INSIDE - USTA.com

FROM THE BASELINE
By Bill Leong
Executive Director
Strategic plan in
place to achieve
our mission
As we close out a successful year for tennis both
nationally and regionally, it is important to look
forward to 2010 and review the principles that
guide the USTA Pacifi c Northwest (USTA/PNW) staff
and volunteers. Th e USTA/PNW Board of Directors
have diligently worked on updating the strategic plan
in 2009 to provide long-term focused direction to
achieve our mission which is “to foster the growth of
tennis in the Pacifi c Northwest.”
In addition to our Mission Statement, the USTA
Pacifi c Northwest has established a set of Core Values
that serve as a compass for our organization and Strategic
Priorities that provide a guide for both fi nancial
and human resource allocation. We have also set goals
that are aligned with our Core Values and Strategic Priorities.
Details for all three categories are listed below.
Core Values
� Leadership
� Integrity
� Inclusiveness
� Excellence
� Teamwork
� Accountability
Strategic Priorities
� Resource Development (Funding and Delivery
Infrastructure)
� Adult and Youth Play Opportunities
� Community Development
� Diversity and Inclusion
� Membership Growth
� Advocacy
Goals
� Promote QuickStart Tennis format for youth to
increase participation and maximize court space.
� Advocate and provide seed grants for tennis
communities to renovate and build tennis courts.
� Develop and implement programs and activities
with focus on youth and team-based play
through QuickStart format.
� Explore new funding sources to generate revenues
to carry out the USTA/PNW mission.
� Promote the benefi ts of tennis and communicate
to the public information regarding the USTA’s
and USTA/PNW’s programs, events and activities.
� Promote team-based USTA programs and quality
tournaments to provide competitive play opportunities
to increase and retain membership.
� Build and improve delivery infrastructure
through evaluation, recruitment and training.
� Make Diversity and Inclusion an embedded part
of the USTA/PNW culture.
� Provide the tennis community educational,
technical and other tennis resource information.
� Manage the assets of the USTA/PNW by establishing
funding, budget, investment and fi nance
strategies.
� Help the USTA/PNW players reach their
maximum playing potential through training
programs and competitive play opportunities.
� Partner and collaborate with community organizations
to impact signifi cant and sustainable
tennis participation.
� Elevate the visibility of tennis through technology,
events, public and media relations. �
departments
4 From the Prez
by Gwen Ramras
4 Net Notes
5 Area Reports
8 Community Tennis
Development
10 Junior Development
by Valerie Weaks
10 Hot Shots
by Lilly Higgins
11 Pro Update - PNW
Players on Tour
11 College Courts
12 Health+Fitness Files
by Carl Petersen
13 From the Chair
by Ira Moss
18 Let’s Talk Leagues
by Sheila Banks
31 Tournament Schedule
By Blair
Thompson
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16
FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
features
Volume XVIII � Number 4 � Winter 2009/10
U.S. tennis participation tops
30 million
The Tennis Industry Association (TIA) and USTA have announced that tennis
participation in the United States topped 30 million players for the first time in more
than two decades. With 30.1 million people hitting the courts, tennis participation
has grown 12 percent since 2008 and climbed 25 percent since 2003. For more on
this good news, please turn to page 4.
Let’s work hard at play this season
Sometimes I think we forget that the operative
word in our sport is “play”. I see the lack of “play”
on the courts all around me and oft en on the
court I’m on. Even sometimes when just hitting with
a friend for fun, I frequently forget that I should be
“playing”, not “working” or “stressing” tennis.
And while the fi rst step in solving a problem is
admitting you have one, it took a cross-country trip
last month for a USTA training in “sunny” Florida
to help me remember just how much fun it is to play
tennis for fun.
On a warm, humid night aft er a long day of meetings,
a co-worker convinced me to venture outdoors
to a rain-soaked clay court that was actually a mix of
clay, mud and clay/mud puddles. As we looked at our
court, we wondered if it was even playable but decided
we should at least give it a try for a few minutes since
we had made the eff ort to get our gear and trek to the
tennis facility. And as we walked on to our court, I
had no idea of what an enjoyable and enlightening
experience I was about to have.
Aft er tiptoeing through some early rallies, we
began playing what I dubbed the “Mud Tennis Open”
(exclusively broadcast on ESPN 8 – Th e Ocho). With
balls skidding through puddles and the two of us
Tennis in schools transcends
boundaries on court
In this day and age, it is crucial to create a learning environment
where children feel safe, supported and encouraged to grow.
For the four individuals featured in this issue of Tennis Times,
tennis is a part of that formula. Tennis is the ideal sport to help
achieve the health and wellness goals of school programming,
and to help kids learn not only a skill but self-confi dence,
sportsmanship and the habits of an energetic, healthy lifestyle.
Please turn to page 16 to read more.
18
2009 USTA League
Year-end Ratings
The numbers are in! Alphabetical listings of
the men’s and women’s 2009 USTA League
Year-end Ratings have been published and
they begin on page 19. While you’re reviewing
your rating, be sure to check out page 18 to
see how our section’s teams fared at the 2009
USTA League National Championships.
FROM THE EDITOR
running through them, we slipped, splashed and
laughed our way through our swamp of a court. Th e
few minutes had quickly turned into over an hour
and into one of my most unique and enjoyable tennis
experiences in recent memory.
It reminded me of why I started playing tennis as
a young teenage kid. Th e main reason was because it
was fun (it also helped that my best friend played –
the fact that he knew a couple of cute girls we could
play mixed with didn’t hurt either – he was a smooth
operator even back then).
But most importantly, we were kids playing a
game in those days. Something we adults need to
remember, more than ever nowadays. Having grownup
responsibilities doesn’t mean that we can’t have
childlike joys.
Especially when we’re “playing” the game of tennis.
Better “players” will make it more fun for all of us. So
work on those “playing” skills as hard as that backhand
volley and topspin lob. Because in these diffi cult
times we live in, we could all use a little more enjoyment
and amusement on the court (and off ). Keep
that in mind along with my sincere wishes for peace,
health, laughter and lots of love (hopefully 40-love)
as you and yours celebrate this holiday season! �
www.pnw.usta.com � WINTER 2009/10 TENNIS TIMES
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