How would you improve the USTA

[jamauss]

Originally Posted by Tennishacker

-Do away with Player Development.

So what's your suggestion for helping develop players on the cusp of going pro to get to the next level of the game then? If you're going to say "do away with X" then shouldn't you at least provide an alternative for X or offer some reason(s) for why you think X is a waste of time/money/resources ? Educate us!

Originally Posted by Tennishacker

-Provide tennis programs to K-12 schools

Even for the much more popular sports in the US (football/basketball/baseball) - do K-12 schools have programs for those sports that are sponsored by some governing body for the sport - or do they just provide the program (and all that it costs) on their own dime? Why should USTA have to pony up for that? If the school wants a tennis program, they should procure and allocate funds for it. I don't see why USTA should have to get involved in that beyond perhaps providing guidance or advice.

Originally Posted by Tennishacker

-Get involved with high school tennis, provide grants for equipment or building courts.

I actually agree with this. When I was a high school tennis player, I didn't even know the USTA existed and what it was all about. I think high school tennis players (which IMO are largely made up of new/beginner players) would be a great breeding ground for interesting people to go further (playing and getting involved in events) in the game.

Originally Posted by Tennishacker

-Subsidize junior tournaments in every USTA Section

Don't they already do this?

Originally Posted by Tennishacker

-Subsidize more future & challenger tournaments in America. There is not enough tournaments.

How would they do this? Do you know the financial specifics well enough to know if this would be possible for them financially? Each event costs $$ to both USTA and the local tennis community.

Originally Posted by Tennishacker

-Increase the prize money for the futures, challengers, make it possible for up and coming players to earn enough to continue to play more events. It's almost impossible for American up starts to earn enough to play as a professional.

I happen to agree with this also. It's incredibly difficult to make it as a professional tennis player. I think at the futures/challenger level they need to bring more prize money to the table. To think that players that are the best 100-500 in the world at their sport are barely able to make a living from it doesn't speak well for the sport - even at the global level, let alone in the US.

[jamauss]

Originally Posted by 10ismom

Another suggestion for USTA is to improve communication to USTA members. USTA should set up more ways of communication with juniors, adult members, parents of juniors ( most are members ) via email, FAQ on several websites, facebook, tennis magazine, etc. Have forum on the media or websites that people can ask questions or have things clarified.
Proposed or major changes need to be publish, email to members VERY EARLY so members and parents will not think they are being dictated and can adapt to all those changes smoothly.
Lastly, USTA needs to have satisfactory survey sent out to member regularly (quarterly or twice a yr). USTA revenue comes from members/customers. USTA needs to know and be sensitive to what customers want, happy or unhappy, have suggestion, comment, compliment...... We need a two-way communication.

Are you sure your email from USTA isn't going into your spam folder or something? I feel like sometimes I get TOO MUCH email from USTA on a regular basis - probably 2-3 emails a week and even more during the grand slam events. Also - have you not seen their Facebook page? They post stuff to it all the time. I thought they already did a yearly survey amongst members too - perhaps you haven't received the email about it in past years? Have you ever used this page? -> http://www.usta.com/About-USTA/conta...?intloc=footer

also - example of the Facebook page for my USTA Section: https://www.facebook.com/ustasouthwest
It's been posted to several times just in the past couple of days.

[10ismom]

Originally Posted by jamauss

Are you sure your email from USTA isn't going into your spam folder or something? I feel like sometimes I get TOO MUCH email from USTA on a regular basis - probably 2-3 emails a week and even more during the grand slam events. Also - have you not seen their Facebook page? They post stuff to it all the time. I thought they already did a yearly survey amongst members too - perhaps you haven't received the email about it in past years? Have you ever used this page? -> http://www.usta.com/About-USTA/conta...?intloc=footer

I have only seen survey for national tournaments my kid played. I got email from USTA and my section a lot. Mostly advertising Fedcup, us open ticket sales, some news but never a satisfaction survey or asking for comments, and never about any changes, new rules, junior national schedule change in the email.

It was upsetting that you learned about some USTA changes from this message board instead of from USTA emai.

[10ismom]

Originally Posted by jamauss

Are you sure your email from USTA isn't going into your spam folder or something? I feel like sometimes I get TOO MUCH email from USTA on a regular basis - probably 2-3 emails a week and even more during the grand slam events. Also - have you not seen their Facebook page? They post stuff to it all the time. I thought they already did a yearly survey amongst members too - perhaps you haven't received the email about it in past years? Have you ever used this page? -> http://www.usta.com/About-USTA/conta...?intloc=footer

also - example of the Facebook page for my USTA Section: https://www.facebook.com/ustasouthwest
It's been posted to several times just in the past couple of days.

Please show or let me know about USTA Facebook when you get a chance. I could not find USTA Facebook page. I only saw and had used Facebook pages for specific tournaments,

[10ismom]

Originally Posted by jamauss

Are you sure your email from USTA isn't going into your spam folder or something? I feel like sometimes I get TOO MUCH email from USTA on a regular basis - probably 2-3 emails a week and even more during the grand slam events. Also - have you not seen their Facebook page? They post stuff to it all the time. I thought they already did a yearly survey amongst members too - perhaps you haven't received the email about it in past years? Have you ever used this page? -> http://www.usta.com/About-USTA/conta...?intloc=footer

also - example of the Facebook page for my USTA Section: https://www.facebook.com/ustasouthwest
It's been posted to several times just in the past couple of days.

The Facebook page you posted was for ustasouthwest. Our section has none and I could not find Facebook for USTA. Would be nice if they have one and people can post questions, comments or give USTA....compliments on Facebook.

[Misterbill]

Originally Posted by 10ismom

Please show or let me know about USTA Facebook when you get a chance. I could not find USTA Facebook page. I only saw and had used Facebook pages for specific tournaments,

http://www.facebook.com/USTA?ref=ts

http://twitter.com/#!/usta

[10ismom]

Originally Posted by Misterbill

http://www.facebook.com/USTA?ref=ts

http://twitter.com/#!/usta

Thanks Misterbill. Will definitely explore on that and see what I've missed or if it was there.

Two-way communication between business and customers can always clear things up.

[Tennishacker]

Originally Posted by jamauss

So what's your suggestion for helping develop players on the cusp of going pro to get to the next level of the game then? If you're going to say "do away with X" then shouldn't you at least provide an alternative for X or offer some reason(s) for why you think X is a waste of time/money/resources ? Educate us!

Losing track record, just provide financial assistance to players who have potential

Even for the much more popular sports in the US (football/basketball/baseball) - do K-12 schools have programs for those sports that are sponsored by some governing body for the sport - or do they just provide the program (and all that it costs) on their own dime? Why should USTA have to pony up for that? If the school wants a tennis program, they should procure and allocate funds for it. I don't see why USTA should have to get involved in that beyond perhaps providing guidance or advice.

USTA mission statement: GROW THE GAME OF TENNIS

USTA needs to invest in the future of the sport. Good idea with quick start, take it to the next level and partnership with school districts. All elementary schools have black tops, just need some quick start lines, local USTA section could provide donated equipment from community. Costs not relevant.

I actually agree with this. When I was a high school tennis player, I didn't even know the USTA existed and what it was all about. I think high school tennis players (which IMO are largely made up of new/beginner players) would be a great breeding ground for interesting people to go further (playing and getting involved in events) in the game.

Don't they already do this?

Not to my knowledge, I think tournament directors have to pay a "fee" from the entry fee's to the USTA.

How would they do this? Do you know the financial specifics well enough to know if this would be possible for them financially? Each event costs $$ to both USTA and the local tennis community.

If they did away with PD, that would free up 10-15 million dollars a year. They could partner with corporate America.

I happen to agree with this also. It's incredibly difficult to make it as a professional tennis player. I think at the futures/challenger level they need to bring more prize money to the table. To think that players that are the best 100-500 in the world at their sport are barely able to make a living from it doesn't speak well for the sport - even at the global level, let alone in the US.

Several years ago, the USTA announced that they where going to spend 100 million dollars over 10 years on Player Development.

[seminoleG]

USTA Juniors Seperate paths:
- competitive starts @ 12 age based, only play up within 12 months of birthday. All tournament fees refunded at years end for Top xxx ranking, Travel for Top xx, equipment scholarships for Top xx to a yearly maximum.
- Recreational Co-Ed players grouped by ability using 10U, Orange, and Green Balls.