TM USPTA New YankeeEngland Division PROse June 2015 Inside this issue 7 Habits of Highly Successful Directors of Tennis - 7 Master Professionals Q&A - 9 USPTA New England Conference Wrap-up - 13-16 Tennis on Campus and Club Tennis: Growing the Team - 18 2 President’s Message 5 Member News 6 National News 12 Education Requirements President’s Message Doug Eng, Ed.D., Ph.D. Dear USPTA Professional, We just came off a terrific Convention at The Spa at Norwich Inn in Connecticut. We had 86 attendees and a terrific line-up of speakers including Todd Martin, Anne Pankhurst and Ken DeHart. One of the most important pillars in our CEO John Embree’s strategic plan is education or professional development. Renowned Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck suggested there are two mindsets: growth mindset and fixed mindset. Although somewhat new, the duality of critical selves actually manifests itself in the older famous tennis book, The Inner Game of Tennis. The author Tim Gallwey suggested there were two selves: one that takes action and one that criticizes. You may have thought about this regarding your own professional development and personal growth. Do I attend a tennis workshop or conference? Maybe it’s a waste of time and I need to make money or spend time with family. Of course, there are so many priorities. But still, you do need to attend, learn, and evolve. Corporations do the same. It’s called R&D. The most successful corporations are those that invest in themselves, adapt and have visionary leadership. Thomas Edison wasn’t the lonely inventor but rather had the first research and development center in technology at Menlo Park. You did the same thing when you went to high school and college. It wasn’t time wasted, but rather your own development. Like the years spent on the tennis court honing your own game. Your parents, students and significant other also help shape your career paths and choices. It’s investment in yourself. It’s inspiration and networking to be better at what you do. So if you have not, take a chance at getting better. Attend a USPTA or any tennis educational workshop, conference or webinar. At the end of 2016, everyone in USPTA should have done 6.0 education credits over the pastTM 3 years (2014-2016). Everyone in PTR also has to do it since both PTR and USPTA recognize it’s good for everyone. When you meet other pros at conferences and interact, you network and gain inspiration to be better at what you do. We all evolve. And hopefully the end product is better than the start. When Federer or Azarenka practice, again, it’s R & D. Even at a relatively late age, we see some touring pros continue to improve. And the same occurs for inan- imate things. Like our own USPTA New England bylaws. We made several changes to improve the selection and election of the board. This fall, think about volunteering for a committee or even serve our board. Our organization improves when more people participate and help it evolve. Please look at the revised by-laws at USPTAplayer.com. If you have not visited the site yet, you are missing a great deal. We always post news and photos. So you might see a friend there. Or like us on Facebook where news and photos are posted and you almost will certainly recognize someone. The start of summer is around the corner and I hope you are off to a terrific one. Recently I was at the Federazione Italian Tennis Conference at the Italian Open. The Italians love to celebrate everything. With every student this sum- mer, celebrate with them when they show improvement, get a win or share a story. You are a big influence on your students. So there’s nothing wrong with being better at that. Yours in Tennis, Doug Eng Ed.D., Ph.D. Yankee PROse 2 June 2015 Connecticut Open Family Classic Host a Family Friendly Event at Your Club By Tom Flanagan “It’s both fun and competitive and the appeal is that it’s a nice way to spend some family time,” Miguel said. NEW HAVEN - CT - The 2015 Connecticut Open presented by United Technologies Family Classic tennis tournament is once All participants receive a T-shirt and discounted tickets to the again presenting families with the opportunity to spend time Connecticut Open. together and play the game they love. Also at stake is the chance to play at the famed Yale Tennis Center and - if that goes well - “It’s a big thrill, especially for some of the younger kids, to get the the chance to be honored on Stadium Court at the championship opportunity to go experience professional tennis with mom and match in front of the big crowd at the Connecticut Open. dad,” Miguel said. The concept was unveiled in 2001 and since then has attracted Cole believes a large part of the success of and attraction to the more than 2,000 participants per year, with players representing Connecticut Open Family Classic is the opportunity to play and all six New England states and New York. test skills against unfamiliar competition. “This has proven to be a great event and one that connects “I think, especially for those who normally compete in family families and also connects people to the professional tournament doubles at tennis clubs, the tournament offers a nice opportunity (Connecticut Open),” said Christie Cole, Ticket Sales and Market- to meet and play against other families,” Cole said. “For example, ing Manager for the Connecticut Open. “What’s great is, over the you could wind up with a family from a club in Fairfield County last couple years, we’ve seen more participants from outside of playing against a family from a club in Massachusetts.” tennis clubs, those coming from parks and recreation programs.” Cole reported that it’s not uncommon for families who get to know The qualifying tournaments take place across the region, with each other through the tournament to become friendly and play winners advancing to the regionals at the Yale Tennis Center July together after the tournament ends. 25-26. The event features doubles play with family divisions that include husband/wife, father/child and mother/child in various age The local level qualifying tournaments must be completed by July groups, ranging from 10 and under to 19 and over. 20. For information on hosting a tournament or participating, contact Cole at [email protected]. Jon Arenstein has taken advantage of the easy-to-organize local tournaments for the past three years in Northampton, Mass. Rhode Island Pros should connect with Patrick LaSalle. He is “It’s a fun and fairly casual event,” said Arenstein, a USPTA elite working to get this going in the RI area. pro who is associated with the Northampton Parks and Recreation Email Patrick [email protected] for more information. tennis program. “There’s some competitive play, but the emphasis is on fun, and since it’s open to everybody, it’s a nice chance for some of the kids we work with through Parks and Rec to get their families involved with what they’ve been learning.” Arenstein sees great strategic value in the concept and format. “I like the tournament because it’s another way to give kids some exposure to doubles play,” Arenstein said. “I think placing the influence on doubles play is good for everyone involved and good for tennis.” Cole and the Connecticut Open staff supply participating orga- nizations with complementary marketing materials and with the flexibility to run their local events using any format that organizer chooses. USTA New England also supports the Family Classic through marketing and promotional support. Fil Miguel, head pro at the Adirondack Club in Franklin, Mass., annually hosts between 10 and 20 doubles teams and deploys a round-robin format over the course of a single day. Yankee PROse 4 June 2015 TM USPTA New England NetWorking New England Education & Upgrade Opportunities Exams, Upgrades, & PTCA I June 6-7 Greenville, RI TAUT Workshops June 6 Wayland, MA (10 and Under Tennis) June 7 Enfield, CT June 28 New Haven, CT June 13 Bedford, NH June 20 Portland, ME June 25 Dorchester, MA Go to coachyouthtennis.com to register Free Webinar June 3 2PM EST Register at uspta.com/education>education calendar A Cardio Tennis Training Course is Coming to Haverhill, MA Become a Licensed Cardio Tennis Professional Date: July 18 & August 2 Time: July 18 9:00 am – 4:00 pm (Cardio Tennis) August 2: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm (TRX cardio Tennis) Location: Cedardale Health and Fitness Registration Fee: Cardio Tennis $150.00 TRX Cardio Tennis $295.00 Combined Registration: $350.00 Where to Register: www.CardioTennis.com Early Bird and U30 Discounts may be available. Contact Lance Andersen [email protected] PTR National Tester & Clinician 5A, TIA Global Cardio Tennis-Master Trainer, USPTA/USRSA 978-857-0446 Great things are happening in Maine tennis! The MTA has sponsored an Adopt a School Program, which has been established in three communities so far. Short Court Tennis for all ages has recently been introduced in three Maine facilities. From June 5-8 the Indoor Men’s 35 National ITF Tournament is being held in Brunswick. Kirk Anderson will be presenting on Oct. 3 on “Orange and Green Ball Evolution” for juniors and adults. In USPTA Maine Pro news, Lisa Gilbride and Chantalle Lavertu have been running successful Triples Tournaments and Orange Ball Playdates. At the Portland Country Club, Head Pro Jason Terry is introducing 10 & Under Tennis and Short Court for adults with the help of Bill Shardlow.