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ADDvantage/July 2011 1 www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com
contents
ADDvantage magazine editorial officesUSPTA World Headquarters
3535 Briarpark Drive, Suite OneHouston, TX 77042
Phone – 713-978-7782800-USPTA-4U
Fax – 713-358-7794email – [email protected]
Editor Shawna Riley Managing editor Kimberly Forrester Circulation Kathy Buchanan Advertising John Dettor
Office hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Central time
ADDvantage is published monthly by the United States Professional Tennis Association.
The opinions expressed in ADDvantage are those of the authors and not necessarily those of ADDvantage or the USPTA.
Copyright© United States Professional Tennis Association, Inc. 2011. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any portion of the magazine is not permitted without written permission from USPTA.
www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com ADDvantage/July 2011 1
volume 35 • issue 7
departments
2 Executive Committee
3 President’s message
5 CEO’s message
27 Classifieds
29 USPTA drills
36 Career development
38 Industry action
the total professional – enhancing your career
On the cover – Hans Romer, wearing a bright beanie to entertain young students, enjoys the game of mixed doubles – and hearing children’s unique take on it. See Page 21.
www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com
9 How to become a great doubles partner – by Bill Previdi, USPTA
21 Loving mixed doubles – by Hans Römer, USPTA Master Professional
23 Aceing Autism – by Richard Spurling, USPTA
24 Teaching autistic children provides challenges and rewards for tennis pro – by Harvey Rubin, USPTA
news
27 Special tribute marks Ashe Hall of Fame induction
31 Florida’s Mata and Iowa’s McCollom crowned singles champions at the USPTA Clay Court Championships
convention
11 Survey says ...
12 Tampa Bay, Fla., travel and attractions guide
13 World Conference details
15 Conference schedule
18 Registration form
19 Hotel form
20 International Championships form
USPTA Executive Committee
Division presidents, regional vice presidents and past national presidents:
Tom Daglis President 301-340-6185
Randy Mattingley First vice president 281-358-2181
Bunny Bruning Vice president 515-285-1459
Chuck Gill Vice president 561-624-8900, ext. 8932
Harry Gilbert Immediate past president 386-793-0084
Past presidents
Ron Woods (2005-2007) 361-991-7501
David T. Porter, Ed.D. (2003-2005) 808-675-3755
Joseph Thompson (1999-2003) 720-470-6550
California DivisionPierre Mareschal President626-744-1650 Mike GennetteRegional vice president805-495-0111
Eastern DivisionJoe RoedigerPresident914-373-6232Warren LemRegional vice president631-766-2318
Florida DivisionJeff CohenPresident 561-995-5213Richard CenterbarRegional vice president561-487-7070
Hawaii DivisionKen NakamaPresident808-679-3197Mark BeedeRegional vice president808-479-6727
Intermountain DivisionKim DavisPresident719-536-0797Alden BockRegional vice president303-232-6272
Mid-Atlantic DivisionPat HanssenPresident434-295-6167John ClearyRegional vice president301-924-3450
Middle States DivisionBill SemberPresident484-888-8329Wilson PipkinRegional vice president717-898-3102
Midwest DivisionMolly Card BeckmannPresident317-582-1550, ext. 229Paul MarcumRegional vice president248-626-9880, ext. 4006
Missouri Valley DivisionKendell HalePresident816-436-1608Angela KoumarisRegional vice president405-848-2994
New England DivisionJacques FaulisePresident401-952-7000Christopher StevensRegional vice president603-610-0183
Northern DivisionBrian McCoyPresident763-656-1590Dilcia PedersonRegional vice president612-824-6099
Northern California DivisionJohn SharpePresident925-283-5448Andrea BarnesRegional vice president650-736-7272
Pacific Northwest DivisionHunter LipscombRegional vice president541-753-1043
San Diego DivisionNelson AlapiPresident858-382-6571Dophie PoisetRegional vice president858-756-4459
Southern DivisionWilliam PhillipsPresident337-849-5821Pat WhitworthRegional vice president678-482-6357
Southwest DivisionSara StableinPresident602-636-9840Vicki FosterRegional vice president602-930-8423
Texas DivisionCharlotte WyliePresident817-427-6680 Jim SciarroRegional vice president903-581-7788
National Board of Directors:
For information, write the USPTA World Headquarters
3535 Briarpark Drive, Suite OneHouston, TX 77042
Phone 713-97-USPTA800-USPTA-4U
Fax [email protected] www.uspta.com
Office hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Central time
NATIoNAL BoARd oF dIReCToRS
President Tom Daglis
First Vice Randy Mattingley President
Vice Presidents Bunny Bruning Chuck Gill
Past President Harry Gilbert
WoRLd HeAdQUARTeRS
CEO Tim Heckler
Director of Operations Rich Fanning
Administrative Director Marty Bostrom
Director of Shawna Riley Communications
Creative Services Julie Myers Director
Publications Manager/ Kim Forrester Managing Editor
Director of Poornima Rimm Public Relations
Communications Jill Phipps
Director of John Dettor Marketing
Digital Asset Director Timothy Heckler
Digital Asset Coordinator/ Ramona Husaru Tennis Multimedia Management
Video Production Joe Birkmire Director
Video Editor Nick Warwick
Video Editor/ Aisha Nelson Flash Designer
Video Editor/Videographer Chris Maale
Director of Fred Viancos Professional Development
Corporate Janice Stollenwerck Services Administrator
Director of Dan Wilson Information Technology
Information Technology/ Scott Bucic Multimedia
Director of Kathy Buchanan Computer Service
Director of Membership Vicky Tristan and Certification
Membership/ Sylvia Ortiz Certification Coordinator
Membership/ Melony DeLoach Insurance Coordinator
Director of Finance Kathy Ladner
Payroll/Benefits Renée Heckler
Controller Ellen Weatherford
Merchandise/ Shelina Harris Accounting Assistant
Legal CounselAttorney-at-law Paul Waldman
ADDvantage/July 2011 3 www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com
President’s message
Tom daglis
By the time you have the opportunity to read this message, our association will be in the midst of a national election.
Board members, executive committee members, and members from the general membership have voiced their opinions on: how our association is and should be run, the election process of our association’s leaders, and our actual management meetings.
To this point, I say “to question is healthy” and “to debate is good.” We are a democratically run trade association and with that said, we ultimately serve the majority opin-ion of our membership.
As I do take the role of president of this association very seriously, I would like to spend a moment telling the membership what should be expected from a leader, as viewed through my perspective. I happen to agree with some of the points made by Dave Sivertson, from his Net Profit Manual: Leaders need to have some flex-ibility compared to manager s , who are more r i g i d . L e a d -ers must have a broader vision c o m p a re d t o managers, who often see things as black or white. Leaders tend to be more open for discussion on strategies and tactics, while managers are often geared to enforcing policies and rules. Leaders tend to reason and reflect more on growth and
improvement compared to managers, who often are afraid to pull the trigger on changes.
I believe in growth and improvement for our association, and I believe that we need to adapt to a changing tennis industry. I struggle with the thought of doing business the same way we have been doing business for the last 20 years.
USPTA plays a major role in the tennis industry and we need to be open to carving out our place within that industry, having a professional identity, and being an integral spoke of the tennis industry wheel!
I hope each of you take the oppor-tunity to participate in the election process that is taking place, it’s your election. We need to gather all of
our members, all of our divisions, and all of our leaders and work for one common goal of our trade association, to improve the well being of each USPTA member.
As I am writing this message be-fore the results of our national e lect ion take place, I wish to openly put in print that I have
full intentions to work with the entire national board, who will be ultimately elected by the membership. I am optimistic that we can build a stronger foundation and you, as a member of the USPTA, should expect no less.
USPTA is your association
I hope each of you take the opportunity to participate in the election process ... it’s your election.
www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com4 ADDvantage/July 2011
from previous page
Sports Tutor ad
CEO’s message
ADDvantage/July 2011 5 www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com
I attended my first USPTA national convention in 1970. It was at the T Bar M Resort near New Braunfels, Texas. I had just re-entered the tennis
business after working in medical research. While I didn’t really know what to expect of the USPTA event, I was very excited about who I might meet, including a few teaching heroes I’d only heard and read about – George Bacso, Jack Barnaby and Paul Xanthos, to name just a few.
You’d have to say I was star struck and considered myself beyond lucky to be attending an event that featured such big names. Jack Barnaby was the tennis and squash coach at Harvard for seven decades and was wrapping up his term as USPTA’s national president when I met him. George Bacso, a career educator, was USPTA’s resident “teacher of teachers,” and Paul Xanthos was a tennis-teaching pioneer and college coach.
Not only did I get to meet these and many other people at the first convention, but I was asked to sit in on a meeting where these wonderful volunteers would begin to formulate the first USPTA national certification test. What an honor!
The 1970 convention marked some important shifts in USPTA’s future and its potential for growth. I knew then that the organization was dedicated to education and a strong national image. And, we haven’t looked back since.
Thinking back now, there were probably only 175 people at the convention. The event lasted only a few days, and I don’t recall a trade show, but if there was one, it was small. The awards program was rather low key and took place during an evening dinner. The education schedule was easy to manage. Just one seminar at a time drew almost everyone in attendance, and each event was held either in a large room, (which
also doubled as the dining room during meal times) or on a tennis court.
Of course, the national convention has been turned into a “World Conference” that draws more than 1,000 annually, including many international mem-
bers and speakers. It features the largest tennis-only trade show in the country, which is highlighted by a very enter-taining silent auction. Also, it’s now one of the biggest tennis gatherings in our industry, hosting fellow ten-nis teachers, world-renowned tennis experts, manufacturers and their reps, allied association leaders, wholesalers and more.
Wow. Times have changed, but the most valuable benefit of the greatest
annual gathering of tennis teachers on earth continues to be – networking!
While the marquee names are different these days – Patrick McEnroe, Tracy Almeda-Singian, Jose Higuerras, Rick Macci, Dr. Martin Baroch, Emilio Sanchez Vacario and many, many more – I know your main goal for attending our World Conference continues to be your ability to associate with as many speakers and fellow professionals as possible.
Not only are you able to gather invaluable resources for teaching and selling the game of tennis to con-sumers, but you’re also able to hear about the latest research on the game, view and even try out the latest sports products and services, and trade stories with people who also have a vested interest in making sure tennis and our profession remain successful.
Networking was the single most important thing to me when I attended the convention for the first time back in 1970, and it’s the reason most of you will attend in 2011. I look forward to meeting you at Saddlebrook!
Forty-one years later: Networking continues to be the best reason for attending the USPTA World Conference!
Tim Heckler
www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com6 ADDvantage/July 2011
Playmate ad
2011 USPTA National Surface Championship Series schedule:
Grass Court Championships Aug. 26-28 Philadelphia Cricket ClubPhiladelphia
International Championships Sept. 19-22Wesley Chapel, Fla. (Clay Courts)
Hard Court Championships Oct. 21-23Hollytree Country Club and Tyler Tennis & Swim Club Tyler, Texas
Visit uspta.com for more information.
All USPTA Professional members in good standing are eligible to compete in any of the surface championships .
ADDvantage/July 2011 9 www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com
How to become a great doubles partner by Bill Previdi, USPTA
People often come to me with problems related to their doubles partners and questions about how to become more successful as a doubles team. Some ask how to choose a partner, and others want to know how to become a better
partner themselves.
try something else. Whether you win or lose you can learn to be more resourceful and resilient, two traits that will serve you well in future matches.
6. Don’t coach your partner! This is the most common and the most fatal mis-take that players make and is a surefire way to ensure that no one wants to play with you. The minute you start coaching your partner, you are making them feel that you think you are the superior player and that you don’t trust them. This will lead to tension, and an inability for your partner to play with a clear mind and a relaxed mindset. If you really are the stronger player, you need whatever you can get from them. Assume that is going to be very little and take the responsibil-ity on you. Let them know that you trust them and that you are ready, willing and able to take the heat without turning on them. If you can get their best, you have the best chance of being successful. It’s not realistic to think that you are going to teach someone something new or get
Too often players think that the ideal partner would be the best player, but that’s not always true. Doubles is very different from singles in that the whole has to be better than the sum of its parts. Just like in basketball, the best one-on-one player will not always be the most successful player in the team concept. Here are some tips for becoming the best partner you can be:
1. Don’t sell your partner out. Don’t blame them for a loss. On the flip side, be will-ing to give them credit for a win, even if they didn’t do much to earn it. This will show them that you are there for them in good times and bad and that you’re willing to share the credit with them when good things happen. Everyone will want to play with you.
2. Step up when they’re struggling. When your partner is having a difficult time, look at it as an opportunity to bring something special to the team. Bring more focus to your game and take the situation as a challenge to see if you can raise your game under adverse condi-tions. If they can’t win a point on their return, then you have to win every point on your returns. Here’s your chance to play your best! If you can’t, maybe you’re not as good as you think.
3. Know what they need. You almost need to be a chameleon when you play with different partners. If you’re good at interpersonal relationships you will get a sense of the best way to offer support and build confidence in your partner. What works with one partner may not work at all with the next. Sometimes even the same partner needs different things on different days. The bad news is that if you struggle with relationships
you will probably have a difficult time being a good partner no matter how good a player you think you are.
4. Be consistent, not flashy. When I was in college our coach always said that you have to make a choice. You can look flashy or you can win but you can’t do both. No one wants to play with someone whose goal is to make a lot of big shots and spends the rest of the time missing. It’s very unnerving for your partner. You should be trying to set your partner and the point up, not try a lot of ego shots.
5. Relax. You know that when you’re tense, the people around you can feel it. The same is true on a tennis court. Whatever is going on, whatever the score, you need to look at it as an opportunity. As long as the match is going on there is time to
continued next page
Bill Previdi and his son Matt, playing doubles at the National Father-Son at LaJolla.
www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com10 ADDvantage/July 2011
them to change a pattern that has been part of their game for a long time. Two things I try to do that work well with weaker players are:
a. Take the blame, even when they miss. If your partner misses a first volley, tell them that you’re sorry that you didn’t help them by poaching. This shows them that you are looking inward for ways to help the team.
b. If there’s something strategic that you think might help them, say it to them in reference to yourself. Here’s an example: “I have to remember to hit my passing shots down the middle rather than going for risky shots down the alley.” Or, “we can’t win if all the points keep ending on my racquet!” If they don’t catch the hint, at least you tried in a positive way.
I hope by now you’re realizing that the same things that make you a good spouse or friend also make you a good tennis partner. The willingness and desire to do more than your fair share, to share the credit and the blame, and to stay calm under pressure are the keys. Wanting a result too much will make this even more difficult. If what you are seeking is to be able to fulfill your potential on a regular basis, short-term thinking and focusing on results rather than the process will never get you there and will make it much harder to connect with another person. I see so many people who look (and act) unhappy when they are playing matches. The only moment that matters to them is the moment the match ends. That will determine whether they will have relief or sorrow. In all my years of playing I have met very few players who truly love every minute of competition, regardless of the score or the result. But, those who do are the best part-ners. Work toward that goal and make your tennis experience much more enjoyable.
Bill Previdi was trained at the Port Washington Tennis Academy in New York and attended St. John’s University (where he had two unde-feated seasons in doubles) on a tennis scholarship. He has been a head pro
since 1981 and has also coached high school and college tennis. Bill and his son, Matthew, were ranked No. 1 in New England and No. 20 in the nation in father – son doubles in 2008.
from previous page
Tennis Life ad
Tell us what’s on your mind or what works for you!
Ever wanted to publish an article? This is your chance!
Send us your tips or articles on coaching children, high school players, recreational adults – any level – or other subjects such as economic challenges, popular programming, player development, ethics, job security – any tennis-related topic you want to address.
Remember, having an article published in ADDvantage can enhance your career or add to your resume. (Plus you may get some interesting feedback.) Also, being published in ADDvantage is worth 25 points toward USPTA Master Professional certification.
Send articles to the attention of the managing editor at the USPTA World Headquarters or via e-mail to [email protected].
ADDvantage/July 2011 11 www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com
Survey says …
Earlier this year, USPTA conducted a two-part member survey. One section of the survey addressed the USPTA World Conference and the reasons some people don’t attend. Here are some of the reasons
given and our responses. If you hadn’t planned to attend, perhaps this in-formation will change your mind!
The conference costs too much.Registration is $350 if you take advantage of the early-bird discount – more if you don’t. It may look like a big chunk of mon-ey, but when you consider what you get for it, you’ll realize that it’s quite a bargain. The USPTA World Conference is not only worthwhile, but also offers you some of the best profit-building opportunities around. In addition to the events you have access to and the materials you receive, there are many other benefits of attending that will help build your bottom line.
When stacked up against comparable con-ferences, USPTA’s event is definitely the best deal. Check out this comparison chart. Length Early bird Regular
USPTA (6 days) $350 $425NASPE (4 days) $375 $450(National Association for Sport and Physical Education)
ICF (4 days) $900 $1,075(International Coach Federation)
CMAA (5 days) $1,080 $1,180(Club Managers Association of America)
PRSA (4 days) – $1,275(Public Relations Society of America)
Remember, if you register by the early- bird deadline, Aug. 21, you’ll save $75. New members, members who have never attended a USPTA World Conference, and members who haven’t been since 2000 are eligible for an additional discount.
The hotel is too expensive.USPTA consistently books the best hotels and negotiates the lowest rates for the conference. Be sure to use the official conference hotel reservation form, or use the group code online, to get the USPTA
for your facility through just one terrific advertising idea you pick up by talking with other pros at the conference. Pick up top-notch ideas by attending specialty courses, seminars and general sessions. Distribute the news release included in your conference notebook to your local media, promoting yourself, but also giv-ing your club recognition for having a well-educated teaching pro who is up-to-date on the latest teaching and manage-ment techniques. If you can’t manage to get away for the entire week, ask about coming for just a day or two. Check the schedule to see which days offer the edu-cation and events that would be the most beneficial for you.
I don’t have anyone to take care of my kids.Bring your children/family with you and make it a vacation. Saddlebrook is a beauti-ful resort with many activities for the entire family. S’Kids Club offers a variety of fun and stimulating, supervised activities for children ages 4-12 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
group rate, which is significantly less than the standard room rate. Another way to save money is to get a roommate. Contact Janice Stollenwerck at [email protected] or call 800-877-8248 and ask about getting on the room share list.
Airfare is too costly.Start monitoring airfares and book early to get cheap airfare. If you are within driving distance but want to spare your car the miles, consider renting a car and taking advantage of USPTA’s discount program with Avis or Enterprise.
I can’t take that much time away from my club.Your club should beg you to attend! Con-sider how much profit you can generate
continued next page
Bring your children/family with you and make it a vacation. Saddlebrook is a beautiful resort with many activities for the entire family. S’Kids Club offers a variety of fun and stimulating, supervised activities for children ages 4-12.
www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com12 ADDvantage/July 2011
each day (http://www.saddlebrook.com/skids_club.html). In addition, there are numerous places to visit in the Tampa area (http://www.saddlebrook.com/area_attrac-tions.html). Your spouse can also enjoy the resort, and if registered for the conference, can attend spouse/guest activities on the agenda.
I have attended a few times in the past and it seems to be the same speakers and same agenda. So what’s so new and exciting about attending this year?We have a lot of new speakers scheduled this year, speaking on topics ranging from the relationship between academic success and tennis performance to social media for your business. Additional topics include 52 weeks of lesson plans, creative games for large groups, how credible coaches create confident competitors and creating the optimal learning environ-ment for under 10s.
In addition to the education, there are many networking opportunities that you don’t want to miss out on. Where else can you meet with everyone from well-known tennis coaches like Rick Macci to former Davis Cup captains like Patrick McEnroe to other in-the-trenches teaching pros who just might have that great idea you’re looking for?
I can’t go because it’s right in the middle of my indoor season/college season/high school season.Unfortunately, we can’t give you a counter argument for that. The USPTA World Conference is scheduled when it is be-cause it is the “shoulder season” for most resorts. That is, it’s between the summer and winter seasons and that’s when we can get the best rates, both for hosting the conference and for room rates. In your case, we highly recommend that you attend your division conference in-stead. Maybe it won’t conflict with your schedule.
Some seminars from the World Conference are videoed, and you can check the U.S. Pro Tennis Shop for DVDs. You can earn education credits by viewing them.
from previous page
Tampa Bay, Fla., travel and attractions guide
Busch Gardens – 813-987-5000 / 888-800-5447
New in 2008, Busch Gardens Africa in Tampa combines world-class thrill rides, Broadway-style live entertainment and one of North America’s largest zoos in an unforgettable African adventure for the whole family. Discover a colorful village, launch into the sky from inside a 35-foot waterfall and connect up close with orangutans or test your strength in a tug of war with a tiger in Jungala – the only jungle in the world that plays with you.
Adventure Island – 813-987-5660 / 888-800-5447
Adventure Island’s 30 acres of water-drenched fun offers excitement for guests of all ages. Florida residents get $10 off single-day admission when they buy tickets online. For the ultimate value, buy an Adventure Island Weekday Pass, and pay for a day and come back weekdays all season. Visit AdventureIsland.com
Canoe Escape, Inc. – 813-986-2067
Discover nature’s magic while paddling through a spectacular preserve. This downstream, quiet-water trip, suitable for beginners, is an adventure through time. Guides will educate you on canoe paddling techniques and the wildlife you will encounter. In all seasons the Hillsborough River astounds with its beauty, serenity and abundant wildlife. This trip is about 70 percent shade so even on a hot summer day, the 4 ½ mile trip is cool.
Lowry Park Zoo – 813-935-8552
Voted the No. 1 family-friendly zoo in America by Child Magazine! Combining nature, education and excitement, the zoo features more than 1,800 animals in 56 acres of lush, natural habitats including a Wallaroo Station and Safari Africa. The zoo also offers exciting water play areas, restaurants, zoo shows, zoo rides, eco-tours, interactive exhibits and more!
The Florida Aquarium – 813-273-4000
A cool way to Sea Life! The aquarium features over 10,000 aquatic plants and animals, from huge sharks to playful river otters. Exciting exhibits include explore-a-shore, swim with the fishes, dive with the sharks, the no bone zone, the sea hunt and more! Also enjoy a wide variety of exciting and unique programs that provide engaging educational experiences for kids.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 800-795-BUCS
Take in a pro football game of the 2002 Super Bowl Champions and defending 2005 NFC South Champions! Raymond James Stadium was recently named the NFL’s best stadium to attend a game by FOX Sports.
Legends Field (NY Yankees) – 813-875-7753
Visit the state-of-the art training facility that is the Spring Training home of the New York Yankees! The 31-acre facility consists of two major league practice fields, and the 10,000-seat Legends Field, complete with 13 plush luxury suites.
Tampa Bay Lightning – 813-301-6500
This spectacular St. Pete Times Forum in downtown Tampa is home to the 2004 Stanley Cup Champions, the Tampa Bay Lightning. The venue also serves as host to over 100 concerts and events each year.
Gulf beaches – one hour away
Tampa Bay is home to year-round outdoor activity with countless beaches, parks, rivers and lakes. Paddle down the Hillsborough River, pack a picnic lunch for a day in the park or enjoy the excitement of snorkeling, diving, sailing, fresh or saltwater fishing, kayaking, or chartering a sunset cruise!
Orlando Theme Parks – 90 minutes away
Just 90 minutes from the resort, via interstate highways, all Orlando theme parks offer fun for the entire family, including all Disney parks, Universal Studios and Sea World among others.
Visit uspta.com for more information.
ADDvantage/July 2011 13 www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com
The USPTA World Conference on Tennis will be held Sept. 19 – 24 at Saddlebrook Resort in Wesley Chapel, Fla. The conference is the premier educational event for the tennis industry with
general sessions, seminars and specialty courses offered. It is the country’s largest tennis gathering with approximately 1,500 attendees expected, including tennis profes-sionals, industry leaders and representatives, manufacturers, wholesalers and media. Also during the conference, USPTA hosts its International Tennis Championships, board and Executive Committee meetings, nighttime parties, industry meetings, the nation’s largest tennis-only buying show, silent auction, awards presentation and more.
Main registrationMain registration fees include all educational programming (except specialty courses), ad-mittance and meals at parties and the awards breakfast, admittance to the USPTA Tennis Buying Show, early-morning cardio workouts and conference giveaways. Tournament reg-istration is not included. Save up to $125 by registering by Aug. 21.
Guest registration Guest registration includes all educational programming (except specialty courses), ad-mittance and meals at parties and the awards breakfast, admittance to the USPTA Tennis Buying Show, early-morning workouts, confer-ence giveaways, and admittance to the spouse/guest luncheon.
Specialty course registrationAttendees may sign up for specialty courses on the official conference registration form. Specialty courses are worth 2 USPTA Continu-ing Education Units and APC credits and cost $38. Outlines will be available at the conference registration desk.
Tournament registrationThe USPTA International Championships will be Sept. 19-22. The entry fee is $50 for singles and $20 per person for doubles. The deadline to enter is Sept. 9. Professional-level mem-bers in good standing who preregister for the World Conference are eligible. All certification
requirements must have been completed by June 27 to allow for exam grading and applica-tion processing. The tournament is sanctioned by the USTA. Players who would like to represent their divisions may compete in the USPTA Team Championships, Sept. 23. It will be a prize-money event and will include a team entry fee. Contact your division president or executive director/administrator for more information.
USPTA conference check-inThe USPTA conference registration desk will be open during designated hours from Sunday, Sept. 18, at 1 p.m. to Friday, Sept. 23, at 5 p.m.
Resort check-inCheck-in time is after 3 p.m. Check-out time is noon. For your convenience, we recommend that you carry a change of clothes in your carry-on bag in the event that your room is not ready when you arrive.
Tax deduction Education expenses incurred to maintain or improve skills required by a person in his or her employment are generally tax-deductible. Educational expenses include tuition (conference registration and specialty courses), books, local transportation and travel, meals and lodging while away from home when the trip is primar-ily to obtain education (Treasury Regulation 1.162-5). Consult your tax preparer for details regarding deductions.
Attire for conference eventsAttire for all conference events is resort casual or tennis attire. Please wear a collared shirt or socially casual attire to the awards breakfast on Thursday, Sept. 22.
Room shareUSPTA members who would like to find a room-mate for their stay at the conference should contact Janice Stollenwerck at the USPTA World Headquarters at 800-USPTA-4U, or [email protected].
Airport and transportation servicesTaxis, limousines and shuttles can be arranged to transport you and your group to and from Tampa International Airport. Please contact Ambassador Limo at 813-907-4455 for rates and information.
Car rentalAvis and Enterprise will offer discounted rates.
Avis: Call 800-331-1600 and use discount code U353920
Enterprise: Call 800-593-0505 and use discount code L060268 (PIN: USP)
Testing/upgradingMembers interested in taking the PTCA1 or upgrading their classification must register by Sept. 7 by calling the USPTA Membership De-partment. The exam and PTCA1 will be offered in portions over a four-day period. The PTCA1 will be available in English and Spanish. Anyone interested in becoming certified must meet the requirements for membership before registering for the exam.
Spouse/guest programs Spouses and other guests who would like to take a free private and/or group tennis lesson may do so by calling the USPTA Membership Department. You may also sign up on a space-available basis at the registration desk. The following times are available: Tuesday, Sept. 20, 9 – 1 p.m., Friday, Sept. 23, 8 – 12 p.m., and Saturday, Sept. 24, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. A spouse/guest luncheon will be held Wednesday, Sept. 21, from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. To be eligible for the luncheon, spouses and other guests must be registered for the convention.
educationConference attendees may choose from a large number of education sessions that vary in sub-ject matter. All sessions will fall under one of the following four educational tracks: teaching, facility management, professional development and sport science. APC forms will be available for all presentations and must be completed and returned at the conclusion of the presentation in order to receive credit.
World Conference details
Visit uspta.com for more information.
ADDvantage/July 2011 15 www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com
Sunday, Sept. 181 – 5 p.m. Registration
Monday, Sept. 197 a.m. – 5 p.m. Registration
9 a.m. – 6 p.m. International Championships
7:30 – 9 p.m. Tournament player party
Tuesday, Sept. 207 a.m. – 5 p.m. Registration
U.S. Pro Tennis Shop
7 a.m. – 6 p.m. Executive Committee meeting
9 a.m. – 1 p.m. On-court upgrading
9 a.m. – 6 p.m. International Championships
11 a.m. – noon Early and historical highlights of lawn tennis – Richard Hillway
Drop shots, lobs and angles: teaching a new skill set – Scott Ficks
1 – 2:30 p.m. General session – 52 weeks of lesson plans – Sophie Woorons-Johnston
2:30 – 6:30 p.m. Specialty course 1: Thomas Whitten
Specialty course 2: Tennis club programming – Larry Karageanes
3 – 4 p.m. Games with names: Creating games to manage large groups – Matt Dektas
Passing grades and passing shots: the relationship between academic success and tennis performance – Brandyn Fisher, Michael Smith
4:15 – 5:15 p.m. Exercises to improve coordination in tennis – Eduardo Vicencio
Social media for your business – Tracy Almeda-Singian
5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Changing self-destructive tennis performance – Dr. Nick Dewan
Advanced drills – Brenda Mertz
7 p.m. Division parties
Wednesday, Sept. 217 – 8 a.m. Cardio Tennis
TennisCize – early-bird tennis aerobics, Donnia Bondallian
Diversity division liaison meeting
Division EA/ED meeting
7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Registration
U.S. Pro Tennis Shop
8 – 9 a.m. Special populations committee meeting
8 a.m. – noon PTCA I (written, grips, stroke analysis, English and Spanish)
Specialty course 3: Anticipation training for tennis – Dave Hagler
Specialty course 4: Teaching effective strokes – Feisal Hassan
8 a.m. – 6 p.m. International Championships
8:30 – 10 a.m. TennisCize – spouses tennis aerobics, Donnia Bondallian
Biomechanically engineered stroke techniques and serve problems – Rick Macci
9 – 10 a.m. Seminar – Warren Pretorius
10:30 a.m. – noon General session – 10 and Under Tennis – Kurt Kamperman, Scott Schultz
11:30 a.m. Spouses luncheon
1– 2:30 p.m. General session – 10 and Under Tennis – Patrick McEnroe, Craig Jones
1 – 4 p.m. PTCA I (on-court portions)
3 – 4 p.m. The young athlete – Michael Bergeron, Ph.D.
Cardio Tennis for large groups – Michele Krause
Please note: This is a tentative schedule for planning purposes only. Speakers and times are subject to change.
Conference schedule
continued next page
from previous page
4:15 – 5:15 p.m. How credible coaches create confident competitors – David Benzel
Vision training – Harvey Ratner
5 – 6 p.m. Diversity committee open meeting
6 – 7 p.m. HEAD/Penn Advisory staff meeting
6:45 – 7:30 p.m. Team captains meeting
7 – 10 p.m. Welcoming party
Thursday, Sept. 228 – 10 a.m. Awards breakfast
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Registration
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. U.S. Pro Tennis Shop
10 a.m. – 6 p.m. International Championships finals
10:30 a.m. – noon General session: General membership update
11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. TennisCize – Spouses tennis aerobics, Donnia Bondallian
11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Buying show setup (exhibitors)
noon – 1 p.m. Cardio Tennis feeding contest qualifying
1 – 2:30 p.m. General session: Patrick McEnroe, Jose Higueras, Martin Blackman
1 – 4 p.m. Manufacturers on-court demos
3 – 4 p.m. Developing a wellness nutrition program for your club, yourself and your players – Page Love
Do you get me? Creating the optimal learning environment for under-10s – Mike Barrell
4:15 – 5:15 p.m. Train to gain: Building mental muscle – Wendy Whitlinger
Unusual doubles formations – Ken DeHart
5 – 10 p.m. Tennis Buying Show
6 – 8:30 p.m. Silent auction
6:30 – 8 p.m. Tennis Buying Show reception
Friday, Sept. 237 – 8 a.m. Cardio Tennis
TennisCize – early-bird tennis aerobics, Donnia Bondallian
8 a.m. – noon Specialty course 5: Junior development – Craig Jones
Specialty course 6: Equipment consutling – Lucien Nogues
Certification Exam (on-court portions)
8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Registration
U.S. Pro Tennis Shop
9 – 10 a.m. Seminar – Nancy Biggs
Drills, drills and more drills – Stan Oley
9 – 10:30 a.m. TennisCize – spouses tennis aerobics, Donnia Bondallian
10:30 a.m. – noon Training female athletes – Kerri Whitehead
Seminar – Emilio Sanchez Vicario
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Past presidents forum
Noon – 1 p.m. Cardio Tennis feeding contest finals
1 – 2:30 p.m. General session
1 – 4 p.m. Written exam (written, grips, stroke analysis, English/Spanish)
1 – 6 p.m. International Team Championships
3 – 4 p.m. Seminar: Emilio Sanchez Vicario
Seminar – Luis Mediero
4:15 – 5:15 p.m. Coming alive tennis clinics and camps – Dave Kozlowski
180-degree racquet turn makes the difference in the modern game – Dr. Martin Baroch
The fundamentals of lessons – Alden Bock, Ron Steege
5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Ten great doubles tips – Scott Mitchell
Growing your tennis business – Doug Cash
Saturday, Sept. 248 a.m. – noon Specialty course 7: Drills for all levels – Jorge Capestany
Specialty course 8: Mental toughness – Lorenzo Beltrame
8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Certification Exam (on-court portions)
Guest registration Must be registered to attend parties.
Name _____________________________________ USPTA member No. _____________ Division ______________Nonmember
Please indicate parties you plan to attend:
Wednesday spouse/guest luncheon
Wednesday night
Thursday awards breakfast Thursday night
Vegetarian meal option
Main registration
Name _____________________________________ USPTA member No. _____________ Division ______________Nonmember
Address ___________________________________ City ______________________________ State _________________ZIP _________
Daytime phone number (____) ____________
e-mail ______________________________________
Please indicate parties you plan to attend:
Wednesday night
Thursday awards breakfast Thursday night
Vegetarian meal option.
Specialty courses
No. 1 No. 2 No. 3 No. 4 No. 5 No. 6 No. 7 No. 8
Arrival date: __________ Departure date: _________
Are you staying at Saddlebrook Resort? yes no If not, why? _______________________________________________________________________
Total fees
Subtotal 1 ___________
Subtotal 2 ___________
Subtotal 3 ___________
Subtotal 4 ___________
Total ___________
Specialty course fees
$38 ea. X ____ = Subtotal 2 ________
USPTA conference registration formRegister by August 21 and save up to $125.
Fees By Aug. 21 After Aug. 21
Member $350 $425
Nonmember $395 $470
Subtotal 1 _______
Child registration
Child 1 ____________________________________________ Age ________
Child 2 ____________________________________________ Age _______
Payment options Check or money order payable to USPTA, or charge my:
Visa MasterCard American Express
Name printed on card ________________________________
Card No. __________________________________________ Exp. date ____________
Signature _________________________________________
Return this form with payment to: USPTA World Headquarters, 3535 Briarpark Drive, Suite One, Houston, TX 77042 or fax to 713-358-7785 or register online at www.uspta.com
Fees By Aug. 21 After Aug. 21
Guest $150 $200
Subtotal 3 _______
Fees per child
Age 5-12 ____X $70 _____Age 13-18 ____X $120 + _____
Subtotal 4 ______
Hotel room reservation Please use this form for reservations
Please complete this form and return it to the Saddlebrook Resort no later than August 16, 2011. You may also make reservations by calling
and identifying yourself as a USPTA conference attendee.
General information• All reservation requests must be received by
August 16, 2011. Requests received after this date, or for dates other than the main conference period, will be accepted on a space-available basis only.
• Please include a deposit for the first night’s room revenue and 9 percent tax as a deposit in the form of credit card (with an expiration date valid through date of departure) or check, which will hold your room until midnight of the arrival day.
Check-in time is after 3 p.m. – Check-out time is at noon
Last name (print legibly) ________________________________________First name ________________________________ Middle initial ________________
Address ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
City ___________________________________________________________State ______ZIP ______________Telephone ( ) _________________________
Hotel arrival time ___________________Share a room with ________________________________________________________________________________
e-mail __________________________________________________________________________ Fax: ( ) __________________________________
Please indicate choice of accommodations. All rates are European plan (no meals included).
Rates:
$110 – Deluxe guest room
$135 – One-bedroom suite
$200 – Two-bedroom suite
Please reserve ______ room(s) for ______ person(s).
Requests:
Smoking room King
Nonsmoking room Double/double Crib
Please note, requests are honored based on availability upon arrival.
Deposit: Check Credit card: ___ AmEx ___ MC ___ VISA ___ DC/CB
Card No. ________________________________________________________________________Expiration date __________________________
Name printed on card ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Billing address __________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Authorization signature _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Conference: USPTA World Conference on Tennis Saddlebrook Resort TampaSept. 19-24
Send to:Saddlebrook Resort Tampa5700 Saddlebrook WayWesley Chapel, FL 33543800-729-8383813-973-4504 (fax)
Arrival date: ______________Departure date: _______________
The published room rates do not include a 9 percent tax or a $10 per room daily resort fee. Any additional gratuity to the hotel staff is at your discretion.
Children age 13 and under may share a deluxe guest room or one-bedroom suite with an adult at no extra charge. These rooms and suites can accommo-date two adults. An extra charge of $20 per person per day will be assessed for each additional guest age 14 and over.
The two-bedroom, two-bath suites can accommodate four guests. Most of these suites have two beds and a pullout.
• Cancellation notice of seven days prior to arrival is required for a refund. Changes and cancellations should be done in writing. When canceling or changing your reservation by telephone, be sure to obtain a cancellation number in writing.
• The hotel will make every effort to honor requests for specific types and locations of rooms. However, on occasions when such requests cannot be met, the hotel reserves the right to provide alternate ac-commodations.
• Early departures will be charged one night’s room/tax.
2011 USPTA International Championships
What: Singles and doubles competition, open and age categoriesWhen: Sept. 19-22. Starting times for first-round singles matches will be posted on Sept. 14 at www.usptaworldconference.com.Where: Saddlebrook ResortSurface: Clay courtsEntry fees: $50/singles, $20 each/doubles. Tournament players must register for the World Conference on TennisSM; tournament and convention fees must be paid separately (see conference registration form). Singles entry and fees deadline, September 9 . Doubles may register at tournament site, preregistration encouraged.Match scoring: Regular match scoring, two of three tiebreaker sets.Rules: USTA. 15-minute default rule in effect. Players allowed mini-mum one-hour rest between singles matches, 30 minutes between singles and doubles matches or two doubles matches.Dress code: Proper tennis attire. No T-shirts, tank tops or Capri tights.Player eligibility: Current USPTA-certified professional members in good standing who preregister for World Conference on Tennis. All certification requirements must be completed by July 1 to allow for processing application and grading exam. USPTA will not be held responsible by any individual or division if entry is not accepted due to not fulfilling requirements before the 60-day deadline.Prize money: Each event will have a minimum fixed amount of prize money.
Men’s MOS MOD M35S M35D M40S M40D M45S M45D M50S M50D M55S M55D M60S M60D M65S M65D M70S M70D M75S M75D M80S M80D M85S M85D
Women’s WOS WOD W35S W35D W40S W40D W45S W45D W50S W50D W55S W55D W60S W60D W65S W65D W70S W70D W75S W75D
Wheelchair MOS MOD WOS WOD
Mixed doubles Mixed 45 doubles
Sanctioned by USPTA and USTA
Mail this entry, along with your payment, to:USPTA International Championships 3535 Briarpark Drive, Suite One, Houston, TX 77042
Name ___________________________________________Street ___________________________________________City ___________________ State ______ ZIP __________Phone ( ) _____________________________________e-mail __________________________________________Birthdate _______________ SS No. __________________USPTA No. _____________ USTA No. ________________Doubles partner ___________________________________Birthdate ______________SS No. ____________________Mixed doubles partner _____________________________
Birthdate ______________SS No. ____________________I, _____________________________________, hereby release the United States Professional Tennis Association, its officers, directors and employees, including those of the USPTA divisions and tourna-ment sponsors, from any and all liability for injury to me, including illness, resulting from my participation in the USPTA International Championships. I assume all risks inherent in my participation.
Date Signature
RankingATP/WTA _________________USPTA ___________________USTA sectional _____________USTA national ______________State ______________________W/L record ________________Attach past and current ranking
information if needed.Fees
Singles $50 $________Doubles $20/person $________Mixed doubles $20/person $________Total enclosed $________
Entry deadlineSept. 9
Additional prize money for each event will be based on the number of entries. For more information, go to www.usptaworldconference.com.Player/event regulations: Each eligible player is limited to two events. An event is two players or teams competing. Men’s open lim-ited to a 128-draw. Mixed doubles rule: Players may play regular doubles and mixed doubles. Starting schedule:Sept. 19: Monday 9 a.m. Start all singles Noon Sign-up ends for all doubles Sept. 20: Tuesday 1 p.m. Start all doubles & MXD Players are advised to arrive one day before first scheduled match. Tournament staff: Frank Kelly, tournament director; Todd Ruedisili and Gary Scanlon, Tournament Committee.Registering online: If you would like to sign up online, go to www.usptaworldconference.com.
All tournament play will be on-site.No transportation will be needed.
Convention registration and hotel reservations by Aug. 16
ADDvantage/July 2011 21 www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com
Loving mixed doubles
Growing up in my native Netherlands, playing mixed doubles was, and still is, an important part of team competition. The Royal Dutch Tennis Association (KNLTB) has structured the match format in
such a way that two decisive matches can determine the outcome of the entire day, even at the highest level. Four singles matches, one men’s doubles, one women’s doubles, and two mixed doubles keep a total of eight players (four on each team) busy all Sunday in the spring. Each match is worth one point, and since the mixed doubles are scheduled last, you can imagine the pressure on these final two matches. However, no matter how fierce the competition is, afterward we all enjoy “bitter-balls” (a typical Dutch snack) and a cold Heineken with our opponents!
While competing on the weekends, I was enjoying my first years as a teaching professional at a medium-sized club, just outside Amsterdam. Teaching tennis, or teaching anything for that matter, is a very rewarding career. Seeing students, young and old, developing athletic skills and having a good time while doing it, is
a goal many teaching professionals take pride in. Let’s face it, tennis is the perfect vehicle – especially for juniors – to con-nect with other people. Hitting tennis balls, running around the court, being with friends, participating in healthy com-petition in a safe environment, are ingre-dients that not every after-school activity
can offer. Even though I was only in my mid-20s, I recognized the importance of providing these kids with more than just tennis. Good attitudes, being courteous, fair play, being polite and respectful, were just some of the traits I integrated in my lessons and clinics, without necessarily emphasizing it. Respecting the game, I also felt that educating the juniors about the history, rules and etiquette was one of my responsibilities as a coach. On a beautiful sunny Wednesday afternoon, during a Peewee class, I asked the young rascals if they were aware of all the different playing formats. “When two boys play together, what do you call that”? I asked. At first they didn’t have a clue where I was going with this question, so I answered for them, “That’s called boys singles.” How about two girls? Daphne, a bright girl, answered, “Girls singles!” All the other kids recognized the logic, but were speechless when I presented them with the next question, “How about when two boys play against two boys?” For a moment I lost them again and explained that was called boys doubles. Daphne took charge again, and before I even imposed the question on the group, she stated, “When two girls play against two girls, it’s called Girls Doubles!” I replied, “That’s exactly right, good job Daphne!” My last obvious question was, “Now what if a boy and a girl play together?” Little Anna, who had been quietly paying attention, gave me the most precious answer in my entire teach-ing career. Without hesitation, she said, “Making love!”
Hans Römer, USPTA Master Professional, is the director of tennis at the Monterey Tennis Center in California. He has been a speaker at numerous tennis conventions. He also is a member of the United States Tennis Writers As-sociation and the USA correspondent for Tennis Journal, a Dutch magazine. Römer graduated in his native Netherlands from the prestigious CIOS Sport College with a B.A. degree in physical education and studied pedagogy at the University of Amsterdam.
by Hans Römer, USPTA Master Professional
ADDvantage/July 2011 23 www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com
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Aceing Autism
There is a growing body of literature about the benefits of exercise pro-grams for children with autism spectrum disorders. These youngsters struggle with social-interaction problems, as well as language impair-
ments, repetitive behaviors and restricted interests.
We have data about the benefits of ten-nis for children with other neurodevelop-mental disorders. But surprisingly, there are no studies specifically investigating the role of tennis in relation to autism spectrum disorders. In spite of that scientific void, it is pos-sible to “ace autism” – to use tennis to help children with autism spectrum disorders, which are considered a spectrum because of the wide-ranging levels of function that are seen. My wife, Shafali Jeste, is a child neu-
rologist who focuses on autism. She and I launched ACEing Autism, a nonprofit organization, in the summer of 2008. We now have two sites – one in Boston and the other in Los Angeles, where we partner with the Adaptive Training Pro-gram at UCLA. Our clinics are designed for children with autism, ages 4 to 17, at all cognitive and developmental levels. Parents can register their children for the 10- and 11-week sessions. We receive a lot of help from an ad-visory board, which includes parents of
by Richard Spurling, USPTA
children with ASD, professionals who work with these children, and – not least – tennis pros. Together we have developed a program that helps raise the confidence level of children with ASD while teaching them the game. This provides an affordable, enjoyable and effective recreational activ-ity for those who often lack extracurricular outlets. A primary goal of ACEing Autism is to improve motor function since up to 90 percent of children with ASD demonstrate motor impairments. These include deficits in gross and fine motor skills, coordina-tion, gait, and planning of complex motor behaviors (see Jeste, 2011).
“ Each child leaves the session feeling they accomplished something … It’s wonderful to find a program that understands our special kids,
and works to make each feel proud.”
www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com24 ADDvantage/July 2011
from previous page
I haven’t been a tennis teacher very long. I’ve spent most of my life in the motion picture business doing camera work. Six years ago I became certi-fied by the USPTA and met Don Henson, USPTA Master Professional,
who, through his monthly seminars, inspired me to do more than teach – to change lives – while I was on the court with my students.
Teaching autistic children provides challenges and rewards for tennis proby Harvey Rubin, USPTA
Harvey Rubin promotes tennis as a means of helping autistic children.
Motor function is critical for language development, social learning and overall cognitive ability. Unfortunately, because motor problems are not part of the di-agnostic criteria of ASD, most services and treatments do not target them. By targeting motor deficits, we work to improve language and social skills, along with learning, in children with these disorders. ACEing Autism incorporates the USTA QuickStart format, with low-pressure balls and smaller courts, while being structured specifically for children with ASD. The 45-minute session includes (1) a warmup, (2) tennis readiness skills, (3) tennis drills, and (4) closing games. Most of the ideas, drills and games that we have adopted come from USPTA seminars and USPTA websites. The program also incorporates a child’s interests into the training. For instance, if the child wants to talk about dinosaurs the whole time, the volunteer will say, “That’s great that you know so much about di-nosaurs. For every five forehands you hit, you can tell me one fact about dinosaurs.” The program also uses visual cues, such as putting cones or markers on the ground to help the child stay in the appropriate position while hitting a ball. The next step in the development of ACEing Autism will be formal assessments of each child’s pre- and post-program func-tion and to put measures in place so that the program can be used in sites around the country. So far, the program has been very suc-cessful and the parents and children have found the experience extremely rewarding. One parent, whose son loved the games at the end of the session, had this to say: “Each child leaves the session feeling they accomplished something … It’s wonderful to find a program that understands our special kids, and works to make each feel proud.”
ACEing Autism is looking to partner with clubs and sports facilities to expand its reach to more families affected with autism. Ten-nis clubs or tennis professionals interested in starting a program may contact the organiza-tion by emailing [email protected] or visiting www.aceingautism.com for more information.
About a year ago, at one of Don’s semi-nars, I received an opportunity to achieve that goal. I met a fellow teacher from England, Richard Spurling. Richard and his wife, Shafali, a neuropsychiatric autism re-searcher at UCLA, had started a program in Boston called Aceing Autism. They ex-panded it in Los Angeles under the UCLA Adaptive Training Program. When Richard outlined the program at the seminar, I knew I wanted to be involved in it. Since then, on a weekly basis, I’ve been teaching children with autism ranging in age from 4 to 16. Before that, I had no experience with autistic children outside
of shooting a public service announcement for autism in 1979. Teaching tennis was a new challenge for me and teaching autistic children seemed like an even greater, if not frightening, one. One thing I learned about camera work in the movie industry is that knowledge replaces fear. That concept helped me in my new arena when I learned there are varying degrees of autism. Some children seem completely unaffected while others have severe symptoms. The methods I used to teach my main-stream students needed serious modifica-tion so I could reach out to these special-needs youngsters.
continued next page
ADDvantage/July 2011 25 www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com
I first had to re-evaluate how we mea-sure success or progress in tennis since the process is slowed considerably and the potential for frustration on the part of the instructor is great. The biggest test, at least for me, was to change my expectations to meet the realities of the situation. The little steps we normally aim for are transformed into micro steps when you’re dealing with autism. Usually, we strive to teach technique, bio-efficiency and winning tennis to our everyday students, but the “lesson plan” is different with special-needs children. The ability to focus is the key to getting our “regular” students to advance and perfect their games, but an inability to focus is the most prevalent symptom of autism, and dealing with that on court is a major challenge for an instructor. Some autistic children can also exhibit behavior that may potentially be dangerous to others and even to the instructor. The use of soft balls can minimize this problem, but we must be aware of the racquets, which are sometimes brandished wildly, creating a safety hazard. I was trained never to teach tennis wearing sunglasses as eye contact is an important element in communication. This is true tenfold for teaching autistic children and is significant in getting their attention, which is an elusive commodity. It’s also necessary to get physically closer to the students, and an offshoot of that is a closer emotional relationship between student and teacher. Socialization is a major issue for autistic children as they have difficulty mesh-ing with their peers. One of the greatest
advantages of tennis is that it allows the children to exercise and interact with other children in a positive environment where fun, rather than skill development, is the emphasis. It’s possible to see definite prog-ress in skill development with these kids, but it is more important for instructors to provide positive reinforcement and create a nonthreatening atmosphere. The experience has been full of surprises for me, mostly positive ones. There was one young man who was so talented I wanted to enter him in the Special Olympics, but for unrelated reasons, he dropped out of the program. Some of the autistic youngsters show up with their non-autistic siblings and it is special to see how the siblings support their special-needs brothers and sisters. Love seems to be an important ingredient in the care of these kids, and to see it coming from their parents and other family members is inspiring. What we can give these children is a sense of accomplishment and a feeling of fitting in when they usually do not. The spontaneous hugs and expressions of joy on their faces are the most precious gifts they give us as teachers who are helping them to deal with their disability.
Harvey Rubin has been playing tennis for more than 35 years, and has now officially retired as a cameraman in the motion picture business. He for-merly was a staff instructor at Cheviot Hills Sports Center in Los Angeles, and currently is a freelance teacher in the Los Angeles area. Rubin is also a tournament photographer for the USPTA and has covered the Australian Open, the U.S. Open and regional tournaments throughout the United States.
from previous page
Tennis helps autistic children learn socialization skills.
ADDvantage/July 2011 27 www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com
dartfish ad
Classifieds
Rates: $30 for 20 words, minimum per issue. 50 cents per word thereafter. Pay by check, money order, Visa or MasterCard. Prepayment is required. Supply typed copy and include full name, telephone number, credit card number and expiration date. (No agency or cash discounts.) Issue closes 15th of month, two months preceding cover date. Fax to 713-978-7780, attn: ADDvantage classifieds. No classifieds will be accepted by telephone. No exceptions are made. USPTA cannot verify nor be responsible for the contents of any advertisement. The USPTA is committed to the policy that all people have equal access to its programs, facilities, employment and membership without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, marital or veteran status. USPTA is an equal opportunity employer. USPTA reserves the right to reject any advertisement at its discretion, or to edit the advertisement to be certain that any employment requirements set forth in it conform with the law.
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Special tribute marks Ashe Hall of Fame induction
The life of USPTA member Arthur Ashe is being cel-ebrated again in a special
tribute exhibit to honor the 25th anniversary of his induc-tion into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1985. The exhibit, which opened in June, highlights his success in tennis, as well as his achieve-ments off the court. He over-came racial barriers to capture three major singles tennis titles and used his success to inspire others. The Hall of Fame will work with Ashe’s daughter, Camera, this year to feature memorabilia from her father’s tennis career and personal life. The Hall of Fame is located in Newport, R.I. The late George Bacso administered the USPTA Certification Exam to Ashe when he joined the Association in 1985. Ashe was the first person to be inducted into USPTA’s Tennis Professional Hall of Fame in 1993, the same year he died.
ADDvantage/July 2011 29 www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com Generated by iTennisSystem – www.InterTennis.com
USPTA drillsUSPTA drills
description and goals:This volley drill focuses on playing the volley to the proper area in a pattern. Keep the ball in play with the two players at the bottom of the pyramid acting as a doubles team. Players should work on ball control and direction.
organization:Place three players along each service line with Player A as the top of one pyramid and Player D as the top of the other. Feed ball to begin pattern and try to complete the pyramid. Player A hits to Player B, who volleys back to A, who then volleys to Player C. Player C volleys back to A and the pattern begins
description and goals:Teach children hand/eye coordination, racquet orientation and ball direction and control. organization:Players line up at the net in twos. Pro stands anywhere on his/her side of the court, but is “stuck in the mud” in that area. Pro feeds ball (either with hand or racquet) to first player, who must hit a volley back to the pro. If the ball comes back to the area where the pro is, the pro is freed from the mud and changes position on the court. The next player must hit it back to the pro in order to free him/her from that area. Continue rotation of play.
again. Other players do the same pattern on the other side of the court. With eight players, rotate players after an error.
Variations: Keep a team score. Rotate players to all positions.
Key points:Players should focus on control and direction, and completing pattern.
Variations: Keep score as individuals or as a team. Have a finite number of attempts to see who can free pro the fastest. Pro can move to more difficult areas of the court.
Key points:Make the drill fun and energetic. Have players focus on control and direction of shots.
Stuck in the mud (10-and-under-10s)prepared by Maria Mood-Brown, USPTA
Type: Singles/doubles Category: Volley Levels: Beginner Time/players: 5 minutes/1-8
Pyramid powerprepared by Ken DeHart, USPTA
Type: Singles/doubles Category: Half-volley/volley Levels: Intermediate/adv. Time/players: 10 minutes/2-8
ADDvantage/July 2011 31 www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com
Florida’s Mata and Iowa’s McCollom crowned singles champions at the USPTA Clay Court Championships
Franco Mata of Maputo, Fla., won the men’s open title after defeating Paulo Barros of Orlando, Fla., 6-3, 6-2, at the $10,000 United States Professional Tennis Association Clay
Court Championships May 22 at the Ibis Golf and Country Club in West Palm Beach, Fla. Marina McCollom of West Des Moines, Iowa, defended her women’s open title by defeating Amy Pando of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., 6-2, 6-1, making her the four-time defending champion! Mata also went on to win the men’s open doubles title with Kurt Pessa of Indialantic, Fla. The tournament, which was held from May 20-22, included events in the following categories: men’s and women’s open singles and open doubles competition, men’s 40 and 50 singles and doubles, men’s 45, 55, and 60 singles, and women’s 35 and 45 singles categories. The competition featured many of the top men and women tennis-teaching professionals in the country. Below is a complete list of all the results from final-round matches:
Men’s Open Singles Franco Mata, Maputo, Fla., def. Paulo Barros, Orlando, Fla., 6-3, 6-2.
Men’s 40-and-over Singles Finals Kamil Kuchta, Boynton Beach, Fla., def. Frank Vermeer, Jacksonville, Fla., 6-3, 6-4.
Men’s 45-and-over Singles Finals Jeff Cohen, Boca Raton, Fla., def. Bruce Kurtz, Parkland, Fla., 6-4, 4-6, 6-2.
Men’s 50-and-over Singles Finals Stephen Bucar, West Palm Beach, Fla., def. Carlos Triana, Hallandale, Fla., 4-6, 6-0, 6-3.
Men’s 55-and-over Singles Finals Frank Swope, Jupiter, Fla., def. Stephen Shortridge, Fort Myers, Fla., 6-2, 6-2.
Men’s 60-and-over Singles Finals Gewan Maharaj, Tampa, Fla., def. Robert Green, Monarch Beach, Calif., 6-0, 6-0.
Men’s Open Doubles Finals Franco Mata, Maputo, Fla., and Kurt Pessa, Indialantic, Fla., def. Paulo Barros, Orlando, Fla., and John Bougon, Orlando, Fla., 7-6, 6-4.
Men’s 40-and-over Doubles Finals Jeff Cohen, Boca Raton, Fla., and Frank Vermeer, Jacksonville, Fla., def. Mark Palus, Tampa, Fla., and Bruce Kurtz, Parkland, Fla., 6-3, 6-1.
Men’s 50-and-over Doubles Finals Gewan Maharaj, Tampa, Fla., and Frank Swope, Jupiter, Fla., def. Terry See and Steve Shortridge, Fort Myers, Fla., 6-3, 6-2.
Women’s Open Singles Marina McCollom, West Des Moines, Iowa, def. Amy Pando, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., 6-2, 6-1.
Women’s 35-and-over Singles Finals Robin Keener, Melbourne, Fla., def. Sandra Bell, Lake Park, Fla., 6-2, 6-2.
Women’s 45-and-over Singles Finals Round Robin Julie Farina, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., def. Carolyn Franca, Tampa, Fla., 6-1, 1-6, 6-1.
Women’s Open Doubles Finals Jeanne Schwartz and Lindsey Schwartz, Wellington, Fla., def. Marina McCollom, West Des Moines, Iowa, and Amy Pando, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., 6-4, 6-3.
Up next is the USPTA Grass Court Championships from Aug. 26-28 at the Philadelphia Cricket Club, Philadelphia. The national tournaments are open to Professional-level members in good standing. For additional information, please contact the USPTA at 800-USPTA-4U. USPTA-certified professionals may log in to the “members only” section of the USPTA website at www.uspta.com for more information.
Women’s Open winner Marina McCollom and tournament director Chuck Gill.
Men’s Open winner Franco Mata and Chuck Gill.
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www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com36 ADDvantage/July 2011
Career Development
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Creating a perfect practice, Sept. 20, Wesley Chapel, Fla., T. Whitten
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38 ADDvantage/July 2011 www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com
Industry actionMembers
Bob McKinley, USPTA, was named this year’s Intercol-legiate Tennis Association’s NCAA Division
I National Assistant Coach of the Year. McKinley is an assistant coach at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, and is al-ready a member of the ITA Hall of Fame. He served as the head coach at Trinity University from 1974-84, reaching the NCAA Finals in 1977 and 1979. He also served as the director of the John Newcombe Tennis Academy in New Braunfels, Texas, before joining the Aggie staff. In his playing days at Trinity, he helped lead the team to the 1972 NCAA Champi-onship, and he reached the round of 16 at Wimbledon in 1973 and the doubles semifinals at the U.S. Open in 1972.
Balboa Park Tennis Club in San Diego was the site of
one of the largest gather-ings of tennis players in Southern California on Sunday, May 1. More than 1,000 area tennis players participated in the 11th annual Tennisfest, of whom 42 percent were begin-ners. Participants could enjoy clinics on 22 courts, learn new drills and tech-niques, try out new equip-ment, and watch on-court exhibitions with former touring pro Taylor dent, USPTA. Also, Mexican ten-nis celebrities Alejandro Hernandez and Angelica Gaveldon played locals Mimi Loucks, USPTA, and Giovanni Vaglietti. Or-ganized by the San Diego District Tennis Association, Tennisfest 2011 featured the talents of 60 local ten-nis professionals, including USPTA Master Profes-sional Angel Lopez.
More than 20 USPTA pros joined with USTA Dela-ware to volunteer for Tennis in the Streets in May. The group included Larry Hampton, long-time USPTA member and
one of the creators of the event. Every year for the past 17 years, inner-city children from Wilmington, Del., have been invited to Rodney Square to be intro-duced to the game of ten-nis. This year’s event, with a Tennis Across America theme, reached out to more than 650 children.
The USTA of Central Arizona hosted its Annual Hall of Fame Awards Dinner and Silent Auction April 29. USPTA members inducted into the USTA Central Arizona 2011 Hall of Fame are: Peter Bronson, Gary donnelly and Jack Michalko. The award winners of the 2011 USTA Central Arizona ban-quet are Adult Player of the Year, Andrew Ston-er, and Michael Rodriguez Memorial Ambassador to Tennis Award, Jason Jamison.
USPTA Professional John Foster is starting the John Foster High Perfor-mance Tennis Academy to help players develop their games for collegiate-level tennis and beyond. He has four current students ranked in the top 10 of the Texas Boys 12s Division. Foster has worked with top pro players such as Vasilisa Bardina, who was 48th in the world. He is a USTA High Performance Coach and a USPTA P-1 Professional. He is cur-rently director of the junior program at New Territory in Sugar Land, Texas, with more than 130 kids partici-pating. For more informa-tion, contact Foster at 832-623-0994 or [email protected].
The Waterville Valley Tennis Center in Waterville, N.H., was named among the “Top 50 Resorts in Amer-
ica” including “Top Five Resorts for Families” in the 2010 Tennis magazine awards. The center also received the Gold Medal Resort ranking, landing at No. 13 in the world for the 2010 annual rankings by tennis travel writer Roger Cox and his ten-nisresortsonline.com list-ings. USPTA member Tom Gross is director of the center. Many tournaments are held at the Waterville Valley Tennis Center each year, including the Friend-ship Cup, where the U.S. duels Canadian players. There are also fun and competitive tournaments during the summer and fall for all levels. For more information, visit www.wvtennis.com.
Schaumburg Park District’s Schaumburg Tennis Plus, in Schaumburg, Ill., has painted permanent lines for players under age 10 on three indoor tennis courts, making it the first Midwest facility with new kid-friendly indoor courts. “This is a giant step in the game of tennis and we’re pleased to be the first fa-cility in the Midwest and in the Chicagoland area,” said tennis director Jonathan Fralick, USPTA. The initiative to produce kid-sized courts is part of the USTA’s 10 and Under Tennis program, which will be offered this summer at Schaumburg Park District. Permanent lines also will be added to outdoor courts at the Dis-trict’s Bock Neighborhood Center. The new court configuration was partially funded by the USTA. For more information, contact Schaumburg Tennis Plus at (847) 884-0678 or visit www.parkfun.com.
Frog Hollow Racquet Club in Landsdale, Pa., has “gone green” with a new solar-energy roof. A local company called SunPower Builders completed in-stallation of a solar panel PV system on the tennis club’s roof. This remodel was designed to offset rapidly rising electrical costs, with the demands of lighting and heating the club’s indoor courts, and also to help preserve the environment. The club boasts five outdoor Har-Tru (American clay) tennis courts and six indoor tennis courts, of which three are Har-Tru and three are hard surface. Harold Conway, USPTA, is an owner and senior staff professional. More information is available at www.frogtennis.com.
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Industry action
MiscellanyFour Seasons Hotel Hamp-
shire, in Hampshire, Eng-land, has appointed Peter Burwash International to direct a new tennis pro-gram. The 2011 programs began in June and will run until early Septem-ber, including individual and group lessons for all ages and levels, daily ten-nis clinics, a junior tennis program, and social and competitive tournaments. PBI tennis professional Ulli Nganga will direct the pro-gram. Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire is the only UK destination with a tennis program directed by PBI. For more information, visit www.fourseasons.com/hampshire.
The 2011 Mercury Insurance Open Presented by Tri-City Medical Center, will be held July 30 to Aug. 7 at the La Costa Resort and Spa, and is looking for volunteers. The women’s professional tennis tourna-ment needs volunteers to
fill a variety of positions during the tournament. Training for each position will be provided. Tennis ex-perience or knowledge of tennis is not required to be a volunteer. Anyone who is interested should fill out a volunteer application form, available under the “Get Involved” tab, Volunteer Information at mercury-insuranceopen.com. For more information, call 760-930-7031.
USTA Player Development has announced that the Orange Bowl International Tennis Championships will return this year to its clay court roots for the first time since 1998. The Or-ange Bowl will move to the Frank Veltri Tennis Center in Plantation, Fla., after spending the last 13 years at the Crandon Park Tennis Center in Key Biscayne, Fla. The 2011 Orange Bowl International Tennis Championships will be held Dec. 5-11, and will fea-ture singles and doubles
competition for boys and girls in 18-and-under and 16-and-under divisions.
Mill Creek Tennis Club in Mill Creek, Wash., hosted a Super Set Doubles Tour-nament on April 30-May 1 to benefit earthquake and tsunami recovery ef-forts in Japan. The club’s co-owners, brothers Roger and Byron Mark, produced the charity tournament, which raised $7,260. All proceeds were donated to the American Red Cross/Japan Earthquake in its efforts to provide medical care and relief assistance to the people of Japan. The disaster struck home for Roger Mark, whose wife is from Japan, as are many club members and friends. The tournament attracted more than 70 players from all over the Seattle Metro. HEAD was one of the many donors of equipment, time and gifts.
PassingsJason Morton, a longtime and honorary member of the USPTA, passed away May 24
at the age of 82. Morton lived in Sun Lakes, Ariz., and worked and played at the Oakwood Tennis Club, but had been a longtime Houston resident and was a 2003 inductee into the Texas Tennis Hall of Fame. “Jason was a strong influ-ence on many of our lives in Houston during the boom years of tennis,” said USPTA Professional Tom-my English. Morton was the original director of ten-nis at the University Club in Houston and served as umpire for the famous Bil-lie Jean King vs. Bobby
Riggs match in 1973. He was a passionate promoter of the game and an inter-nationally renowned player, winning more than 100 national titles and 10 world titles, including men’s 80s world champion. He also played on many interna-tional teams for the United States. He and Edith, his wife of 63 years, met as competitors for different teams at the Texas state high school tennis cham-pionships. An on-court celebration of Morton’s life, complete with tennis exhibitions, was held at Sun Lakes Tennis Center. Cards and letters may be sent to Edith Morton, 23913 S. Vacation Way, Sun Lakes, AZ 85248.
Tennis legend Pauline Betz Addie, who was a top player in both the amateur and pro arenas, passed away on May 31 in an assisted-living facility in Potomac, Md. She was 91 years old. Addie was a longtime, honorary mem-ber of the USPTA and a 1965 inductee into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. She taught for 20 years at the Cabin John Indoor Tennis Center in Bethesda, Md., and played the game into her 80s. She won Wimbldeon in 1946 without dropping a set and also won the U.S. National Championship four times in the 1940s. She was ranked in the U.S. top 10 for seven years. She was barred from the amateurs for eyeing a pro career in 1947 – and went on to win seven professional wom-en’s championships.
Red Ledges, a premier tennis, golf and four-season recreational community located just minutes from Park City, Utah, recently launched its Cliff Drysdale Tennis School. Joining 15 other locations across the country, the Red Ledges facility will be the first high-altitude tennis school offered by U.S. Open doubles champion and ESPN commentator Cliff Drysdale, USPTA. The Cliff Drysdale Tennis School at Red Ledges will provide Red Ledges members with a host of tennis offerings, including private lessons, group clinics, community tournaments and international exhibitions. For more information, call 435-657-4054 or visit www.redledges.com.
ADDvantage/July 2011 41 www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com
