-40 years ago, I would have loved to have been able to jump onto this website and pick up a new pointer or drill or progression before heading out to the courts. It certainly would have made my job easier! Speaking of websites, our relationship with Courtside USA, which has
been the provider of usptaplayer.com, is expiring at year end. Since 2008, pros have been using this platform to help them manage their facility operations while usptaplayer.com has served as the communication vehicle for our 17 divisions. Members have been able to access their respective division sites to register for conferences and divisional educational events while also finding out what news is being made with their fellow members. The Board, along with the assistance of several USPTA Executive Directors, invested numerous hours evaluating alternatives that will be a suitable and sustainable replacement for usptaplayer.com. Plans are to announce the new partnership by late summer and be ready to launch it by the time our World Conference commences in Indian Wells. Training sessions will take place during that conference for those who want to get a jump start on this transition. As I trust everyone knows, the mission of the USPTA is to elevate the standards of tennis-teaching professionals and coaches in the U.S. and around the world. Is there any better way to accomplish this far-reaching goal than to encourage our members to tap into these underutilized assets so that they will be smarter on court and be more engaged with their customer base? At the end of the day, it is the responsibility of the professional staff in Houston to serve you, our members, beyond your level of expectation. It is up to us to come up with benefits that make your job easier and help you with your career. Having terrific assets like our website and tennisresources.com does nothing unless our members take the time to become familiar with each and determine ways in which these tools can help their business. Do yourself a favor: make use of what USPTA provides. h
President’s Message
Tennis Professional 2020 ... Stay Ahead of the Changes!
by Chuck Gill
H
ere we are in the year 2016. While many of our U30 members have trouble believing this, 10 years ago, FaceTime and selfies did not exist, the BlackBerry was still a viable form of mobile communication, Blockbuster was a thriving $5 billion dollar business, Wikipedia and Google were just starting to gain mainstream popularity, and the organic food industry was about 10 percent of the nearly $40 billion dollar industry it is now. Many thought Whole Foods and Amazon were passing trends! Why do I bring this up? Because there has never been a time in history where change has happened so remarkably fast and been so far reaching. What does this mean to tennis coaches/professionals? While I certainly don’t have a crystal ball (If I did I would focus on real estate and stocks!), I’m going to speculate that the following could be the landscape of tennis in the next five years: Technology Driven. The coach of the future will not just own a mobile device, it will be as big a part of their lessons as a racquet and tennis balls. Instant reply, video analysis, scheduling appointments, sending video lessons and drills will be a part of the tennis pro’s life. Most, if not all, large facilities will have converted to “online” lesson, tournament and court reservations because of their convenience and speed. While there is nothing like personal contact, and it will NEVER be replaced, the tennis players of tomorrow will be accus-
44 www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com
tomed to quick access to information and immediate feedback, and will expect/demand it from their tennis teacher. Those who do will be very sought-after professionals, and those who don’t may as well be using wood racquets with blue star strings! Tennis will be played more and more for the social aspect as well as for competition. Group lessons will continue to replace private lessons as the preferred way to learn. Look at the biggest growth trends in fitness and wellness, which is the largest growing industry in the country. Spin, yoga, Zumba and CrossFit are leading the way ... all combine affordability with social aspects where people get together and learn, workout, and share an “experience.” As most entrepreneur pros know, team practices, Cardio Tennis, and junior academies are key profit centers. Across the country, team play is high and individual tournament play is down. The pro that can program lessons to provide a group “social” aspect, along with great information and a work out will be very successful in the future. Private lessons will continue to be for special attention on a specific stroke, but the biggest growth area will be providing play opportunities for new players in large groups. While we are talking play opportunities, expect to see more short formats. Consumers in the next few years will have less disposable time – not more. There will always be a place for the standard two-out-of-three set marathon with the true test of a player’s
endurance and skill, but expect more one-day, local play with short sets, timed matches, and tiebreak shoot outs to take the place of three-day commitments. The consumer and families of the next generation will be demanding quick, easy and affordable. Those who can do this while incorporating fitness with fun will be at the front of the line. Education. The coaches of the future will need more education than ever to stay up with the game’s changing landscape. The professional development requirement to remain a certified pro may not be nearly enough to remain current and on the cutting edge of whatever trends are coming. The successful coach or professional will need to spend many more hours learning everything they possibly can about topics such as programs for millennial and Gen Xers, not to mention the retiring baby boomers and aging seniors. All demographics will need to be programed a bit differently. The next generation of pro will need to be knowledgeable about fitness, nutrition, event planning and technology changes, as well as teaching tennis. The good news is that while the bar will get higher, a professional armed with the right tools will be more valuable than ever to their facility and the industry. Currently our USPTA Board and leadership are taking the above challenges seriously as we continue to “elevate our standards.” Our goal is to provide value to YOU, our member, and help pave the way for your career now and in the future! h
VISIT
USPTA.COM/CONFERENCE
FOR MORE INFO & REGISTRATION RATES
USPTA World Conference
Great Speakers on Tap for World Conference
F
or the last few years, USPTA members Josh Jorgensen and Levander Kelley have been vying for the top spot as the USPTA’s Top Education Participant. Both make continuing education a priority, and their accolades are proof of that. “Continuing education has given me several important benefits,” Jorgensen said. “First, it has made me a more effective coach through continual exposure to coaching best-practices and the opportunity to compare notes with other event attendees. Second, continuing education has introduced me to an energizing network of speakers and participants who share a passion for and commitment to advancing the game of tennis and the tennis profession. Third, continuing education has helped me become more versatile in business-related skills and knowledge.” While being the top annual credit earner may not be your goal, earning 6 credits every three years should be, and by attending the USPTA World Conference, you will easily #GetYour6. With 20 seminars and seven general sessions, you could earn up to 8.75 education credits by scanning the QR codes for each course you attend, plus you’ll earn 10 credits just for going to the conference – a total
Hank Pfister of 18.75. Throw in a specialty course or two for an additional 2 credits each. We have a great line-up of speakers planned for the conference this year, including Hank Pfister on volley patterns, Jane Savage on how to be addicted to health, Howard Moore on the core competencies of leadership, Lorena Martin on tennis analytics, and Tracy Almeda-Singian on using digital platforms to energize your brand and business. All sessions will fall under one
of four categories: business, teaching, facility management and sport science. There’s something for everyone! See the complete educational lineup on page 49. Three of the general sessions are panel discussions. The USPTA Benefits panel will give you the opportunity to learn about the great benefits USPTA endorsees and partners offer members. Listen to company leaders speak on how they will leverage USPTA with their products and the synergies created by the partnerships. The Hall of Fame panel will be moderated by Todd Martin and feature hall of famers Rosie Casals, Lindsay Davenport and Pam Shriver. Finally, CMAA panelists Tim Dietrich, Jason Koenigsfeld and Steven Shaw will be discussing the ten competencies for general managers and the pathways for tennis professionals to become general managers. The other general sessions will feature Peter Burwash, Jose Higueras, and USTA representatives Martin Blackman, Kurt Kamperman and Craig Morris. There will also be a general membership meeting where you can get an update on the move to Lake Nona. In addition, several awards will be presented, including the Top Education Participant for 2015. h
International Tennis Hall of Fame Panelists As a pioneer of women’s professional tennis, Rosie Casals won 112 professional doubles titles, 12 of which were Grand Slam doubles titles, five with long-time partner Billie Jean King. Casals and King were part of the Original 9 who signed $1 contracts for the 10-week tour that finally raised the status of women’s tennis. She also played on the Fed Cup team in 1967 and 1976-81. She was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1996.
46 www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com
Lindsay Davenport, who started playing tennis as a child, turned pro after finishing high school in 1993 and was named Rookie of the Year by both Tennis magazine and World Team Tennis. In Grand Slam results, she is a six-time major champion and 14-time finalist. She also won a Gold Medal in Women’s Singles at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. Davenport had a career high-ranking of No. 1 in both singles and doubles. She was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2014.
Pam Shriver joined the tennis world in 1978 and reached the finals of the US Open at the age of 16. As a doubles player, she won 22 Grand Slam titles. While teaming with Martina Navratilova, the two set the record of 109 consecutive match wins from 1983 through 1985, including all four Grand Slam titles in 1984. She partnered with Zina Garrison and captured the 1988 Olympic Gold Medal in doubles in Seoul. She had a career-high ranking in No. 3 in singles and No. 2 in doubles. She was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2002. h
USPTA World Conference
Q&A with Keynote Speaker Todd Martin Todd Martin, CEO of the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, R.I., will be the keynote speaker at the USPTA Awards Luncheon on Tuesday, Sept. 27. He will also moderate a panel discussion featuring Hall of Famers Lindsay Davenport, Pam Shriver and Rosie Casals prior to the luncheon.
What is your goal/vision for the ITHF? Our primary goal is to become integral in the world tennis community. The vision is to make tennis history accessible, celebrate tennis’ great champions boldly, and have history inspire tennis players and fans across all generations. What has been your greatest challenge thus far in your role as CEO? Challenges come every day. Seeing challenges as opportunities is key. Transforming the ITHF into an international organization, in spite of the fact that halls of fame are a vastly American concept, will be the prevailing challenge (I mean, opportunity!) for a good time to come. From your perspective, what is the biggest issue facing the tennis industry today? Competing interests! The ITHF is uniquely positioned as a neutral entity but we live among certain turf wars that have existed for a long time. Nobody would draw it up the way it is (four Grand Slams, two pro tours, an international federation that governs Davis Cup and Fed Cup, etc.). Yet, everyone wants the sport to succeed. Fortunately, there is a lot of new leadership in the sport that could make for progressive thinking and action.
What changes would you like to see in coaching? The influx of analytics has been a real improvement. It would be helpful to better apply analytics to youth tennis. More than anything else, I would like to see higher quality teaching and an abandonment of mega-high volume training in youth tennis. It doesn’t require a child to sell their soul to the sport to do well.
of child-to-child as well as adult-tochild.
Tell us about the coaches that you had during your career and what lessons you learned from them. My childhood coach/mentor taught me to understand the game psychologically and analytically. The lessons of self-discipline, perseverance and utter focus were instilled in me daily. My professional mentor/coach simplified the complexities of the game and taught me to “see” the game on a more 3-D level. For me, there was a perfect storm of low-volume/highly analytical childhood married to high-volume/feel-based adulthood.
Outside of tennis, what do you enjoy? I’m the father of three (13, 10, and 7 years old). Anything that keeps us active together and I’m in. I really enjoy playing basketball and golf, but don’t have as much time to do so as I once did.
Tell us a little about the Todd Martin Development Fund. Why did you found it? Who do you serve? What does it mean to you? Now named Todd Martin Youth Leadership, it has been a great experience for me personally. We originally founded it to provide others with the opportunities and guidance that I knew guided me in the best direction possible through childhood. It has evolved into a comprehensive education of the child – physical education (tennis), life skills training with a focus on leadership, and academic tutoring. In this day and age there are so many kids who won’t receive these services if they don’t have an extracurricular program to join. TMYL serves a diverse population, integrating those from at-risk communities and from middle class upbringings. This provides an education stream
What made you join USPTA and earn your certification? I spoke at a USPTA conference and wasn’t a member. That didn’t seem right. Also, in starting up a new business a few years ago, I wanted/needed the benefits that membership provided for me and for my staff.
What do you, your wife, and kids like to do as a family? Newport, R.I., is a place to be outside and do different activities all the time. Going to the park, playing sports, and cooking are all family hobbies. What is your most memorable match or moment as a professional tennis player? Lots of wonderful memories, but I am drawn to the moments of some pain, partly because I have a masochistic side and partly because those moments have shaped me more than any great successes. Thus, Davis Cup in 1999 losing in five sets to Patrick Rafter in Boston and a few epic matches I had in NYC at the US Open in 1999-2000. If you could relive one moment in your life, what would it be and why? Yikes!! Really?? The philosopher in me says “no thanks” because I wouldn’t be who I am, but in the spirit of being transparent and considering I would just be “reliving” and not changing, I would love to experience the feeling of training in Palm Springs with my coach, Jose Higueras, again – exhausting, exhilarating, and words can’t describe how impactful it was. h
www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com 47
USPTA World Conference
Q&A with Hall of Fame inductee Peter Burwash
USPTA Master Professional Peter B urwash will be inducted in the USPTA Hall of Fame at the World Conference in September. He is the founder and president of Peter Burwash International, which for 35 years has been the world’s largest tennis management company operating in 32 countries. PBI was named “One of the Ten Best-Managed Companies in America” by author James O’Toole in his book, “Vanguard Management.”
Has the vision of PBI changed over the years? And if so, how? The core values are the same. What has evolved is that the standards of the tennis professional in general have risen overall. In the beginning, the clubs and resorts wanted a nice person with mediocre skills. Then expectations changed. The managers and owners then wanted a talented professional who could play at a high level, communicate well, had strong marketing and organizational skills, and who could be an integral part of the staff. You have said that you have a very simple business philosophy: Your No. 1 priority is your employees. Your employees’ No. 1 priority is the customer. And the customers take care of the bottom line. How does this philosophy foster both employee and customer loyalty? If you see the news today, so many stories talk about large employee layoffs. This does not foster loyalty. Most CEOs today focus on the bottom line rather than the employees. The employees are disposable and they feel that. Therefore they do not have an inclination toward being loyal. I learned early on that loyalty is a two-way street. Our most junior in our headquarters has been with us for 36 years. Having long-term employees
48 www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com
means a more consistent delivery of our product (lessons, clinics), which fosters long-term loyalty from our customers. You can measure a professional’s success by the number of repeat lessons they get. In a 2015 Fortune article (“Everything you need to know about your Millennial coworkers” by Katherine Reynolds Lewis), Bruce Tulgan, author of “It’s Okay to Manage Your Boss,” said that “Some of the negative stereotypes about this generation – that they’re narcissistic, disloyal or can’t interact face to face – can be turned into positive attributes when properly understood and leveraged.” What have you found to be the most challenging and the most rewarding about working with these young men and women? I try to not categorize people but rather look at the individual and see what they can do to make our company better. Over the years I have seen lazy 21-year-olds and lazy 50-year-olds. The biggest challenge today among younger professionals is their addiction to the new technology. They have become addicted to monologuing (Facebook, Twitter, etc.). They do not know how to dialogue very well, an integral part of being a great teacher. On the other hand, many of the younger generation are very bright and have a lot to contribute if they can disconnect from their addiction of checking their phone every few minutes. What is the best piece of advice you have received? To be humble. Humility is the ground floor of character. If you are humble, you will listen. If you listen you will learn and if you learn you can teach. Be a seeker of knowledge. Tell us about the work you and your daughters have done in India. When my oldest daughter Kimberly was 5, she saw a show on TV about starving kids in India. She asked if I would take her. I said “Save your money and I will take you when you are 10.” We went and found
a very reputable group. The end result is that she and our younger daughter Skyler have raised $82,000 and this has helped build schools for girls. Sixteen years later there are now 1,500 girls in school. The poorest of the poor now have a chance to do something with their lives. The feeling of this supersedes a great forehand. In a 2005 interview you said, “A lot of people want to make money – they have dollar signs tattooed on their eyeballs – as opposed to really being of service. And that’s our biggest challenge.” Do you see that still being a problem? Huge problem still. Money should be a byproduct of a job well done or outstanding service provided. What is the one thing that aspiring tennis pros should know before pursuing this career path? If you are going to be a teacher of anything, make sure you are enthusiastic. Enthusiasm is the foundation of all accomplishments. If you could do one thing differently, what would it be and why? In the early days of PBI, in an effort to build the company I would talk too much rather than listen to what the manager wanted or needed. I was so excited about sharing what we did that I did not ask enough questions. That was an important lesson I learned along the way. What is your favorite book to recommend to young professionals just starting out in their career? I recommend Issy Sharp’s book, “Four Seasons: The Story of a Business Philosophy,” about the company he founded. It encompasses the entrepreneurial aspect, the struggles and the success to reach the pinnacle of hospitality. One author I like for modern-day business is Jim Collins. He wrote “Good to Great” and “Built to Last.” h More at www.addvantageuspta.com
USPTA World Conference
Conference Schedule Sunday 9/25/16
Monday 9/26/16
9 – 1 p.m.
9 – 10 a.m. Are you a Dr. Feelgood? (Ct) / Stan Oley Teaching Effective Strokes: Volley Patterns / Seminar (I) / Hank Pfister Benefits Panel Specialty Course 1:
10:30 – 11:30 a.m. The serve (Ct) / Jeff Salzenstein Maintaining Your Hard Courts (I) / Jeff Gearheart Lunch 1 – 2 p.m. Retail Management and Pro Shops (I) / Pat Shields
Tuesday 9/27/16
Wednesday 9/28/16
Thursday 9/29/16
9 – 10 a.m. Tennis Analytics: Measurement and Performance (I) / Lorena Martin
9 – 10 a.m. Seminar (Ct) / Emma Doyle Locker Room Power (I) / David Sammel
10:30 – 11:30 a.m. General Session (I): Hall of Fame Panel / Rosie Casals, Lindsay Davenport, Pam Shriver Noon – 2 p.m.
10:30 a.m. – noon General Session: Seminar (Ct) / Jose Higueras
8:30 a.m. – noon CYT Workshop (register at coachyouthtennis.com) 9 – 10 a.m. Utilize Digital Platforms to Energize Your Brand and Business (I) / Tracy Almeda-Singian Seminar (I) / Feisal Hassan 10:30 a.m. – noon General Session: Seminar (I) / Gerry Faust
Lunch
Lunch
Keynote speaker: Todd Martin
1 – 2 p.m. Cardio Tennis: Heart Rate Training (Ct) / Michele Krause Budge Outside Your Comfort Zone (I) / Ajay Pant 1 – 5 p.m.
1 – 5 p.m.
Specialty Course 3:
Specialty Course 4:
A Better Teaching System / John Yandell
Equipment Consulting: A Professional Racquet Adviser /Bob Patterson
Awards Luncheon
2 – 6 p.m.
2:30 – 3:30 p.m. 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. Attracting the Future General Session (I) / General Session (I) / How to Plan Your Career Pros in the Industry Peter Burwash CMAA Panel: Tim / Paula Scheb Through USTA (I) / Dietrich, Jason Craig Jones, Scott Schultz Koenigsfeld, Steve Shaw How to be Addicted to Health in 2016 (I) / Jane Savage 3:45 – 4:45 p.m. 3:45 – 4:45 p.m. 3:45 – 4:45 p.m. Manufacturers Ad USTA: Community Tennis Start Young & Right: Staff Meetings and Player Development Early Years of Developing (I) / Martin Blackman, a Grand Slam (I) / Kurt Kamperman, Craig Tim Mattek Morris Leadership: Core Competencies (I) / Howard Moore 5 – 6:30 p.m. 5 – 6 p.m. 5 – 10 p.m. Ways to Become a More USPTA General Session (I) / Effective Leader (I) / Buying Show USPTA Membership Desmond Oon and Reception Meeting Specialty Course 2:
7 – 9 p.m. Division Parties
6:30 – 9:30 p.m. Poolside Reception
(This schedule is tentative and subject to change)
www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com 49
USPTA World Conference
Preview New Products, Services at the USPTA Buying Show
B
e the first to view what’s new in tennis at the USPTA Buying Show, Monday, Sept. 26, in Indian Wells, Calif. From racquets and apparel to technology to court surfacing and equipment, this is the place to be to learn about new products and services for those in the business of tennis. Visit uspta.com/conference > Buying show > Floor plan to see what companies will be represented. Many exhibitors will also take advantage of the Virtual Event Bag and provide additional information, discounts and giveaways online. Conference attendees will get an email invitation to go online and explore all of the offerings from our vendors. Be sure to stop by the Silent Auction tables to bid on some great prizes and support the USPTA Foundation. h
Buying Show schedule Buying Show – 5-10 p.m. Buying Show Reception – 6:30-8 p.m. Silent Auction – 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Silent Auction to Raise Funds for USPTA Foundation
T
he USPTA Silent Auction benefiting the USPTA Foundation will once again be held in conjunction with the Buying Show during the World Conference. Past items up for bid included tennis equipment, products and apparel; signed memorabilia from top tennis stars such as Roger Federer; event tickets; trips; gift certificates; and donations from local companies in the USPTA World Conference host city. The silent auction annually provides the largest contribution to the USPTA Foundation, and last year nearly $20K was raised, the highest total thus far. USPTA Foundation The mission of the USPTA Foundation is to help economically disadvantaged people learn tennis. Through collecting donations and the annual silent auction at the USPTA World Conference, the USPTA Foundation aims to
50 www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com
ety of events (tennis, golf, baseball, etc.) that serve as fundraisers for different children’s charities. Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation This foundation provides children with access to after-school fitness, nutritional and enrichment programs to prepare them for healthy, productive and successful lives. spread the sport to various segments of the population that have never played the game. In 2015, the Foundation supported 18 programs with grants exceeding $32,000. Some of the tennis programs that have benefitted from the donations distributed by the USPTA Foundation include: Blue Sky Foundation Created by Liz and Dick Stockton, the foundation is a vehicle to host a vari-
Harper for Kids Tim and Peanut Harper’s foundation provides children with educational and enrichment programs to cultivate, inspire and develop leadership skills and promote healthy character development. Donations for the USPTA Silent Auction are tax-deductible and go toward supporting these tennis programs and more. To make a donation, contact the USPTA World Headquarters at 713-9787782, ext. 142 or uspta@uspta.org. h
USPTA World Conference
Registration Information Registration rates:
Stay connected:
Registration is open for the USPTA World Conference. Register by Sept. 11 and save $50. Full registration – $390 by Sept. 11 / $440 after Sept. 11 Spouse/guest registration – $200 by Sept. 11 / $215 after Sept. 11
#USPTAWC16
facebook.com/USPTA.Official
twitter.com/USPTA_Tennis
instagram.com/uspta/
youtube.com/user/TheUSPTA
(no continuing e ducation credits)
Specialty courses – $50/course
Specialty course 1: Teaching Effective Strokes: Volley Patterns / Hank Pfister Specialty course 2: How to Plan Your Career / Paula Scheb Specialty course 3: A Better Teaching System / John Yandell Specialty course 4: Equipment Consulting: A Professional Racquet Adviser / Bob Patterson
Daily registration – $165/day First-time attendee/New USPTA members – Save $75 on full registration Three or more USPTA members attending from same club/facility – $25 discount on each for full registration
Need a car? Save on your rental Save up to 30% at participating locations and lower your travel costs for both business and pleasure. Go to bit.ly/ AvisUSPTA and enter Avis Worldwide Discount (AWD) No. U353920 or call 800-831-8000. Save up to 5% at participating locations. Go to bit.ly/ EnterpriseUSPTA and enter account number XZ06853 and Password USP. Save up to 10% at participating locations. Go to www.nationalcar.com and enter account number XZ06853 and password USP.
Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa 4600 Indian Wells Lane Indian Wells, CA 92210 Room rates – $115 per night + taxes & fees Parking – $5/day Hotel reservation deadline – Sept. 11 Call 888-421-1442 or register online at bit.ly/WC16-hotel
www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com 51
USPTA World Conference
Put Your Playing Skills to the Test
U
SPTA Professionals will have the opportunity to show off their playing skills at the USPTA World Conference in Indian Wells, Calif. The USPTA Masters Invitational, which last year was limited to qualifiers from the Surface Championships, will be opened up to all current USPTA Professionals this year. Prior to open registration, those who competed in the Surface Championships and qualified for the Masters will receive a special invitation for the event. The tournament will be played from Sunday, Sept. 25, through Tuesday, Sept. 27, at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. “We are happy to be able to open up the Masters Invitational to all USPTA Pros who are attending the conference,” said Ken McAllister, Tournament Committee chairman. “The Indian Wells Tennis Garden will be an exciting place to play.” The following divisions will be offered:
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
Adrians Zguns and Stefano Ianni 2015 Men’s Open Doubles Winners
Men’s Open Singles
Men’s 35 Singles
Men’s 45 Singles Men’s 55 Singles
Men’s Open Doubles Men’s 35 Doubles Men’s 45 Doubles Men’s 55 Doubles Women’s Open Singles Women’s 35 Singles Women’s Open Doubles Women’s 35 Doubles
Tournament registration is available as a conference registration option. The entry fee is $50 for singles and $20 per person for doubles. Draw sizes are limited, so registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. The deadline to enter is Sept. 12. For more information, contact Jim Sciarro ( jsciarro@gmail.com) or Joe D’Aleo ( joseph.daleo@wynvr.com). h
52 www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com
Zoranda George – 2015 Women’s Open Singles Winner
Master Pro Corner
Good to Great Characteristics of Outstanding Teaching Professionals By Kirk Anderson, USPTA Master Professional
W
e can all learn and grow by studying and observing what great teaching professionals do on a daily basis. It is a best practice to identify the characteristics that make someone outstanding in their profession and attempt to master and integrate those qualities into your daily routine. But let’s consider what makes the best, not for a year or two, but over a period of 15 to 20 years or even more. Let’s take a closer look at what makes teaching professionals successful year after year, and continually improve as their careers grow and mature. Lifelong Learners Good teachers who continue to develop are very curious. They are in a perpetual quest to learn as much as they can about as much as they can. Ask anyone if the game has changed in the last
ten to 15 years and the answer is a very predictable yes. If the game is constantly changing, how has coaching changed? Master teachers read, attend conferences and workshops, search the internet and have a constant quest for knowledge and truth. They are confident about what they know, but at the same time, are open to new ideas and willing to change when they gather new information. Successful teaching professionals don’t focus solely on tennis knowledge. Learning about business, leadership, technology and communication provides many transferrable skills and new ways of thinking, teaching and presenting. Share Knowledge Teachers love to share knowledge. Great teachers rejoice in what they learn and are eager to share information with their students, and some share more
Master teachers read, attend conferences and workshops, search the internet, and have a constant quest for knowledge and truth.
54 www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com
globally by speaking at seminars or writing articles. They are not fearful that others will take an idea and run ahead. Rather, they delight that they can contribute to an idea. The true innovators are ahead of the curve and are constantly striving to see things differently and clearly. Good Physical Condition Tennis professionals are in the healthy lifestyle industry. Performing well as a tennis professional takes a great deal of energy. When pros are in optimal physical condition they perform their job better on the court and are the model of health, fitness and vitality that many of their students are striving to achieve. Effective teaching professionals are active and they have to stay fit and healthy if they want longevity in the tennis business. Their career is dependent on their ability to stay fit and active. People in good physical condition report better health, more stamina, have more positive attitudes toward work, and are better able to cope with stress and tension. Studies have shown an inverse relationship between depression and fitness. Being fit is the best prescription for injury prevention. Serious or nagging injuries can cut a career short in the tennis business. Focus on Short-Term Goals for LongTerm Success Successful pros have clear long-term goals and dreams but realize that attaining any long-range goal is made up of reaching excellence with short-term success. Every hour is a challenge to be the best you can be for that lesson, event or tournament. Every excellent hour establishes the foundation for a successful day and each successful day gets you closer to your long-term goal. Success comes from being exceptional on a daily basis.
www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com 47
and positive attitude. Most days are great because pros are associated with healthy, happy and motivated people. Their days are filled with fun, laughter and encouragement. The truly great professionals never have a bad day. Work Hard Successful pros work hard. Even though they are involved with a great sport, coaching and customer service is hard work. The ones who prepare well for every lesson and every occasion can work through the challenges and bumps along the road. Through diligent planning, preparation and hard work, they are able to perform their daily tasks in an effortless and enjoyable manner. Great teachers rejoice in what they learn and are eager to share information with their students, and some share more globally by speaking at seminars or writing articles.
Well Connected Having many connections keeps professionals in touch with innovative ideas and provides a base of support and motivation. Having strong connections and effective networking skills opens doors to ideas and opportunities. Successful professionals know a lot of people and these people know what you are doing and care about your success. These connections extend beyond clubs and include the tennis industry, community, and civic, service and religious groups. Their Work is Their Play Play is defined as any activity done for the enjoyment of that individual. Successful professionals have discovered their passion and love what they do. They are excited to go to work every day. Their work looks like play and they take on their responsibilities with great energy and enthusiasm. Resilient Many of these individuals have shown great resiliency. Like their students, they acknowledged and learned from their mistakes. They overcame the obstacles of changing jobs, being assigned unfamiliar roles from new or different managers or owners, or simply set out in a new direction on their own. Over time, many made adjustments through periods of adversity such as injury, illness or personal tragedy only
to recover and bounce back stronger and wiser than ever. Make Others Happy Pros who derive satisfaction every day realize they are in the service industry and truly enjoy serving others. They love people and express positive things they see in others. They praise those whom they admire, and show respect for those with less power or influence. They shine a light on and care about every person they meet. Consider Themselves Lucky Teaching professionals who have been successful for a number of years consider themselves very fortunate. Many acknowledge that they have had the good fortune of being in the right place at the right time. They are lucky to be able to make a living in the tennis business. They are grateful to be involved in a sport that offers so much variety and opportunities to serve and grow. Positive Attitude Nobody excels on a long-term basis in the people business without a fresh
Impact the Sport The great pros impact our sport in a positive way. They made the game better, easier, more accessible and enjoyable. The great ones are masters of our trade and they get better every day. As the years continue, they try to make the present year their best ever. Long-term success is admirable and comes from hard work, learning every day, and a passion for teaching and customer service. As in any profession, the very best make their jobs look easy. The best continually change, adapt and look forward to new challenges, opportunities and ways to improve. Change Lives Probably the most important factor is that successful professionals over the long term truly make a difference in the lives of people. Keeping motivated is easy when one sees students and associates form healthy habits and establish meaningful relationships on a daily basis. Great teaching professionals strive to improve the quality of life in the people at their club, camp or park. They play an admirable role as a coach, role model, leader or mentor. They understand that what they do matters and makes a difference in helping the people around them be the best they can be. h
Kirk Anderson is the Director of Coaching Education at the United States Tennis Association. Anderson is one of ten tennis-teaching professionals to be certified as a Master Professional by the USPTA and the PTR. He has a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and a master’s degree in Exercise Science from Western Michigan University. Anderson has published dozens of articles and written 12 books on tennis. His honors include the International Tennis Hall of Fame Educational Merit Award, the Person of the Year by Racquet Sports Industry, the Professional Tennis Registry Professional of the Year, and the Western Michigan University Department of Human Performance and Health Education Alumni Honor Academy.
www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com 55
USPTA News
USPTA Serves up Tennis-Themed Groundbreaking Ceremony
U
SPTA and USTA Florida officially broke ground June 3 on their new office building sites in the Lake Nona (Fla.) Sports & Performance District, digging into a pile of tennis balls instead of dirt. More than 100 USPTA and USTA representatives along with local dignitaries and media were on hand to witness the event. “Today we start a journey,” said USPTA President Chuck Gill during his address to the crowd. “This is an exciting day for USPTA.” Gill said that three years ago, USTA’s Virgil Christian approached the USPTA Board with an idea of a large tennis project. Over the next couple of years, the Board and USPTA CEO John Embree researched the idea. “We asked ourselves, how can we raise the standards of tennis better … in an industrial park in Houston or can we really raise the level for all members by being in a complex like this?” Gill said. “This is going to be a learning lab for us. We’re very excited about being able to bring our people in from around the country to work with the USTA and hopefully we’ll be developing the best and brightest of the next generation.” The single-story, 10,000-square-foot building, which will be home to the
56 www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com
USPTA staff, will house a technologically driven office space and lab for learning and training. In addition, the space features an in-house multimedia studio that will allow for TV production, including “On Court with USPTA,” which airs on the Tennis Channel. The building is set for completion in March 2017. In addition to being the new home to the USPTA, Lake Nona will be home to the USTA National Campus, the largest tennis facility in the country with more than 100 courts, and Major League Soccer’s Orlando City Soccer Club’s Training Center and Elite Youth Academy, which are both currently under construction.
“Relocating our worldwide headquarters after 25 years of being in Houston to the USTA’s new Home of American Tennis in Lake Nona is gamechanging for our association,” Embree said. “We look forward to this new chapter as we celebrate our 90th birthday in 2017 at our new facility that will be both inspiring and technologically advanced.” Andy Odenbach, vice president of sports ventures for Tavistock Development Company, developer of the 11-square-mile Lake Nona community, said, “It is truly breathtaking and inspiring, everything that is happening here – player development, community tennis, collegiate tennis, family tennis, 100 courts, all lit with live-video streaming capabilities. I cannot wait to open this national campus.” The Lake Nona Sports & Performance District offers a forward-thinking platform for sports and performance-related organizations in training, nutrition, human performance and health technology. Its unique resources include a gigabit fiber network for fitness, sports and performance applications, and high-bandwidth video, as well as sports medicine practices in conjunction with Lake Nona Medical City partners, where marketing firms and manufacturers will be able to test their products and services. h
Career Development Exams, Upgrades Coach Youth Cardio Tennis & PTCA I Tennis Workshop (4 credits for PTCA I segment)
Cardio Tennis Training Course Level 1 + Level 2 USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, New York
Aug. 7
Cardio Tennis Training Course Level 2 USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, New York
Aug. 20
Cardio Tennis Training Course Windyke Country Club, Memphis
Sept. 25
Cardio Tennis Training Course Level 2 Windy Hill Athletic Club, Atlanta
Dec. 10
Cardio Tennis Training Course Level 2 Midtown Athletic Club, Chicago
(2 credits)
Aug. 4-5
Port Washington, N.Y.
Aug. 6-7
Grandbury, Texas
Aug. 18
Cincinnati
Aug. 6-7
Tallahassee, Fla.
Aug. 22
Winston-Salem, N.C.
Aug. 6-7
Aug. 6
Tallahassee, Fla.
Huntington Beach, Calif.
Aug. 26
Boca Raton, Fla.
Aug. 7
Hilton Head Island, S.C.
Aug. 27
New Haven, Conn.
Aug. 7
Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Aug. 28
Santa Cruz, Calif.
Aug. 8-9
Aug. 6
San Francisco
Aug. 13
Des Moines, Iowa
Aug. 13-14
Big Rapids, Mich.
Aug. 13-14
Atlanta
Aug. 14
Omaha, Neb.
Aug. 19
Pittsford, N.Y.
Aug. 27
Eau Claire, Wis.
Aug. 27-28
Seattle
Aug. 27-28
Boca Raton, Fla.
Aug. 28
Nashville
Sept. 4
Louisville, Ky.
Sept. 7
Minneapolis
* This course is held at the USPTA World Headquarters.
For more workshops, visit coachyouthtennis.com.
Conferences/ Activities (Division Conferences – 6 credits; World Conference – 10 credits) Aug. 18
Sept. 25-29
Midwest Division Summer Symposium Cincinnati USPTA World Conference Indian Wells, Calif.
Webinars
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.
(.5 credits)
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.
Watch all recorded webinars at tennisresources.com. For more information visit uspta.com/Education.
Aug. 16 Sept. 14
Labor Laws; Robert Worley Injury Prevention; Mark Kovacs Please visit www.cardiotennistraining.com to register.
Accredited Professional Coach Register your Accredited Professional Coach (APC) and specialty course credits earned with the USPTA SmartCode Education System. This uses your smartphone to instantly register your attendance to all seminars and specialty courses earning APC. To use the system at a seminar, general session or specialty course, you must scan two QR codes. One QR code is on your conference badge. The second QR code will be in your conference notebook and cannot be scanned until the end of the session or the beginning of the next session. If you do not have a smartphone, you may use someone else’s. Forms are available upon request.
58 www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com
Education requirements All USPTA-certified Professionals must earn 6 education credits in a three-year period to remain current. Go to USPTA.com/Education for a partial list of eligible activities. Please send verification (email, letter, certificate, receipt, etc.) that shows you attended the event/activity and submit it along with the date and agenda to education@uspta.org to receive your credit. (International members, Recreational Coaches and those over the age of 65 are exempt.) Questions? Write to education@uspta.org or call 800-877-8248, ext. 147.
Member News • The 44th Potter Cup is one of the preeminent team competition in senior tennis, and it draws many former pros and top veterans from around the world. Played in Barcelona, Spain, on the red clay courts of the Polo Club, the format is Davis Cup style with each match consisting of five singles and two doubles. This year’s competition consisted of eight teams from the following countries, Spain (two teams), I reland, Great Britain, Italy, France, Belgium and the United States. The U.S. team was made up of USPTA Professionals Jeff Cohen (captain), Mikael Pernfors, Carl Clark, Tobias Svantesson, Horacio Rearte and Frank Vermeer (pictured from left to right). The U.S. team defeated France, 4-1, in their opening match, Great Britain, 4-1, in the semifinals, and defeated the 2014 and 2015 champions Italy, 4-3, in the final. • Brunswick, Maine, was the location of a USTA National Men’s 35 Indoor Championship. This USTA event was held June 2-5 at Maine Pines Racquet & Fitness, Brunswick. This is one of only four major tournaments held around the United States in 2016 to determine national ranking for USTA 35-andolder men, and the only one Above: USPTA Professionals Paulo Barros (left) and Nestor Bernabe (right) with local ball boys and girls: Ethan Weiss, Gregory Choi, Ross to be held in New England. Munn, Arielle Leeman, Samantha Palma and Brooke Rethman. Some of the out-of-town players were Robert Kuseski, USPTA, and Milos Koprivica, doubles partners, ranked No. 2 in the nation for 35+ Men’s. Participants from left: Milos Koprivica, Paulo Barros, USPTA, Robert Kuseski, USPTA, Alex Wong, G uillaume Vidallet, RD Ferman, Alejandro Andres and Photos by Reggie Burrows Hodges Francois Castejon, USPTA. • USPTA Professional Peter Fiore and The Sedgewood Club in Carmel, N.Y., are hosting the USPTA Senior Red Clay Championships, Sept. 6-9. The divisions planned are Men’s 70, 75, 80, 85 singles and 150-and-over doubles, and players must be USPTA Professional-level members in good standing and in the appropriate age category. Contact Fiore at 914-490-9048 to register or for more information. Registration deadline is Sept. 1. ADDvantage magazine editorial offices USPTA World Headquarters 3535 Briarpark Drive, Suite 202 Houston, TX 77042 Phone – 713-978-7782 / 800-USPTA-4U Fax – 713-358-7794 email – magazine@uspta.org
60 www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com
Managing editor Circulation
Kimberly Forrester Kathy Buchanan
Office hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Central time ADDvantage is published monthly by the United States Professional Tennis Association.
• USPTA Professional Larry Karageanes is the director of sales for new patented products to dry hard and clay courts. The BATT (Big Absorbent Tennis Towel) works by spreading and absorbing water on a hard court after rain when the court is beginning to dry. Eight microfiber panels absorb the water and spreads it across the surface, drying the court very quickly. Just drag the BATT from wet to dry, wet to dry. You never need to wring it out regardless of how saturated the panels become when using the BATT. You can either pull the BATT or hook it to a cart making it easy to dry multiple courts. They are easy to clean and dry very quickly allowing multiple uses throughout the day. No mold or mildew, you never have to throw them away. To see videos, learn more or to order visit www.battowel.com.
NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS President First Vice President
Chuck Gill Gary Trost
Vice Presidents Past President CEO Legal Counsel
Alan Cutler Feisal Hassan Ken McAllister Jack Michalko Diane Selke
TM
Tom McGraw John Embree George Parnell
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. 2016. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any portion of the magazine is not permitted without written permission from USPTA.
TI MAG AD pg.indd 2
5/26/16 12:53 PM
Nova3221.RSI HAWAII.2016:Layout 1
3/14/16
9:21 AM
Page 1
Ask for NOVA
All-weather sport surfaces are all we do. We have to do it better!
2016 Fed Cup – Kona, HI
Brilliant Long Lasting Colors
Enjoy your vibrant court surface for years to come with 2x the industry standard for color retention.
Low Abrasive Texture
All textured surfaces use a unique low abrasive texture reducing wear on shoes, balls and more importantly your body.
Durable High Solid Acrylic Blends
By using premium acrylic binders with high solids we are able to add more pigment, texture and filler. The surface will have greater U.V. resistance, film thickness and durability.
Worldwide Dealer Network
Authorized installers in all 50 states and over 40 countries committed to providing a higher level of quality and service. For more information or to locate a certified installer in your area please contact us at 800-USA-NOVA or info@novasports.com Qualify for LEED Credits
TI MAG AD pg.indd 2
Simply, The World’s Best All-Weather Sports Surface
www.novasports.com 5/26/16 2:27 PM