COUNCILS 

Play Tennis Division 

Community Tennis Council – The Community Tennis Council promotes and develops the growth of tennis by “establishing an effective network of self-supporting geographically compact tennis organizations” throughout Florida. These organizations will continue to encourage tennis opportunities for all ages and abilities; with emphasis areas to include out-reach to multicultural, wheelchair and special needs populations.

Karen MacFarland, Chair
Linda Curtis , Staff Liaison

Council Members
Deborah Anderson
Terri Florio
Judith Foster
Nancy Morgan
Ray Smith
Jim Tierney

Programs and Services-Linda Curtis staff director for the following programs  curtisL@florida.usta.com

Adaptive Tennis – USTA Florida’s goal is to promote and develop recreational tennis opportunities for individuals with differing abilities and circumstances through inclusion, knowledge, and support.

Advocacy – USTA Florida’s grassroots advocacy efforts focus on building new tennis courts, renovating existing tennis courts, increasing programming during and after school, promoting varsity and recreational tennis at colleges, and providing opportunities for tennis programming at the community level.

Community Tennis Associations – A Community Tennis Association (CTA) is any incorporated, geographically defined, not-for-profit, volunteer-based tennis organization that supports and/or provides programs, which promote and develop the growth of tennis. Information and assistance is available on forming/expanding a CTA and for existing associations including, organizational techniques (board of directors, bylaws, 501(c)3 tax exempt status), program development and special events.

First Serve – USTA Florida and First Serve, Inc, are very proud of the strategic alliance they have developed. First Serve, a capacity building program, works together with local community tennis associations to help kids develop the skills, values and experience they need to be responsible, productive and successful in life.

Grants – Grants are available for various programs, CTAs and public facilities throughout Florida.

Tennis in the Parks – A national and sectional initiative to take tennis to the public parks where more than 70% of the tennis population plays recreational tennis. Grants, staff training and tennis programs are made available to local park and recreation departments to help start or expand tennis programming.

Wheelchair Tennis – Programming, training and grant support are provided for recreational wheelchair tennis programs in Florida.

Recreational Tennis Council – develops, administers and promotes recreational play for youth, college and adult programs.

Phil Girardi, Chair
Michelle Willis, Staff Liaison
Andy McFarland, Staff Liaison

Council Members
Christine Ducey
Rita Gladstone
Robert Hollis
John MacDonald
Irene Tharin
Nicole Wilder
Susie Winship

Programs

Tennis on Campus – This program focuses on the thousands of former high school tennis players that are not currently participating on their college varsity team. Through Tennis Clubs or Intramural Departments, USTA Team Tennis on College Campus provides a program for those that want to keep tennis as part of their college experience. Those that participate can partake in Sectional as well as National team events. Michelle Willis staff coordinator – willis@florida.usta.com

USTA Jr. Team Tennis – This grassroots program is marketed to boys and girls ages 6 to 18. The philosophy of the league is fun, fitness, and friends in an environment that stresses sportsmanship and socialization in a team tennis atmosphere. These low-key competitive leagues are led by Local League Coordinators that organize and handle all of the local registrations for the participants in the community. Michelle Willis staff coordinator – willis@florida.usta.com

USTA National Junior Tennis League (NJTL) – Introduced in 1969 by Arthur Ashe, USTA NJTL was intended to bring tennis to the inner city population and introduce tennis to those children that would not normally have the opportunity to try and learn tennis. It is an introductory tennis program that also includes an educational component as part of its curriculum. The program is also a low cost or no cost tennis activity. It is a recreational program designed in a team format so everyone can enjoy the fun of match play and developing tennis skills. Shelly Licorish staff coordinator – licorish@florida.usta.com

USTA Schools Program – A program to introduce elementary, middle school, and high school students to the lifetime sport of tennis through their physical education curriculum. Schools are given assistance in meeting equipment needs and receive free teacher in-service training, curriculum materials, videos, and visits from local teaching professionals, called Clinicians or Trainers, who conduct motivational tennis clinics. Special assistance is also available to help develop after-school intramural tennis programs and interscholastic tennis teams. Andy McFarland staff director – mcfarland@florida.usta.com

Recreational Coach Workshops – On-court 6-hour training that teaches recreational coaches, PE teachers, teaching pros & others how to introduce and teach tennis to large groups.Andy McFarland staff director – mcfarland@florida.usta.com

QuickStart Tennis Workshops – QuickStart Tennis Workshops are 3-4 hour workshops for those providers interested in offering this new format for the 10 and under population in their programs and USTA Jr. Team Tennis leagues. The agenda covers all 6 facets of QuickStart Tennis and includes practice and play plans for all attendees. Andy McFarland staff director – mcfarland@florida.usta.com

Leagues Council – The Leagues Council develops, administers, and promotes USTA Adult Leagues, USTA Senior Leagues, USTA Super Senior Leagues, USTA Mixed Doubles Leagues, USTA Mixed Senior Doubles Leagues, and BMW Combo Doubles Leagues, Adult and Senior. USTA League presented by Chrysler is a team competition for men and women at specified NTRP levels, and is designed for organized play, emphasizing local competition, with advancement opportunities for winning teams through the national championships.

Chuck Collier, Chair
Sandy Marshall, Dona Garcia, and Jodi Manning, Staff Liaisons

Council Members
Jennie B. Barrow
Gary Heatwole
Clark Higgs
Donna Kass
Linda Kleitch
Adam Ross
Paddi Valentine

Programs -Sandy Marshall marshall@florida.usta.com, Jodi Manning manning@florida.usta.com @& Dona Garcia garcia@florida.usta.com are the staff contacts.

USTA League, Adult Division – Organized competitive matches that provide fun and fitness for adult recreational players 19 and over. The National Tennis Rating Program (NTRP) system places players in a specific skill category from 2.5 (beginner) to Open (advanced) to ensure equal competition. Winning teams advance from local leagues to region, section and national championships. Format 2.5, 5.0, 5.5 and Open: 1 singles and 2 doubles. (minimum 5 players required) All other levels, 2 singles and 3 doubles. (minimum 8 players required)

USTA League, Mixed Division – Provides competitive doubles play for men and women jointly 19 years and older. This league uses a combined rating format from 5.0 - 10.0. The NTRP rating difference between the members of an individual doubles pair may not exceed 1.0. Winning teams advance from local leagues to section championships and then on to the National Eastern Region Mixed League Championship in November. Format: 3 doubles positions (minimum 6 players required)

USTA League, Mixed Senior Division – Provides competitive doubles play for men and women jointly 50 years and older. This league uses a combined rating format from 5.0 - 9.0. Winning teams advance from local leagues to section championships. Section champions may be invited to participate in the National Eastern Region Mixed League Championship in November. Format: 3 doubles positions (minimum 6 players required)

USTA League, Senior Division – Provides the same competitive play opportunities as the Adult League for 50 and over players with NTRP ratings from 3.0 to 4.5. Winning teams advance from local leagues to section and national championships. Format: 3 doubles positions (minimum 6 players required)

USTA League, Super Senior Division –Provides the same competitive play opportunities as the Adult League for 60 and over players. This league uses a combined rating format from 5.0 – 9.0. The NTRP rating difference between the members of an individual doubles pair may not exceed 1.0. Winning teams advance from local leagues to section and national championship. Format: 3 doubles positions (minimum 6 players required)

BMW Combo Doubles, Adult Division – Provides competitive doubles play for men and women, 19 years and older in a combined level format from 5.5 to 10.5. Winning teams advance from local play to section championships. Format: 3 doubles positions (minimum 6 players required)

BMW Combo Doubles, Senior Division – Provides competitive doubles play for men and women, 50 years and older in a combined level format from 5.5 to 8.5. Winning teams advance from local play to section championships. Format: 3 doubles positions (minimum 6 players required)

Services-Sandy Marshall marshall@florida.usta.com, Jodi Manning manning@florida.usta.com @& Dona Garcia garcia@florida.usta.com are the staff contacts.

National Tennis Rating Program (NTRP) – NTRP is the official system for rating levels of competition for the USTA League Tennis Program. It is a comprehensive self-rating system. Using the NTRP guidelines and characteristics, players declare their rating ability when registering for a team. Ability levels classify players into one of 13 ability levels from beginner (1.0) to world class (7.0).

Adult Competitive Tennis Council – The Adult Competitive Tennis Council administers and promotes competitive play for men and women including (age division) team competitions and (age division) adult and NTRP (see below) tournaments. Players in NTRP divisions must be 19 years of age and older.

TBD, Chair
Andy Gladstone and Ann Brown, Staff Liaisons

Council Members
Carol Clay
Nancy Reed
Janet Sie
Niesi Sie
Mark Taylor
Larry Turville

Sub - Committees

Programs - Andy Gladstone coordinates the following programs

USTA Intersectionals – Men’s and Women’s team competition for 35 to 75 year old players. Captains are appointed annually and pick team members to represent USTA Florida. Team doubles are for 35 to 75 year old players. All representatives sponsored by USTA Florida receive funds to subsidize traveling expenses.

The Florida Cup – Men’s competition for the 35 to 80 year old divisions that feature Florida’s best West Coast players versus Florida’s best East Coast players. Tournament Commissioner Clem Hopp – rhopp4@comcast.net

NTRP Tournaments – Over 70 tournaments are designed for players from the 2.5 to the 5.0 level in singles, doubles and mixed doubles. The National Tennis Rating Program (NTRP) system places players in a specific skill category from 2.5 (beginner) to 5.0 (advanced) to ensure equal competition.

Services

Sanctioning Tournaments – USTA Florida sanctions (supports and endorses) over 200 adult tournaments through age 85 and NTRP tournaments each year. Assistance (when needed) is provided to tournament directors for all aspects of running smooth tournaments including tournament director workshops, the use of TDM (Tournament Data Manager, computer program), scheduling, seeding, rules and regulations. Bobby Curtis staff coordinator – curtis@florida.usta.com

Rankings – Results of the 200 adult sanctioned tournaments are processed in the USTA Florida office. Computer ranking information is available on the USTA Florida Website (www.ustaflorida.com) and is processed and distributed to Florida Tennis. Ranking information is also available to clubs holding sanctioned events. Andy Gladstone staff coordinator – gladstone@florida.usta.com.

Junior Competitive Tennis Council – The Junior Competitive Council develops, administers and promotes competitive play for boys and girls 18 and under including training camps, team competitions and tournaments. USTA Florida sanctions (supports and endorses) over 400 junior tournaments each year for children up to 18 years of age. The Council provides assistance (when needed) to tournament directors for all aspects of running smooth tournaments including scheduling, seeding, rules, and regulations.

Maria Cercone, Chair
Andy Gladstone, Bobby Curtis and Ann Brown, Staff Liaisons

Council Members
Andy Brandi
Bill Clark
Robert Gomez
Cindy Harkins
Paul Johnson
Jason Pardon
Kelvin Rivera
Rick Workman

Programs - Andy Gladstone coordinates the following programs - gladstone@florida.usta.com.

USTA Junior Team Competitions – The USTA hosts several team competitions among sections during the summer for every age division. They include Junior Davis and Fed Cup (18 age division), Boys and Girls Intersectionals (16 age division), and Zone Team Championships (16, 14, and 12 age divisions). These team events held throughout the U.S. are attended by coaches selected by USTA Florida. Players are selected based on rankings after the USTA Florida Sectional Championship in June.

The Team Florida Challenge – a USTA Florida team competition for 20 boys and 20 girls in the 14 and under age division. This event is usually held at a nearby site and date to the 14’s Zone Team Championships.

Developmental Training Camps – Aimed at the 10 and under division, Developmental Camps are designed to promote sportsmanship, parent training, doubles and physical fitness. These camps are held approximately 3 times per year.

Bridge the Gap Training Camps – Designed to help encourage USTA Jr. Team Tennis players to play junior sanctioned tournaments and new tournament players to play USTA Jr. Team Tennis. These camps are held approximately 2 times per year.

Junior National Endorsement – Top Florida junior players are eligible to participate in the USTA National Junior Tournaments when they compete in Florida sanctioned tournaments and accumulate points. USTA Florida has a quota of three players in 128 draw tournaments and six players in 192 draw tournaments. Alternates are sometimes accepted. Bobby Curtis staff coordinator – curtis@florida.usta.com and Andy Gladstone staff director – gladstone@florida.usta.com

Sanctioning Tournaments – USTA Florida sanctions over 400 junior tournaments each year. Assistance (when needed) is provided to tournament directors for all aspects of running smooth tournaments including tournament director workshops, the use of TDM (Tournament Data Manager, computer program), scheduling, seeding, rules and regulations. Bobby Curtis staff coordinator – curtis@florida.usta.com

Rankings – Results of the 400 junior sanctioned tournaments are processed in the USTA Florida office. Computer ranking information is available on the USTA Florida Website (www.ustaflorida.com) and is processed and distributed to Florida Tennis. Ranking information is also available to clubs holding sanctioned events. Maria Cercone, Chair – m2cercone@aol.com, Ann Brown staff coordinator – brown@florida.usta.com

COUNCILS & COMMITTEES

Resources Division

Volunteers Council – The Volunteers Council promotes and develops volunteers for tennis in Florida. The council’s commitment is to enhance and enrich USTA Florida programs and services through increased volunteerism. Their developmental design is to recruit, place, train, supervise, record, evaluate and recognize our most valuable assets, our volunteers.

Sandi Pardon, Chair
Lynne Salus, Staff Liaison
Linda Matthews, Staff Liaison

Council Members
Pat Anderson
Sherry Beckman
Marilyn Bollo
Nancy Horowitz
Art Russo
JoAnn Zirpoli

Diversity Committee – Works to expand the image of tennis to one that invites and supports the involvement of all.

Barbara Wong, Chair
Shelly Licorish, Staff Liaison

Council Members
Carl Goodman
J. Webb Horton
Ray Smith
Jim Tierney

Officials Committee – The Officials Committee recruits, trains, certifies and upgrades on-court tennis officials at all levels.

Bill Kelly, Chair
Andy Gladstone, Staff Liaison

Committee Members
Bob Booth, Vice Chair
Tom Flint
Terry Logan, Secretary
Malcolm McGregor
Sandi Pardon

TBD, Chair
Andy McFarland, Staff Liaison

Committee Members
Susan Allshouse, Region 6
Terri Florio, Region 2
Adam Ross, Region 8

Council/Committee Chair Committee – The Council Chair Committee consists of all the council chairs. They meet to exchange ideas and to discuss common issues facing councils including goal setting and budgets.

Dan Casey, Chair
Lynne Salus, Staff Liaison

Committee Members
Maria Cercone Junior Competitive Tennis Council Chair
Barbara Wong, Diversity Committee Chair
Chuck Collier, Leagues Council Chair
Karen MacFarland, Community Tennis Council Chair
Phil Girardi, Recreational Tennis Council Chair
Sandi Pardon, Volunteers Council Chair
TBD, Adult Competitive Tennis Council

STANDING COMMITTEES

Budget & Finance
Nancy Horowitz , Chair
Doug Booth, Staff Liaison
Andy McFarland, Staff Liaison

Committee Members
Dan Casey
Donn Davis
Karen MacFarland
Sandi Pardon

Bylaws & Governance
Bruce Boiko, Chair
Lynne Salus, Staff Liaison

Committee Members
TBD

Grievance
Bruce Boiko, Chair
Doug Booth, Staff Liaison

Committee Members
Tom Flint
Nancy Horowitz
Sandi Pardon

Nominating
Dan Casey, Chair
Lynne Salus, Staff Liaison

Committee Members
Rita Gladstone
Celia Rehm
Carl Weathington
Barbara Wong

SERVICES