In an effort to improve the quality of tennis coaching across America, the USTA has awarded its first full accreditation under a new program targeted at organizations that certify U.S. teaching professionals.

 

The USTA announced that the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) was granted accreditation for three years, becoming the first tennis-teaching organization to receive the distinction.

 

The goal of the initiative is to improve the way tennis coaching is delivered by setting mandatory pre-certification standards for the development of those who seek to become a certified coach.

 

“The quality of tennis delivery in our country is the single most important ingredient to growing tennis participation,” said USTA CEO and Executive Director Gordon Smith. “In order to attract and retain new and diverse generations of tennis players, we must do everything possible to ensure their on-court experience is of the highest caliber. ADVERTISEMENT Raising the standards for teaching professionals in the United States will positively impact players of all ages and abilities.”

 

Moving forward, the USTA and USPTA will collaborate on a wide array of education initiatives.  New certification standards will require new USPTA applicants to complete significant experiential learning. This will include on-the-job training along with pre-certification education, online course work and face-to-face workshops.

 

In 2017, the USTA announced the creation of a tennis coaching accreditation program for organizations and institutions that certify U.S. tennis professionals. The USPTA applied for provisional accreditation in January 2018 and was awarded provisional accreditation in March 2018. 

 

“We are proud to have achieved full accreditation status from the USTA,” said USPTA President Gary Trost. “Being fully accredited from the governing body of tennis in the U.S. is a true indication that we are the leaders in tennis-teaching certification.”

 

The USPTA was founded in 1927 and currently has more than 12,000 members worldwide. The association raises the standards of tennis-teaching professionals and coaches and promotes a greater awareness of the sport.

 

With the shared goal of ensuring that tennis is a safe sport for kids, the USPTA will require all new members to complete the USTA’s SafePlay program, which includes a criminal background screening and education on prevention of misconduct in sport. 

 

Now that the USPTA is a fully-accredited teaching organization, USPTA pros will receive a host of benefits, including priority listing on the Net Generation website, as well as a wide array of online and in-person education and USTA marketing and promotional opportunities.