USTA taking over USPTA ?

[10ismom]

I received this from an oline magazine, Tennis Now, today.

USTA is taking over a teaching pro organization, USPTA?

Check out this link http://www.tennisnow.com/News/USTA-S...nizations.aspx

What is your thought?
What effect will this be on junior tennis?
And .....what effect on tennis in the US?

[CoachDad]

The USPTA simply helps provide some standards of testing for teaching pros. I may be missing what the 'takeover' means? The author of that article did not provide any ramifications that would result.

[floridatennisdude]

Originally Posted by CoachDad

The USPTA simply helps provide some standards of testing for teaching pros. I may be missing what the 'takeover' means? The author of that article did not provide any ramifications that would result.

This is like the Post Office trying to take over the Teamsters union. There is a small relationship that functions just fine independent of one another. There is no need to join together unless you just want the other side to shut up.

[10ismom]

If the taking over or merger occurs, can the USTA control or regulate "how tennis is taught" in this country?

For example, no regulation ball instruction for 10 and under in the US ?

[CoachDad]

Folks, I am as anti USTA as anyone but lets not chase flying saucers here. Tennis coaches teach for decades and decades, some are USPTA, some are not. Many clubs have foreign coaches. So the USTA's plan would be to get the USPTA, slowly train coaches over the next 50 years to gradually take over the way tennis is taught from all the existing coaches who will eventually retire? And send special enforcers to secretly make sure all coaches adhere to a certain teaching philosophy? Really?

There are 1000s of books and online resources for tennis coaches to learn whatever way they choose to teach despite of and in addition to any USPTA credentials they choose to pursue.

[10ismom]

Originally Posted by CoachDad

Folks, I am as anti USTA as anyone but lets not chase flying saucers here. Tennis coaches teach for decades and decades, some are USPTA, some are not. Many clubs have foreign coaches. So the USTA's plan would be to get the USPTA, slowly train coaches over the next 50 years to gradually take over the way tennis is taught from all the existing coaches who will eventually retire? And send special enforcers to secretly make sure all coaches adhere to a certain teaching philosophy? Really?

There are 1000s of books and online resources for tennis coaches to learn whatever way they choose to teach despite of and in addition to any USPTA credentials they choose to pursue.

I am not anti- or pro-USTA. Just to exercise the brain. It has not even happened yet, the merging.

But would it be good for junior tennis development in this country (or not) if coaches are more on the same pages ??

[Misterbill]

Your opinion is as good as anyone's.

My opinion is that I would like the option to pick and choose.

Anyway the concept that all coaches in any sport would be required to coach and teach the same way would be less enforceable than Prohibition, I think.

[CoachDad]

Originally Posted by 10ismom

I am not anti- or pro-USTA. Just to exercise the brain. It has not even happened yet, the merging.

But would it be good for junior tennis development in this country (or not) if coaches are more on the same pages ??

Don't think it would matter either way. We have not exactly dominated the top levels of tennis the past 15 years. So it couldn't hurt but probably is not the key to greater success either. The internet has ended any sort of dogma in tennis coaching, too many available sources of all different coaching philosophies available with a few mouse clicks.

[tennis5]

As the United States Professional Teaching Association (USPTA) and its newly ordained Board of Directors move the organization in what they call a “new direction,” many insiders are convinced that the organization will soon be in the hands of the United States Tennis Association (USTA).

Industry insiders indicate that the firing of Tim Heckler, USPTA’s veteran CEO, was the latest in a series of events designed to weaken the organization by eliminating those that are willing to stand up for TENNIS even when it’s at odds with the USTA. While Heckler has always looked out for the best interests of teaching pros, a sentiment shared by four past presidents in their letter to the USPTA Board, the USTA appears to be seeking to expand its power and control over the teaching pro organization.

In most organizations, the CEO would be given the opportunity to help implement the board’s “new direction”. However, in this situation, the new USPTA Board has refused to explain what is meant by a “new direction” and has been unwilling to give Heckler the opportunity. This further reaffirms many insiders belief that this is a behind the scenes action driven by the USTA to take over the world’s oldest and largest association of teaching professionals with more than 15,000 members in order to ensure that one of the few remaining independent voices in the tennis industry is silenced.

Tennis participation continues to decline despite nearly $100 million invested in growing the game initiatives since 1995. Last year, the USTA spent over $8 million on Ten and Under Tennis (TAUT) and plans to spend another $8 million this year. Many are questioning the USTA’s effectiveness at increasing tennis participation and want to see some accountability.

The first vice president of the USTA, Dave Haggerty, indicates that the USTA is a slow-moving organization that can only focus on one major initiative at a time, and right now, that is 10 and Under Tennis. So, how could the USTA possible be able to oversee and manage the USPTA?

Currently, the USTA has approximately 700,000 members while our sport has approximately 5 million avid players (competing over 20 times per year) according to the Tennis Industry Association. So, more than 70% of play is outside the USTA’s jurisdiction.

It’s no secret that the USTA is highly political as volunteers compete for who gets seats in the presidents’ box at the US Open rather than what is in the best interest of TENNIS. The USTA fails to manage its own organization effectively and should not seek to take over other successful tennis organizations.

Do not take the idea of the upcoming USTA monopolization lightly as a former USPTA division president has indicated that some USPTA members want to fold under the USTA. If this were to happen, it would be a huge blow to the sport.

Many in the USPTA are making a final attempt to save the organization from the “new direction” at the upcoming April executive committee meeting in Houston, Texas. Four past presidents of the USPTA have written a letter to the membership seeking an explanation and a reinstatement of Tim as CEO. Many other leaders have voiced serious displeasure with the situation including Jim Loehr, Jack Groppel and USPTA Master Professional Jimmy Parker. Some teaching professionals have started a petition to renew Tim Heckler’s contract. Others have made it clear that if the USTA were to take over the USPTA, they would leave the organization immediately and form a new entity.

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Above is the article. Tad confusing on who fired Heckler though.

What I had heard from someone on the inside, and quite frankly not sure what it means for juniors
is that the USTA doesn't like how the the pros are trained.
I don't really know why they care about everyone having the same standard teaching procedures ( not their players),
but that is what I heard.

[tennis5]

Originally Posted by floridatennisdude

This is like the Post Office trying to take over the Teamsters union. There is a small relationship that functions just fine independent of one another. There is no need to join together unless you just want the other side to shut up.

Wouldn't the Teamsters union just whack them?

[Clintspin]

This is a case of an old dinosaur taking over another old dinosaur.

I can't think of anything significant that the USPTA has accomplished.

[CoachDad]

Originally Posted by Clintspin

This is a case of an old dinosaur taking over another old dinosaur.

I can't think of anything significant that the USPTA has accomplished.

Agreed. If they said USTA might take over something that works like Little Mo or TRN....then I would be concerned. Take over the USPTA, knock yourself out, all yours.

[t135]

The USPTA represents a commitment to the tennis coaching profession made up of professional coaches who pursue ongoing professional development. The certification program supports this professional development and establishes different qualification levels for coaches including their playing experience.

The members also benefit from a liability insurance policy made possible by the membership (as in human bodies) and the testing and professional development component of the organization as well as the membership dues. There are a few other nice benefits for members, but these are the most important. The USPTR is similar but with a different twist...geared to a standardized teaching method and attracting minorities.

Having said all that, no idea why the USTA would want to 'own' the USPTA. Unless they think it's relevant to get USPTA support for 10U tennis program.

[ChiefAce]

I've suggested this in the past, and that I personally thought it would be a good idea. I haven't learned all that much from the USPTA, and my humble opinion is that the USTA should implement and have it's own certification process for teaching credentials in this country. The testing should be more rigorous, and I would be curious as to what the curriculum and standards would be. There are many certified professionals in this country that are clueless on developing juniors, but think they have it all down. That is part of the flaw of having an independent system, you will have those that excel because they choose to study and get better on their own, and you will have plenty that do their own thing and the development of junios suffers because of it. A country with this many resources simply shouldn't be struggling at any point in time.

They could also have different types of certifications, those more geared towards beginners, adults, tournament players etc. etc.

[CoachDad]

Originally Posted by t135

The USPTA represents a commitment to the tennis coaching profession made up of professional coaches who pursue ongoing professional development. The certification program supports this professional development and establishes different qualification levels for coaches including their playing experience.

The members also benefit from a liability insurance policy made possible by the membership (as in human bodies) and the testing and professional development component of the organization as well as the membership dues. There are a few other nice benefits for members, but these are the most important. The USPTR is similar but with a different twist...geared to a standardized teaching method and attracting minorities.

Having said all that, no idea why the USTA would want to 'own' the USPTA. Unless they think it's relevant to get USPTA support for 10U tennis program.

Not really relevant these days. Tennis is global and the internet allows us to learn from all over the world. The USPTA does not serve that big a function anymore. I learned more in a few visits to Emilio Sanchez Vicario than any USPTA stuff.

I owned a large health club for 16 years....liability insurance for tennis pros and other instructors is a few hundred a year no matter USPTA or not. Thats not really much of a benefit.

Any tennis coach worth a dime should be spending their time on Tennis Resources and other internet resources, seminars featuring international coaches, etc. and not so much worrying about their USPTA certs. Tennis coaches need to focus on learning from the Spanish, French, Russian, Belgium, and other systems.

[seminoleG]

A Friend's kid just returned from a USTA PD Camp. I can say this the USTA has a major obstacle in implementing its 10U system. The instructors. Understand that the USTA has dug it self in and I would expect this move. Good or Bad if you don't control the validating authority for instruction how can you validate YOUR course of action.

As for Lil Mo, nice organization nice product but to use it as a measure of Junior Tennis is way off base.

[tennis5]

Originally Posted by seminoleG

A Friend's kid just returned from a USTA PD Camp. I can say this the USTA has a major obstacle in implementing its 10U system. The instructors. Understand that the USTA has dug it self in and I would expect this move. Good or Bad if you don't control the validating authority for instruction how can you validate YOUR course of action.

As for Lil Mo, nice organization nice product but to use it as a measure of Junior Tennis is way off base.

Can you elaborate further.

[seminoleG]

Overall sentiment was the execution of 10U (Towards PD) is hampered by the lack of but in OVERALL by the coaches, and Tennis Centers.

The current system isn't working (Developing Top players) so it must be the Coaches or the way they approach Coaching????

Too many Tournaments (travel days included) and not enough training.

If they (USTA) truly believe this then a move to control the USPTA would be a natural progression.

I'm not taking a side on this, but understand if this is true.

[CoachDad]

Originally Posted by ChiefAce

I've suggested this in the past, and that I personally thought it would be a good idea. I haven't learned all that much from the USPTA, and my humble opinion is that the USTA should implement and have it's own certification process for teaching credentials in this country. The testing should be more rigorous, and I would be curious as to what the curriculum and standards would be. There are many certified professionals in this country that are clueless on developing juniors, but think they have it all down. That is part of the flaw of having an independent system, you will have those that excel because they choose to study and get better on their own, and you will have plenty that do their own thing and the development of junios suffers because of it. A country with this many resources simply shouldn't be struggling at any point in time.

They could also have different types of certifications, those more geared towards beginners, adults, tournament players etc. etc.

Yup...of all organizations to fret about changes, put the USPTA at the bottom of the list. Its pretty lame and anemic for the most part. A new curriculum should include showing basic knowledge of coaching ideas from around the world and be updated frequently.

[Bash and Crash]

This is too funny, first we had previous threads say USTA can't coach its way out of a paper bag, never developed a single top 10 player, and now they are so good we want them to take over the USPTA. However, I think one reason they want to "control" USPTA is that Tim Heckler had always felt the USTA wants to take credit and students from his members, and that USTA PD does not want to work with top independent(non-USTA PD) coaches. Will be interesting to see how it all shakes out.