USPTA Texas Division Newsletter - The Texan Winter 2021/22 Conference Edition

t e G s Let’ her!! t e g o T

rence e f n o C l a u s Ann a x e T A T P S U 22 0 2 , 3 1 – 0 Februaryy S1uites Hotel & Embass ce Center Conferen exas Frisco, T

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Featured Speakers

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Success Secrets

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craig's corner

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conference schedule

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As Covid Surges, Experts Say U.S. Booster Effort Is Far Behind1

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

PRESIDENT

MATT WATSON

8407 Crooked Trail Tyler, Texas 75703 matt@hollytreecc.com

REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT

CRAIG BELL

5201 Westgrove Drive Dallas, Texas 75248 972-931-4950 cbell1360@aol.com

1st VICE PRESIDENT

MEL MCREE

3400 Mesa Road Lubbock, Texas 79403 806-786-2660 mel@lubbockcc.org

2nd VICE PRESIDENT

KELLY MARSHALL

2510 Onion Creek Parkway Austin, Texas 78747 kmarshall@onioncreekclub.com

3rd VICE PRESIDENT

ADRIEN CHABRIA

1912 Abrams Rd. Dallas, TX 75214 214-232-5237 adrien@lakewoodcc.com

SECRETARY

MICHELLE STALLARD

3500 Woodhaven Drive Midland, Texas 79707 512-924-7097 michellestallardhome@gmail.com

TREASURER

ERNIE ABRAHAM

13765 Southern Oaks Dr. Burleson, Texas 76028 817-980-9374 abrahamernie@yahoo.com

PAST PRESIDENT

JENNY GRAY

901 Sonterra Blvd San Antonio. Texas 78258 512-930-3783 jgray@clubatsonterra.com EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

CHARLOTTE WYLIE

2113 Winding Creek Drive Keller, Texas 76248 888-445-0505 817-521-7483 charlottewylie51@gmail.com

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et me start by wishing all of you and your families a very happy and safe holiday season. As 2021 comes to a close we get to open the door on a busy and exciting 2022!

The USPTA Texas Adult Team Championships are right around the corner January 21-23 in Houston. AJ Chabria, our USPTA Education Chair, has lined up a terrific lineup of speakers for our 2022 USPTA Texas Conference that will be held at the Embassy Suites and Conference Center in Frisco, TX February 10-13. We will have a combination of in-person and virtual speakers for our conference and members may access and listen in to all of our workshops offered at the February conference. We value and understand the importance of each and everyone’s time and availability and want to continue to do all that we can to give you as much opportunity as we can to attend and participate in our conference seminars. Be sure to look for information on conference registration and how to access seminars remotely.

As I mentioned in our last newsletter, Charlotte Wylie, our amazing and wonderful Executive Director of many years is retiring immediately following our conference. We have begun the search process for Charlotte’s replacement and hope to have a new ED in place by the time our conference arrives and those in attendance will then be able to meet.

Matt Watson I am excited to begin another year with our great USPTA Texas delegation and I look forward to seeing many of you at the February conference. As always, please share any thoughts/ideas you have with me or the board and we are always looking for more volunteers for our events if any of you are interested. Be sure to GET INVOLVED and give back to what has given each of us so much.

Regards,

Matt S. Watson, USPTA Elite Professional

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COMMITTEE

CHAIRPERSONS

DATESTHATRATE!!!

2022

Awards Mel McRee

JANUARY

Buying Show Chair Ernie Abraham Division Conference

20-23

Kelly Marshal Education Adrien Chabria

USPTA Texas Adult League Championships Various Indoor Facilities

(Houston)

FEBRUARY

Ethics/Legal Tommy Connell Diversity & Inclusion

10-13

Jack Foster Finance

USPTA Texas 2022 Annual Convention Embassy Suites Hotel & Conference Center

(Frisco)

APRIL

Ernie Abraham Jr. Development Craig Bell & Adrien Chabria

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Lessons for Life Dennis Reblin Long-Range Planning

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Jenny Gray

USPTA Texas Champions of Champions River Oaks Country Club

(Houston)

April Specialty Course River Oaks Country Club

(Houston)

Membership Tom Ingram National Convention Jim Sciarro

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Nominating Jo Keene Regional Directors Craig Bell Sport Science Bob Haugen

Join us on Facebook

Pickleball Testing & Certification Michelle Cornish USPTA Adult Leagues Jenny Gray Elevate Eli Sepulveda USTA Liaison

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2022 USPTA Texas Annual Conference Hotel Information The Embassy Suites Hotel and Convention Center is a great property in Frisco, Texas. It is conveniently located to numerous restaurants and sporting venues

Embassy Suites Hotel and Convention Center 7600 John Q Hammons Dr, Frisco, TX 75034 Make your room reservations by Thursday, January 20, 2022 to receive a discounted rate of $139 per night by mentioning the USPTA Texas Division/USTA Texas.

Or you can use the following reservation link:

Area Airports Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport - DFW Airport Phone: 972-973-3112 Hotel direction: 35 mile(s) N

CLICK HERE!

Dallas Love Field Airport - DAL Airport Phone: 214-670-6080 Hotel direction: 27 mile(s) E

2022 USPTA Texas Annual Conference

Featured Speakers DONATO CAMPAGNOLI Freelance Consultant for the Italian Tennis Federation (FIT), he has been lecturing for the Technical Department of the Coach Education (Courses 1 to 4), being also in charge of the international relationships with other federations/ governing bodies of tennis since 2014.

Private consultant providing leadership/education services for coaches and management services for tennis facilities and companies.

Coach of pro players at his academy for more than 15

JEFF CONTRERAS Jeff Contreras is an accomplished USPTA Certified Professional Tennis Coach from Lubbock, Texas and has coached countless champions and collegiate players since 2003.

In recent years, Jeff has become internationally recognized as one of the best digital marketers in the Tennis Industry to date.

GRANT CHEN 2020-21 Chen led the Mustangs to the conference semifinal. Chen's squad finished 18-14. Liam Krall was named American Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year. As a team, the Mustangs recorded the most wins since 2016 and climbed to their best end of regular season ranking in five seasons. The Mustangs were ranked as high as No. 40 on the season.

The team won four matches against ranked teams with victories over Oklahoma, San

Diego, Tulsa and Tulane.

Inheriting a young roster in his first season, Chen guided the Mustangs to an improvement in the win column tallying 12 wins. The highlight win of the season came in the first round of the American Conference Championships when they took down ECU in a sweep ... Chen brought in a heralded recruiting class in the limited time on the Hilltop including two additions that were competing for the Mustangs in January ... His 2019 class was ranked No. 22 in the nation and the second-highest outside of the power five. During the campaign, junior transfer Carles Sarrio was named All-Conference and finished the season ranked in the ITA. Chen arrived on the Hilltop from UCLA, where he served Bruin Head Coach Billy Martin for over 15 years in a multitude of roles, ranging from team manager to

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years travelling internationally for Futures, Challengers and ATP tournaments. Entrepreneur with high-tech company Mas-Tech srl for applied patent pending smart analytics and hardware solutions for Tennis and other situational racquetsports. PTR Italy Professional of the Year (2014), PTR International Master Professional (since 2017), USPTA Master Professional (since 2018), GPTCA level « A » (since 2018) and Level 4 FIT certified (since 2005).

College degree as a professional interpreter (speaking 5 languages) at the University of Bologna and a Masters degree in Economics, he has been presenting at international conferences in 4 continents From programs like "0-75K in 30 Days" , "6 Figure Tennis", and "Steps to Building a Tennis Site", internationally recognized tennis internet marketer Jeff Contreras has changed the industry overnight. Jeff is an accomplished tennis business developer, strategist, consultant and digital marketer. Jeff knows first-hand the amount of frustration and time running a tennis business can be. For the past 18 years he has shared his knowledge with many in the tennis industry and has led them to succeed in the marketplace.

associate head coach.

For the final three seasons at UCLA, Chen has served as Associate Head Coach, and, prior to that, he served as Assistant Coach for three years. During Chen's six seasons on Martin's coaching staff, the Bruins registered a 149-28 record (.842) and reached the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Championships five times. This past season, UCLA posted its third semifinal-round appearance of the stretch and totaled 30 wins for the first time in Martin's tenure. The Bruins also collected four Pac-12 regular-season titles and three tournament trophies during Chen's time on staff.

Chen got his start with the Bruins as a student manager in 2001, as he played a pivotal role in the organization and growth of Martin's annual on-campus summer camp while fulfilling necessary off-court duties. The Bruins captured the NCAA title in 2005, Chen's penultimate year in the role. Chen's jack-of-all-trades skillset resulted in his hiring as Director of Operations upon his graduation from UCLA in 2006. He handled logistics, travel, equipment and management of all home events, including ITA Kick-Off Weekend, NCAA Regionals and the Southern California Intercollegiate Championships.

A fixture in the tennis community both at home and abroad, Chen currently serves on the board of directors for ITA and USTA Southern California. A busy summer 2017 saw Chen guide Team Southern California to the title at the USTA Boys National Team Championships in Champaign, Ill., before leading Team USA and the mixed doubles duo of Bruins Jada Hart and Logan Staggs to a bronze medal at the 29th Summer Universiade in Taipei. Chen briefly ventured into a role with Pure Sports Management in 2007, but maintained his ties to UCLA as head coach of its club tennis team.

LANE EVANS Lane Evans is a USPTA Master Professional living in Norman, OK with his wife Lori. He has been a tennis teaching professional for almost 40 years, almost 35 as a USPTA member. He spent 22 of those years as a Club GM and a Fitness & Wellness Director as well.

In 2020, Lane completed his USPTA Master designation.

He also completed his Master Trainer designation with the International Sports Sciences Association with certifications in 6 different protocols.

Lane served one term on the USPTA National Board of Directors. During his tenure, he chaired the USPTA National Pickleball Committee and the USPTA National Past President’s Committee. He also co-chaired several other committees.

With over 2,000 USPTA Education Credits, Lane was recognized by the Missouri Valley Division in 2019, 2020 and

MICHELLE KRAUSE Michele Krause is a tennis fitness integration specialist.

Michele was the Cardio Tennis Global Education Director for 15 years and recently partnered with the USTA to grow Cardio Tennis. She managed the Cardio Tennis program starting in 2005 and under her leadership it became a global product and is now part of tennis culture throughout the world.

Michele is an experienced international speaker and trainer who has presented at industry events all over the world and has delivered over 500 educational courses to tennis and fitness

KYLE LACROIX Kyle LaCroix is a USPTA Certified Professional as well as receiving his United States Center For Coaching Excellence (USCCE) Certification. He has been a featured speaking at numerous Industry Conferences. He has been a tennis teaching professional and Director of Tennis in Boca Raton for the past 17 years.

Kyle has experience working with ATP/WTA and NCAA

2021 as the Education Merit Award winner. He completed 2020 with 304.5 credits. He was recently named Missouri Valley Division Professional of the Year for 2021.

He is a Master Tennis Performance Specialist with the iTPA(International Tennis Performance Association). He is certified by RacquetFit, TPI(Titleist Performance Institute) at Fitness Levels 1 & 2 and Super Speed Golf at all three levels.

He also certified by the Kovacs Institute as a Serve Specialist.

Lane served as a USPTA Tester and was Chairman of the USPTA National Fitness & Wellness Committee where he and his committee developed and wrote the New USPTA Specialist Degree in Tennis Fitness-Level I. Lane is an Associate Professional at Westwood Tennis Center in Norman, OK where he works with all levels of players. His ladies 55-over, 8.0 team finished 2021 as the Nation’s fourth ranked team.

He also volunteers time at First Serve of OKC, First Tee of OKC and Moore High School where he is the Assistant Coach.

Finally, Lane was recognized by the USPTA as the Alex Gordon National Professional of the Year for 2021. professionals.

Michele has been featured on the Tennis Channel’s “One Minute Clinics”, “On court with USPTA”, “Bulging Brides” as well as NBC’s “the Biggest Loser”. She organized and implemented the “Get Fit Wichita” and “Million Calorie burn” tennis fitness events.

Michele is a USPTA and PTR tennis professional who managed tennis facilities throughout the US prior to her Cardio Tennis role.

She is certified/qualified in TRX Suspension Training, Combine 360, Pat Etcheberry, RacquetFit, CoreFirst, and an ITPA-Tennis Performance Trainer. Michele received the TIA/PTR Industry Excellence award in 2012, the Tennis Industry Service award in 2018, and the USPTA Florida Pro of the Year award in 2018. collegiate players at each level of their competitive careers and at every stage of their professional and personal development. He is recognized throughout the industry as a reliable, hardworking, genuine presence. Kyle utilizes great people skills and is an exceptional communicator. He understands the important roles and responsibilities that federations, coaches and players carry with them on a daily basis.

He holds an MBA from the University of Michigan and a M.Ed in Educational Leadership from Stanford University To find out more please visit setsconsult.org

He has been a speaker at a number of national and international coaches and player workshops and seminars around the world including three times at the Grand Slam Coaches Conference at the Australian Open, the Brisbane & Sydney International Coaches Conferences, the PTR Asian Symposium in Shanghai China, the Norwegian Federation Conference in Oslo, Norway, the Wimbledon PTR Conference in London, the USTA Tennis Teachers Conference at the US Open, the PTR International Tennis Symposium, the USPTA World Conference and the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Coaches Convention. He is a member of the Global TIA Cardio Tennis Alumni and has conducted numerous workshops and seminars for tennis coaches, professionals and fitness providers.

Bill was honored in 2015 with the USPTA Pride of Tennessee award and in 2014 with the USPTA National Lessons for Life award at the US Open. He has been selected as the USTA Tennessee 2011 Tennis Professional of the Year and is the only three-time USPTA Tennessee Pro of the Year and two-time PTR Tennessee Pro of the Year award winner in Tennessee history. Bill not only coaches and teaches players from around the world to play tennis but also works with tennis coaches to help improve their coaching and teaching abilities. He has conducted player evaluations and seminars in a variety of countries including Australia, New Zealand, China, England, Bermuda, Jamaica, Holland, Spain, France, Canada and throughout the Caribbean and the USA. He has organized and directed tennis camps in Anguilla, St. Martin and Jamaica for both adults and junior tennis players for the last 12 years. In 2010 and 2011 worked as part of the production team with the Classic of Champions legends event in Sweden. He is a member of the HEAD/PENN National Advisory Team and is an Adidas tennis ambassador.

One of Bill’s passions is the annual Music City Tennis Invitational charity tennis tournament that raises money for the Vanderbilt University Children’s Hospital Child Development Center. For the last 25 years he has worked with and served as a Co Chairman and Tournament Director for this premier music and tennis event that has raised over $2,000,000 for local charity’s in Nashville. He has organized and directed high profile events consisting of a “who’s who” list of current and former ATP and WTA tour players as well as music industry artists and leaders including Jake Owen, Brad Paisley, Vince Gill, Martina McBride, Sarah Evans, Billy Ray Cyrus, Brooks and Dunn and Lady A’s, Hillary Scott to name a few.

BILL RIDDLE, PTR/ USPTA MASTER PROFESSIONAL Bill is a veteran with over 30+ years of college, junior and club coaching and management experiences and is recognized as a HighPerformance Tennis Specialist by the PTR, USPTA & USTA. No stranger to entertainment and tennis promotions, he created and cohosted the award-winning weekly radio show called “Tennis Talk” that aired on WLAC out of Nashville. In 2012 Bill served as an “on air” TV announcer and commentator for the WTA Tour Dallas Women’s Pro Tournament on the FOX Sports South Network and ESPN. Over the last two years he has created content for social media called “Around the Court Around the World” featuring interviews, news and notes from his travels around the tennis world. He recently created content and helped produce a series called “Serve It Up” for Citi Taste of Tennis. Bill received the 2020 Professional Tennis Registry International Media Excellence award for his work in the tennis media.

For 21 years he served as the Director of Tennis for the Bluegrass Yacht & Country Club in Hendersonville, Tennessee and for the last 5 years has overseen a seasonal tennis program at Temple Hills Country Club which is a “sister” Club Corp facility.

During his time at Bluegrass the club was recognized as a Top 50 Tennis Welcome Center and was also awarded both the Professional Tennis Registry Facility of the Year for Tennessee and the USPTA Tennessee Tennis Facility of the Year.

Bill found his way back into college coaching in 2019 and serves as the Men’s & Women’s Head Tennis Coach at The University of Tennessee Southern. Bill spent nine years coaching tennis at the collegiate level previously. His college teams and players have had success both on and off court at the national levels. He has coached 6 All-American players and numerous with national singles and doubles rankings. While coaching college tennis he was a two-time recipient of the USPTA Southern Division College Coach of the Year award and a two-time ITA/ USTA College Coaches Community Service award. Additionally, he was named TranSouth Conference Coach of the Year and Regional Coach of the Year.

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FRED SHLESINGER Dynamic presenter, Fred Shlesinger, is a Renaissance man with a diverse background and varied interests that allow him to relate to both large and small audiences on a variety of topics. He understands critical life choices after making one himself when he entered the financial services industry in 2004, which came after a successful 27 year career running men’s clothing companies. At the end of 2020, Fred sold his financial services practice.

As a highly successful Financial Advisor, Coach, Educator, and Public Speaker, he devotes a great deal of his time helping business owners and individuals in their education for greater personal financial and business efficacy. He spent a great deal of time mentoring new Advisors. One of those young advisors ended up buying Fred’s financial practice. While helping them in the field, he continued to work closely with new and existing clients to build their financial future in these very challenging times. After a great 2009, Fred ended up among the top 50 Advisors nationally at the Principal continuing that trajectory of success over the following 11 years.

In the early 70’s Fred entertained in a variety of venues as a professional musician and standup comic in New York. With that he pulls together his 40+ years of entertaining having developed a unique presentation style where he enjoys a more interactive approach in his workshops and classes, using the 4 E’s: Entertainment, Education, Enlightenment and Enrichment in all of his interactions.

Because of his style and the value that he brings to so many, he has been invited to speak at many National Conferences as a keynote Speaker on Finances, Sales

and Branding content.

Since 2007, Fred has presented over 500 workshops and continues to present 3 workshops throughout the DFW business community, including Financial Wellness, Success in Selling, Personal & Business Branding. He has taught at Collin County Community College as part of their Continuing Education program, University of Texas at Dallas, and was on the Advisory Council for S.I.F.E. (Students in Free Enterprise). Fred has worked closely with Jewish Family Services, and many outplacement firms such as DBM, LHH, Right Management, Career Jumpstart, and DFW Career Services along with many other fine organizations.

After selling his financial services practice at the end of 2020, Fred was able to start teaching tennis full time. So for the third time in his life, he rebranded himself as a successful USPTA certified teaching professional pursuing his passion for the great game of tennis. He continues to deliver his branding workshops, both locally and nationally, as branding has become a very important aspect in the world of business.

Fred’s other passions include music, comedy, cooking, and wine. He is especially proud of his talented and successful family. He has been married to his lovely wife, and former actress/singer, Barbara for 30 years and they have 4 talented children between them. Iliza, a very successful world-renowned stand-up comic with 5 Netflix specials and multiple movies to her credit. Ben, a gangster rap artist who also has a successful Cannabis farm in northern California. Brad, who is a USPTA/PPR teaching pro at Omni Barton Creek Resort and Tennis Club in Austin, TX and Emeryld, an emerging singer songwriter with over a 100 written songs to her credit with millions of plays.

Fred is looking forward to sharing with the group, the value and importance of being able to brand yourself as a professional businessperson creating that competitive edge over other professionals who remain mediocre and generic.

You can always contact Fred at 972-841-2122 or shlesinger@icloud.com.

Success Secrets

By Pat Whitworth USPTA Master Professional

Ken has so many accomplishments and awards during his career that we will list just a few. The most recent is the recipient of the USPTA Lifetime Achievement Award. To list a few more are USPTA & PTR Master Professional (1 of less than 20 with both), USPTA 4-time Divisional Pro of the Year, PTR International Master Professional, PTR 2-time International Pro of the Year PTR Hall of Fame, 3-time USPTA Education Award Winner, and Wilson Premier Staff.

Who were a few of your mentors? Thay Butchee.

He helped me get the first director job in Nashville TN. I had asked him if I could work for him for free at his KY club. His brother came back and took over the job. He mentored me about the job and various aspects. He suggested we go check out this Van der Meer place in FL. Next is Bill Tym. He tested me, and he set such a standard that everyone would want to emulate. Dr. Jim Loehr was another since I wanted to work and learn about the mental game.

Whenever I saw presentations, I liked to take a picture with the speaker and send him the picture and a note about how much I learned. It was a good way to be remembered.

How important has reading and education been to you? 80-90%. I have over 1200 books on tennis.

Going to seminars, meeting people, and watching other people. A lot of people are mentors in the way they interact, network, and treat others. Ed note: Ken mentioned that at the recent conference, many people came up to him and mentioned something from a past seminar that they still use. It is always the little things that stick.

What are you reading now? Champion Mindset

by Allistair McCaw. I really like his writing style.

What was your breakout moment for both your career and as a presenter? As a professional, it was when I became the Executive Director for the PTR. I had read In Search of Excellence and applied it during the interview. I felt I needed to improve

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my administrative skills, and this would be the opportunity. I hired Julie Jilly - the best hire ever!

As a presenter, it was making things simple, and it carried over to my teaching. Over the last 20 years, my teaching has become much simpler. People learn when it is simple.

Combo question: How are you using technology and what have you changed over the last 20-30 years? In the 80s, my dad built me a video box to video on court. I had the kids tell me their favorite music, and I created their Favorite Hits action video.

Now it is so easy to take an Ipad Pro on court and video and diagram. The other thing is my use of Facebook. I have 7000 friends on Facebook.

Learning how to present things that were not always about me is a good way to showcase, but not always be self-promoting. The DVDs came about because of Jorge Capestany. He encouraged me to put my ideas into a video format. I also like to give handouts at presentations. It lets people remember the key ideas, but they also remember me when they review the handout. Also important to keep it simple. A lot of learning has come from thinking "What would I like from this presentation?".

You have never been tied down to a job for 20-30 years. How have changing jobs benefited your career? I was never afraid to try something new, even when I had no idea what I was doing.

Even though I have held a lot of jobs, most are 5+ years. One of my top skills is to re-energize a club, but in the process, I get to reinvent myself. It is also important to learn from past mistakes.

Is there a difference between working an east coast club vs. a west coast club? Not really. All clubs are unique, but the underlying factor in dealing with people, building relationships, and staff training.

What advice do you offer to newer professionals? My specialty has always been large groups. I do a weekend clinic with 3.5-5.0 players, and it is a drop-in. We may have 20 people. I want everyone involved and nobody is turned away. One of the staff training is to have my under staff hit in the clinics. This way they will learn how I manipulate the timing and levels of players. They can help guide people through the drill as well as give me feedback on how different things work. This is much more effective than a mid-day staff training session. A bonus is they can give mini-lessons during the clinic. I tell them to steal everyone for a private lesson that they can. They are building a relationship, and I will not promote any private lessons for myself. I also encourage them to bring ideas and I will help them implement the idea.

When you are hiring someone, what are you looking for? What questions do they ask me during the interview? Can they find out the information?

What is the philosophy of the club and me? If they do not have the knowledge to ask the question, then I will ask them. They need to have high energy, and they need to be a learner. I cannot help if they are not learning. I also try to hire people that are good at the things that I am not good at doing. This builds the best team for our club. Maybe it is a person that is a great red ball person, court maintenance, stringer, etc.

Anything else to add? One is, do you have a passion for the tennis business? This is still old school, but I work 50 hours at my club, teach 20 hours in the park, and I string racquets at night. It is important to have a vision or have someone that will guide you. It is important to continue to learn in person or online. Be on an education pathway and be involved in your professional association.

Anything that you would have done differently as you look back? We are so lucky to be where we are, and this comes up during discussions at various conferences. The answer is NOTHING. Everything that I have done, including mistakes and bad choices, has made me who I am today.

CRAIG'S CORNER

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o Ho Ho to all my fellow tennis teaching professionals in and around the Great Game! Well, the days are getting shorter, the nights are getting longer and old man winter is officially upon us (almost that is), which this columnist isn’t a real fan of, by the way. I’m way more of a summer person – warm weather, beach, not getting dark until after 9pm -- that’s me for sure!

As I’m putting pen to paper, well fingers to keyboard, I wanted to say Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Festivus (for all you Seinfeld fans), Happy Kwanzaa or Happy “However You Celebrate” the season, to all of you reading this column. Most all of us enjoy making our living in or around the Great Game and what a real privilege and honor it is to do so, making our avocation our vocations – nothing better, is there!

Anywho, with that being said (which ain’t a whole lot I might add), here are my latest thoughts, mental musings and other such mind-bending nuggets to digest for you, the faithful of the Great Game and Craig’s Corner.

On the Lone Star front, as I’m writing this Craig’s Corner, I wanted to give a “shout out” to our very own, Charlotte Wylie our USPTA Texas Executive Director for the excellent work she has done keeping our division on the straight and narrow for the past nine plus years. Her last official duties for USPTA Texas will be performed in February, 2022 at the Annual Convention as she’s retiring after an illustrious career in the tennis industry. If you recall, Charlotte was the Director of Tennis at North Richland Hills Tennis Center for over 16

years and prior to that, she was a teaching professional in the state of Kansas. I met Charlotte for the first time in 1996 when she became the first Director of Tennis at North Richland Hills and she joined the National Advisory Staff for Prince Racquet Sports when I was working as a Sales Rep for Prince in North Texas. Then and there in 1996, I knew Charlotte was a special person that had a keen sense of our industry and how to be a leader. After her tenure with North Richland Hills, she applied for the USPTA Texas Executive Director role. I was on the search committee that hired her in 2013 and I knew she would be outstanding for our ED position and she’s not disappointed the board and our fellow USPTA Texas tennis professionals in her leadership capacity with USPTA Texas!

In her role as USPTA Texas Executive Director, she was even a strong voice on behalf of the teaching profession on the national level as well, serving on various committees throughout her tenure these past nine years.

Charlotte, we know you won’t be far away and I’m sure from time to time, your knowledge of all the experiences you’ve been a part of will be called upon from your successor and future USPTA Texas boards – hopefully, you won’t mind if we call occasionally. Just a truly remarkable career and a job well done to you Charlotte Wylie – you’ve definitely left this a better place and can be proud of the work you’ve done for a number of years for our tennis profession! A big Texas size, Thank You on behalf of the USPTA Texas tennis pros and myself as the conventions\ conferences\meetings\events won’t be the same without you!

On the national scene, have you all seen King Richard yet? I’ve not as I kinda know a little bit about how the movie goes but I’ll watch it sometime soon just to see what all the hubbub is about. As I was reading the reviews, most of the critics liked the movie but there are a few who felt like the storyline was based more on Venus than Serena.

Also, one of King Richard’s daughters from a previous marriage, Sabrina Williams, was a touch upset the film didn’t talk about

Richard’s prior families and their existence – the film only mentioned his family with Oracene or Brandy as she’s known in the Williams family. You’ll have to admit, whether you have enjoyed all the things that have gone on with the Williams family or not, they have not been a dull family since the late 90’s and thus I’m sure it’ll be an entertaining flick!

On the world stage, there’s trouble brewing in paradise Down Under at the 2022 AO boys and girls as ATP World #1, Novak Djokovic, is holding firm on his decision to not reveal his vaccination status with the AO is saying that all players “must” be vaccinated in order to be a part of this year’s tournament. The Australian authorities have said that any players participating in tournaments in the country must be vaccinated and in a recent interview, Craig Tiley, AO Tournament Director reiterated, “No one can play the Australian Open unless they’re vaccinated.” In an interesting turn of events, local Australian news media has reported on speculation that Tennis Australia would seek medical exemptions for unvaccinated players, but the organization denying those claims.

In the meantime, the Deputy Premier of Victoria State, said in response to rumors circulating around the AO, “Medical exemptions are just that — it’s not a loophole for privileged tennis players.”

Hold onto your Fosters beer little nippers, this story is “hotter than a billy goat in a pepper patch” as the ol Texas saying goes!!

Well kids, it's time to circle the wagons, put out the fire and call in the dogs -- until next time whenever that may or will be, Happy Holidays, Keep Your Eye on the Ball and Don't Forget the Sunscreen...

Craig Bell CB cbell1360@aol.com craigbell@benttreecc.org 214-762-4691 (cell\text) 7

USPTATexas TEXAS DIVISION CONFERENCE 20222022 USPTA DivisionANNUAL Annual Conference EmbassySuites Suites Hotel Hotel &&Conference Center, Frisco Embassy Conference Center, Frisco

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THURSDAY, 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. FEBRUARY USPTA specialty10 course – Cardio Tennis: The Format & Standards for the Ideal Group Fitness Experience - Michelle Krause 6:00 1:00 p.m. - 8:30 4:00 p.m.

USPTA Texas Division Board of Directors Meeting Conference Registration

FRIDAY, 11 course – Cardio Tennis: The Format & Standards for the Ideal Group Fitness Experience - Michelle Krause 2:00 p.m. - 6:00FEBRUARY p.m.

USPTA specialty 8:00 p.m. a.m. - 8:30 4:00 p.m.

6:00

USPTATexas TexasDivision DivisionBoard Conference Registration USPTA of Directors Meeting

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11Coach is Professional Salesperson & Business Person - Fred Shlesinger 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

The Tennis

Registration 1 Frisco 1, Tennis Court Frisco 4 Registration 1 Frisco 1, Tennis Court Registration 1 Frisco 4 Ranger/Sea Biscuit

Directing a Full Service Program, Icluding a Performance Junior Pathway - Grant Chen, SMU Coach (Virtual) USPTA Texas Division Conference Registration

Ranger/Sea Biscuit Registration 1

USPTA Texas General Membership Meeting Luncheon The Tennis Coach is Professional & Business - Fred Shlesinger Hosted

by Matt Watson, USPTA Salesperson Texas President, USPTAPerson National Update - TBD Sponsored By: Fort Worth Professional Tennis Association 10:30 a. m. - noon Directing a Full Service Program, Icluding a Performance Junior Pathway - Grant Chen, SMU Coach (Virtual) 1:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.

The Case for the 2.5 Player - Lane Evans USPTA Texas General Membership Meeting Luncheon 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Hosted byTechnical Matt Watson, Texas President, USPTA National Update - TBD 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Common MythsUSPTA & Solutions - Kyle LaCroix (Virtual) Sponsored By: Fort Worth Professional Tennis Association USPTA Texas & USTA Texas Happy Hour Reception 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

1:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.FEBRUARY The Case for the SATURDAY, 122.5 Player - Lane Evans USPTA Texas & USTA Texas Buffet Dinner 7:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Common Technical Myths & Solutions - Kyle LaCroix (Virtual) 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

USPTA Texas Division Conference Registration USPTA Texas & USTA Texas Happy Hour Reception 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.

Video Analysis, Drills & Development - Donato Campagnoli USPTA Texas & USTA Texas Buffet Dinner 7:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

10:30 a.m. - noon.

Practical Application of Tactics - Donato Campagnoli

Frisco 5 Ranger/Sea Biscuit

10:30 a. m. - noon 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Ranger/Sea Biscuit Frisco 1, Tennis Court Frisco 5 Ranger/Sea Biscuit Frisco Foyer Frisco 1, Tennis Court Frisco 3 - 5 Ranger/Sea Biscuit Registration 1 Frisco Foyer Frisco 1, Tennis Court Frisco 3 - 5 Frisco 1, Tennis Court

12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m

USPTA Texas Division & USTA Texas Section Luncheon

Frisco 3 - 5

2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Programming - Bill Riddle

Ranger/Sea Biscuit

6:00 8:00p.m. a.m. -- 9:00 4:00 p.m. p.m.

Sending Charlotte & Mike Off on New Adventures USPTA Texas Division Conference Registration

Frisco 5 1 Registration

9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.

Video Analysis, Drills & Development - Donato Campagnoli

Frisco 1, Tennis Court

10:30 a.m. - noon.

Practical Application of Tactics - Donato Campagnoli

Frisco 1, Tennis Court

12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m

USPTA Texas Division & USTA Texas Section Luncheon

Frisco 3 - 5

2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Programming - Bill Riddle

Ranger/Sea Biscuit

3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Next Level Marketing of the Great Games of Tennis & Pickleball - Jeff Contreras

Ranger/Sea Biscuit

6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Sending Charlotte & Mike Off on New Adventures

Frisco 5

SATURDAY, 12 of the Great Games of Tennis & Pickleball - Jeff Contreras 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. FEBRUARY Next Level Marketing

Ranger/Sea Biscuit

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 13 8:00 a,m, - noon

USPTA Texas Division Conference Registration

Registration 1

9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

USPTA Specialty Course - Performance Tennis for All Levels - Bill Riddle

Frisco 1, Tennis Court

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 13 8

Conference Schedule

8:00 a,m, - noon

USPTA Texas Division Conference Registration

Registration 1

9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

USPTA Specialty Course - Performance Tennis for All Levels - Bill Riddle

Frisco 1, Tennis Court

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

Mail - In Registration Form

2022 USPTA Texas Division Annual Conference Registration Form Please make check payable: USPTA Texas Mail to: USPTA Texas, 2113 Winding Creek, Keller, Texas 76248 Name: ___________________________________________________________ USPTA No. _______________ Phone No. ____________________ Address: ______________________________________________________________________ Email: ___________________________________ USPTA Member Pre-Registration: Includes all social functions, seminars and three (3) USPTA specialty courses.

Register before January 28…………………………………....................................................................$165 Register before February 4………………………………….....................................................................$175 Register after February 4…………………………………........................................................................$190 ___________ Assistant Professional (with USPTA Director of Tennis signature): Includes social functions, seminars, three

USPTA specialty courses and if USPTA member - Friday’s Lunch …………………………………............$145

X ____________________________________________________ (Director of Tennis)

___________ NEW USPTA member (Since March 2021) & did not attend 2021 Summer Retreat ………………FREE Includes all social functions, seminars and three USPTA specialty courses

___________ Non-USPTA Teaching Pros: Includes social functions, seminars and three USPTA specialty courses (doesn’t include Friday Luncheon) Register before January 27…………………………………....................................................................$215 Register after January 27………………………………….......................................................................$245 ___________ Spouse & guest registration (does not include Friday Business Luncheon)....................................$85 Name of spouse/guest ________________________________________________

Very Important – Please indicate what events you will be attending!!!!!

I WILL ATTEND (circle yes or no): Friday Night Saturday Luncheon

Thursday’s USPTA Specialty Course

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no

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no

yes yes

ALL USPTA specialty courses are FREE with conference registration or $65 each if not registered for the conference.

On-line Registration You may register for the conference at

https://www.uspta.com/Texas2022

9

HEALTHY HABITS

As Covid Surges, Experts Say U.S. Booster Effort Is Far Behind The C.D.C. now recommends that all adults get a booster. But only one in six Americans has received that shot, worrying health officials.

SACRAMENTO — Nine months ago, the lines stretched out the doors at Dr. Rusty Oshita’s three urgent care clinics, teeming with patients frantic to get vaccinated against Covid-19.

Walk-ins jammed the parking lots and mini-mall sidewalks, some crowding too close, some bluffing to make the cut, hoping to pass as over 65 or essential workers. Now with the Omicron variant driving a new surge, Dr. Oshita has awaited a new rush, for booster shots this time.

So far, he has been waiting in vain.

“It’s scary,” the physician said this week as patients drifted in and out of his storefront in a Whole Foods shopping center in suburban Sacramento. “We’re not seeing the rise we were hoping for.”

As the pandemic has surged toward its third year, shape-shifting into the contagious new Omicron variant and spiking dangerously in the Northeast, around the Great Lakes and in other parts of the country, health officials and epidemiologists are vehemently urging Americans to get vaccinated and boosted. But the going has been slow. Of American adults who are fully vaccinated, only about 30 percent have received a booster, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

And among all Americans, only about one in six has received a booster. On Friday, as New York City was racing to confront a precipitous surge in infections, city officials said only about 1.5 million New Yorkers out of more than 8 million had received booster shots.

Some states may be undercounting, but the lag is alarming because Omicron infections appear to evade regular one- or two-dose vaccinations. Vaccines still provide robust protection against death and severe illness, but when it comes to preventing the virus from getting a foothold in the first place, scientists increasingly believe that three shots are the new two shots.

Just over half of Americans 65 and older — the population most vulnerable to a severe outcome from the virus — have received a booster. And public health experts are concerned that socioeconomic disparities in vaccination rates will be exacerbated as booster shots roll out. Difficulty in taking time off work and disconnection from health care systems have contributed to a persistent gap in vaccination rates between the most and least

socioeconomically vulnerable counties.

Among the states, booster rates are mostly correlated with vaccination rates, with the lowest rates in the south. West Virginia has among the lowest booster rates, with 26.6 percent of people 65 and over, while Minnesota is the highest with 71.2 percent of that age group, according to an analysis of the C.D.C. data by Jen Kates, senior vice president of Kaiser Health Foundation.

Widespread, lasting immunization is critical to controlling the virus, according to health officials. Every poorly protected lung is a safe harbor for Covid-19 to spread and mutate.

And every surge further exhausts the nation’s already depleted health care system, consuming finite hospital staff, resources and attention that then cannot be used to treat people with other serious illnesses.

Normal life in this country, scientists say, depends on the willingness of Americans to act both in their individual and in the broader community interest. The vaccine rollout, a year old this week, has averted about a million Covid deaths and 10 million hospitalizations, according to a recent report by the Commonwealth Fund.

But it has been plagued by polarization, misinformation and lately by muddled communication from the federal government — first over who was eligible, and most recently over whether a booster shot would make a difference.

“The vaccines have been fairly politicized, and there’s a lot of confusion — about the data that comes out, about ‘will the booster even protect me?’” Dr. Oshita said.

“I know there are individual considerations and I don’t want to pass judgment. But personally, as someone who has shoveled dirt on a 35-year-old patient’s grave site and attended a service for a 56-year-old gentleman just recently, this is something I think we all really need to look hard into.”

As recently as last month, many public health experts opposed the Biden administration’s plan to offer booster shots to all American adults. Many researchers said there was little scientific evidence to support the extra doses.

Instead, they argued, the shots should be used to protect the billions of people who remain unvaccinated.

The C.D.C. initially limited their recommendation for boosters to Americans over age 50 and those ages 18 and older living in long-term care facilities. But in late November, many of the experts who opposed boosters for all reversed course.

Prompted by growing concerns about the Omicron variant, the C.D.C. now says that all American adults should get boosters. Recent studies have shown that the third dose of coronavirus vaccine may protect against the worst outcomes of the fast-spreading Omicron variant, while two shots produce a weaker antibody response. And data from November released on Friday by the C.D.C. show that fully vaccinated individuals without a booster were at least two times as likely to test positive as those who received a booster shot.

But many Americans have not gotten the message.

“When Omicron came out, the national media made such a big deal about it that there was a pretty good increase in the amount of people that went for the boosters,” said DeWayne Bush, the emergency operations coordinator for Taylor County, Texas. But demand in his area, around Abilene, has since tapered off amid reports that the variant may cause less severe disease than other forms of the virus.

“Now,” he said, “people have some questions about why was it such a big, huge issue.”

In Phoenix, Julian Montes, 19, a security guard at an Amazon facility who just got his second dose of Moderna, wondered how many boosters it would take to keep him and his family healthy.

“If the variants keep coming, is there going to be even more vaccinations we’re going to have to get?” he asked, heading into a strip mall in the working-class Hispanic neighborhood of Maryvale, which has been devastated by Covid-19 and has also had one of the lowest vaccination rates around Phoenix. “When the people you rely on for information don’t fully know what to do, it gives you a sense of doubt.”

In San Francisco, Brenda Washington, 64, expressed similar confusion. continues on page 12

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“So do we have to get it or not?” asked Ms. Washington, who works two jobs and volunteers as a community organizer, and had been unable to make time for a booster until this week.

Misinformation and political polarization are affecting the perception of boosters, as in the broader vaccine rollout. Smaller shares of vaccinated Republicans report receiving a booster dose, compared with Democrats, including among older adults.

The booster’s importance is not failing entirely to reach the public: The share of fully vaccinated adults who report receiving a booster dose more than doubled in November, according to a Kaiser report. At least one-third of Black and Hispanic adults over the age of 50 have received a booster, and many more said they plan to get one soon, suggesting that the initial hesitancy that some had about getting vaccinated has waned.

And some people complain that they would gladly be boosted, but the shot is harder to obtain than vaccinations were earlier this year, when cities and states deployed fleets of mobile units and commandeered places like Dodger Stadium as mass vaccine centers.

“In my mom’s city of 200,000 people, there are only four locations offering it,” tweeted Patrick Carlson, a computer programmer in Seattle whose mother lives in Oxnard, Calif.

Of those, he added, three did not administer

shots on weekends, a fourth had no weekend appointments before the New Year, and one had no appointments before Dec. 31 at all.

With more than half of the states already reporting Omicron cases, the sense of urgency is mounting.

“Don’t wait,” Mayor Bill de Blasio of New York exhorted this week amid reports that the city’s seven-day average for new Covid infections had tripled in the last month, with hospitalizations rising.

“Get your booster shot right now, I mean right now, ahead of the holiday gatherings, while Omicron has just begun to assert itself.”

But not even the prospect of a third year of suffering seems to be sufficiently moving the needle.

Passing a pop-up vaccine clinic in Phoenix on a community college campus, Zee Wyatt, 22, and his sister Genesis, 18, said the recent push to get Americans boosted had only hardened their opposition to getting vaccinated. They were both unvaccinated and said they wore masks rigorously to try to stay healthy.

“If you came out with three shots and can still get it, it’s like, what’s the point?” Mr. Wyatt said. “Are we going to reach the fourth, fifth, sixth? You wasted your time.”

At the urgent care clinic in Sacramento this week, anxiety compounded the confusion.

Although California has one of the highest inoculation rates in the nation and was the first state to report a case caused by the ultra-

contagious Omicron variant, a fifth of its eligible population is still unvaccinated, according to state public health statistics. And despite an initial bump after Omicron’s alarming arrival in the United States was reported, some 60 percent of vaccinated Californians have yet to be boosted.

Jim and Geraldine Lemmond, in their 80s, had been vaccinated and boosted, but had come to the clinic for coronavirus tests because they still were not sure their protection was sufficient.

Davina Brown, 38, said she was getting the vaccine only because her job required it.

“I don’t like the fact that I’m being forced into something,” she said. “My choices are not my choices — there’s no personal freedom.”

Raymond Bradley, 38, had come for the booster because he had gone out to a Sacramento Kings basketball game and had come away worried about breakthrough infections. “I want to get out,” he said. “See people. Not feel as anxious. And other people aren’t getting vaccinated, so I need to protect myself.”

He is weary, he added, of worst-case scenarios and conspiracy theories. He had no adverse reaction to the vaccine and “there have to be some scientists out there doing things for the good of the people.”

“Everything has just become strange,” he said. “Everything has become politicized versus common sense.”

JPTA and USPTA Sign Three Year Agreement Extending a Nearly 40-Year Working Relationship LAKE NONA, FL - On September 22, 2021, at the USPTA World Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) and the Japan Professional Tennis Association (JPTA) renewed their long-standing partnership and agreement for an additional three years, beginning in January, 2022. Initially signed in May 1982, the USPTA and the JPTA have worked together for nearly 40 years, promoting professional tennis-teaching standards through the USPTA/JPTA certification pathway.

12

The partnership helps ensure that certified tennis-teaching professionals belonging to the JPTA and the USPTA provide professional tennis instruction to players seeking to learn the sport or improve their game. Additionally, the agreement gives JPTA members an international membership in the USPTA, providing JPTA members access to a wealth of USPTA tennis-teaching educational resources, including digital industry magazines, online videos, live educational webinars, and additional racquet sport certifications.

Representing the Japan Professional

Tennis Association during the signing ceremony were Toshi Fujinuma, President, and Jun Hirasawa, International Representative. Representing the USPTA were Feisal Hassan, President, and John Embree, CEO. “The USPTA is excited about continuing our relationship with the JPTA,” said Embree. “The two associations have a long history of cooperating to raise the standards of the tennis-teaching professional in Japan, and by working together, we help set international qualification standards for the sport.”

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USPTA Teams Up with Tennis Warehouse for Multi-Year Endorsement to Promote Footwear and Apparel LAKE NONA, FL, Nov. 19, 2021 — The United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA), Inc. is pleased to announce a multi-year endorsement with Tennis Warehouse, as the “Official Footwear and Apparel Supplier” of the USPTA starting December 1, 2021.

Tennis Warehouse, the world’s leading online tennis retailer, will support USPTA members by providing pros with the largest selection of tennis apparel and footwear and exclusive member benefits.

As a preferred supplier of the USPTA, Tennis Warehouse will continue to foster the growth of tennis by supporting the teaching pros and players while also engaging customers with coaching tips from the USPTA, to help players improve their game and help create more exposure for the USPTA.

“As most everyone in our industry knows, Tennis Warehouse is the ‘go-to’ company for product reviews, demo programs, expert stringing services, and excellent customer service,” says John Embree, USPTA CEO. “Members will be able to select from a variety of brands for their footwear and apparel needs, including Nike. But because many of our members have an affinity for other companies, they will now be able to wear the brand of their choice and still be a part of the USPTA endorsement program.”

Rick Kerpsack, President of Tennis Warehouse, says “We recognize that the USPTA is the leading tennis teaching pro organization in the world and our investment will help support those members by providing access to the best products on the market. We are passionate

about growing the sport of tennis, and that starts on the court. Ensuring players and coaches have the right equipment for their game is essential to enjoying tennis. We look forward to supporting the growth of tennis through USPTA professionals and their students. ” Tennis Warehouse is the largest online specialty tennis store in the world and carries top footwear and apparel brands like Nike, adidas, Asics, New Balance, Fila, K-Swiss and more! You'll find the guaranteed lowest prices and FREE 2nd day air shipping (orders over $50).

About Tennis Warehouse: Tennis Warehouse has locations in the United States, Europe, and Australia, servicing the tennis player worldwide allowing players a one-stop shop for all things tennis.

The USPTA partners with the IFP Academy to offer a new and improved USPTA Pickleball Certification LAKE NONA, FL – The United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA), Inc. is proud to announce that it has partnered with the International Federation of Pickleball Academy (IFP Academy) to launch a new and improved USPTA Pickleball Certification. Beginning January 1, 2022, USPTA members may obtain USPTA Pickleball Certification by newly trained 17 USPTA Division Head Pickleball Testers or at any IFP Academy official training center within its extensive network. In addition, all USPTA Head Division Pickleball Testers have extensive experience with the sport, both as a player and a teacher, and will receive extensive in-person training by the IFP Academy.

The IFP Academy is a market-leading pickleball training, certification, and rating company specializing in accreditation and training in over 62 countries across the globe. The USPTA, working with the IFP Academy, plans to rapidly build out its 14

network of USPTA Pickleball Certification Testers across the country to accommodate the increasing demand for Certified Pickleball Instructors at racquet facilities due to the sport's immense popularity.

Included in the cost of the USPTA Pickleball Certification is a one-year pickleball training and continuing education membership with the IFP Academy. This membership provides USPTA Certified Pickleball Instructors with access to basic educational content from the IFP Academy. USPTA Certified Pickleball Instructors may also upgrade their IFP Academy membership for an additional fee for unlimited video and educational tools access.

"It was time for the USPTA to take control of pickleball certification. Modeled after our successful tennis testing protocols, each division will have a Head Pickleball Tester who will work with other USPTA pickleball testers in their respective divisions to certify USPTA professionals for this growing activity.

We are excited to partner with Robert Elliott and the IFP Academy team of evaluators to elevate the standards of pickleball within the USPTA." “We are honored to partner with a world class organization like the USPTA”, said Robert Elliott (IFP Academy Global Director of Training and Certification).

“Our mission is to create the global standard for pickleball training and certification and to leave no country behind (and no instructor).

That is why we are very excited to partner with the USPTA to help build this program for the USPTA teaching professionals.”

Pickleball is increasingly popular, and the sport is projected to continue to grow for the foreseeable future. Therefore, having a USPTA Pickleball Certification is a valuable asset for tennis-teaching professionals looking to advance their careers by providing their club and club members with pickleball programming and instruction.

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