USTA names Jones Youth Director
White Plains, N.Y. — The USTA announced today that Craig S. Jones has been named its Director of Youth Play and Competition. In this role, Jones will be responsible for helping to reshape youth competition in the U.S., particularly at the 10 and under level, as well as overseeing USTA’s Jr. Team Tennis program. Jones assumed his position on June 1, and reports to USTA Managing Director of Youth Tennis, Scott Schultz.
Jones comes to the USTA from Martinez, Ga., where he has served as the owner and Director of Operations at the Petersburg Racquet Club since 1998. From 1987 through 1997, Jones served as Director of Tennis at the Houndslake Country Club in Aiken, S.C. He has developed a reputation has one of the top developers of junior players in the U.S., and is considered an industry leader in 10 and Under Tennis utilizing the QuickStart Tennis play format. He currently serves on the Board of Directors and Junior Competition Committee of the Georgia Tennis Association (GTA), and was named the GTA Pro of the Year in 2004
“I’m thrilled to have Craig join our newly-formed Youth Tennis Division within Community Tennis,” said Schultz. “He has been a leader in youth competition in the South and a pioneer in 10 and Under Tennis in this country.”
Jones was the 2007 USTA/USPTA Community Service Award winner and that same year was named Racquet Sports Industry Magazine’s Junior Development Champion of the Year. A lifetime member of the USTA and a certified USTA umpire and referee, he has provided 10 and Under Tennis training and presentations utilizing the QuickStart play format for the USTA, USPTA, Intercollegiate Tennis Association and state High School Tennis Associations.
“This is a personal honor and professional opportunity and challenge,” said Jones. “I look forward to working with the sections and districts with the implementation of the changes to 10 and Under Tennis and the overall competitive structure.”
Jones, 48, is a native of Wellsboro, Pa. He is a graduate of Rhodes College in Tennessee where he captained the varsity tennis team as a senior.
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