THE PRESIDENTSMESSAGE
MY FIRST YEAR
AMAZING RIDE. I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE WITH OUR READERS THE INITIATIVES WE SUCCESSFULLY CARRIED OUT THIS YEAR AND SEND A SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR INCREDIBLY TALENTED — AND GROWING — LEADERSHIP TEAM FOR ALL THEIR PAST AND ONGOING EFFORTS IN GROWING AND SERVING NOT ONLY OUR MEMBERSHIP, BUT OUR TENNIS AND RACQUET SPORTS COMMUNITY! TO THAT END AT THE CONCLUSION OF MY MESSAGE I AM INCLUDING THE ENTIRE LEADERSHIP ROSTER WITH CONTACT DETAILS. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO REACH OUT TO OUR TEAM, ESPECIALLY OUR COMMITTEE CHAIRS AND DISTRICT PRESIDENTS IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO GET MORE INVOLVED IN OUR LOCAL ACTIVITIES OR SIMPLY PARTICIPATE!
BEFORE I ADDRESS OUR DIVISION ACTIVITIES AND INITIATIVES I WOULD LIKE TO BEGIN WITH A PIVOTAL MOMENT IN OUR ASSOCIATION’S HISTORY THAT TOOK PLACE AT OUR WORLD RACQUETS CONFERENCE AT RANCHO MIRAGE RESORT IN RANCHO MIRAGE, CALIFORNIA THIS PAST SEPTEMBER. OUR OPENING SESSION BEGAN WITH A FANTASTIC DOCUMENTARY FILM ABOUT THE 97 YEAR HISTORY OF OUR ASSOCIATION. THEN CAME THE NEWS FROM OUR NEWLY HIRED CEO BRIAN DILLMAN THAT JUST AS THE ASSOCIATION HAS EVOLVED OVER TIME TO ADDRESS THE PROFESSIONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF ITS MEMBERS, THE TIME HAS COME TO EXPAND THE PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR ITS MEMBERSHIP BY INCLUDING ADDITIONAL RACQUETS SPORTS TO BOTH OUR NAME AND OUR CERTIFICATIONS! HENCE OUR NEW NAME RSPA, RACQUETS SPORTS PROFESSIONALS ASSOCIATION! WHILE WE REMAIN TENNIS CENTERED OUR BRANCHES INCLUDE OPPORTUNITIES TO GET CERTIFIED IN PICKLEBALL, PADEL, PLATFORM, AND SQUASH! IT IS MY HONOR AND PRIVILEGE TO BE THE FIRST PRESIDENT OF RSPA EASTERN! OUR INITIATIVES AND ACTIVITIES CENTERED AROUND THREE MAIN THEMES: MEMBERSHIP, EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION. REGARDING OUR MEMBERSHIP, AS YOU WILL READ FROM OUR FIRST VP AND MEMBERSHIP CHAIR HEATH HOOVER, WE HAVE CONTINUED OUR TOWN HALL INITIATIVE WHICH BEGAN DURING MY PRIOR TENURE IN THAT POSITION. AS A RESULT OF OUR LAST TOWN HALL THIS PAST OCTOBER, I AM HAPPY TO REPORT THAT TWO OF THESE PARTICIPANTS, ROB DELMAN AND VINNY CASALE HAVE NOW BECOME CHAIR OF OUR PADEL COMMITTEE AND I.T. COMMITTEE RESPECTIVELY. WE ALSO SET A GOAL TO GROW MEMBERSHIP AND THROUGH A COMBINATION OF INITIATIVES I AM PLEASED TO REPORT
THAT MEMBERSHIP IS UP NEARLY 7 PER CENT! THOSE INITIATIVES INCLUDED CALLS AND EMAILS BY HEATH AND OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PAUL FONTANA TO ASSIST THOSE MEMBERS WHO WERE IN NEED OF EDUCATION CREDIT TO CONTINUE AS ACTIVE MEMBERS. THEY ALSO ASSISTED OUR MEMBERS IN ENSURING SAFE PLAY COMPLIANCE.
PRESIDENTSMESSAGE
OUR MARKETING COMMITTEE CHAIR KHRYSTSINA TRYBOI ALSO DESIGNED A TERRIFIC FLYER WITH A QR CODE THAT OUR TEAM HAS USED AT SUCH EVENTS AS THE USTA EASTERN COLLEGE SHOWCASE THAT TOOK PLACE THIS PAST NOVEMBER. I HAVE ALSO TRIED TO ATTEND AS MANY OF OUR LOCAL EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS AS POSSIBLE THIS YEAR TO SPEAK ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP AND ABOUT THE ADD MEMBERSHIP OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE COACHES WHO MAY BE INTERESTED TO JOIN BUT ARE NOT YET FINANCIALLY STABLE.
EASTERN DIVISION ALSO HAS PROMOTED THE TWO NEW MEMBERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FROM NATIONAL — A NEW MEMBERSHIP CATEGORY FOR HIGH SCHOOL AGE YOUTH WHO MAY BE LOOKING TO WORK IN SOME CAPACITY AS A COACH, AND THE POSSIBILITY OF BECOMING A MEMBER AND CERTIFIED IN PICKLEBALL WITHOUT ALSO BEING CERTIFIED IN TENNIS. WITH PADEL, PLATFORM, AND SQUASH CERTIFICATIONS BEING OFFERED IN 2025 WE HOPE TO CONTINUE OUR RATE OF GROWTH IF NOT INCREASE IT!
ON THE SUBJECT OF MEMBERSHIP, AS YOU KNOW WE HAVE ESTABLISHED A WONDERFUL MEMBER SPOTLIGHT EACH NEWSLETTER AND THIS MONTH THE SPOTLIGHT IS ON DALE EVANS, DIRECTOR OF TENNIS AT THE NATIONAL TENNIS CENTER — WELL DESERVED AND PLEASE BE SURE TO TAKE A LOOK AT ALL THE WAYS HE HAS CONTRIBUTED TO OUR ASSOCIATION OVER THE YEARS. OUR DIVISION ALSO ANNUALLY SENDS OUT NOMINATIONS TO HONOR OUR MEMBER’S ACHIEVEMENTS IN A VARIETY OF CATEGORIES WHICH ARE THEN SUBMITTED FOR CONSIDERATION AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL. TOWARDS THAT END, OUR PRO OF THE YEAR WAS JUST SELECTED AND THIS YEAR IT IS DANNY CASESSA. IF YOU KNOW DANNY PLEASE BE SURE TO CONGRATULATE HIM ON THIS HONOR AND DANNY WILL ALSO BE HONORED FOR THIS AWARD AT THE UPCOMING USTA EASTERN CONFERENCE AWARDS DINNER ON JANUARY 24, 2025. OTHER AWARDS ARE STILL OPEN FOR NOMINATION AND ALL HONOREES WILL BE INVITED TO OUR DIVISION CONFERENCE AWARDS LUNCHEON TO RECEIVE THEIR AWARDS ON MAY 31, 2025. I WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND AS WELL A SPECIAL CONGRATULATIONS TO THE LATE DANNY BURGESS AND TO OUR PAST PRESIDENT AND MASTER PRO MARK SAVAGE ON BEING CHOSEN TO BE INDUCTED INTO THE RSPA EASTERN HALL OF FAME BY OUR RSPA EASTERN HALL OF FAME COMMITTEE. THIS HONOR WILL ALSO BE RECOGNIZED AT OUR DIVISION CONFERENCE IN MAY, 2025. WITH RESPECT TO EDUCATION, EACH OF OUR DISTRICT PRESIDENTS DID A FANTASTIC JOB ORGANIZING OR PARTICIPATING IN COACHES WORKSHOPS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR IN BOTH TENNIS AND PICKLEBALL. OUR PICKLEBALL WORKSHOPS WERE LEAD BY OUR NEW CHAIR OF PICKLEBALL AND COACH DEVELOPER GEOFF LOCONTE, WHO WAS ALSO INVITED TO MAKE A PRESENTATION AT THE WORLD RACQUETS CONFERENCE! THAT WAS QUITE AN HONOR. SPEAKING OF WORLD RACQUETS CONFERENCE, OUR 2025 WRC WILL BE HELD ON THE BIG ISLAND OF HAWAII! PLEASE VISIT OUR NATIONAL WEBSITE ASAP TO SECURE YOUR SPOT.
PRESIDENTSMESSAGE
OUR DIVISION CONFERENCE THAT WAS HELD AT THE GENESIS ATLANTIC CLUB IN MANASQUAN, NJ JOINTLY WITH MIDDLES STATES BACK IN MAY INCLUDED AN INCREDIBLE ARRAY OF SPEAKERS SUCH AS KIM CLIJSTERS AND LISA RAYMOND, A FUN PICKLEBALL SOCIAL, AND A NICE ARRAY OF VENDORS. PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR OUR 2025 DIVISION CONFERENCE THAT WILL BE HELD MAY 30-31 AT THE WEST ORANGE TENNIS CENTER IN WEST ORANGE, NJ. AS AN ADDED BONUS, WE WILL ALSO BE OFFERING A BUNDLING OF CERTIFICATION OPTIONS IN TENNIS AND PICKLEBALL MAY 28-MAY 30!
THIS YEAR WE ALSO ESTABLISHED A MONTHLY EDUCATION CALENDAR THAT WAS SET UP BY OUR EXECUTIVE BOARD
MEMBER BRAD BREAKSTONE AND IN 2025, BRAD WILL BE WORKING WITH OUR NEW IT CHAIR VINNY CASALE TO SET UP A
COLOR COORDINATED CALENDAR TO HIGHLIGHT EACH OF THE DIFFERENT RACQUET SPORTS EDUCATION EVENTS HAPPENING AND INCORPORATING THAT INTO THE GOOGLE CALENDAR AS WELL AS SENDING NOTICES AND REMINDERS VIA STRING PING! WE ARE ALSO INCLUDING THE CALENDAR IN THIS NEWSLETTER. ONE UPCOMING PRESENTATION YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS WILL TAKE PLACE ON FRIDAY JANUARY 24, 2025 FROM 2-2:45PM AT THE SAW MILL CLUB WHEN A TEAM OF STELLAR PRESENTERS FROM OUR DIVISION WILL PRESENT AT THE USTA EASTERN CONFERENCE.
ON THE CERTIFICATION SIDE, OUR TENNIS COACH DEVELOPERS SOMADI DRUKER AND JASON JOSEPH HAVE HAD A PRODUCTIVE YEAR RUNNING LEVEL 2 CERTIFICATIONS THROUGHOUT OUR DIVISION’S DISTRICTS, AND RECENTLY NATIONAL OFFERED A NEW CERTIFICATION INITIATIVE THAT PROVIDES AN OPTION TO GET YOUR LEVEL 1 CERTIFICATION IN PERSON (IN ADDITION TO THE ONLINE OPTION). IN EARLY NOVEMBER, JASON JOSEPH HELD A LEVEL 1 IN PERSON CERTIFICATION IN PITTSFORD, NY WITH 7 APPLICANTS!
I WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND A SPECIAL THANKS TO JAMES STARK WHO RECENTLY TOOK ON THE TASK OF PRODUCING THE NEWSLETTER. HE IS DOING FANTASTIC WORK AND WOULD LOVE TO RECEIVE ANY SUBMISSIONS, PICTURES OF RSPA EVENTS, AND ACTIVITIES OR ADS. PLEASE REACH OUT TO HIM IF YOU WANT TO BE INCLUDED IN OUR NEWSLETTER. IT HAS BEEN AN EXCITING AND CHALLENGING FIRST YEAR AS PRESIDENT. THERE IS MUCH MORE TO DO AND I’M THANKFUL TO HAVE SUCH AN ENTHUSIASTIC AND MULTI-TALENTED LEADERSHIP TEAM WORKING WITH ME SIDE BY SIDE. I REMAIN AT YOUR DISPOSAL IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR WANT TO GET MORE INVOLVED AND IF ANYONE IS ATTENDING THE USTA EASTERN TENNIS CONFERENCE IN JANUARY YOU ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND OUR BOARD AND MEMBERSHIP MEETING THAT WILL BE HELD ON FRIDAY JANUARY 24 FROM 5-6PM AT THE CISQUA WEST ROOM OF THE MTK HOTEL IN MOUNT KISCO, NY. WISHING EVERYONE HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND A HEALTHY AND JOYOUS 2025!
-MILLIE DIDIO, PRESIDENT RSPA EASTERN
RSPA EASTERN DIVISION
COMMITTEE CHAIR MEMBERS
PRESIDENT - MILLIE DIDIO ; MILLIE.TENNISCLUBOFHASTINGS@GMAIL.COM
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - PAUL FONTANA - PAUL.FONTANA@RSPA.NET
FIRST VICE PRESIDENT - HEATH HOOVER ; HHOOVER@CLUBFIT.COM
VICE PRESIDENT - BRAD BREAKSTONE ; BREAKS03@GMAIL.COM
VICE PRESIDENT, SECRETARY - DAVID SLATER ; DAVIDSLATERTENNIS@GMAIL.COM
VICE PRESIDENT, TREASURER - MARTIN MIEDZOWICZ ; MARTINMIEDZOWICZ@GMAIL.COM
PAST PRESIDENT - MIKE SMOOKLER ; MIKE@WESTORANGETENNISCLUB.COM
DISTRICT PRESIDENTS:
NORTHERN/WESTERN - STEVE PEKICH ; SSTEV1E@CS.COM
SOUTHERN - MARC FARRELL ; MARC.FARRELL@YAHOO.COM
NEW JERSEY - BOB BYNUM ; BOB@BYNUMTENNIS.COM
METRO - SOMADI DRUKER ; SOMADI.DRUKER@QC.CUNY.EDU
LONG ISLAND - JACKIE CLARK ; JACQUELINECLARK555@GMAIL.COM
COMMITTEE CHAIRS
ANNUAL DIV CONFERENCE - MIKE SMOOKLER
EDUCATION - JASON JOSEPH ; JASON.JOSEPH.TENNIS@GMAIL.COM
BRAD BREAKSTONE
MEMBERSHIP - HEATH HOOVER
BUDGET AND FINANCE - MARTIN MIEDZOWICZ
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION - DARIA PASCALE ; DPASCALE@MAC.COM
KARLA RUAYA ; KRUAYA@GMAIL.COM
AWARDS - STEVE PEKICH
PUBLICATIONS - PAUL FONTANA
NEWSLETTER - JAMES STARK ; JAMESSTARKTENNIS@GMAIL.COM
ELEVATE - SURAJ BENIWAL ; BENIWAL.SURAJ@GMAIL.COM
MARKETING - KHRYSTSINA TRYBOI ; KTRYBOI@GMAIL.COM
PUBLIC RELATIONS/COMMUNICATIONS - JACKIE CLARK
SCHOOL COACHES - JACKIE CLARK
LONG RANGE - WHITNEY KRAFT ; TWHIT10S@GMAIL.COM
NOMINATING - MIKE SMOOKLER
IT- VINCE CASALE ; VINCENTFCASALE@GMAIL.COM
PADEL- ROB DELMAN ; ROBDELMAN@GMAIL.COM
PICKLEBALL AND PLATFORM - GEOFF LOCONTE ; GJLOCONTE@GMAIL.COM>
ASIAN - INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE- LUIZA BIKTYAKOVA ; LUIZA.BIKTYAKOVA@GMAIL.COM
HALL OF FAME -MIKE SMOOKLER
MEMBERS CORNER
WITHHEATHHOOVER
1STVICEPRESIDENTRSPAEASTERN
IT'S BEEN A VERY INTERESTING FALL STARTING WITH THE WORLD RACQUETS CONFERENCE IN SEPTEMBER AT THE WESTIN RANCHO MIRAGE GOLF RESORT & SPA IN RANCHO MIRAGE, CALIFORNIA. WE HAD A STRONG SHOWING FROM THE EASTERN DIVISION WITH OVER 20 MEMBERS ATTENDING! OF COURSE, THE BIG NEWS FROM THE CONFERENCE WAS THE UNVEILING OF THE NAME CHANGE FOR OUR ASSOCIATION TO THE RSPA (RACQUET SPORTS PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION). THIS WAS A BIG SURPRISE TO A LOT OF MEMBERS AND NOT EVERYONE WAS THRILLED WITH IT, BUT OVERALL, EVERYONE IS GETTING ON BOARD WITH THE NEW NAME AND IS LOOKING AT THIS AS EVOLVING FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR ASSOCIATION. ALL CURRENT MEMBERS SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED A TEXT MESSAGE OR EMAIL WITH THE NEW RSPA DISCOUNT CODE TO TENNIS WAREHOUSE, WHERE YOU CAN PICK UP YOUR NEW RSPA GEAR AND APPAREL! MOVING ON TO SOME LOCAL EASTERN NEWS, WE HAD A LEVEL 1 WORKSHOP ON NOV 1ST-2ND IN PITTSFIELD, NEW YORK. JASON JOSEPH RAN THIS WORKSHOP AND ADDED 7 NEW MEMBERS TO THE RSPA EASTERN MEMBERSHIP! WE ALSO HAD A RSPA TABLE AT THE COLLEGE SHOWCASE ON NOV 10TH AT THE SAW MILL CLUB IN MOUNT KISCO, NY. JACKIE CLARK, OUR LONG ISLAND DISTRICT PRESIDENT WORKED THE TABLE AT THE COLLEGE SHOWCASE.
WE ALSO HAD OUR ANNUAL EASTERN TOWN HALL MEETING ON ZOOM ON WEDNESDAY, NOV 13TH. AS THE 1ST VICE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON IT IS MY DUTY TO ORGANIZE AND RUN THE TOWN HALL MEETING. WE HAD AN ATTENDANCE OF OVER 20 PEOPLE ON THE CALL. AFTER WELCOMING EVERYONE AND EXPLAINING THE PURPOSE OF THE TOWN HALL MEETING, I INTRODUCED OUR DISTRICT PRESIDENTS THAT WERE ON THE CALL AND HAD THEM TALK ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN EACH OF THEIR DISTRICTS. AFTER THAT, I INTRODUCED OUR PRESIDENT, MILLIE DIDIO AND SHE TALKED ABOUT THE STATE OF THE DIVISION. SHE ALSO INTRODUCED OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM. OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PAUL FONTANA, GAVE HIS NATIONAL REPORT ON THE EXCOMM MEETING AT RSPA HEADQUARTERS. TO FINISH UP THE MEETING WE WERE TAKING QUESTIONS FROM THE MEMBERS AND HAD SOME LIVELY DISCUSSIONS UNTIL WE WERE OUT OF TIME. WE WERE HAPPY WITH THE TURNOUT FOR THE TOWN HALL MEETING WHICH MORE THAN DOUBLED LAST YEARS TOWN HALL ATTENDANCE DUE TO OUR TEAM GETTING THE WORD OUT USING SOCIAL MEDIA AND WORD OF MOUTH.
MEMBERS SPOTLIGHT DALEEVANS
DIRECTOROFTENNISOPEATIONS
USTANATIONALTENNISCENTER
DALE IS THE DIRECTOR OF TENNIS OPERATIONS AT THE BILLIE JEAN KING NATIONAL TENNIS CENTER. HE HOLDS CERTIFICATIONS AS A UF DIRECTOR OF RACQUET SPORTS, USPTA ELITE PROFESSIONAL, PTR PROFESSIONAL, ACADEMIA DE SANCHEZ-CASAL, USTA COACH DEVELOPER, AND IPTPA. HE PLAYED COLLEGIATE TENNIS AT JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY (MS),
HE HAS SERVED 2 TERMS AS A RSPA (USPTA) NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER, 4 TERMS (8 YEARS) AS A USTA NORTHERN CALIFORNIA BOARD MEMBER, OVER 10 YEARS AS A USPTA NORTHERN CALIFORNIA BOARD MEMBER INCLUDING TWO AS PRESIDENT.
HE HOLDS A B.S. IN MANAGEMENT AND M.S. IN SPORTS MANAGEMENT.
SINCE DIRECTING THE NATIONAL TENNIS CENTER TENNIS PROGRAMS, HIS RSPA (USPTA) EASTERN AND USTA EASTERN SERVICE INCLUDES:
● HOSTED 14 USPTA CONTINUING ED WORKSHOPS, INCLUDING 4 SPECIALTY COURSES ● LED NATIONAL TENNIS CENTER PROS TO OVER 320 DEPT. CEUS IN 2023 & 2024 ● LED 6
NTC PROS TO RSPA (USPTA) CERTIFICATIONS OR UPGRADES
● PRESENTED AT 2023 WORLD CONFERENCE (FL)
● HOSTED & PRESENTED 2024 TENNIS INNOVATION SUMMIT
● HOSTED & DIRECTED 2023&2024 USTA BOYS 12S NATIONAL INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS
● DIRECTED 2024 USTA BOYS & GIRLS 12 INTERSECTIONALS TEAM (AWARDED 2024 USTA EASTERN PREMIER EVENT)
● DIRECTED 10 USTA EASTERN OR USTA NATIONAL JUNIOR TOURNAMENTS
● DIRECTED WHEELCHAIR NATIONAL TOURNAMENT
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATION
2025 RSPA/EASTERN EDUCATIONAL EVENTS
WESTERN/NORTHERN DISTRICT
SUNDAY, MARCH 2 10AM-1PM
WATERTOWN YMCA, WATERTOWN, NY
FRIDAY, MARCH 7 9AM-2PM
ELEVATE FITNESS OF DEWITT, SYRACUSE, NY
THURSDAY, JULY 17 2-3PM
TENNIS CLUB OF ROCHESTER, PITTSFORD, NY
TUESDAY, JULY 1 9-12AM
SHAKER HIGH SCHOOL, LATHAM, NY
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATION
2025 RSPA/EASTERN EDUCATIONAL EVENTS
NEW JERSEY DISTRICT
LOCATIONS TBD - FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
NJ DISTRICT PRESIDENT BOB BYNUM
MARCH 15 (SAT)
COACHES TRAINING WORKSHOP
“THE HAND – HOW IT SHAPES THE BRAIN, LANGUAGE, AND HUMAN CULTURE - MARVIN DENT
12:00-3:00PM
ON-SITE - TBD
MARCH 26 (WED)
VIRTUAL WORKSHOP
“WORKING WITH MUNICIPALITIES FOR FACILITIES ACQUISITION”
1:00-2:00PM, 8:30-9:30PM
APRIL 16 (WED)
VIRTUAL WORKSHOP
“TEACHING * COACHING * TRAINING - DO YOU KNOW THE DIFFERENCE?"
12:30-2:00PM & 8:00-9:30PM
APRIL 19 (SAT)
COACHES TRAINING WORKSHOP
“THE 24-KARAT THUMB”
MARVIN DENT
12:00-3:00PM
PROMOTING SPORTSMANSHIP AT GENESIS SAWMILL CLUB BY SURAJ BENIWAL
IN 2023, GENESIS SAWMILL CLUB LAUNCHED AN INSPIRING CAMPAIGN IN COLLABORATION WITH USTA TO PROMOTE GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP AMONG YOUNG TENNIS PLAYERS. THE INITIATIVE, AIMED AT FOSTERING FAIRNESS AND CAMARADERIE, ALLOWED PARTICIPANTS IN OUR TOURNAMENTS TO EARN RECOGNITION THROUGH THE USTA “SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD.” PLAYERS WHO EXCELLED IN LINE CALLS, COMMUNICATION, AND OVERALL CONDUCT WERE REWARDED WITH TENNIS GRIPS, OTHER PRIZES, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, A CHANCE TO SET AN EXAMPLE FOR OTHERS.
THIS CAMPAIGN PROVED INVALUABLE IN SHAPING THE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUNG ATHLETES. WITHIN JUST A FEW MONTHS, THE TOURNAMENT ENVIRONMENT BECAME NOTICEABLY HEALTHIER. PARENTS, OFTEN A SOURCE OF SIDELINE DISPUTES, BEGAN TO GET ALONG BETTER, AND ARGUMENTS AND CONFLICTS SIGNIFICANTLY DECREASED. THE CULTURE SHIFT WAS REMARKABLE, DEMONSTRATING THE POWER OF INSTILLING GOOD VALUES IN SPORTS.
WE FOUND THE U12 AND U14 CATEGORY TO BE THE IDEAL AGE GROUP FOR IMPLEMENTING THIS AWARD. AT THIS CRITICAL STAGE, PLAYERS ARE LEARNING LIFE SKILLS THAT WILL SHAPE THEIR FUTURE CAREERS. THE AWARD SERVES AS EXTRINSIC MOTIVATION, TEACHING KIDS THE IMPORTANCE OF FAIR PLAY AND THE VALUE OF RESPECTING THE GAME. THIS RECOGNITION HELPS MAKE TENNIS NOT ONLY A SPORT BUT A PLATFORM FOR PERSONAL GROWTH.
THE IMPACT OF THE SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD IS PROFOUND:
• EXCELLENCE: IT TEACHES CHILDREN THAT SUCCESS ISN’T JUST ABOUT WINNING, BUT ABOUT STRIVING FOR IMPROVEMENT, GIVING THEIR BEST, AND ENJOYING THE PROCESS.
• RESPECT: PLAYERS LEARN TO HONOR THEMSELVES, THEIR OPPONENTS, THE RULES, AND THE ENVIRONMENT.
• FRIENDSHIP: IT FOSTERS BONDS AMONG PLAYERS, EMPHASIZING THE UNITY AND CONNECTIONS CREATED THROUGH SPORT.
IN ESSENCE, THE AWARD ALIGNS WITH THE THREE CORE VALUES OF OLYMPISM: EXCELLENCE, RESPECT, AND FRIENDSHIP. BY PROMOTING THESE IDEALS, THE CAMPAIGN ENCOURAGES PLAYERS TO GROW NOT JUST AS ATHLETES, BUT AS INDIVIDUALS.
IN RECOGNITION OF THESE EFFORTS, GENESIS SAWMILL CLUB PROUDLY RECEIVED THE “BEST SPORTSMANSHIP CLUB AWARD” FROM USTA EASTERN IN 2024. THIS HONOR HIGHLIGHTS THE POSITIVE TRANSFORMATION WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY AND REAFFIRMS OUR COMMITMENT TO NURTURING NOT JUST SKILLED PLAYERS BUT WELLROUNDED INDIVIDUALS.
WORLDRACQUETS
BYLUIZABIKTYAKOVA
IT WAS AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE TO ATTEND THE WORLD RACQUETS CONF RANCHO MIRAGE, CALIFORNIA! IT WAS MY FIRST TIME ATTENDING THE WR DECIDED TO ATTEND. IT WAS WELL WORTH IT – THE TIME, EFFORT AND EX LOT OF INTERESTING INFORMATION PRESENTED, AND I GAINED SO MU LEARNED NEW SKILLS.
SO MANY GREAT EXPERTS AND LEADERS PRESENTED AT THE CONFERENCE, AMONG THEM WERE: GIGI FERNANDEZ (OWNS 17 GRAND SLAM TITLES); KATRINA ADAMS (RANKED #8 IN DOUBLES, WAS PRESIDENT AND CEO OF USTA, WAS CHAIR OF US OPEN AND WAS CHAIR OF FED CUP); MURPHY JENSEN (FRENCH OPEN DOUBLES CHAMPION) AND MANY OTHERS. IT WAS NICE TO BE ABLE TO ASK THEM QUESTIONS IN PERSON.
IN ADDITION, MANY OTHER COACHES, DIRECTORS, TEACHERS, SPORT FACILITY MANAGERS AND SPORT PSYCHOLOGISTS ATTENDED THE CONFERENCE. IT WAS GREAT TO MEET THEM AND COLLABORATE WITH THEM. WE EXCHANGED THE CONTACT INFORMATION WITH EACH OTHER, WE CONNECTED ON SOCIAL MEDIA WHERE WE CAN SHARE INFORMATION AND STAY IN CONTACT. IT WAS A PRIVILEGE FOR ME TO BE INVITED TO THE NATIONAL TASK FORCE TEAM FOCUSING ON DIVERSITY. I AM VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY.
WE STAYED IN A BEAUTIFUL RESORT WITH WONDERFUL AMENITIES. WE WERE LUCKY TO HAVE NICE WEATHER. THE CONFERENCE WAS WELL ORGANIZED. WE WERE ABLE TO CHOOSE THE SESSIONS TO GO TO THROUGHOUT THE DAY. ON MOST DAYS, WE HAD SPECIAL DINNERS WHERE WE HAD A CHANCE TO GET TO KNOW FELLOW ATTENDEES.
I AM INCREDIBLY THANKFUL TO THE RSPA LEADERS FOR MAKING THIS CONFERENCE POSSIBLE FOR US. I AM ALSO THANKFUL TO OUR EASTERN TEAM FOR MAKING THIS CONFERENCE SO COMFORTABLE AND FUN FO TO THE NEXT WRC IN HAWAII 2025!
EDUCATIONCORNER WITH MARVIN DENT IS TALENT OVERRATED?
THE QUESTION, AS PRESENTED, IS DESIGNED TO PROVOKE OPINIONS. WE HAVE BEEN LED TO BELIE ENTITLED TO OUR OWN OPINIONS. THOSE IMPLIED BIRTH RIGHTS, HOWEVER, CANNOT BE EXTENDED TO HAVING OUR OWN FACTS. THE QUESTION HAS BEEN A TOPIC OF DISCUSSION FOR SOME TIME AND THERE HAS BEEN NO SHORTAGE OF CONTENTIONS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE EQUATION. I WAS PERSONALLY DRAWN INTO THE DISCUSSION AFTER READING AN ARTICLE PUBLISHED IN AN ISSUE OF THE NEW YORK TENNIS MAGAZINE WRITTEN BY CHRIS LEWIT, A HIGHLY RESPECTED PROFESSIONAL. CHRIS HAS BEEN WILLING TO TACKLE MANY OF THE COMMONLY HELD NOTIONS ON HOW THE GAME HAS BEEN AND SHOULD BE PROPAGATED. I CERTAINLY JOIN HIM IN CHAMPIONING THAT CAUSE. PEDAGOGICALLY, OUR GAME IS IN DESPERATE NEED OF A FORENSIC OVERALL, LINGUISTICALLY. PARDON THE DIGRESSION.
CHRIS POSITED IN HIS ARTICLE THAT HE DISAGREED WITH THOSE WHO DISMISS THE NOTION OF THE PRESENCE OF TALENT IN SOME PLAYERS. I BELIEVE HE ALSO CONTENDED THAT IT COULD BE DETECTED AT A VERY AGE. ALLOW ME TO EXPLAIN WHY I HAD TO PREFACE MY CONTENTION WITH, “I BELIEVE”. I MISPLACED THAT PARTICULAR ISSUE IN THE INTERIM BETWEEN WHEN I FIRST READ THAT ARTICLE AND THE SUBSEQUENT 3 BOOKS I READ PLUS 2 REREADS.
IT WAS MY INITIAL INTENTION TO PRESENT A MORE NUANCED POSITION RELATIVE TO COACH LEWIT OR TO AT LEAST ASK FOR CLARITY OF HIS POSITION. IT WAS AND IS DRIVEN BY THE EXCESSIVE AMBIGUITY PRESENT IN OUR PARTICULAR TENNIS PARLANCE. THE LIMITATIONS OF LANGUAGE DO COME INTO PLAY WHEN WE LOOSELY USE TERMS. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO TAKE A POSITION WITHOUT ESTABLISHING SOME COMMONALITY IN HOW WE WERE DE-NOTATING OR CON-NOTATING THE WORD; TALENT.
I, FOR SURE, DID NOT WANT TO BE VICTIMIZED BY THE DONNING KRUGER EFFECT. IN ESSENCE, IT WARNS OF THE DANGER OF HAVING JUST ENOUGH INFORMATION TO BLIND US OF WHAT WE DON’T KNOW THAT WE DON’T KNOW. SO, I SOUGHT THE COUNCIL OF GEOFF COLVIN BY PERUSING HIS CONTRIBUTIONS OF “TALENT IS OVERRATED”; “ARE HUMANS UNDERRATED?” AND DAVID EPSTEIN’S “THE SPORTS GENE”. I REREAD DANIAL COYLE’S “THE TALENT CODE” AND SIR KEN ROBINSON’S “ELEMENTS”. I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT IT WAS NOT AN EXERCISE IN FERTILITY.
THE LATE PROF. ROBINSON WROTE ELOQUENTLY OF ONE FINDING THE FEATURES OF THEIR ELEMENT WHEN THEY DISCOVERED WHAT THEY HAD AN APTITUDE FOR COUPLED WITH A PASSION FOR. IN ORDER FOR THEM TO COMPLETE THE REALIZATION OF THEIR ELEMENT, IT WOULD REQUIRE THEM TO BE IN THE IDEAL ENVIRONMENT WITH THE PROPER ATTITUDE. COULD THIS COUPLING OF NURTURE AND NATURE BE CONSIDERED A TALENT? PERHAPS NOT WITHOUT A GOOD AMOUNT OF CONJECTURE.
DAVID EPSTEIN, WHO EARNED ALL EAST HONORS ON COLOMBIA UNIVERSITY’S VARSITY TRACK SQUAD AND A MASTERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE SIMPLY STATES THAT, SO FAR, NO GENES THAT CAN BE CIRCUMSCRIBED TO TALENT HAS BEEN FOUND WITH AN EMPHASIS ON, “SO FAR”.
GEOFF COLVIN OF THE NYU STERN SCHOOL AND DANIEL COYLE COME DOWN, PRETTY MUCH ON THE SAME SIDE OF THE EQUATION ROOTED IN SCIENCE. COLVIN CALLS IT DELIBERATE PRACTICE AND COYLE CALLED IT DEEP PRACTICE THAT GENERATED EXTRAORDINARY PERFORMANCES. THEY BOTH FOCUS ON BUILDING MYELIN AROUND THE SYNAPES IN ISOLATION. COLVIN ALSO HAS USED SOMETHING CALLED AFTER ACTION REVIEW (AAR). THE RESEARCH PROVED VALUABLE IN THE MILITARY, THE BOARD ROOMS AND THE PLAYING FIELDS. COYLE TRAVELED THE GLOBE EVALUATING THE PROVEN HOTBEDS. NEVER DID HE FIND ANY DEVIATIONS FROM THE PROVEN PATHWAY. THAT IS TASKING THE NEURONS IN DEEP DELIBERATE PRACTICE.
THE NOTION OF SOMETHING INNATE WITHIN PARTICULAR INDIVIDUALS IS PRECARIOUS BEFORE THE COPING MECHANISMS ARE IN PLACE BECAUSE IT IS THE DEVELOPMENT OF STRESSORS THAT MATTERS MORE. ACCOLADES OF TALENTS ARE OFTEN VOICED IN PRACTICE WHICH CAN BE A BURDEN IN COMPETITION BEFORE OTHER DYNAMICS ARE PRESENT AND ACCOUNTED FOR. THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE MENTIONED A PLAYER HAVING FAST TWITCH MUSCLES AS HAVING A TALENT. THE BEST THAT CAN BE SAID OF THAT IS BEING A TRAIT AND EVEN THAT SO STATED IS NOT AN ACCURATE DEPLICTION OF WHAT IS REALLY HAPPENING. MUSCLES ARE REALLY DUMB. THE NERVOUS SYSTEM IS REALLY THE MASTER SYSTEM. THEY DON’T JUST RULE BY DECREE. NEUROPLASTICITY IS BREAKING THROUGH PREVIOUSLY HELD FRONTIERS CONTINUOUSLY. THE ASSUMPTION THAT WE ONLY HAVE 5 SENSES LOOMS LARGE ESPECIALLY WHEN EVERYTHING THE BRAIN LEARNS IS THROUGH ALL 9 OF THEM.
I HARKEN BACK TO ALL THE PLAYERS ON THE WTA WHO WERE MUCH QUICKER THAN MARTINA HINGES BUT SHE HELD THE #1RANKING ON THE TOUR FOR 109 WEEKS IN SINGLES AND FOR 90 OF THOSE WEEKS, IN DOUBLES AS WELL, ALL WITH THE REPUTATION AS BEING ONE OF THE SLOWEST PLAYER ON THE TOUR.
I AM SURE THAT COACH LEWIT SAW SOMETHING THAT HE COULD BUILD ON. HIS RECORD SPEAKS FOR ITSELF. I AM CONTENTING THAT HE MISLABELED WHAT HE SAW. I WOULD ENCOURAGE ALL THE COACHES IN OUR DELICATE INDUSTRY TO BE MINDFUL OF THE LIMITATIONS OF OUR LANGUAGE AND OUR HISTORICAL NOMENCLATURE. IT IS WOEFULLY MISLEADING TO THE UNINITIATED, ESPECIALLY THOSE UNDER THE AGE OF CONCEPTION. PROF. CAROL DWECK, IN HER SEMINAL BOOK, “MINDSET”, CONDUCTED RESEARCH THAT HAS SHOWN THAT PRAISING YOUNG PEOPLE FOR BEING SMART (OR TALENTED) HAS A DETRIMENTAL EFFECT ON THEM. PRAISING THEM FOR THEIR DILIGENCE HAS PROVEN EXTREMELY BENEFICIAL TO THEM. THE FORMER, NOT WANTING TO RISK LOSING THEIR PRAISE AND THE LATTER BEING EXCITED TO TAKE A RISK . - MARVIN DENT
REFLECTING ON THE USTA EASTERN’S 2024 COLLEGE SHOWCASE DAY
BY SOMADI DRUCKER
AS THE HEAD MEN’S TENNIS COACH AT QUEENS COLLEGE AND A PROUD MEMBER OF THE RACQUET SPORTS PROFESSIONALS ASSOCIATION (RSPA), I FOUND USTA EASTERN’S 2024 COLLEGE SHOWCASE DAY TO BE AN INCREDIBLY REWARDING EXPERIENCE. THE EVENT DOES SUCH A GREAT JOB OF BRINGING PLAYERS, PARENTS, AND COACHES TOGETHER TO MAKE THE COLLEGE RECRUITMENT PROCESS A LITTLE LESS OVERWHELMING FOR EVERYONE INVOLVED.
ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS FOR ME THIS YEAR WAS BEING PART OF THE CAMP BEFORE THE SHOWCASE. IT WAS SUCH A GREAT ADDITION TO THE EVENT, SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO HELP FRESHMEN AND SOPHOMORES START EXPLORING THEIR PATH TO COLLEGE TENNIS. WORKING WITH YOUNGER PLAYERS AND GUIDING THEM THROUGH WHAT COLLEGE TENNIS ENTAILS WAS EXCITING. WE RAN DRILLS, TALKED ABOUT WHAT COACHES LOOK FOR, AND GAVE THEM A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS. IT’S NEVER TOO EARLY TO START, AND SEEING THE ENTHUSIASM AND POTENTIAL IN THOSE PLAYERS WAS INSPIRING.
THE SHOWCASE ITSELF WAS, AS ALWAYS, AN INVALUABLE EXPERIENCE FOR BOTH PLAYERS AND COACHES. HAVING THE CHANCE TO WATCH SO MANY PLAYERS COMPETE IN ONE PLACE, WHETHER IN MATCH PLAY OR DRILLS MAKES IT MUCH EASIER TO EVALUATE NOT JUST THEIR TENNIS SKILLS BUT ALSO HOW THEY HANDLE PRESSURE, ADAPT, AND WORK AS PART OF A TEAM. THOSE INTANGIBLES ARE JUST AS IMPORTANT AS A GREAT FOREHAND WHEN IT COMES TO SUCCEEDING AT THE COLLEGIATE LEVEL. FOR PLAYERS AND THEIR FAMILIES, THE SHOWCASE IS A GAME-CHANGER. THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT WITH COACHES, LEARN ABOUT THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS, AND EVEN GET TIPS ON THINGS LIKE COLLEGE ESSAYS IS SO HELPFUL. AS AN RSPA MEMBER, I ALSO LOVE SHARING HOW PLAYERS CAN STAY INVOLVED IN THE SPORT BEYOND PLAYING, WHETHER THROUGH COACHING OR TEACHING CLINICS. IT’S A GREAT WAY TO EARN AN EXTRA INCOME OR START A CAREER IN TENNIS, AND I ENJOY SHOWING PLAYERS HOW THEY CAN KEEP TENNIS IN THEIR LIVES IN DIFFERENT WAYS.
USTA EASTERN DESERVES SO MUCH CREDIT FOR PUTTING TOGETHER AN EVENT THAT KEEPS GETTING BETTER EVERY YEAR. THEIR COMMITMENT TO GROWING THE SPORT AND MAKING THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS EASIER FOR PLAYERS AND COACHES ALIKE IS TRULY COMMENDABLE.
REFLECTING ON MY EXPERIENCE, I’M REMINDED OF THE IMPACT WE AS COACHES CAN HAVE. EVENTS LIKE THE SHOWCASE AND THE ADDITION OF THE CAMP—ARE INCREDIBLE TOOLS FOR HELPING YOUNG ATHLETES SUCCEED ON THE COURT AND BEYOND. I’M ALREADY LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEXT SHOWCASE AND THE CHANCE TO CONNECT WITH EVEN MORE TALENTED, PASSIONATE PLAYERS.
- SOMADI DRUCKER
PERKS OF THE PROFESSION:
TEACH-BY-THE-BEACH WORKING VACATIONS
BY WHITNEY KRAFT
MANAGING DIRECTOR OF RACQUET
SPORTS MANAGEMENT
“JUST STEPS FROM YOUR LESSON COURT TO A REFRESHING PLUNGE INTO WORLD CLASS WATERS ON THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BEACHES AROUND THE WORLD”.
IF THAT SOUNDS GOOD, YOU WILL LOVE THIS; RACQUET SPORTS MANAGEMENT HAS JUST SIGNED A MULTIYEAR DEAL WITH A SPORTS AND FITNESS COMPANY THAT PROVIDES FITNESS TRAINERS AND SPORTS INSTRUCTORS TO OVER 100 BEACHFRONT RESORTS GLOBALLY. APPROXIMATELY 80 ARE IN THE CARIBBEAN AND MEXICO, A FEW MORE IN SOUTH AND CENTRAL AMERICA, AND OTHER IN EXOTIC PLACES INCLUDING FIJI, MALASIA, INDONESIA, JAPAN, MALDIVES AND THAILAND!
TO LEARN MORE, CLICK ON OUR TEACHING VACATIONS TAB AT WWW.RACQUETSPORTSMANAGEMENT.COM (RSM). THE BOOKING PROCESS FEATURES SEARCH FILTERS BY SPORT, COUNTRIES, ADULT ONLY, FAMILY, SPECIFIC WEEKS OF THE YEAR.
TO BOOK A TEACHING VACATION, INSTRUCTORS MUST HOLD AN APPROVED CURRENT CERTIFICATION WHICH IS CHECKED AND VERIFIED BY A COMPLIANCE OFFICER. THERE ARE EVEN MORE REASONS TO RENEW YOUR RSPA MEMBERSHIP, UPGRADE YOUR CERTIFICATION LEVEL, AND ADD MULTI-SPORT CERTIFICATIONS. THERE IS A GROWING DEMAND FOR MULTI-SPORT CERTIFICATION, MOSTLY PICKLEBALL AND TENNIS WITH ANTICIPATED DEMAND FOR PADEL. CLUB MED HAS 25 RESORTS WITH PADEL AND IS ONE OF OUR RESORT CHAIN CONTRACTS. BEACH TENNIS IS ANOTHER SPORT BUT DOES NOT REQUIRE A CERTIFICATION YET. IT IS A VALUE-ADDING OPTION WE ARE OFFERING RESORTS. BEACH TENNIS IS GOVERNED BY THE ITF AND HAS A PRO TOUR AND IS SEEKING OLYMPICS 2032!
“MULTI-CERTIFICATION” HAS BEEN A LONG-STANDING SITUATION WITH FITNESS INSTRUCTORS. SOME RESORTS REQUIRE INSTRUCTORS TO BE CERTIFIED IN MULTIPLE CLASSES SUCH AS YOGA AND ZUMBA. THE OTHER ADVANTAGE OF MULTI-CERTIFICATION IS YOU CAN BOOK A TENNIS POSITION FOR ONE WEEK, THEN A PICKLEBALL AT ANOTHER RESORT THE FOLLOWING WEEK. WE ANTICIPATE MORE RESORTS WILL WANT YOU TO TEACH MULTIPLE SPORTS, SUCH AS TENNIS FIVE HOURS OF THE WEEK AND PICKLEBALL FOR THE OTHER FIVE HOURS. SOMETIMES YOU CAN REMAIN AT THE SAME RESORT FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS, BUT MOST RESORTS ARE SINGLE WEEK DEALS DUE TO NON-RESIDENT WORK LAWS IN THESE NON-USA COUNTRIES.
THE ONLY OTHER COST, BESIDES THE AIRFARE AND THE BOOKING FEE, IS THE GUEST INSTRUCTOR TRAVEL CLUB MEMBERSHIP. WE HAVE A 30-DAY FREE TRIAL AND AFTER THAT, $95 PER YEAR. IF YOU LIKE MULTI-WEEK VACATIONS AND WANT TO ONLY PAY FOR ONE PLANE TRIP, PLACES LIKE CANCUN, JAMAICA OR DOMINICAN REPUBLIC HAVE DOZENS OF RESORTS EACH. IF YOU WANT EXTRA EXOTIC PLACES, WE HAVE THAILAND, MALDIVES, FIJI, MALAYSIA, INDONESIA, JAPAN, CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA.
LOCATION:EUROPE, JUNE27-JULY22
TENNIS: EUROPE INVITES FEMALES AND MALES TO COACH JUNIORS AGES 13-18 ON TOURNAMENT CIRCUIT IN EUROPE FOR 19 TO 26 DAYS THIS COMING SUMMER, OUR 51ST ANNIVERSARY YEAR. MINIMUM AGE OF 21 BY END OF JUNE AND PREFER PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH AMERICAN TEENAGE TENNIS PLAYERS. WE CONDUCT SERIOUS-MINDED TOURNAMENT CIRCUITS DESIGNED TO GIVE JUNIORS MATCH EXPERIENCE AND MENTAL TOUGHNESS.
THIS POSITION REQUIRES OFF THE COURT SUPERVISION AND OTHER JOB DUTIES. TWO COACHES PER 10 TO 16 PLAYERS WITH ABILITY LEVEL FROM SCHOOL VARSITY OR STRONG JV TO A SEPARATE TEAM FOR SECTIONALLY AND NATIONALLY RANKED. WE WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH TRAINING AND SUPPORT TO MAKE YOUR SUMMER SUCCESSFUL AND MEMORABLE FOR YOU AND THROUGH YOU TO YOUR PLAYERS. A REWARDING POSITION AND MAJOR CREDENTIAL ON YOUR RESUME. DATES : JUNE 27 UNTIL JULY 22 OR JULY 16. OVER 5750 PAST PARTICIPANTS. START YOUR APPLICATION BY SENDING A COVER LETTER AND RESUME TO: INFO@TENNISEUROPE.COM AFTER WHICH WE WILL SEND YOU A DETAILED JOB DESCRIPTION AND APPLICATION. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, TELEPHONE TO ME AT: 1-203-322-9803 (LANDLINE). LIMITED NUMBER OF OPENINGS AND CANDIDATES ARE CONSIDERED BY DATE OF APPLICATION. CONTACT PERSON: DR. MARTIN VINOKUR, DIRECTOR, RSPA ELITE PRO
JOIN TODAY AND REAP THE BENEFITS
Now is an exciting time to be a part of the association! In addition to educational changes, I’ve outlined our goals for 2023 below:
1. Education
a. Continue to provide regular monthly webinars
b. Return to in-person workshops & conferences
2. Improve Communication
a. Create a schedule of regular marketing content
b. Conduct Semi-Yearly Virtual Town Halls
c. Survey our Membership more often
3.Help Facilitate New National Education Track
a. Continue to Liaison between National and Eastern Division
b. Provide Communication regarding Educational Changes
4. Create New Partnerships
OURGOALSTHISWEEK
a. PTM Programs
b. Early Education College Programs
c. Local Clubs in our Districts
d. Attract a More Diverse & Inclusive Full Board of Directors
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RSPAEASTERNNEWFACES VINCENTCASALE
THE RSPA EASTERN DIVISION BOARD HAS DEFINED THE USE OF STRINGPING AS A TOOL TO ENHANCE MEMBER EXPERIENCES THROUGH IMPROVED MARKETING STRATEGIES AND COMMUNICATION EFFICIENCY. THIS INVOLVES EVALUATING ITS COMPATIBILITY WITH OTHER ENDORSED PRODUCTS IN THE RSPA SUITE, SUCH AS MAILCHIMP, GMAIL, ZOOM, AND OTTER.AI.
I AM CURRENTLY WORKING ON INCORPORATING THESE DIFFERENT SOFTWARE AS PART OF THE STANDARD TOOLSET TO STREAMLINE COMMUNICATION WITHIN THE DIVISION, ENSURING GREATER EFFICIENCY FOR OUR MEMBERS AND ADMINISTRATORS. WE FOUND THAT STRINGPING'S STRENGTHS ARE IN MARKETING, EMAIL COMMUNICATION, AND GROUP/INDIVIDUAL MESSAGING, WHERE FEATURES SUCH AS BULK SMS, MMS/PICTURE MESSAGING, AND VOICE BROADCASTING ETC... WILL HELP US USE STRINGPING'S FEATURES TO OUR MEMBER'S BENEFIT. ADDITIONALLY, TO ENSURE PROPER USE OF THESE FEATURES, WE WILL PROVIDE TRAINING VIDEOS FOR THE BOARD ON HOW TO USE THE PRODUCT CONSISTENTLY AND MAXIMIZE ITS POTENTIAL.
I'VE WORKED IN THE FINANCIAL INDUSTRY FOR OVER 30 YEARS, LEADING HIGH-PROFILE, BUSINESS-CRITICAL PROJECTS AND HOLDING DIVERSE ROLES IN ARCHITECTURE, IT PLANNING, AND DEVELOPMENT. THROUGHOUT THIS JOURNEY, I BUILT AND EXECUTED STRATEGIC INITIATIVES THAT DELIVERED RESULTS AND CULTIVATED A STRONG COMMITMENT TO INNOVATION, COLLABORATION, AND MENTORSHIP. IT IS THESE QUALITIES I AM EAGER TO BRING TO THE RSPA TO HELP GROW ITS MISSION AND DRIVE ITS SUCCESS.
OUTSIDE OF MY CORPORATE CAREER, I HAVE A DEEP CONNECTION TO TENNIS. IN THE EARLY 1990S, I TAUGHT ALONGSIDE ONE OF THE MOST RESPECTED COACHES IN THE SPORT ON LONG ISLAND. DURING THAT TIME, I CONTRIBUTED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF TWO JUNIORS WHO WENT ON TO BECOME ALL-AMERICANS AT STANFORD. I ALSO ENJOYED COACHING MY SON, WHO CAPTAINED THE FRANKLIN & MARSHALL COLLEGE TENNIS TEAM. ON A PERSONAL NOTE, I'M MARRIED TO MY WIFE, DOREEN, AN ATTORNEY, AND WE HAVE TWO CHILDREN WHO ARE NOW PURSUING THEIR CAREERS.
DUNLOP IS PROUD TO PARTNER WITH THE USPTA AND OFFER ITS MEMBERS
EXECUTIVEDIRECTOR'S REPORT
BYPAULFONTANA
“IT’STHENEXTNOTETHATCOUNTS”
AT THE TIME OF WRITING THIS, IT IS DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME. WE TRULY BEGIN TO TRAN FROST. EVEN THOUGH IT LOOKS LIKE SUMMER WEATHER, WE WILL BE HEADING INDOORS FOR TH CHANGE; IT IS THE CYCLE OF LIFE. 2024 HAS BEEN A YEAR OF CHANGE! WE HAVE HAD MANY EXCELLENT WORKSHOPS, CLINICS AND CONFERENCES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, FROM SOUTH HAMPTON TO MANASQUAN, BUFFALO TO PALM SPRINGS. WE HAVE BEEN ON THE MOVE THIS YEAR! OUR DIVISION HAS EXPANDED OUR OFFERINGS TO OUR MEMBERSHIPS WITH LEVEL 1 AND LEVEL 2 COACH DEVELOPER WORKSHOPS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. WE INTEND TO HAVE MORE OFFERINGS IN 2025, SO PLEASE KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR THOSE. OUR DIVISION CONFERENCE IN NEW JERSEY AT THE GENESIS ATLANTIC CLUB WAS A GREAT EXPERIENCE. OUR SPEAKERS WERE WORTHY OF A WORLD CONFERENCE AND OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MIDDLE STATES DIVISION WAS AN EXCELLENT CHOICE BY OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM. THE WORLD CONFERENCE IN PALM SPRINGS WAS OUTSTANDING, AND THE FEATURED SPEAKERS WERE EXCELLENT, AS USUAL. IF THE GOAL WAS TO OFFER TOP SHELF EDUCATION TO OUR MEMBERS, WE HIT A HIGH NOTE AT BOTH EVENTS! WELL DONE BY NATIONAL! SPEAKING OF HIGH NOTES, I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE A QUOTE BY MY GOOD FRIEND, MILES DAVIS. (IF YOU DON’T KNOW WHO MILES DAVIS IS, PLEASE GOOGLE HIM, LISTEN TO EITHER KIND OF BLUE OR BITCHES BREW AND THEN FINISH READING THIS REPORT. I’M SERIOUS). MILES ONCE SAID, “IT’S NOT THE NOTE YOU PLAY THAT’S THE WRONG NOTE, IT’S THE NOTE YOU PLAY AFTERWARDS THAT MAKES IT RIGHT OR WRONG.” THE USPTA HAS COME TO A FORK IN THE ROAD, AND THEY HAVE TAKEN IT! AT THE WORLD CONFERENCE IN SEPTEMBER, OUR NATIONAL LEADERSHIP DECIDED TO REBRAND OUR ASSOCIATION. IT WAS NOT AN EASY DECISION, AND IT WAS NOT A DECISION EVERY MEMBER IN THE ASSOCIATION WAS HAPPY WITH…...BUT AS MILES POINTS OUT, IT’S THE NEXT NOTE THAT COUNTS! IT IS WHAT WE DO NEXT, AS AN ASSOCIATION AND AS INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS, THAT MATTERS! OUR ASSOCIATION IS MADE UP OF VERY PROUD AND VERY ACCOMPLISHED PEOPLE. THE GAME OF TENNIS TRAINS US TO BE FOCUSED. THE MORE FOCUSED WE ARE ON ONE THING, THE BETTER RESULTS WE TEND TO HAVE. MY SUGGESTION, DURING THIS TIME OF TRANSITION, IS TO REMAIN FOCUSED. REMAIN FOCUSED ON WHY YOU JOINED THIS ASSOCIATION IN THE FIRST PLACE. DID YOU JOIN FOR THE NAME? OR DID YOU JOIN FOR WHAT THE ASSOCIATION REPRESENTS? DID YOU JOIN FOR THE WORKSHOPS AND THE CONFERENCES? DID YOU JOIN FOR THE NETWORKING AND THE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THE ASSOCIATION HAS TO OFFER? WE AS INDIVIDUALS, WITH ALL OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS, BRING A VAST AMOUNT OF SUCCESS TO THE COLLECTIVE, TO THE ASSOCIATION. LET’S REMAIN SINGULARLY FOCUSED ON THE NEW DIRECTION OUR ASSOCIATION HAS DECIDED TO GO IN. WE ARE NOW THE RSPA! AND TRY REMEMBERING THE WORDS OF MILES, IT’S THE NEXT NOTE, THE NEXT STEP THAT MATTERS. I HAVE BEEN LISTENING TO HIM FOR MANY YEARS AND HE ALWAYS ENDS UP IN THE RIGHT PLACE. HAVE A GREAT HOLIDAY SEASON AND I WANT TO THAN
Paul Fontana
Executive Director
RSPA Eastern Division