Serving the Georgia Tennis Community Since 1977
GPTA Tennis Leagues Coming Soon! The GPTA has partnered with Xpoint Sports to offer league play in the Atlanta area this fall! Finally, a tennis league run by tennis professionals...those in touch with Atlanta’s playing community! GPTA plans to add spark to match play and give you the opportunity to support the GPTA, offer your players cutting-edge league play and have a true say in how the league is run. Stay tuned for all the details as more information is on its way. This partnership will allow the GPTA to participate more fully in the local tennis community and to increase awareness and participation at all levels. We welcome your input as we finalize our fall league play. Please email execdir@gpta.com or post to our GPTA Facebook Fan Page. We’re looking forward to a great fall season!
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 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:
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: