USPTA Eastern Winter 2021 Newsletter President’s Message Members Corner USPTA Eastern Award Winners Adaptive TEnnis Executive Director Message
Daniel Burgess
2020 USTA Eastern Man of the Year recipient Winter 2021 Eastern Newsletter — 1
President’s Message webinars. Our recent sessions have included themes such as Career Pathway, Digital Marketing, and Wheelchair & Adaptive Tennis. Our presenters included ‘20 USPTA Eastern Hall of Famer, Bob Ingersole, ‘20 USPTA Eastern Pro of the Year, Alex Pop-Moldovan, and USPTA Master Professional, Mark McMahon, just to name a few. As our association raises the bar of education, we must remember we are committed to elevating the standards of teaching professionals. Part of elevating those standards means making the USPTA certification more rigorous. Some of the recent changes include:
U
SPTA Eastern Membership! last year was a challenging year for all and COVID-19 will forever make its mark on us and our industry. The pandemic shut us down for a couple months, but since reopening, we have been riding high! More people were playing tennis than ever in the parks and, now in the winter months, most of our adult and junior programs that are open have been bursting at the seams. With 2020 finally behind us, it’s time to embrace 2021 and get back to what we love doing: growing the game of tennis, the profession, and the quality of our teaching. We kicked off the year partnering with USTA Eastern for the Eastern Tennis Conference. This year, USTA Eastern decided to run the sectionwide favorite event virtually. USPTA Eastern hosted two workshops, one with John Yandell and another with Jeff Salzenstein. Additionally, our Board members were involved in a Wheelchair & Adaptive Tennis webinar, and picked up (virtually) several awards during the USTA Eastern Awards presentation. Since then, USPTA Eastern continues to provide educational opportunities online, and in person. Although in-person workshops have been challenging, we have been able to deliver much of our education via 2 — Winter 2021 Eastern Newsletter
1. Education Credit Guidelines change from 1hr = 0.5 credits to 1hr = 1 credit A. Face-to-Face/Virtual Face-to-Face 1 hr = 1.5 credits B. Teaching Essentials (TE1, TE2, TE3) 1hr = 2 credits 2. New Education Requirements A. As of Jan. 1, 2021, the education requirement is 15 credits every three years (international members and those over the age of 65 are exempt) B. USPTA members with an education period ending on Dec. 31, 2021, or Dec. 31, 2022, will continue with the prior credit requirement (12 credits with the formula change) until their current education period ends. The new education requirement of 15 credits every three years will begin once their current education period ends. C. USPTA certified members with a continuing education requirement period starting on Jan. 1, 2021, and ending on Dec. 31, 2023, are now required to earn 15 credits to maintain their membership. This requirement will apply to all subsequent continuing education periods.
Questions and Feedback:
A Publication of the USPTA Eastern Division 914-656-0614
Official USPTA Eastern Division
eastern-ed@uspta.org
@usptaeastern
The Eastern Newsletter is published quarterly by the Eastern Division of the United States Professional Tennis Association. The opinions expressed in the Eastern Newsletter are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Eastern Newsletter or the USPTA Eastern Division.
Now is an exciting time to be a part of the association! In addition to educational changes, I’ve outlined our goals for 2021 below: 1. Education a. Continue to provide regular monthly webinars b. Return to in-person workshops & conferences 2. Improve Communication a. Create a schedule of regular marketing content b. Conduct Semi-Yearly Virtual Town Halls c. Survey our Membership more often 3. Help Facilitate New National Education Track a. Continue to Liaison between National and Eastern Division b. Provide Communication regarding Educational Changes 4. Create New Partnerships a. PTM Programs b. Early Education College Programs c. Local Clubs in our Districts d. Attract a More Diverse & Inclusive Full Board of Directors
Accomplishing these goals is no small task and luckily USPTA Eastern has an enthusiastic, motivated, and professional team of Board members to help. If Covid-19 has taught us anything, it’s that we have to be ready to adapt. Plans and regulations will change, and we need to be ready to change with them as we return to normalcy. Our talented Board of Directors is excited and anxious to get back to in-person networking, in-person educational opportunities, and in-person exposure. In the meantime, we are looking for eager folks ready to learn more about our industry by joining a Committee! There are many to choose from including Education, Communication, and Elevate (Formerly U30), and so forth. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me, at jspeirs@ empiretennisacademy.com, or any of our Board Members. Continue to invest in yourself, and improve as coaches and administrators. Thank you for being a member of the USPTA Eastern division. * Jason Speirs USPTA Eastern President
Winter 2021 Eastern Newsletter — 3
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Winter 2021 Eastern Newsletter — 5
6 — Winter 2021 Eastern Newsletter
Member’s Corner the Expo held at the New York Open on
section president of the Eastern Division
Long Island where we distributed printed
with the names of members or applicants
membership brochures and addressed and
who live or work in their section together
questions or concerns with our members at
with a set of guidelines as to how the
our USPTA booth.
section president will reach out to their local
Following that, we prepared and
O
n behalf of the entire Eastern Board and Membership Committee welcome
members. The section president will then
electronically distributed a Member Survey
report and liaison with a member of the
to assess to what extent the members
Membership Committee who will inform
were satisfied with our efforts and to
me and I, in turn, as Chair of the Committee
learn about any ways we can improve our
will report to the entire Board to ensure
efforts or if there were any other actions
that there is a two way flow of information
members would like to have realized. We
between our members and our Board.
also invited all members to become more
We hope this action item will be another
directly involved in the committees or other
mechanism to help us learn more about and
activities of the Board.
highlight the ways in which our members
Another important action item our
are positively impacting their community,
Committee undertook in 2020 was an
as well as to provide more opportunities for
to a new column in our Eastern Newsletter
information campaign to our member
our members to become actively involved
that is here to inform our Members of the
applicants on the pending changes to the
with the USPTA and to ensure we are truly
actions of our Committee and highlight the
certification including providing them with
serving the membership.
most important component of the USPTA –
our direct contact information so that we
our Members!
may assist on this process. For our existing
have all been affected by the ongoing
Our members are the lifeblood of the
We are living in challenging times and
members we created an information campaign
pandemic. I would like to take this
USPTA and this column is being launched
to assist them in understanding the pending
opportunity to wish each and every
following our Committee’s year-long
changes to the education requirements.
member a happy and healthy 2021 and
campaign to ensure that we are serving
The Membership Committee capped off
the needs of our members, to grow and
2020 by adding this permanent column to
USPTA programs – and hopefully in person!
develop our membership, and to offer
our Newsletter, another component in our
– very soon. *
more opportunities to highlight the many
efforts to inform and serve our membership.
ways our members are making a positive
And now in 2021, the most recent action
I hope to connect with you at one of our
Millie Didio
impact in their communities. To this extent
item which the Membership Committee
VP USPTA Eastern Division Board of Directors
we invite our members to reach out to us
is currently working on is providing each
and Chair of Membership Committee
and let us know what actions, events, or programs they or a fellow member are creating or participating in that has resulted in their personal growth and/or had a positive impact in their community. We
Welcome To the USPTA New members as of January 1, 2021
are particularly interested in those actions and activities that center on the themes of inclusion and diversity. During 2020, which was my first year serving on the Board and as Chair of the Committee, we have undertaken several important action items to help us better serve our membership. We began with a pre pandemic in person participation at
Hugo Ball-Greene Vera Bessonova Sebastian Falla Alexa Goldberg
Cynthia Holmes Russell Johns James Koob Larry Kramer
Byung Kuk Choi John Nothaft Evan Picciano Jeremy Rosen
Jeffrey Scott Adrienne Supino Petar Tomic Jackson Wagner
The USPTA Eastern Family would like to welcome you to the Division and we look forward to you being part of our Association. Thank you for joining the USPTA Eastern Division!
Winter 2021 Eastern Newsletter — 7
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2020 Eastern Pro of the Year jason joseph, USPTA Eastern education chairperson
J
ason Joseph is a performance and development coach currently in Buffalo, N.Y. Jason is a graduate of the USTA High Performance Coaching Program and holds a Level 1 USTA Sport
Science assessment. He is a USTA Net Generation Coach. and has been coaching top 12 and Under players in their respective court dimensions for 17 years, a tenure that nearly no other coach in the United States has attained. Jason is a USTA Eastern Clinician and coach educator as well as a USTA Coach Youth Tennis provider. Jason spent summers in the early to mid 2000s teaching on the professional staff at the USTA Billy Jean King National Tennis Center. Jason is an Elite Professional with the USPTA where he also serves as the Eastern District Education Chairman, a fitting role as Jason has accumulated over 2,000 hours of continuing coaching education. Over his tenure, Jason has helped over 100 players achieve a collegiate tennis career.
He served as the manager of physical and technical development at Niagara Academy of Tennis, a silverlevel Tennis Canada Tennis Development Centre outside of Toronto, where numerous players achieved national and international results. He also served as Director of Player Development at South Towns and Village Glen Tennis Clubs in Buffalo where he helped oversee the most players into Eastern Super Six competitions in 20 years. Jason has also coached and consulted multiple USTA Adult teams that have competed at the Sectional and National levels. He currently is the Head Racquets Professional at Park Country Club as well as the director of The Academy at Hamburg Racquet Club. *
Winter 2021 Eastern Newsletter — 9
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Congratulations USPTA Eastern 2020 Award Winners
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H USPTA Eastern Division Professional of the Year Jason Joseph H Facility Manager of the Year Michael Starke H HS Coach of the Year Matt Thormahlen H College Coach of the Year Matt Johnson H Elevate Award Khrystsina Tryboi H Industry Excellence Award Alex Pop-Moldovan H USPTA Stars Award Greg Yahia H Major Contributor Millie Didio
Jason Joseph is a performance and development coach currently in Buffalo, NY. Jason is a graduate of the USTA High Performance Coaching Program and holds a Level 1 USTA Sport Science assessment. He currently is the Head Racquets Professional at Park Country Club as well as the director of The Academy at Hamburg Racquet Club.
Khrystsina Tryboi is a USPTA Professional at MatchPoint NYC and is the Director of Marketing, Tournament Director, 10U Coordinator, and Teaching Professional.
Michael Starke has been the manager at the Binghamton Tennis Center, a year-round indoor/outdoor facility serving the tennis community since 1985.
Alex Pop-Moldovan is working with Olympic level tennis players, and youth progression, and excels at providing Adaptive Tennis in his community. He is a Love Serving Autism Coach and a member of the USPTA Adaptive Tennis Committee.
Matt Thormahlen has been a USPTA member for the past 21 years and is the Head Coach for the East Aurora Girls Tennis Team, he has led the team to undefeated seasons the last two years while winning division titles four out of the past five years.
Greg Yahia has loved tennis since he was a teenager and knows "Tennis shows your character!"
Matt Johnson, Former Head Coach at SUNY Fredonia (22-8) and Berry College PTM.
Millie Didio is a two-time Tour Player on the WTA/ITF Tour Pro Player, Member of WTCA (Women’s Tennis Coaches Association). A Senior Teaching Pro at Tennis Club of Hastings since 2013 and a Staff Pro at Lifetime Racquet Sports.
Save the Date! USPTA Eastern Division Virtual Spring Workshop on April 29, 2021 For more information contact Paul Fontana at: eastern-ed@uspta.org
For more information about becoming a USPTA member go to www.uspta.com
12 — Winter 2021 Eastern Newsletter
Adaptive Tennis H
ave you been interested in adaptive tennis but not had the guidance to pursue coaching in or forming a program at your club? On December 3rd, USPTA Eastern hosted an Adaptive Tennis Conference digitally to help those coaches, hosting some of the most passionate and knowledgable minds in the field. Dozens of coaches from around the country attended, listening to two detailed presentations followed by an engaging panel. The two main presenters were wheelchair tennis clinician Harlon Matthews and Alex Pop-Moldovan, a Love Serving Autism Coach and a member of the USPTA Adaptive Tennis Committee, both of whom gave attendees an inside look at how they can not only get involved, but do so successfully. Matthews began playing wheelchair tennis in 2001 and quickly fell in love with the sport. He enjoyed it so much that he moved from playing wheelchair tennis to coaching and serving as tournament director at wheelchair events. Tennis coaches have countless drills and tips up their sleeves, but when you bring up wheelchair tennis, far fewer coaches have hands-on experience. Matthews presented a video he made to try to give those in attendance a valuable look at some of the basics in wheelchair tennis education. The ideas that work for coaches on an everyday basis don’t necessarily apply to wheelchair
USPTA
tennis, and Matthews did a detailed job of helping coaches understand why, while giving them a baseline of keys to helping wheelchair players. Pop-Moldovan has coached players of all ages and levels, including an Olympic doubles silver medalist. But one of his greatest passions is his work as a Love Serving Autism coach. PopMoldovan spoke about the importance of not just personalizing lessons to get the most out of his students in Autism programs, but how to effectively communicate and learn from the students. “[It was a] great convention beside amazing people,” Pop-Moldovan said of the Adaptive Tennis Conference. “Being able to spread the word and present our program for individuals with spectrum disorder gives us the chance to attract more coaches and specialists into our program.” After Matthews and PopMoldovan’s presentations, they were joined by Love Serving Tennis Founder Lisa PuglieseLacroix and Laura Fanelli, a nurse and tennis player. They are both passionate advocates and clinicians themselves. Karla
eastern board President
Jason Speirs Jspeirs@empiretennisacademy.com
Past President & Regional VP Geoffrey Jagdfeld
Geoff@solarisclubs.com
First Vice President Mike Smookler
Smooks@gmail.com
VP Secretary
Ryan Berthod Rberthod@lt.life
VP Treasure Jackie Clark
Jacquelineclark555@gmail.com
VP Membership Millie Didio
Millie.tennisclubofhastings@gmail.com
Executive Director Paul Fontana
Eastern-ed@uspta.org
Ruaya also prepared a video for the attendees. All in all, it was exciting conference for not just the presenters and attendees, but USPTA Eastern, which aims to host similar events in the future. “Tennis is for all where everyone can learn, socialize and communicate,” Pop-Moldovan said. “Let’s give them wings and help them fly.” *
Winter 2021 Eastern Newsletter — 13
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USPTA Push-to-walk Wheelchair tennis event
Karla Ruaya, USPTA Certified Professional, Exercise Physiologist & CPT
U
SPTA sponsored wheelchair tennis workshops on October 2nd at Fairfield Racquet Club in Fairfield, NJ and on November 6th, 2020 at Match Point Tennis Club in Orangeburg, NY. Participants were from Helen Hayes Rehabilitation Center in Haverstraw, NY and Push to Walk, a specialized gym for people with paralysis and other neurological conditions, located in Oakland, NJ.
“When I turned 55 years old, I was stricken with an autoimmune disease called Polymyositis that left me disabled/handicap (I hate both of these adjectives). Life had changed from the way I knew it. What was my life going to become. I had to step up to the plate. Now 19 years later and 74 years old, a whole new world opened up to me. I always said this was a blessing in disguise. Why? Because I was introduced to the best thing that ever happened to me, adaptive sports.
I entered a new world of adventure, wonderful people that I would have never met. I started participating in every one that I wanted to challenge myself at. I started with Handcycling and won a few 10K events, Wheelchair Softball, Golf, Sled Hockey, Water Skiing, Rowing and won a Silver Medal in Hartford Regatta and my new challenge, Wheelchair Tennis. This was definitely a challenge and I perservered and really loving it. All of these adaptive sports were the best things out there. So anyone that says they are bored and have nothing to do, welcome to the world of adaptive sports. As I mentioned before, the world of opportunities open up. I can’t wait to really get into this wheelchair tennis. I have a few naysayers that say I should be sitting back in a recliner at my age. No way...this is what keeps me alive and happy and in shape.” – Sheila from Helen Hayes Rehabilitation Center “The adaptive tennis program has allowed me to explore adaptive sports options to maintain my active and healthy lifestyle. It has allowed me to still keep feeling like an athlete after my injury.” – Gage from Push to Walk
Click to Watch the Video!
Winter 2021 Eastern Newsletter — 15
Thank you to our Endorsees
Executive Director’s Message Paul Fontana, USPTA Eastern Executive Director
I
t has been almost one year since COVID became front and center for all of us. Some of you may have contacted the virus, most of us know someone who did contract the virus and my sympathy goes out to anyone who lost a family member or a friend to the virus. COVID has altered our lives. As professionals, we must keep moving forward. We
must face the challenge and do our best under the circumstances. The USTA reports tennis participation is increasing, and several Tennis Directors and owners have told me they are trying to find qualified tennis instructors for their clubs. Afterschool programs and school tennis teams are focusing on opening in the Spring. COVID vaccinations are beginning to become available to everyone who wants to be vaccinated. This is exceptionally good news for the USPTA members! We need to take this positive news and move forward! There is little to be gained by dwelling on the negative. We need to learn from our experiences during the last 12 months and continue to move forward in our careers and our lives. To quote the great Grambling football coach, Eddie G. Robinson,” Do not take a
positive and turn it into a negative and always try to take a negative and turn it into a positive.” Great words to remember! We have decided to have an inperson event this year! The USPTA Eastern Division will hold our Annual Conference on November 5th and 6th at Sportime, Quogue Save the dates and more information will follow!! We will also have a Spring Workshop on Thursday, April 29th from Noon until 2 PM. More information will follow! Finally, the USPTA National Conference in September will take place. USPTA National is still deciding if the event will be in-person or virtual. A decision will be made in the next several weeks. USPTA National will inform the membership as soon as a decision is made. Thank you for being a USPTA member! We appreciate you and all you do for the USPTA! *
USPTA EAstern Treasury Report
Winter 2021 Eastern Newsletter — 17
EARN YOUR EDUCATION CREDITS STREAMING VIDEOS ONLINE
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16
Adapting to new ways Andrew Eichenholz, USPTA Certified Professional
H
ave you been interested in adaptive tennis but not had the guidance to pursue coaching in or forming a program at your club? On December 3rd, USPTA Eastern hosted an Adaptive Tennis Conference digitally to help those coaches, hosting some of the most passionate and knowledgeable minds in the field. Dozens of coaches from around the country attended, listening to two detailed presentations followed by an engaging panel. The two main presenters were wheelchair tennis clinician/ tournament director/program leader, Harlon Matthews from PTR and Alex Pop-Moldovan, a Love Serving Autism Coach/USPTA Adaptive Tennis Committee member. Both presenters gave attendees an inside look at how they can not only get involved, but do so successfully. Matthews began playing wheelchair tennis in 2001 and quickly fell in love with the sport. He enjoyed it so much that he moved from playing wheelchair tennis to coaching and serving
as tournament director at wheelchair events. Tennis coaches have countless drills and tips up their sleeves, but when you bring up wheelchair tennis, far fewer coaches have hands-on experience. Matthews presented a video he made to try to give those in attendance a valuable look at some of the basics in wheelchair tennis education. The ideas that work for coaches on an everyday basis don’t necessarily apply to wheelchair tennis, and Matthews did a detailed job of helping coaches understand why, while giving them a baseline of keys to helping wheelchair players. Pop-Moldovan has coached players of all ages and levels, including an Olympic doubles silver medalist. But one of his greatest passions is his work as a Love Serving Autism coach. Pop-Moldovan spoke about the importance of not just personalizing lessons to get the most out of his students in Autism programs, but how to
effectively communicate and learn from the students. “[It was a] great convention beside amazing people,” PopMoldovan said of the Adaptive Tennis Conference. “Being able to spread the word and present our program for individuals with spectrum disorder gives us the chance to attract more coaches and specialists into our program.” After Matthews and PopMoldovan’s presentations, they were joined by Love Serving Tennis Founder Lisa PuglieseLacroix and Laura Fanelli, a nurse and tennis player. They are both passionate advocates and clinicians themselves. Karla Ruaya also prepared a video for the attendees. All in all, it was an exciting conference for not just the presenters and attendees, but USPTA Eastern, which aims to host similar events in the future. “Tennis is for all where everyone can learn, socialize and communicate,” Pop-Moldovan said. “Let’s give them wings and help them fly.” *
Winter 2021 Eastern Newsletter — 19
3801 Mill Street Binghamton, NY 13903
www.tennisctr.com 607-722-3491
HIGH SCHOOL COACHES TENNIS CLINIC
Saturday, March 27 11am-4pm Cost $40 per person/includes lunch APPLICATION NAME______________________________________SCHOOL____________________ ADDRESS______________________________________________________________ CITY___________________________STATE_________ZIP______________________ PHONE _____________________________EMAIL_____________________________ Method of payment: Check (enclosed)____ School PO Bill____ Please make checks payable to the Binghamton Tennis Center and mail to the above address. If the school is paying through PO, please supply us with the address and contact information. If there is anything specific that you would like to see covered in the clinic please note below:
2021 Coaches Clinic Announced! Hosted by Elevate Fitness Dewitt & Sponsored by the USPTA When: Friday, March 26, 2021 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. ET The 37th Annual Coaches Clinic will be hosted at Elevate Fitness (formerly Gold’s Gym) of DeWitt. The date is Friday, March 26 from 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. ET. All high school coaches, pros, or interested tennis players are welcome to attend this event. Lunch is included in the cost of the clinic. Please be advised, this is a coach’s workshop and not a 10 & Under workshop. It is oriented toward helpful drills and practices to benefit a coach or instructor of players 12 & up. However, Covid precautions will be taken. If not participating in on court drills, masks will be worn, and social distancing practiced. Each attendee will receive a folder with a course outline and with room to take notes along with other educational materials. They could also bring tennis gear because they will be participating in the drills and exercises presented if desired. The cost is $30 ($20 for USPTA pros), made out to “Elevate Fitness.” Most schools will reimburse coaches for this and will give a professional day as well. Receipts will be provided.
Where: Elevate Fitness, DeWitt Directions: From I-690 East or West, take Bridge St. exit and go south. Immediately get into the far left lane. Within ¼ mile, come to Widewaters Parkway (Home Depot opposite). At this light, go left. Follow Widewaters ½ mile, see “ELEVATE FITNESS” in big letters on the right.
Park and come in! Phone Number: 315-446-0376
Registration Form for Clinic (Please mail in this form, along with your $30 payment to the host facility of the clinic, “Elevate Fitness, DeWitt”, 5791 Widewaters Pkwy, DeWitt, NY 13214. Or you may email this information to sstev1e@cs.com.) Name: School Name or USPTA Number: Street Address: City, Zip: Email:
Winter 2021 Eastern Newsletter — 21
