2009 USTA Section of the Year: USTA Midwest
In the past year, the USTA Midwest Section has compiled a list of accomplishments spanning community tennis, youth and junior team tennis, no-cut high school, collegiate and adult competition, USTA Leagues, QuickStart and recreational coach workshops, high performance, tennis service representative initiatives, and its foundation. Most of all, however, Executive Director Mark Saunders says he is proud of the dedication and longevity of his staff. Combine it all, though, and you have RSI’s USTA Section of the Year.
“Despite recent economic challenges, our volunteers and staff remained positive and dedicated to fulfilling our mission,” Saunders says. “In addition, our districts, USTA organizational members, USPTA and PTR pros, college and high school coaches, and communities continue to embrace our programs. We are so fortunate to have a talented and passionate team of volunteers, staff and teaching pros working together to provide high-quality tennis programs and events.”
According to Glenn Arrington, the USTA’s national manager of Tennis On Campus & Tennis Services Representatives, another cornerstone to the section’s success is its well-rounded team of TSRs. “Midwest continually receives some of the highest marks in the country for its attentive service and support in helping local tennis providers in fostering growth,” he says.
Kirk Anderson, the USTA’s director of recreational coaches and programs, notes the section leads the country in training workshops for both recreational and QuickStart Tennis coaches. “Midwest is doing some outstanding work organizing programs and training coaches,” he says. “This will pay dividends for years to come by getting more children on the court and keeping them in the game with team-based programs.”
Tips for success
- Provide a high level of member and customer service. Listen to them, solve their problems, satisfy their wants and thank them.
- Develop a team of passionate and talented volunteers and staff. Give them a strategic direction and financial resources, and then get out of their way.
- Accept and embrace change and be creative with those changes. Embrace new ideas and technology.
See all articles by Cynthia Cantrell
About the Author
Cynthia Cantrell is a contributing editor of Tennis Industry magazine.
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