GPTA News

Santorum Wins ITF Award
At the International Tennis Federation’s (ITF) Annual Meeting last month in Washington, D.C., and the USTA Annual Meeting in New York City, PTR CEO, Dan Santorum received the ITF Service to the Game Award. The award is for those who have rendered long and distinguished service to the game of tennis. Santorum, who has been at the helm of PTR for 25 years, was nominated by the USTA and received the recognition for his outstanding contribution to tennis teaching, both nationally and internationally. He is the only person ever to conduct tennis coaches workshops in all 50 states, as well as in 60 countries on six continents. A member of the South Carolina Tennis Hall of Fame and a past recipient of the International Tennis Hall of Fame’s Educational Merit Award, Santorum is the 31st recipient from the USA to receive the ITF Service to the Game award since 1971. Remarkably, he is the fourth person from Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, to receive this award. He joins fellow Islanders, Stan Smith (1995), Dennis Van der Meer (1999) and Judy Levering (2003). October 2010.

Atlanta Youth Tennis Foundation
The Atlanta Youth Tennis Foundation is hosting the Atlanta Junior Fall Challenge Quickstart Tournament on Oct. 23 at Woodward Academy in College Park. The entry deadline is Oct. 18, and complete details are available by visiting www.aytf.usta.com. The Atlanta Youth Tennis Foundation of Atlanta has been named one of 38 National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) chapters to compete in the NJTL National Student Athlete Competition and to deliver the First Serve Life Skills Curriculum. The annual NJTL National Student Athlete Competition (NSAC), held this year from August 12, 2010 to August 11, 2011, is one of the many ways in which the NJTL network accomplishes its mission of creating educational and recreational programming that challenges and inspires under-served young people. The 12-month point-based competition gives thousands of inner-city youth in grades 5-12 throughout the United States the opportunity to compete in both USTA-sanctioned tennis tournaments and in school, with academic scholarships going to those with the best grades and junior tournament results and participation. In the 2009-2010 competition, improved results showed not only on the court, but in the classroom. The number of tournaments played by NJTL NSAC participants has more than doubled since the 2008/2009 competition, and the number of matches won by participants so far this year is 962, up from last year’s total of 407. In addition, a review of report cards shows passing grades also are up among the NSAC participants. Compared to 2008/2009 competitors, report card statistics showed 19% more As in math, 6% more As in science, and 11% more As in reading/literary arts. The top three point-earners in each of the four age and gender divisions, and their related NJTL Chapters, will earn a total of $68,000 in college scholarships in 2011. In addition to receiving an academic scholarship, each champion and their chaperone also will receive an all-expense paid weekend trip to New York City for Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day activities and special events including a New York Mets game, a Broadway show, an honorary luncheon and the opportunity to meet tennis players and celebrities. The First Serve Life Skills Curriculum is a successful and effective method, utilizing tennis with the sole purpose of empowering youth with the skills, values and experience they need to be responsible and productive citizens. October 2010

USTA Serves to Partner with New Look
The USTA announced a new three-year partnership between USTA Serves, the USTA’s philanthropic entity, and the New Look Foundation, a non-profit organization founded by Atlanta’s R & B superstar Usher Raymond IV, designed to mentor youth to become global and community leaders. The partnership will help guide thousands of American youth in using their athletic and creative talents to become leaders in their local communities by expanding both tennis and service opportunities to youth across the country. "I’m very excited about this new partnership, which extends the outreach of USTA Serves by working with one of the most dynamic organizations in the country," said Deborah Slaner Larkin, Executive Director, USTA Serves. "Working with the New Look Foundation provides USTA Serves the opportunity to reach even more youth, and continue using tennis and education to help build leaders in communities across the country." "We are excited to continue our work with the USTA and look forward to a long term partnership." said Shawn H. Wilson, president of New Look Foundation. "We have a common mission, to enrich young people, and together both organizations can make this goal a reality." The New Look Foundation provides the training and tools that allow young leaders to create and implement service projects within their own communities. Using leadership as a common thread, New Look and USTA are combining efforts to expand service opportunities across the country. New Look will work with the USTA’s 555 National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) chapters – which reach 225,000 children – and other qualified tennis and education programs to expand young people’s leadership capabilities and opportunities. Specifically, the New Look Foundation will develop a pilot service-learning curriculum for a select group of NJTL chapters geared towards expanding young people’s leadership in communities off the tennis court while building their commitment and dedication to improving their skills as a tennis player. The New Look Foundation will train NJTL chapter leaders to implement the curriculum, which will focus on tennis and the history, culture and industry that surrounds the tennis community, allowing youth to incorporate tennis and community service. USTA Serves and the New Look Foundation will also explore the opportunity to create a Kids Day of Sport and Service for youth across the country, with the belief that linking sport and service together will inspire youth to follow Usher’s example and become leaders in their communities. October 2010.

Shepherd Works with Leadership Academy Youth
Saturdays in the fall means football to many, but it means tennis to the Leadership Academy youth in the 100 Black Men of Dekalb County. GPTA member and Coach Bryan Shepherd instructs the fun with more than 20 youth ages 12-18 at Dottie Bridges Tennis Center in Decatur. "It’s a privilege to work with these youth who are good students receiving mentorship, educational support and character building through the 100 Black Men program. They are also establishing relationships that will nurture achievement and enhance self-esteem through tennis," says Shepherd. Dr. Romeo Stockett, Leadership Academy Director, is pleased to renew the program as part of the 100’s health and wellness initiative. "Tennis was one of our most popular programs last year and we are excited to be able to sustain it and offer it again to our youth and their parents." Sessions include 2 hours of on court tennis drills and skills in addition to one hour health education and life skills. The fall session will end October 30th with a round robin tournament and cookout. Oct. 2010 from USTA Georgia

TIA Releases Key Measures for Tennis Facilities
Tennis facility owners and operators, along with others in the industry, can now get the latest trends and data for operating a tennis facility in the "Cost of DoingBusiness: Tennis Facilities" report from the Tennis Industry Association. The bi-annual report provides a method for facilities to measure their performance againt industry averages. The data in the CoDB report is weighted by facility size and type to match the profile of tennis facilities in the U.S. The report contains general trends as well as data pertaining to tennis programming and facility operational costs. Also included is data on facility membership, dues, court usage fees and more. "As a facility operator, you can see where your tennis facility may be outperforming the industry and where you may have challenges or can improve," says TIA Executive Director Jolyn de Boer. "Comparing your operations to industry-wide averages will help you identify opportunities to maximize growth and profitability." For tennis facilities in 2009, the cost of doing business analysis indicates many positive results, mixed with some outcomes that reflect the nature of operating a business in a down economy. The good news for tennis facilities, though, is that average revenue per court is up 18% since 2005 and the retention rate of introductory programs for new players/beginners is high, at 65%. Other findings in the CoDB report include average membership prices, both for tennis-only and allinclusive memberships, have decreased since 2007, down 15% and 25% respectively. In addition, 51% of facilities have a tennis-specific website, and of those, 95% publish their programming on their site. For more information or to obtain a copy of the CoDB report, email research@TennisIndustry.org or call the TIA at  866-686-3036  866-686-3036 .  

USTA Accepting Nominations for Outstanding Facility Award
Do you know an outstanding tennis facility in your area? If so, nominate it for a 2010 USTA Outstanding Tennis Facility award. Award nominations must be received in the USTA office by July 19. Criteria for the awards and nomination forms are available at usta.com (under "Get Involved," click "Technical," then "Facility Awards" on the right side). Recognition will be given to outstanding tennis facilities under these jurisdictions: Parks & Recreation Departments, Educational Institutions, Non-Profit Corporations, and Private and/or Commercially Owned and Operated Facilities. Award winners will receive a wood and marble wall plaque and a large sign to display at the facility. In addition, certificates will be added to the nomination form. For questions, email facilityawards@usta.com or call Jeremiah Yolkut at 914-696-7154.

President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition
On June 23rd, First Lady Michelle Obama launched the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition and introduced the 2010 Council co-chairs and members. In conjunction with the First Lady’s Let’s Move! initiative, this year President Obama has broadened the scope of the Council, formerly known as the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, to include a focus on healthy eating as well as active lifestyles. The President has named Drew Brees, quarterback for the New Orleans Saints, and Dominique Dawes, three-time Olympian and former U.S. national champion in women’s gymnastics, 2010 Council Co-Chairs. Tennis legend Billy Jean King also is a member of the Council. The President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition is a committee of volunteer citizens who advise the President through the Secretary of Health and Human Services about opportunities to develop accessible, affordable and sustainable physical activity, fitness, sports and nutrition programs for all Americans regardless of age, background or ability. The Council’s mission is to engage, educate and empower all Americans to adopt a healthy lifestyle that includes regular physical activity and good nutrition. For more information about the Council and its members, visit www.fitness.gov. The site also offers resources and information on fitness, grants and ways to motivate Americans to increase their activity and participation in sports such as tennis. In addition to its presidential advisory role, the Council promotes and maintains the President’s Challenge Physical Activity and Fitness Awards program (President’s Challenge) which encourages all Americans to include physical activity – 30 minutes per day for adults and 60 minutes per day for youth – in their daily lives. For more information about the President’s Challenge programs, visit www.presidentschallenge.org. 

Did you know that PE programs influence tennis participation?
Physical Education programs in schools are having an impact on participation numbers for tennis, according to the Physical Activity Council (PAC). In a PAC report released at the 2010 National Health Through Fitness Day, kids who have physical education programs in their schools are 90 percent more likely to play tennis.  

ACSM Announces 2010 Fitness Trends
A lasting trend is developing in health and fitness, according to an American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) survey published in the November/December issue of ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal®. The importance of experienced and educated fitness professionals remains the top predicted fitness trend for the third straight year. The survey, now in its fourth year, was distributed to ACSM certified health and fitness professionals worldwide and was designed to reveal trends in various fitness environments. Nearly 1,500 completed surveys were received from respondents around the world. Thirty-seven potential trends were given as choices, with the top 20 ranked and published by ACSM.Consistent with 2009 results, the elevated importance of experienced and educated fitness professionals was identified as the top trend of 2010, likely due to increased industry regulation and an influx of specialty certifications and educational programs available for these professionals. This trend has moved up the list since the survey’s inception in 2007, when it ranked third. Strength training surged to second in the rankings, an indicator of the increased focus on strength training for various populations. Though strength training once was viewed only as a training method for male bodybuilders, more average exercisers and women are realizing its importance for healthy bones, muscles and aging.

The top 10 fitness trends predicted for 2010 are:

• Member of the Year: Dave Dvorak
• Facility of the Year: The River Club
• Assistant Pro of the Year: Ben Hestley
• Player of the Year: Kip Layman Senior Player of the Year: Bobbie Campanaro
• Retailer of the Year: Coach Matt's Tennis and More
• Head Pro of the Year, Small Facility: Tim Dutton
• Head Pro of the Year, Large Facility: Kevin Jackson
• Independent Pro of the Year: Danny Thiets
• Event of the Year: USTA Georgia Community Tennis Development Workshop
• Sponsor of the Year: USTA Georgia
• Pro Am of the Year: TPC Sugarloaf
• Program of the Year: Country Club of Roswell
• Director of the Year, Large Facility: Kip Layman
• Director of the Year, Small Facility: Alan Hartley

On December 14, GPTA members and guests congratulated the nominees and winners of the 2005 GPTA Annual Awards. The annual banquet and awards party was held at Country Club of Roswell. In addition to the awards, there was a silent auction and raffle to raise funds for the organization. The 2006 Board of Directors was announced as well. A list of award winners follows:

• Member of the Year: Paige Miller    
• Assistant Pro of the Year: Ana Friganovic   
•  Male Player of the Year: Harlon Matthews   
•  Female Player of the Year: Marcy Hirshberg   
•  Senior Male Player of the Year: Hugh Thomson    
• Retailer of the Year: Coach Matt's Tennis and More    
• Head Pro of the Year: Beth Clay   
•  Independent Pro of the Year: George Hovsepian   
•  Event of the Year: The Thomasville Collegiate Invitational    
• Volunteer of the Year: Cheryl Luchene    
• Sponsor of the Year: USTA Georgia   
•  Pro Am of the Year: TPC Sugarloaf    
• Program of the Year: Ansley Golf Club    
• Director of the Year, Large Facility: Darryl Lewis    
• Director of the Year, Small Facility: Paul Bartholomai