USTA PACIFIC NORTHWEST E-NEWSLETTER E NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013 Champions Tour Featuring Agassi and McEnroe Coming to Portland in February Despite the start of the legendary Pacific Northwest monsoon season that has forced our tennis play indoors, there is good news to report as legends of the sport are coming to Portland in 2014. The Rose City is scheduled to host Andre Agassi, John McEnroe, Jim Courier and James Blake when they compete in the Cancer Treatment Centers of America Championships on February 27 at the Moda Center (formerly Rose Garden Arena). The event is part of the 12-city PowerShares Series U.S. tour that features tennis champions over the age of 30 and the one-night tournament will consist of three matches between the four players: two one-set (first to six games) semifinals and a final with an eight game pro-set. The Champions Tour came to Seattle in 2011 but this will be its first visit to Portland and the city s first tennis event involving Grand Slam champions since the historic U.S. victory in the Davis Cup Finals in Memorial Coliseum in 2007. All four players are also Davis Cup champions and according to Courier the Portland event will be a great night to celebrate U.S. Davis Cup teams of the past and enjoy some terrific competitive matches between players from three distinct generations of American tennis. Tickets are currently on sale at www.powersharesseries.com and USTA members receive a 10 percent discount when using the code USTA10. Page 2: USTA League Page 5: USTA/PNW News & Notes Page 6: USTA/PNW Tournament Schedules Page 7: USTA/PNW Member Organization Ads The USTA Pacific Northwest would like to wish all of our members and friends of tennis a very Happy Holiday Season!
2013 USTA League Year-End Ratings Scheduled to Be Released in Early December The much anticipated release of the 2013 Year- End Ratings is scheduled for December 2 by the USTA national office. These ratings will be used for all 2014 Championship Year leagues that start in the 2014 calendar year. To view ratings, log in to the USTA TennisLink website and enter a name or USTA number in the box under Find NTRP Rating Info. You can also click on Advanced Search or Facility Search to search for ratings. For those players looking to appeal their Year-End Rating, simply click on the Appeal Rating Level next to your name and the system will automatically grant or deny based on USTA League national parameters. Below are some helpful hints regarding your rating or appeals and more information is available at www.pnw.usta.com. Benchmark players are simply players who advanced to a Championship. They are not necessarily top of level players. Players who advanced to a Sectional or National Championship may not appeal their rating. Players who advanced only to a Local League Playoff and not beyond that may still be able to appeal their rating. For 2014, there are new criteria for appealing up or down. The chart below illustrates the USTA national criteria for accepting or denying appeals downward. The Range for Approval indicates how far into the higher rating level you can be to have your appeal granted. For example, a 4.0 player with a 3.55 rating and six matches would automatically be granted their appeal down to 3.5. Players are not allowed to view their rating out to a hundredth of a point. Number of Matches Range For Approval 3.10 4 or 5.08 6 or 7.06 8 or 9.04 10 or more Denied If a player wishes to appeal their Year-End Rating up, it will automatically be granted if they are within.04 of the higher rating level regardless of the number of matches played. Players Age 60 and Over: If a player age 60 or over has been moved up, they can automatically appeal their Year-End Rating down if they have been at the same or lower NTRP rating level for the three most recent valid Year-End Ratings without benefit of an appeal. Players Age 65 and Over: No player age 65 or over will be given a published Year-End NTRP Rating higher than their most recent valid Year-End NTRP rating. These players may also appeal up.
2014 USTA League Pacific Northwest Sectional Championship Schedule Set The USTA/PNW is excited to announce the 2014 USTA League Pacific Northwest Sectional Championship schedule. We would like to welcome Spokane, Wash., to the family of host sites for our Sectional Championships. It may be a bit of a drive for some teams but the USTA/PNW is partnering with the Spokane Sports Commission to make the 18 & Over Championship one of the best ever. In addition to Spokane, we will again host Sectional Championships in Yakima, Sunriver and Portland that have proven to be excellent locations. And for those concerned about rain, adequate indoor back-up courts are reserved this year. 2014 USTA League Sectional Championships Adult 55 & Over June 26-29 Sunriver, Ore. Adult 65 & Over June 29-July 2 Sunriver, Ore. Mixed 18 & Over August 8-10 Yakima, Wash. Adult 40 & Over August 15-17 Portland Adult 18 & Over August 22-24 Spokane, Wash. Mixed 40 & Over September 12-14 Sunriver, Ore. Mixed 55 & Over September 14-16 Sunriver, Ore. One Doubles September 20-21 Yakima, Wash. 2014 USTA League Upcoming Schedule Dates and Registration Deadlines Go to www.pnw.usta.com for more details on the 2014 USTA League Pacific Northwest schedule. Alaska Mixed 18 & Over Team Confirmation Due: 1/10/14 Northwest Washington Adult 18 & Over (Weekend) Team Confirmation Due: 12/9/13 Adult 40 & Over Team Confirmation Due: 12/9/13 Adult 18 & Over (Weekday) Team Confirmation Due: 1/31/14 Adult 18 & Over (Weekday) Regular Season: 1/10-6/8/14 Adult 40 & Over Regular Season: 1/10-6/8/14 Adult 18 & Over (Weekday) Regular Season: 3/11-6/6/14 Southwest Washington Adult 18 & Over Team Confirmation Due: 12/7/13. Adult 18 & Over Regular Season: 1/3-4/13/14. Adult 40 & Over Team Confirmation Due: 2/1/14. Adult 40 & Over Regular Season: 3/1-6/9/14. Eastern Washington (Greater Spokane Area) Adult 40 & Over Team Confirmation Due: 12/9/13. Adult 40 & Over Regular Season: 1/10-3/30/14 Central Washington Adult 40 & Over Team Confirmation Due: 1/20/14. Adult 40 & Over Regular Season (Wmn): 2/14-16/14. Adult 40 & Over Regular Season (Men): 2/21-23/14 Northern Oregon Adult 18 & Over Team Confirmation Due: 12/9/13. Adult 18 & Over Regular Season: 1/10-4/6/14. Adult 65 & Over Team Confirmation Due: 2/15/14. Adult 65 & Over Regular Season: 4/3-6/6/14. Willamette Valley (Salem, Albany, Corvallis, Eugene, Salishan, Ore.) Adult 18 & Over Team Confirmation Due: 12/9/13. Adult 18 & Over Regular Season: 1/10-3/30/14. Southern Oregon (Bend area, Roseburg, Ashland/Medford, Klamath Falls, Coos Bay) Adult 18 & Over Team Confirmation Due: 1/26/14. Adult 18 & Over Regular Season: 2/28-4/27/14.
Have USTA League Questions? USTA/PNW Coordinators Are Here to Help The USTA/PNW has a long history of outstanding USTA League Coordinators. As many players know, the USTA/PNW has made changes to the coordinator staff this year to help insure consistent procedures in all areas. Here is the latest update as to who your contact will be for all USTA League-related questions for each area in the Pacific Northwest. (Until open positions are filled in Northwest Washington and Willamette Valley/Southern Oregon, questions for those areas can be directed to USTA/PNW Section League Coordinator Adam Hutchinson at ahutchinson@pnw.usta.com). Alaska (All Leagues) Dana Griffin: Danag727@gmail.com or (704) 728-9722 Northwest Washington The USTA/PNW is currently in the process of hiring one full-time Area League Coordinator who will oversee all USTA Leagues in the NW Wash. area. This process should be completed in December. Southwest Washington (All Leagues) Kathi McKay: kmckay@pnw.usta.com or (360) 352-4212 Central Washington (All Leagues) Elece Fiocchi: efiocchi@pnw.usta.com or (509) 521-9076 Eastern Washington (All Leagues) Cheryl Lepper: clepper@4tennisfun.com or (509) 624-9971 Northern Oregon (All Leagues) Jana Hirst: hirst@pnw.usta.com or (503) 520-1877 x21 Willamette Valley & Southern Oregon The USTA/PNW will be hiring one full-time Community Tennis Organizer position to oversee all USTA Leagues and Community Tennis programs in both of these areas. The USTA/PNW is currently accepting applications for this position. The deadline to apply is December 2, 2013 and applicants must reside in the greater Eugene, Ore., area. For more info, please visit our website at www.pnw.usta.com. USTA TennisLink Website Now Compatible with Apple Web Browser There is great news for all Apple device users out there. The USTA TennisLink website is now compatible with Apple s web browser Safari. All of TennisLink is now accessible using the Safari browser on a Mac, ipad, or iphone. For Google users, TennisLink is also compatible with the Chrome browser. TennisLink has always been functional using Microsoft s Internet Explorer. If you are using the current ipad/iphone USTA app, we suggest you stop using it and start using your mobile browser. The USTA national office has stopped updating the old USTA app and are now focusing their efforts on updating all mobile browsers. If you notice any errors with TennisLink, please e- mail your USTA/PNW Local League Coordinator.
2014 USTA Diversity and Inclusion Grant Applications Now Available Each year the USTA offers grant opportunities for juniors and programs who value diversity, tennis and leadership. The Multicultural Individual Player Grant is open to diverse tennis athletes who achieve a top USTA National ranking and who plan to participate in specific USTA sanctioned tournaments in 2014. The Pancho Gonzalez Scholar Athlete Essay Grant and Okechi Womeodu Scholar Athlete Essay Grant are open to high performance tennis athletes who also excel in the classroom. Each grant will award $2500 each to one female and one male applicant. The Althea Gibson Leadership Essay Grant is open to high performance tennis athletes who also demonstrate strong leadership skills on and off the court. Two applicants, one female and one male, will each be awarded $2500. The Multicultural Excellence Program Grant is open to year round programs that have competitive junior development programs. The program must provide a high level of on-court instruction and offcourt training opportunities. For more information on each grant, click here: http://bit.ly/1cejqfr. Application deadline for all grants is January 17, 2014. Contact Valerie Weaks at weaks@pnw.usta.com with any questions. 2013 USTA/PNW NJTL Arthur Ashe Essay Contest Winners Recognized The USTA/PNW had over 50 National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) participants enter the 2013 essay contest. This year s contest question was: "If you could follow in Arthur Ashe s footsteps and 'give back' to tennis, what would you do to give back to the game and how would it impact others?" For more information about the NJTL and essay contest, go to www.usta.com/njtl. Arthur Ashe Essay Contest winners from Portland Afterschool Tennis & Education (l-r): Destiny S. (Girls age 11/12 division), Ristom H. (Boys 10U), Jolie C. (Girls 13/14), Thomas Q.R. (Boys 11/12) and Emma D.D. (Girls 10U). Not pictured: Hayley C. (Girls 13/14), Jessica N. (Girls 17/18 winner) and Ben B. (Boys 17/18). Arthur Ashe Essay Contest winner from Tualatin Hills Tennis Center (middle): Sahil V. (Boys 13/14 division) with (l-r) Brian Loomis of Tualatin Hills T.C. and Hank Bauer of USTA/PNW.
Entry Deadline Dates Tournament Name ID # (click link to go to tourn. page) Location Nov. 24 Dec. 6-8 Sprinker Jr. Challenger/Rookie Superset 600008313 Tacoma, WA http://tennislink.usta.com/tournaments/tournamenthome/tournament.aspx?t=134589 Nov. 24 Dec. 13-15 Capitol City Tennis Winter Champs 600704313 Tumwater, WA http://tennislink.usta.com/tournaments/tournamenthome/tournament.aspx?t=133977 Dec. 2 Dec. 7 THPRD One Day Rookie Tournament 600004513 Beaverton, OR http://tennislink.usta.com/tournaments/tournamenthome/tournament.aspx?t=133766 Dec. 2 Dec. 13-15 2013 USTA/PNW Jr. Challenger Sectionals 600513213 Beaverton, OR http://tennislink.usta.com/tournaments/tournamenthome/tournament.aspx?t=133768 Dec. 7 Dec. 13-15 Spokane Winter Classic 600020113 Spokane Valley, WA http://tennislink.usta.com/tournaments/tournamenthome/tournament.aspx?t=139292 Dec. 12 Dec. 20-22 Sunset Athletic Club Winter Champs 600011313 Portland, OR http://tennislink.usta.com/tournaments/tournamenthome/tournament.aspx?t=135495 Dec. 14 Dec. 19-22 Eastside TC December Girls Champs 600025213 Kirkland, WA http://tennislink.usta.com/tournaments/tournamenthome/tournament.aspx?t=148507 Dec. 21 Dec. 26-29 Eastside TC December Challenger 600025313 Kirkland, WA http://tennislink.usta.com/tournaments/tournamenthome/tournament.aspx?t=148508 Dec. 22 Dec. 28-31 AV Tennis Center New Year's Champs Singles 600007613 Renton, WA http://tennislink.usta.com/tournaments/tournamenthome/tournament.aspx?t=132953 *The USTA/PNW Junior Player Development Department is currently working on finalizing the 2014 tournament calendar. As soon as it is completed, it will be posted on the USTA TennisLink website and www.pnw.usta.com. Nov. 24 Nov. 29-Dec.1 AV Tennis Center Thanksgiving NTRP Doubles 600008413 Bellevue, WA http://tennislink.usta.com/tournaments/tournamenthome/tournament.aspx?t=130987 (Level 1 500) Nov. 29 Dec. 5-8 Bellingham TC Holiday Open 600800213 Bellingham, WA http://tennislink.usta.com/tournaments/tournamenthome/tournament.aspx?t=136571 (Level II 500) Nov. 29 Dec. 13-15 Tualatin Hills Holiday Adult Doubles 600500213 Beaverton, OR http://tennislink.usta.com/tournaments/tournamenthome/tournament.aspx?t=133770 (Level II 250) Dec. 22 Dec. 28-29 Courthouse T.C. Drive Against Hunger 600025113 Salem, OR http://tennislink.usta.com/tournaments/tournamenthome/tournament.aspx?t=148313 (Level II 250) Jan. 8 Jan. 16-19 Northwest Washington Tournament 600410114 Kirkland, WA http://tennislink.usta.com/tournaments/tournamenthome/tournament.aspx?t=150052 (Level I 500) Jan. 10 Jan. 17-19 Spokane Club Invitational 600007114 Spokane, WA http://tennislink.usta.com/tournaments/tournamenthome/tournament.aspx?t=149648 (Level I 500) Jan. 11 Jan. 17-19 Corvallis Indoor Tennis Championships 600100314 Corvallis, OR http://tennislink.usta.com/tournaments/tournamenthome/tournament.aspx?t=149413 (Level I 500) Jan. 15 Jan. 24-26 Washington Team Cup 600002614 Yakima, WA http://tennislink.usta.com/tournaments/tournamenthome/tournament.aspx?t=148876 (Level II 250) Jan. 20 Jan. 24-26 Players/VTC Grand Slam #1-Singles (Australian) 600004314 Vancouver, WA http://tennislink.usta.com/tournaments/tournamenthome/tournament.aspx?t=149310 (Level I 500) Feb. 4 Feb. 14-16 Winter Warm Up at The Valley 600004014 Tumwater, WA http://tennislink.usta.com/tournaments/tournamenthome/tournament.aspx?t=149146 (Level I 500)
Advertisements in PASSING SHOTS are provided as a free service to USTA/PNW Organization Members. Ad content is the responsibility of each organization and readers should contact advertisers directly for more information. If you are a USTA/PNW Organization Member and would like more information regarding advertising in a future issue of PASSING SHOTS, please email Ruth Turner at rutht@pnw.usta.com.