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USTA Awards PTR Full Accreditation to Improve Tennis Delivery in U.S.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., May 28, 2020 - The USTA announced that the Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) has received full accreditation under the USTA’s accreditation program for organizations and institutions that certify U.S. tennis teaching professionals. The goal of the program is to elevate professional tennis coaching standards by implementing mandatory pre-certification standards for those seeking to become a certified teaching pro and to provide an improved and consistent continuing education program for all current certified professionals who are members of accredited organizations.

The PTR was awarded full accreditation following the approval of its application by the USTA’s Accreditation Review Committee. The PTR joins the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) as the only USTA accredited tennis teaching professional organizations. The PTR’s accreditation status will be reviewed after a three-year period.

“The mission of the USTA is to promote and develop the growth of tennis across the country, and there are few individuals that have a more direct impact on this mission at the local level than tennis teaching professionals,” said Mike Dowse, USTA CEO and Executive Director. “We now will have a unified approach to certifying tennis professional in the United States for the first time, and by working together, the USTA, the USPTA and the PTR are best positioned to getting Americans back on the courts and ensuring that tennis thrives in our post-pandemic world.”

“We appreciate the confidence the USTA has shown in PTR by providing us with accreditation.” said Dan Santorum, PTR CEO. “We look forward to working together as partners to improve our coaches who work passionately and tirelessly to improve/grow the great sport of tennis.”

Moving forward, the USTA and PTR will collaborate on a wide array of education initiatives. New certification standards will require new applicants to complete a unified set of standards before achieving status as a certified tennis professional. This will include on-the-job training along with pre-certification education, online course work and face-to-face workshops. Additionally, with the shared goal of ensuring that tennis is a safe sport for kids, the PTR will require all members to complete the USTA’s Safe Play program, which includes a criminal background screening and education on prevention of misconduct in sport.

By working collaboratively, the USTA and the two leading coaching accreditation organizations have created a system to elevate and improve tennis coaching standards that will help the sport attract, engage and retain tennis players moving into the future.

Posted on May 28, 2020
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