MESSAGE President’s
It’s official, we are now the RSPA -
Racquet
Sports Professional Association!
The 2024 Annual RSPA World Racquets Conference, held September 15-19, 2024 at the Westin Rancho Mirage Resort in Rancho Mirage, California, started out with a bang, with best-selling author, speaker and leadership expert, Allistair McCaw announcing that the USPTA is now officially the RSPA. We have totally rebranded and are no longer just a tennis organization - we are a racquet sports organization: tennis, pickleball, platform, Padel and squash (see the article inside regarding the new RSPA squash certification).
This year’s conference educational line-up was amazing! The panel of speakers this year was world class and each session provided an opportunity for us to grow and learn. There was a balance of on-court and off-court sessions, including a great mix of tennis, pickleball, Padel and even hints of squash and platform.
The RSPA Mid-Atlantic Division was well represented at this year’s World Racquets Conference. Congratulations to our two award-winning members: Bruce Lipka - Alex Gordon Award for Professional of the Year & Karim Najdi - Laurie Martin High School Coach of the Year. Amazing job, gentlemen!
The World Racquets Conference ended with a wonderful poolside dinner and the final event of the Division Olympics –karaoke! Each division competed with their favorite song and dance, with our own Joe Caruth representing the MidAtlantic with an amazing rendition of “My Way.”
I’ve attended many of our World Racquets Conferences over the years and each time I come away with something positive. The conferences are great opportunities to learn and grow as a racquets professional and to catch up with friends. I strongly suggest taking advantage of the 2025 RSPA World Racquets Conference at the Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa on the Big Island in Hawaii.
Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or if you would like to be more involved with the RSPA Mid-Atlantic Division. (Email: G2Tennis@live.com )
Thank you,
Sincerely,
Glenn Gerbino President, RSPA Mid-Atlantic Division
UPDATE Executive Director’s
SAVE THE DATES:
February 21 & 22, 2025
RSPA Mid-Atlantic Division Annual Conference & RSPA Awards Luncheon
Congressional Country Club 8500 River Road, Bethesda, Maryland 20817
RSPA Mid-Atlantic Annual Conference Registration
September 19 – 25, 2025
2025 RSPA World Racquets Conference Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa
78-128 Ehukai Street, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
RSPA World Racquets Conference 2025 Preregistration Deposit
Overview of Change from USPTA to RSPA
Racquet Sports Professionals Association
Exciting New Opportunities for RSPA Members
RSPA members now have access to certifications in five different racquet sports under one unified association. All USPTA memberships are now considered RSPA memberships, and members certified in any racquet sport can get certified in another by attending one of the RSPA’s nationally available workshops. Teaching professionals who want to get certified by the RSPA for the first time can join the association through any of our available racquet sports—tennis, pickleball, padel, platform and squash. The organization is also rolling out future-focused, personalized training programs that blend on-court expertise with off-court skills like business management and leadership, personal development and more.
Let’s Connect
The RSPA Mid-Atlantic Division is interested in connecting with you. If you have news you would like to share with the division, job postings, a promotion, tennis/pickleball tips or an upcoming event, then please send the information to me at Joni.Hannah@rspa.net . Also, please follow us on Facebook and on X (formerly Twitter)
New Members Level I Professionals
Muhammad Rahim, Arlington, Virginia
Upgrades to Level II Professionals
Cedric Abalos, Centreville, Virginia
Danielle Faucher, Washington, DC Oleksiy Ivaschenko, Washington, DC
Kornkanok Sarikulaya, Rockville, Maryland
Jose Guevarat, Virginia Beach, Virginia
By Joni Hannah, Executive Director, RSPA Mid-Atlantic Division
RSPA Mid-Atlantic Division
Annual Awards & Hall of Fame Luncheon
The RSPA Mid-Atlantic Division is committed to excellence in racquet sports. As certified teaching professionals and ambassadors to our sports, our members lead with integrity, innovate in coaching, and inspire a diverse and inclusive racquet sports community. As 2024 draws to a close, the RSPA Mid-Atlantic Division is seeking your help in identifying and celebrating those fellow RSPA member professionals who have achieved excellence this year on and/or off the court.
If you know of any deserving individuals, please nominate them for one or more of the awards and please join us at the Awards Luncheon to acknowledge and celebrate our award winners.
The deadline for submitting a nomination is December 1, 2024. Supporting documents regarding the nominee may be submitted up until December 15, 2024, If you have any question regarding the awards or the nominating process, then please contact Awards Chairman, Mark DiChiara ( mjd10us@aol.com ) or RSPA Mid-Atlantic Executive Director, Joni Hannah ( Joni.Hannah@rspa.net )
In addition, the Hall of Fame Committee is currently seeking nominations for the RSPA Mid-Atlantic Hall of Fame. The RSPA Mid-Atlantic Hall of Fame recognizes and celebrates the exceptional contributions of professionals who have made a lasting impact on our sport and community. We are asking our RSPA Mid-Atlantic professionals to help identify and nominate deserving individuals for this prestigious honor. Your recommendations and insights are invaluable in ensuring that deserving members receive the recognition they merit.
Link to Past Recipients
If you know of a past or current RSPA Mid-Atlantic Division
professional who has demonstrated outstanding dedication, skill and leadership throughout their tennis career, then we would greatly appreciate you taking the time to complete the linked nomination form for the Committee’s consideration of the candidate. Link to Nomination Form
Nominations must be submitted by December 15, 2024. Please contact Hall of Fame Committee Chairman, John Cleary ( primetimetennis@comcast.net ) or RSPA Mid-Atlantic Executive Director, Joni Hannah ( Joni.Hannah@rspa.net ) , if you have any questions or require any additional information.
Award winners and any Hall of Fame inductees will be honored during the Awards Luncheon to be held on Friday, February 21, 2025 at our 2025 Mid-Atlantic Division Annual Conference to be held at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland.
RPSA FALL WORKSHOP
Joni Hannah, Executive Director, RSPA Mid-Atlantic Division
On Friday, November 8th, the RSPA Mid-Atlantic Division held its 2024 Fall Racquets Workshop and had over thirty professionals in attendance. The host site was Long Reach Tennis Club, an awardwinning facility owned and operated by Columbia Association.
The day started in the classroom with informative presentations, including Nate Engler on Successful Event Management, Hyon Yoo and Mark DiChiara on Stresses, Challenges and Coping Mechanisms for Racquets Professionals, and David Robinson on Perks of the Profession: Teach-by-the-Beach Working Vacays. During lunch, Glenn Gerbino and Joni Hannah provided updates on the re-branded RSPA and later everyone headed to the court to listen to Arun Pant present on Drill Building and, More Importantly, Unbuilding, to finish the event.
Many thanks to our speakers, the RSPA Education Committee and to Columbia Association’s Anish Manrai, Assistant Director, Community Programs & Services, and Arun Pant, Assistant General Manager of Racquet Sports, for this terrific event. Anish and Arun along with the Columbia Association staff, worked hard to make sure the event was a success. It should be noted that Columbia Association had ten professionals in attendance and is a great supporter of continuing education and the RSPA.
RSPA Pickleball Certifications
The RSPA recently introduced its Pickleball Certification to provide comprehensive and modern training in pickleball coaching. As one of the fastest-growing sports in the U.S., pickleball coaching certification offers a unique opportunity for players and current coaches of all skill levels to expand their knowledge and coaching abilities. This certification, modeled after our successful tennis certification protocols and designed with the assistance of pickleball experts and teaching professionals, is not just a learning opportunity but a chance to be inspired by the best in the game.
Pictured Michale Caboy, Cooper Zent, Neely Zarvakis, Coach Developer
Jason Grigg, Joe Coccimiglio and Mark Torbert
Pictured Coach Developer
Jason Grigg, Jeff Maren, Mike Moyer, Mike Pugh, Lorenzo Sison, Jason Mueller, Zoe Fraser, Carmen Șelaru, Anastasiia RomanovaHill and Parviz Ehsanifar
Demand for Pickleball Certifications remains high. Pickleball Coach Developer, Jason Grigg notes, “We have completed six certification events and certified 35 RSPA professionals this year and we are excited to also now offer pickleball certifications to non-RSPA professionals.” It is clear our RSPA professionals increase their value when they maintain multiple certifications.
Jason recently held Pickleball Certification events in Charlottesville, VA in October and in Virginia Beach, VA in November.
NOW WITH MORE FOR YOU
McMahon Careers, is RSPA's trusted source for executive search services for employers, and career coaching services for racquet sports professionals.
To locate all open Director-Level and Head Professional Job Openings, visit: RSPADirectorSearch.net
Young Professionals Group Career Discovery Call
Schedule a confidential & thoughtful phone conversation focused on you & your career. Engage, Exchange & share stories of success with the best young professionals
SPOTLIGHT ON THE MID-ATLANTIC Highlighting success in the RSPA Mid-Atlantic Division
Bruce Lipka
RSPA Mid-Atlantic Dvision professional, Bruce Lipka, was presented the 2024 Alex Gordon Professional of the Year Award at the 2024 World Racquets Conference in Rancho Mirage, California. Bruce Lipka is the men’s tennis head coach at Penn State and the coach of WTA No. 1 doubles player, Erin Routliffe. In 2020, he achieved RSPA Master Professional status. He is a three-time RSPA Tour Coach of the Year and four-time RSPA Professional of the Year. As a board member of numerous organizations, including grassroots nonprofits and elite philanthropic groups, he has consistently used tennis as a tool for community building. For 40 years he has represented what it means to be the Alex Gordon Pro of the Year.
Karim Najdi
Named
RSPA Mid-Atlantic Division professional, Karim Najdi, was presented the 2024 Laurie Martin High School Coach of the Year Award at the at the 2024 World Racquets Conference in Rancho Mirage, California. Karim Najdi is an RSPA Elite Professional and the associate athletic director at St. Albans School. He has led independent schools and nonprofit organizations in providing multisport and academic programs to hundreds of children and adults each year. As head coach of St. Albans, Najdi has led the team to win many championships including IAC titles and DCSAA trophies.
McCormack-Nagelsen
Named 2024 Laurie Martin High School Coach of the Year
The McCormack-Nagelsen Tennis Center located on the campus of William & Mary is excited to announce the addition of six new tennis professionals to the staff, Will Grier, Brooke Pilkington, Erik Wright, Michael Academia, Lauren Goodman and Mary Blair Seward, all of which are current RSPA members and have either completed their professional certification or are in the process of achieving certification. The addition of new staff is largely due to the expanded programs now being offered to both adults and juniors at the award-winning indoor facility. Congratulations to all!
Named 2024 Alex Gordon Professional of the Year
2024 Laurie Martin High School Coach of the Year
Jason Weir-Smith
Named Director of Racquets at Woodmont Country Club
Congratulations to RSPA Elite Professional, Jason Weir-Smith, on being named the Director of Racquet Sports at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, Maryland, and welcome to the Mid-Atlantic Division. Jason noted, “I am thrilled to be here in the MidAtlantic and excited to be part of this community! I am eager to immerse myself in this vibrant tennis community here in Maryland alongside my wife, Robyn.”
A graduate of Texas Christian University, Jason earned All-American honors and held the #1 collegiate ranking in the U.S. during his junior and senior years. Jason’s tennis journey began in Johannes, South Africa, where his passion for the sport blossomed. “It all started because my parents built a tennis court and not a squash court! I found tennis exceptionally challenging and dreamt of playing at some of the major tournaments around the world.” Jason’s intense passion for competition on the world stage helped him reach the games highest echelons, playing the ATP Tour across 38 countries and competing in all four Grand Slams. Jason continues to compete on the senior circuit and recently won the USTA National Men’s 40s Indoor Champion in both singles and doubles (Cincinnati 2019). Jason’s teaching career has taken him to some of the nation’s elite clubs including West Side Tennis Club (Queens, NY), Salt Lake Tennis & Health Club (SLC, UT) and Chapel Hill Tennis Club (North Carolina), and now Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, Maryland. Congratulations and welcome to the Mid-Atlantic Division, Jason!
Columbia Country Club Hosts USIC Round Robin
Columbia Country Club and Director of Racquets, Joe Mesmer, hosted the annual USIC annual Round Robin and lunch in July. Twenty USIC Members and guests enjoyed a very competitive and spirited doubles round robin followed by lunch. USIC president Rob Bunnen and USIC member David Gollub were instrumental in the success of the event. The USIC is the International Tennis Club of the United States of America is made up of men
and women tennis players who have represented the US in International matches, who have the International Tennis Club of the United States of America is made up of men and women tennis players who have represented the US in International matches, who have won national championships or who have achieved a high national standard of play. In addition to spearheading international play amongst 42 countries, USIC is involved in promoting tennis in underdeveloped countries.
Chevy Chase Recreation Association Swim and Racquet Club Adds Pickleball Courts
Chevy Chase Recreation Association Swim and Racquet Club has enjoyed the addition of eight Pickleball courts to add onto their four
tennis courts. Director of Racquet Sports, Betsy Heidenberger, had 60 pickleball enthusiasts participate in their summer league play with plans to continue year-round, weather permitting.
This summer, Columbia Association hosted our Wimbledon Themed EKT Event and had kids from all across our junior development program in attendance. We aim to host these events every session so that kids can meet peers from other classes, make new friends, as well as continue growing their tennis community. A bunch of fun group games were played both on the court and off, and everyone had a blast!
Columbia Association Host Wimbledon Themed Event
Pictured
Cedric Abalo, Angie Wong, Joni Hannah, Executive Director, Angela McDowell, DC Representative, Joseph Caruth, Virginia Representative and Glenn Gerbino, President
Scenes from the 2024 Annual World Racquets Conference
September 15-19, 2024
Westin Rancho Mirage Resort Rancho Mirage, California
Perks of the Profession:
Teach-by-the-Beach Working Vacations
David Robinson, Director of Racquets – Little Falls Swimming Club, Bethesda, MD Senior Partner – Racquet Sports Management David@RacquetSportsManagement.com
“Just steps from your lesson court to a refreshing plunge into world class waters on the most beautiful beaches around the world”.
When I think back on the best times in my 44-year career as a USPTA, now an RSPA teaching professional, those times have been the destination resort sector, followed by seasonal waterfront clubs.
I continue to “teach-by-the-beach” in places like Jamaica and Mexico with many other beachfront resorts available. I usually visit several resorts in week-by-week succession during my lull work periods in Bethesda. These vacations keep me revitalized and fit my budget because I am willing to teach a little to get a lot!
Typically, I teach a couple hours a day, five-of-seven days at allinclusive resorts where all I pay is my airfare and a booking fee of $500-1,200 for a resort that charges guests $3,000-6,000 per week. My partner, Barbara, and I get everything the full-price guests obtain, we stay in the same rooms, same restaurants, same access to all the amenities. If we had kids or grandkids under 16, that would include up to two kids at the family resorts.
The mix of tennis and beach is just magical. Any job stresses are
washed away in the surf, and there are few stresses. I love resort guests who come to enjoy and release stress, kids on vacation in great demeanors, along with any seasonal residents who you get to know well, adding a sense of familiarity and continuity.
ENTER RSM: www.RacquetSportsManagement.com. RSM is the recent rebranding of Tennis Management Group, Inc. I helped my longtime friend and business partner, Whitney Kraft found TMG in 1983 in Boca Raton. TMG managed tennis at over a dozen gated clubs in South Florida, Marriott and Sheraton beachfront hotels, a couple summer seasonal clubs in the Northeast, and three city-wide municipal contracts; Fort Lauderdale, Islamorada in the Florida Keys, and Cape Coral on the Gulf of Mexico.
Like USPTA to RSPA, TMG rebranded October 2024 to Racquet Sports Management to reflect our involvement in the changing landscape of “racquet sports”. The rebrand was also specifically to serve a new multi-year contract with a partner company contracting 102 beachfront resorts globally. The contracts are for working vacation deals for sports and fitness instructors.
These 102 and growing all-inclusive resorts get cost-effective, highenergy instructors. Our partner, having been fitness-centric with some tennis since 1993, was also affected by the changing landscape of racquet sports, mainly pickleball and padel. Resorts were requesting these positions, so there was an impetus for them to seek us, as racquets specialists, to manage their racquets business unit.
To book a teaching vacation, instructors must hold current certification. Our compliance officer checks certifications and expiration dates. 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 a resort chain contract.
“Multi-certification” has been a long-standing opportunity for 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 might book a tennis position for one week, then a pickleball at another resort the following week. Sometimes you can remain at the same resort for a couple 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.
To look over all the resorts, availabilities, book a trip, just click on the "Teaching Vacations" tab at the RSM website and start exploring. Feel free to email me or RSM with your questions.
RSPA Mid-Atlantic Diversity & Inclusion Award Grants
Taylor Newman, Vice President, RSPA Mid-Atlantic Division
The RSPA Mid-Atlantic Division offers Diversity & Inclusion Award Grants to RSPA Mid-Atlantic professionals who demonstrate a high level of commitment to growing diversity and promoting inclusion throughout their tennis community.
Awards of up to $500.00 each may be awarded by the RSPA MidAtlantic Division Board to RSPA Mid-Atlantic members in good standing to promote diversity and inclusion for use to provide:
Grassroots programming for players in areas lacking tennis programming.
Programs specifically for individuals, schools and programs who seek to explore a physical sport that enables players an active participation in the sport and community.
• Programming for tennis players from a variety of ages, backgrounds, abilities, and sexual orientations the opportunity to try and experience tennis, make new friends, and get active in a safe and welcoming environment.
Opportunities for people from underrepresented communities to be involved and participate in tennis, including but not limited to people with disabilities, multicultural communities and LGBTI communities.
Applicants must submit an application detailing the proposed use of the funds and complete a diversity and inclusion questionnaire.
If interested in applying for a Diversity & Inclusion Award Grant for 2025, then please contact Taylor Newman, Vice President, RSPA Mid-Atlantic Division at taylorn02@yahoo.com
RSPA LAUNCHES NEW SQUASH CERTIFICATION
The Racquet Sports Professionals Association (RSPA) is excited to formally announce a new squash certification, available to existing RSPA coaches and, for the first time, coaches new to the RSPA.
This certification provides comprehensive and modern training in squash coaching. Mirroring the RSPA’s expansion into pickleball and its elevated padel certification, first-time RSPA applicants can begin their racquet sports teaching career with squash.
“Squash is an amazing sport with so many health and competitive benefits for players of all levels. The opportunity to increase our certifications into a new racquet sport is very exciting for the Racquet Sports Professionals Association,” RSPA CEO Brian Dillman said. “We see squash, which is an Olympic sport for the first time in 2028 in LA, as a natural extension to our suite of certifications we offer. Squash also has a global profile, which creates even more opportunities for our members around the world.”
This certification is modeled after the RSPA’s successful tennis and pickleball certification protocols and was designed with the assistance of squash experts and teaching professionals. RSPA squash certification workshops will be led by coach developers Rich Wade and Graeme Williams, who have been essential to
developing the course. Wade is the director of squash & Padel at The Philadelphia Cricket Club and spent six years at US Squash, the U.S.O.C.-recognized national governing body for squash, where he developed and managed the U.S. National Team program. Williams is a former Canadian national coach and former head professional at the Philadelphia Cricket Club and is UKCC level 3 certified, level 2 course facilitator and evaluator.
“Rich Wade and Graeme Williams are true experts in their class, and we are thrilled to partner with them on this new pathway for our members,” Dillman said.
Squash marks the fifth racquet sport certification to join the newly rebranded RSPA’s, formerly USPTA’s, offerings alongside tennis, pickleball, padel and platform tennis.
“We are excited to be a part of the all-racquets movement at the RSPA! We believe that adding squash to a professional’s portfolio will help them develop as both a coach and a leader,” Wade said. “Our program is tailored to you - whether you’re at the start of your coaching journey and looking to diversify your coaching options, an established racquets director who doesn’t yet oversee the squash program or someone passionate about delving deeper into the technical and tactical components of the game.”
Black Girls Tennis Club
Janine Mobley-Burke, Interim Executive Director Black Girls Tennis Club
Black Girls Tennis Club (BGTC) is on a mission to make tennis a powerful avenue for joy, wellness, and community for Black girls and women. Launched in Hampton Roads, Virginia in 2022, BGTC began with a single clinic, serving ten girls in a signature program designed to nurture confidence, self-love, teamwork, and growth. Today, BGTC has reached over 300 participants through free and low-cost offerings, making tennis accessible and inclusive in a way that reflects our belief in the transformative power of PLAY.
This year, we expanded to New York City, where our first regular adult programs offered Black women a space to engage in wellness, self-care, and connection through tennis. This expansion was a pivotal moment, reinforcing BGTC’s commitment to providing supportive and uplifting experiences for women at every stage of life. Our programs have grown into something beyond the court, creating a community of women in pursuit of radical wellness and joy.
Now, we’re excited to announce our next step: bringing BGTC to the DMV area in 2025. Through our “Pathways to PLAY” initiative, we’re building structured opportunities for youth and adults to experience tennis in ways that foster physical, emotional, and social well-being. This initiative will offer accessible entry points into the sport for beginners while providing pathways for those who want to take their skills further.
As we expand, our vision remains clear: to create spaces where Black girls and women can thrive, both on and off the court. For us, it’s more than tennis, it’s a foundation for lifelong wellness and community. We’re thrilled for what the future holds as Black Girls Tennis Club continues to grow, and we invite you to join us on this journey to radical joy, wellness, community, and care through tennis.
Growing Tennis One Family at a Time
Joseph Caruth Virginia State Rep, RSPA Mid-Atlantic Divisionic Division
The purpose of this article is to discuss the importance of the family unit in growing the game of tennis and the importance of the United States Professional Tennis Association in my own personal development and training as well as my views about Growing Tennis One Family at a Time.
Abraham Maslow was an American Psychologist who theorized a Hierarchy of Needs in order to explain Human Motivation. According to him, there are five levels comprising a hierarchy of needs which include physiological, safety, love/belonging, esteem, and self-actualization. We must first satisfy Lower-level basic needs like food, water, and safety before higher needs can be fulfilled. The Pyramid in Figure 1 below is a graphic representation of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.
The Family Unit is the basic unit of Society and the strength of the Nations. In order for anyone to rise above the lower level needs the Family Unit must first provide for Physiological Needs, Safety and Security, Love and Belonging.
The primary driving force behind my current level of involvement in tennis was first, my own love of the game and later my desire to share this love with my wife Rose, and my daughter, Alessia. This led to my memberships in both the United States Tennis Association, as a member and Volunteer as well as my membership in the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA). I became Area Schools Coordinator for 30 schools in Florida and received USTA training to train Physical Education Teachers how to teach beginning tennis in the Okaloosa County Florida Public School system where I became
Alessia’s Middle School Tennis Coach, High, school coach and director of the Far East High School International Tennis Tournament in Okinawa Japan. Alessia went on to become a Florida Zonal Team Member and played in the Orange Bowl, Osaka world championships in Japan, and the Taipei International Championships in Taiwan.
I was able to plant the seeds of tennis during our daughter’s family visits to Florida, and in the winter of 2015, my wife Rose, and I left or home in Florida to become more involved in the lives of our daughter’s family. Here, I became a Member of the Fairfax Racquet Club (FRC) and later, the Golden Racquets, a tennis club for seniors over 50. Doris Briggs, one of the FRC coaches, convince me to volunteer at Nottaway Park, and become a certified to coach for Fairfax County Parks Authority. Once again family beckoned once again as my grandchildren wanted to learn more tennis. The USPTA afforded an opportunity to further my coaching education and enabled me to become a certified tennis coach. My Nottaway classes grew to a waiting list of 150 students.
Convinced that tennis was a family affair, I was now teaching entire families and in 2024 I have 14 families with 4 sets of junior siblings playing on 4 USTA Junior Team Tennis leagues with every family having a SafePlay Certified family member captaining the teams. In addition, I am now the director of the 2nd annual Doris Briggs Charity International Tennis Tournament at FRC featuring 32 mixed doubles players and have 10 Tennis Camps with 4 assistant coaches.
Sponsored by the RSPA, USTA, Wilson Sporting Goods, Slinger, and the Penderbrook Community Association we hosted the 2nd Annual Flames Community Day with over 54 participants which included al Flames Team players, and their families, and Coached players at the Asian Games where the countries of China, Vietnam, Korea, India, The Philippines, and The United Nations were all represented.
Through my associations with the professionals in the RSPA, such as Glenn Gerbino, Joni Hannah and Bridget Merrick, my vision has expanded and have proposed the establishment of The Burning Bush Tennis Academy where Active and Retired Enlisted Military members and their families can have an affordable place to play.
VISION STATEMENT:
We are dedicated to High Performance Training, Military Veteran and their Families, Senior Citizens & Adaptive Pla. Helping people to achieve their maximum potential is our goal. 100% Customer satisfaction or your money back.
USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation Hosts 2024 Annual Tennis Creates Gala
December 7, 2024 – 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm, Salamander DC Hotel, 1330 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024
Mark your calendar for an unforgettable experience that blends elegance, inspiration, and philanthropy! The USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation (USTA MAF) is thrilled to host the 2024 Annual Tennis Creates Gala presented by Onelife Fitness on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at the distinguished Salamander Hotel in Washington, D.C. This event will bring together tennis fans, community supporters, and philanthropists, all coming together to make a meaningful impact.
This year’s Gala theme, “Community, Character, and Well-Being,” celebrates the Foundation’s mission to enrich lives through tennis across the Mid-Atlantic region. The funds raised will support several crucial programs, including Girls Rule the Court™, which empowers young girls through tennis, self-confidence, and positive role models; Community Facilities Restoration, dedicated to revitalizing tennis courts in underserved communities; and Junior Player Scholarships, offering promising young players the resources they need to pursue their dreams.
The evening will begin with a VIP cocktail reception, setting the tone for an extraordinary night. Guests will then enjoy a three-course gourmet dinner with expertly paired wines, followed by the prestigious Tennis Creates Awards, recognizing individuals and organizations that have significantly impacted tennis and the community. There will also be silent and live auctions featuring unique items and experiences and a mission moment paddle raise, giving everyone a chance to contribute to USTA MAF’s vital work in promoting tennis as a means to healthier and stronger communities.
Adding star power to the event, the celebrated duo Nicole Ari Parker and Boris Kodjoe will host the evening. Known for their work as actors, models, and philanthropists, Nicole and Boris bring a passion for
community that perfectly aligns with the Gala’s mission. Joining them will be professional tennis players, Hall of Famers, sports professionals, broadcasters, and distinguished guests from the business, entertainment, and government sectors, all supporting the cause of accessible tennis.
As part of the day’s lineup, USTA MAF is also presenting “Masterclass and Mimosas” earlier that morning at the Salamander Hotel. Titled Inside the Game: Patrick McEnroe on Tennis, Health, and the Future of the Sport, this event will feature the 2024 Tennis Creates Impact Award winner, Patrick McEnroe. Hosted by Martin Blackman, former General Manager of USTA Player Development, the session will offer attendees insights into McEnroe’s career, the growth of tennis, and the rising popularity of emerging sports like pickleball.
In “Masterclass and Mimosas,” McEnroe will share stories from his journey, his views on tennis’s future, and how the sport fosters wellness and community. The event will conclude with a Q&A session, giving attendees a chance to engage with McEnroe directly, followed by a light brunch with mimosas and a photo opportunity with McEnroe.
Don’t miss out on this incredible day celebrating tennis and community impact! Reserve your tickets now for both the Gala and “Masterclass and Mimosas” to be part of a memorable experience that celebrates the sport and all it offers. Join us on December 7, 2024, at the Salamander Hotel and be part of a movement that brings positive change across the Mid-Atlantic.
For tickets to the 2024 Tennis Creates Gala, please visit: 2024 Tennis Creates Gala Tickets
RSPA Director of Racquet Sports Certification
Take charge of your career and earning potential in the racquets sports business. Become a certified RSPA Director of Racquet Sports delivered through the University of Florida.
The RSPA has partnered with the University of Florida (UF) and the United States Tennis Association (USTA) to provide certified tennis professionals with an educational curriculum focused on developing the business and leadership competencies require to successfully manage a tennis and racquet sports operation. The RSPA Director of Racquet Sports Certification Program curriculum was developed by a committee of leading industry professionals and an educational advisor and is intended to create an educational pathway to leadership for tennis professionals.
The RSPA Director of Racquet Sports Certification Program is focused on developing the business and leadership competencies required to successfully manage a tennis and racquets operation, whether in a private club, commercial setting or public recreation setting. Certified tennis professionals are being given, through this program, an education in leadership and business and a way to verify that education through a certification exam. Upon successful completion of all requirements, professionals will earn the designation of certified Director of Racquet Sports from the RSPA.
Success in business depends on many factors, including: a unique and differentiated value proposition for the consumer, a strong internal business culture, a prudent business plan, a passionate connected team, an intentional marketing strategy and proper capitalization. Yet, even when all these attributes are present, the single greatest influence on whether a business will be successful, and therefore, profitable for the long haul depends on its leader. Leaders, especially great leaders, and, therefore, great racquet sports directors, are the sing most important influence on any club or tennis business’s ability to succeed, and the industry’s most difficult challenge is identifying, cultivating, and putting in place qualified leaders.
The course is being taught completely online through the UF Canvas online learning management system. Students are expected to view all course lectures and readings and complete all assignments through UF Canvas. Students should adhere to the UF polices regarding academic misconduct.
The comprehensive educational curriculum is constructed to be fully self-directed though, also, interactive with peers, through use of a unique, private, social mediatype website. Students are taught through education modules, problem-based, critiqued and graded projects and a certification mid-term and final exam.
THE COURSE MODULES IN ORDER ARE AS FOLLOWS:
Module One - Introduction to the Role of Director of Racquet Sports
Module Two - Tennis History and Knowledge
Module Three - Complementary Racquet Sports
Module Four - Facilities and Operations
Module Five – Technology
Module Six - Maximizing your Brand Personality
Module Seven - Human Capital, Culture & Leadership
Module Eight - Finance and Accounting
Module Nine - Marketing and Sales
Module Ten - The Customer and Member Experience
COURSE FEE
The fee for the course is $2,650.00. No fee is paid during the application process, but only upon course registration, after acceptance.
ABOUT THE COURSE
To submit an application to the RSPA Director of Racquet Sports certification program, click on the button below and submit the following documents:
A professional resume that includes: Elite-level certification in good standing with the RSPA, at least five years of experience teaching tennis or a complementary racquet sport as a professional.
Proof of Safe Play compliance.
A reference
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