USTA



[pic]

USTA South Carolina

Progress Report for 2009

December 12, 2009

CONTENTS

I. Introduction Page 3

II. Progress Summary 3

III. Progress Report on Action Plans 4

1. Adaptive Tennis Committee 6

2. Adult Competition Committee 6

3. Awards Committee 7

4. Budget and Audit Committee 8

5. By Laws and Policies Committee 8

6. Communications and Marketing Committee 9

7. Community Development Committee 10

8. Diversity Committee 11

9. Event Planning Committee 13

10. Grievance Committee 13

11. Investment Management Committee 14

12. Junior Competition Committee 15

Challenger Circuit Subcommittee

Rising Stars Circuit Subcommittee

13. League Council 18

14. Nomination Committee 18

15. Officials Committee 19

16. Player Development Committee 20

17. Sanction and Schedule Committee 21

18. Senior Cup Committee 22

19. Strategic Planning and Evaluation Committee 23

20. Wheelchair Tennis Committee 23

2009 PROGRESS REPORT

I. Introduction

This Report addresses the progress made by the United States Tennis Association South Carolina (USTA SC) in meeting the goals and objectives set forth in its 2009 Strategic and Action Plans. Section II offers a brief summary of significant issues and major accomplishments, including an assessment of the progress made on the priorities laid out in the Strategic Plan, and Section III offers a detailed review of the work of the organization’s volunteer committees and staff. In this section, the 2009 Action Plan Items set forth by the USTA SC committees are listed, and a brief progress update is provided for each of them. These reports came from the committees and staff members and reflect their extraordinary enthusiasm and dedication.

II. Progress Summary

USTA SC’s efforts during 2009 were both successful and completely consistent with the vision, mission, core values, and strategies laid out in its Strategic Plan. Although some of the Association’s operational committees were far more active than others, most of them worked hard to accomplish their objectives, and as a whole, the organization made significant progress.

At the end of the year, USTA SC had accomplished 2 of 7 (29%) of the key goals laid out in its 2009 Action Plan, and made significant progress toward accomplishing 4 others (57%). One goal—increased diversity—was not met. The volunteer committees and supporting staff accomplished 50 (45.9%) of their 109 Action Plan items and another 47 (43.1%) were in process. This leaves a total of only 12 (11.0%) of the committees’ Action Plan items not completely or partially accomplished. One of these was judged to be infeasible and three were passed to other committees where they were accomplished. In sum, USTA SC accomplished almost half of the objectives laid out in the 2009 Plan and made progress on most of the rest. This was a far better performance than in 2008: items completed increased by 5.7% and those in process by 3.8%, while those where no progress occurred fell by 9.5%. Clearly, a great deal remains to be done, but the gains made during the year were significant and, as a result, USTA SC continued to play its part as the primary catalyst for the growth of tennis in South Carolina.

Even though there are impressive statistics showing a nationwide spurt in play, participation in USTA tennis programs grew only marginally in South Carolina. Year-to-date USTA membership is virtually unchanged from 2008 at 24,302 despite an impressive 6.0% growth in league play. The biggest drop in participation figures has been in the number of junior matches played, which has decreased by a fairly alarming 4.6%. The Junior Competition Committee will implement strategies designed to reverse this trend in 2009.

In 2008, the By-Laws and Policies Committee began the arduous task of developing a comprehensive set of operational policies to guide the organization’s day-to-day activities. During 2009, the Committee completed 17 policies that were approved by the Board of Directors and drafted another 13. The Committee is also assisting other committees in reviewing and upgrading their operational procedures and regulations. In another important infrastructural area, the Strategic Planning and Evaluation Committee introduced a briefer, more action-oriented approach to planning that features a Strategic Plan that will be updated only when necessary, an annual Action Plan to guide the efforts of the volunteer committees and the entire organization, and an annual Progress Report.

The USTA SC operating budget for 2009 exceeded the $1 Million mark.  As of November 30, 2009, pre-audit total YTD revenues stood at $1,055,436 and total expenditures at $859,898, leaving a surplus of $195,538. Last year at the same time, we had a surplus of over $171,000 and we finished the year with a surplus on the books of over $8,500. It appears, therefore, that the Association is on track to end 2009 with a surplus, as predicted, in the mid $20K range. This anticipated end-of-year financial picture reflects only cash flow from on-going operations, and does not account for any capital gains or losses on investments or for depreciation. It is worth noting in passing that, for the past several years, the Budget and Audit Committee has worked steadily to increase the accuracy of its budget projections, and as a result, they have become much more reliable.

In early 2009, the Association’s investment portfolio continued to suffer from the overall market decline, and it hit bottom in mid-March at $131,340. The Investment Committee made several major changes to restructure the portfolio to reduce risk exposure while retaining the opportunity to benefit from the anticipated market recovery. With intense monthly oversight and frequent adjustments, the Committee brought the portfolio back up to $180,455, as of December 2, 2009.

During 2009, the staff was expanded to include a Manager of Volunteer Development, CTA Support & Special Programs, and plans are currently being made for filling a second new position, Program Promotions & Adult Competition Coordinator. In addition, supervisory responsibilities and individual tasks are being realigned to improve overall efficiency and effectiveness. With these changes, an exceptionally capable professional staff is expected to become even better.

Highlights for USTA SC during 2009 included the following:

• The 2009 USTA Community Tennis Development Workshop was held February 13-15 at Hilton Head.

• The USTA SC Senior Cup team won the Gil Stacy and Mildred Southern Cups and the overall women’s title, and just missed winning the men’s title.  The team presented their winner’s prize of $1000 to the South Carolina Tennis Patrons Foundation.

• SC juniors did well in the Southern Closed Championships, with 5 winners, 3 finalists and 6 semi-finalists. SC’s team at Southern Jr Cup finished a strong second. Haley Carter won USTA 14s Nationals and Hunter Harrington was selected for USTA Jr Davis Cup. Mallory Cecil, as a freshman at Duke University, won the NCAA singles championships.

• USTA League Tennis experienced over 6.5 percent growth to over 47,500 participants.

• USTA SC added a Super Senior Mixed Doubles division to the Mixed Doubles League, with a state championship held in the fall.

• Southern Flex League, which started as a pilot in Columbia/Lexington, is now in three communities across the state with 1325 players participating. In addition, four local leagues offer singles leagues that progress to a state playoff.

• The Junior Team Tennis State Playoff became a sanctioned tournament event; the SC 14s Advanced team won the USTA National title; background checks for JTT coaches were successfully piloted last fall.

• Twenty Rising Stars tournaments were held, some using the QuickStart format for the younger age groups. Numerous facilities across the state received USTA grants to paint QST lines.

• At the end of July, the Lexington County Tennis Center was host to the National Public Parks Tennis Championships, which drew over 500 participants from around the country.

• Several wheelchair demonstrations were held state-wide and a clinic series was established in Greenville.

• As a complement to its annual Community Tennis Development Workshop, the Community Development Committee organized a very successful CTA Leadership Forum, with leaders from 17 CTAs participating. The focus of the forum was on diversity, volunteer recruitment and marketing.

III. Progress Report on Action Plans

Progress Report Codes:

A = Accomplished N = Not yet initiated

NA = No longer valid P = In progress/partially complete                            

      

1. Adaptive Tennis Committee

|Action Plan Item |Target Date |Progress Report|Progress Report |

| | |Code | |

|1. Work with the Officials Committee to provide two volunteer officials for the |3/31/09 |A | |

|Dennis Van Der Meer Special Olympic National Tennis Championship on Hilton Head | | | |

|Island | | | |

|2. Develop a proposal for co-sponsoring the Van der Meer Southeastern Special |6/30/09 |A |A proposal containing multiple |

|Olympics Games | | |sponsorship levels has been submitted |

| | | |to both USTA SC and the SCTPF |

|3. Work with the Community Development Committee to have Special Olympics |6/30/09 |P |The Committee is working to determine |

|representatives appointed within CTAs and Tennis Welcome Centers | | |whether separate contacts relationships|

| | | |between the CTAs and the Special |

| | | |Olympics field staff are preferable |

|4. Establish year-round Adaptive Tennis programs in Columbia, Greenville, and |9/30/09 |P | |

|Charleston | | | |

|5. Hold exhibitions involving men’s and women’s singles and mixed doubles in |12/31/09 |A |This was accomplished in 2009, but will|

|conjunction with major USTA SC events, such as state playoffs, professional | | |become a continuing task |

|events, or major junior tournaments | | | |

1. Adult Competition Committee

|Action Plan Item |Target Date |Progress Report|Progress Report |

| | |Code | |

|1. Establish a study group, in conjunction with the Sanction and Schedule |12/31/09 |P |This item is 75 percent complete. A |

|Committee, to review the tournament structure with regard to numbers and levels of| | |subcommittee continues to work on |

|tournaments, locations, and minimum staffing requirements | | |criteria for tournament levels via |

| | | |conference call meetings |

|2. Review current guidelines and requirements used by the Sanction and Schedule |12/31/09 |P |The Sanction and Schedule Committee has|

|Committee and develop guidelines to be used to improve the quality of tournaments | | |taken the lead on this item |

|in South Carolina, beginning in the 2010 sanction period | | | |

|3. Limit the number of events each tournament offers (especially those offering |12/31/09 |P |This item is 25 Percent complete. It |

|age group divisions) in order to increase the size of draws and improve quality | | |was delayed due to staff transition, |

| | | |but is still getting attention |

|4. Evaluate the concept of redistributing Southern points to recognize the best |12/31/09 |P |This item is 50 percent complete. A |

|tournaments | | |meeting of ACC representatives with |

| | | |the Sanction and Schedule Committee |

| | | |dealt with tournaments and helped with |

| | | |this task |

|5. Encourage the addition of age divisions to sanctioned NTRP tournaments to |12/31/09 |P |Continuing education is helping |

|promote play of older players; consider running senior-only events | | |increase numbers |

|6. Market the appeal of tournament play, especially age-based NTRP divisions, to |12/31/09 |P |Continuing education is helping |

|tournament prospects | | |increase numbers |

|7. Consider alternate play formats, such as women only, one-day events, and mixed|12/31/09 |P |A subcommittee is winding up its study |

|doubles events to encourage time-constrained adults to play in tournaments | | |and preparing a proposal on points |

| | | |system revision |

|8. Encourage more consolation play for adults |12/31/09 |P |This is 75 percent done. Through |

| | | |education and discussion, more and more|

| | | |consolation play is taking place |

2. Awards Committee

|Action Plan Item |Target Date |Progress Report|Progress Report |

| | |Code | |

|Ensure that awards information is prominently displayed on the USTA SC website |1/31/09 |A |An Awards action button displayed on |

| | | |the web site is linked to the Awards |

| | | |menu page. The Committee reviewed this|

| | | |display in September and suggested |

| | | |several changes, which will be made |

| | | |shortly |

|Develop an awards information document that summarizes the awards program and |6/30/09 |A |E messages were sent to all appropriate|

|identifies specific awards available together with the criteria for nomination of | | |parties in the July-August time frame |

|candidates. Distribute this information to all, LLCs, CTA Presidents, | | | |

|Organizational Members, Committee Chairs, SCTPA members and other appropriate | | | |

|parties | | | |

|Ensure that award nomination forms are available at USTA SC tournaments and other |ongoing |NA |Meeting this objective is not |

|major events | | |considered an effective use of |

| | | |resources |

|Develop a policy on awards that contain comprehensive awards criteria |12/31/09 |P |A written policy was developed and |

| | | |approved by the committee in September,|

| | | |but has not yet been reviewed by the |

| | | |BPC. |

3. Budget and Audit Committee

|Action Plan Item |Target Date |Progress Report|Progress Report |

| | |Code | |

|Conduct periodic in-process reviews of the USTA SC budget and recommend |Ongoing |A |The Committee met prior to the June |

|adjustments as necessary | | |Board meeting to conduct a mid-year |

| | | |review |

|Prepare the USTA SC budget for 2010 |12/10/09 |A |The 2010 budget proposal was prepared |

| | | |in the October-November time frame for |

| | | |approval at the December 12 Board |

| | | |meeting |

|Ensure that a CPA audit of the USTA SC's finances is conducted and that any |12/31/09 |A |An audit was conducted and Committee |

|exceptions noted in the audit are fully and properly addressed | | |members met with the Auditor to discuss|

| | | |the findings. There were no exceptions|

4. By Laws and Policies Committee

|Action Plan Item |Target Date |Progress Report|Progress Report |

| | |Code | |

|Review the USTA SC By Laws and recommend appropriate revisions to the Board |As needed |A |Revised By Laws were approved at the |

| | | |March 2009 meeting |

|Coordinate the development of written policies procedures, and regulations to |12/10/09 |P |With assistance from the appropriate |

|ensure that Board-approved policy guidance and adequate procedural guidelines are | | |committees, the BPC is in the process |

|available all essential USTA SC functions | | |of developing policies and procedures |

| | | |to cover all critical USTA SC |

| | | |functions. To date in 2009, 17 new or |

| | | |revised policy and procedure documents |

| | | |have been approved and 13 others have |

| | | |been drafted |

|Establish a storage and filing system for policies, procedures, and regulations |12/31/09 |P |An index has been developed and |

|that will ensure accessibility and facilitate periodic review | | |approved by the committee. The |

| | | |Executive Director has been tasked to |

| | | |develop and maintain a policies file, |

| | | |both electronically and in hard copy. |

| | | |He is currently maintaining working |

| | | |files of draft and approved policies |

| | | |and procedures. |

6. Communications and Marketing Committee

|Action Plan Item |Target Date |Progress Report|Progress Report |

| | |Code | |

|Publish the annual USTA SC Yearbook |1/31/09 |A |The 2009 Yearbook was published on |

| | | |schedule |

|Develop policies on communications and marketing |2/28/09 |A |A Policy on Publications was drafted |

| | | |and submitted to the By Laws and |

| | | |Policies Committee, but has not yet |

| | | |been approved by the Board of Directors|

|Publish four quarterly newsletters |12/31/09 |A |Staff has utilized the USTA Southern |

| | | |Section |

| | | |e-newsletter schedule |

|Increase the utilization of the USTA SC web forums |12/31/09 |P |The Forums have not been heavily |

| | | |utilized; people seem more comfortable |

| | | |with e-mail and conference calls |

7. Community Development

|Action Plan Item |Target Date |Progress Report|Progress Report |

| | |Code | |

|Develop and implement plans for expanding organizational Adult Team Tennis and |6/30/09 |N |No formal committee developed strategy |

|Flex Leagues | | |has been implemented |

|Encourage CTAs to consider obtaining tax exempt status, liability and directors |Ongoing |P |Ongoing support is available through |

|and officers insurance, organizational bank accounts, accounting software, and | | |the Committee’s CTA Development Working|

|annual CPA audits | | |Group; resources and technical |

| | | |assistance were reviewed at the CTA |

| | | |Leadership Forum |

|3. Ensure that at least fifteen CTAs conduct or sponsor three or more ongoing |12/31/09 |P |Thirteen CTAs offer three or more |

|programs, such as adult leagues, junior programs, or tournaments | | |programs |

|4. Ensure that at least eighteen CTAs develop and implement a marketing |12/31/09 |P |Nineteen of twenty-one CTAs have web |

|strategy, to include a web site, the use of public media, and/or print | | |sites. Those with USTA programs have |

|distribution to | | |used some USTA-provided promotional |

|enlist participation in their programs | | |materials. Several CTAs have |

| | | |implemented large-scale marketing |

| | | |programs for specific activities and |

| | | |events |

|5. Ensure that all CTAs establish a written goal of increasing multicultural |12/31/09 |P |Nineteen of twenty-one CTAs have |

|diversity in their governing bodies and their programs, with the ultimate | | |created and prominently displayed |

|objective of mirroring the cultural composition of their communities | | |diversity statements |

|6. Ensure that all CTAs have governing boards with five or more elected or |12/31/09 |P |Nineteen of twenty-one CTAs boards have|

|appointed leadership positions | | |five or more positions |

|Increase the number of JTT programs to 16 and the number of participants to at |12/31/09 |P |Through October 2009, there were twelve|

|least 2,475 | | |programs and 2,131 participants |

|Expand USTA Tennis on Campus to 12 campuses and at least 500 participants |12/31/09 |P |Currently there are seven programs. |

| | | |Anderson University just launched and |

| | | |there are active start-up at Coastal |

| | | |Carolina, USC Upstate, and Winthrop |

8. Diversity Committee

|Action Plan Item |Target Date |Progress Report|Progress Report |

| | |Code | |

|Determine the multicultural participation profile of the USTA SC Board of |6/30/09 |P |Diversity surveys of the USTA SC |

|Directors, USTA SC staff, USTA SC Committees, CTA governing bodies, and to the | | |volunteer cadre and CTA leadership were|

|extent possible, USTA SC programs | | |conducted—although several follow-up |

| | | |attempts were made, three committees |

| | | |and eight CTAs failed to report. |

|2. Evaluate USTA SC business operations to quantify the use of minority |6/30/09 |A |Committee members met with the USTA SC |

|contractors and suppliers | | |staff and determined that the |

| | | |Association does have minority |

| | | |contractors for lawn care and |

| | | |maintenance. The ED indicated a |

| | | |willingness to do more, but did not |

| | | |know where to find minority contractors|

| | | |and suppliers. Subsequently, the |

| | | |Committee provided a listing of |

| | | |newspapers targeting the Black |

| | | |community and the Black Yellow Pages. |

| | | |This Action Item should be retained in |

| | | |future years to measure progress |

|3. Prepare a report to the USTA SC Board of Directors, summarizing the |8/31/09 |A |Although three committees and eight |

|multicultural profile of the organization, the South Carolina CTAs, and USTA | | |CTAs failed to report, the Committee |

|programs in South Carolina | | |provided a full report along with |

| | | |comparative 2008 data. The profiles |

| | | |between the two years are essentially |

| | | |flat, suggesting that, despite the |

| | | |Committee’s sustained efforts, there |

| | | |has been no real progress. This must |

| | | |be a continuing focal point for the |

| | | |Committee and the USTA SC leadership |

| | | | |

| | | |On the positive side, for the first |

| | | |time, a non-Caucasian has become a |

| | | |league coordinator (LCTA Mixed) |

|Work with other USTA SC committees to ensure that applications and accountability |Ongoing |A |We continue to accomplish this through |

|reports for all financial grants made or managed by USTA SC require diversity | | |Diversity Committee representation on |

|impact statements | | |the Grant Review Working Group of the |

| | | |CD Committee |

|5. Collaborate with the Community Development Committee to ensure that all CTAs |12/31/09 |A |Only two CTAs have not published |

|have published diversity statements and that at least half of them include | | |diversity statements; the Committee |

|minority members in their governing bodies | | |now intends to turn its attention to |

| | | |new CTAs to ensure that publishing a |

| | | |diversity statement is one of their |

| | | |first orders of business, The |

| | | |Committee is recommending that a |

| | | |published diversity statement be made a|

| | | |prerequisite for applying for a CDLM |

| | | |grant and that the application form be |

| | | |revised accordingly |

|6. Encourage CTAs to conduct at least one program designed to increase diversity |12/31/09 |A |The Committee has encouraged CTAs to |

|and multicultural participation in tennis | | |hold at least one event aimed at |

| | | |bringing minority players into tennis, |

| | | |and to report on all diversity-oriented|

| | | |events. However, with some notable |

| | | |exceptions, CTAs are not doing anything|

| | | |effective to reach minority |

| | | |populations. The Committee is involved|

| | | |in planning with the Family Circle Cup |

| | | |for a diversity-related event during |

| | | |the 2010 FCC. Kevin Clayton from the |

| | | |USTA staff is also involved in the |

| | | |early planning for this event. While |

| | | |this is reported as “Accomplished” it |

| | | |will be an ongoing activity until |

| | | |annual or biannual events are |

| | | |commonplace for SC CTAs. |

|7. Assist the President and other USTA SC committees in recruiting qualified |12/31/09 |A |The Committee has identified several |

|minority members so that at least 70 percent of the committees have minority | | |potential minority committee members. |

|members | | |This will be an ongoing Action Item. |

|Plan and conduct at least one major training session on diversity awareness and |12/31/09 |A |Diversity training was held as part of |

|multicultural participation for key volunteers and/or staff at USTA SC or in South| | |the CTA Leadership Forum on 6/20/09. |

|Carolina CTAs | | |The two-hour training included |

| | | |presentations by USTA Chief Diversity |

| | | |Officer Kevin Clayton and by Yasmine |

| | | |Osborn and Natalia Martinez from USTA |

| | | |Southern Section and Liliana Camara |

| | | |from USTA NC on outreach to the |

| | | |Hispanic/Latino Community and how to |

| | | |conduct event to attract |

| | | |Hispanics/Latinos to tennis |

8. Event Planning Committee

|Action Plan Item |Target Date |Progress Report|Progress Report |

| | |Code | |

|In collaboration with the President and the USTA SC staff, plan and coordinate the|12/31/09 |A |Planning and coordination took place |

|December 2009 annual business meeting | | |throughout the year and the annual |

| | | |meeting was held as scheduled in |

| | | |December; during the year the contract|

| | | |with the Marina Inn was successfully |

| | | |renegotiated to shift the dates of the |

| | | |meeting and make other important |

| | | |cost-saving changes |

|Compile records pertaining to events planning, and particularly to the annual |12/31/09 |A |Records related to annual meeting |

|business meeting, to ensure that future events planners have adequate reference | | |planning are maintained by staff as |

|materials | | |reference files |

9. Grievance Committee

|Action Plan Item |Target Date |Progress Report|Progress Report |

| | |Code | |

|1. Implement procedures established in the revised USTA SC Policy on Grievance |6/30/09 |A |The revised USTA policy is being |

| | | |implemented |

|2. Modify the complaint log to expedite accurate records to the Committee |6/30/09 |A |All complaints have been forwarded to |

|Chairman | | |the Committee Chairman and dealt with |

| | | |expeditiously |

|3. Consider the establishment of a liaison |6/30/09 |A |A Grievance Guidelines page was added |

|between the USTA SC Grievance Committee | | |to the USTA SC web site |

|and the USTA Southern Grievance Committee | | | |

|4. Review procedures for transferring information regarding complaints and |6/30/09 |A |Officials, Junior Competition, and |

|grievances when input is required from other committees or staff; revise | | |Sanction and Schedule are the |

|procedures as necessary to ensure expedient processing | | |committees that most often provide |

| | | |input on grievances. All of them have |

| | | |provided information expeditiously |

|5. Monitor the effectiveness of the procedures in the revised policy and |12/31/09 |P |This task is 95 percent complete, |

|recommend any necessary changes | | |although every new case seems to |

| | | |require some adjustment to procedures. |

| | | |The system and the policies will |

| | | |continue to evolve a new issues arise |

|6. Reduce the average time required to fully resolve a grievance, not including |12/31/09 |A |The Committee has adopted streamlined |

|appeals, to 25 days or less | | |procedures and become very efficient |

10. Investment Management Committee

|Action Plan Item |Target Date |Progress Report|Progress Report |

| | |Code | |

|Restructure the USTA SC investment portfolio based on 2008 performance and |1/15/09 |A | |

|projected 2009 economic conditions | | | |

|Evaluate the option of paying down a portion of the mortgage on the USTA SC office|1/15/09 |A | |

|building in lieu of transferring surplus funds to the reserve account | | | |

|Monitor the investment portfolio performance and adjust as necessary |Ongoing |P |The Committee recently sold US |

| | | |Government Securities Fund and |

| | | |purchased Healthcare and Technology |

| | | |ETFs; a decision on selling part of |

| | | |Gabelli Fund to purchase International |

| | | |Emerging Market fund(s) was deferred |

|Evaluate the investment portfolio performance for 2009 in preparation for early |12/15/09 |P |Final restructuring decisions for 2010 |

|2010 restructuring | | |will be made at the December 2009 |

| | | |Committee meetings |

11. Junior Competition Committee

|Action Plan Item |Target Date |Progress Report|Progress Report |

| | |Code | |

|Establish a study group, in conjunction with the Sanction and Schedule Committee, |3/31/09 |P |This item is approximately 60 percent |

|to review the current junior tournament structure with regard to numbers and | | |done |

|levels of tournament, locations, and staffing requirements | | | |

|Review current guidelines and requirements used by the Sanction and Schedule |3/31/09 |P |This item is 75 percent accomplished—a |

|Committee and develop a definitive set of rules to be used to increase tournament | | |preliminary draft of rules and |

|quality | | |recommended guidelines will be |

| | | |presented to the JCC at its December |

| | | |meeting |

|Hold TDM beginner/intermediate workshops several times a year for training |6/30/09 |NA |The Sanction and Schedule Committee is |

| | | |currently responsible for this item |

|Offer a mandatory Tournament Director workshop for all directors with updated |6/30/09 |NA |The Sanction and Schedule Committee is |

|rules and regulations | | |currently responsible for this item |

|Develop and submit to the Board a proposal for an evaluation system for at least |6/30/09 |P |This item is 10 percent done—the |

|25 percent of tournaments each year. Components of such a proposal could include: | | |committee has held initial discussions |

|a. Add an evaluation form to the USTA SC web site | | |on the implementation of a standard |

|b. Distribute evaluation forms to Tournament Directors before tournaments and | | |evaluation form |

|e-mail these to players after each tournament | | | |

|c. If needed to ensure a more comprehensive and consistent evaluation, develop the| | | |

|concept of a | | | |

|master evaluator for the state | | | |

|d. Hold open forums at some larger events to gather information from players, | | | |

|parents, and tournament staff on ways to improve tournaments | | | |

|6. Offer regional workshops for more specific TDM training for tournament staff |6/30-09 |NA |The Sanction and Schedule Committee is |

|and volunteers | | |currently responsible for this item |

|7. In collaboration with the Sanction and Schedule Committee publish a |7/31/09 |P |This process is ongoing and is 50 |

|Tournament Directors Manual clarifying policies and standards for tournament | | |percent complete |

|operations | | | |

|8. Work with the South Carolina High School League (SCHSL) and South Carolina |12/31/09 |N |The committee will be working with |

|Independent Schools Association (SCISA) to: | | |directly with the BOD member who |

|Increase USTA membership of high school players to 100 percent by 2010. This | | |represents the high school coaches |

|objective can be accomplished by non-USTA grants or | | | |

|sponsorships to the school districts, player incentives, or encouragement from | | | |

|coaches | | | |

|Sanction high school state team championships once the 100 percent membership | | | |

|objective has been achieved | | | |

|Along with the SC High School Coaches Association, promote the SCHSL Championship | | | |

|to create more publicity and recognition for the event | | | |

|Train high school coaches through information and workshops, including | | | |

|Recreational Coaches | | | |

|Workshops and JTT Coaches workshops for both SCHSL and SCISA coaches | | | |

|Educate all players in SC on the advantages of playing high school tennis, such as| | | |

|ranking points, team comradeship, improved college resumes, and leadership skills | | | |

|Develop a database of SC High School Coaches to help with USTA SC program | | | |

|inter-coach | | | |

|communications | | | |

| | | | |

|Approach SCPTA, PTR and USPTA SC about getting professionals to adopt a school | | | |

|varsity or JV program. The professionals could attend early | | | |

|season practices and assist coaches who ask for help in drills and efficiently | | | |

|running their practices | | | |

|Assist the SC High School Tennis Coaches Association (SCHSTCA) in developing a | | | |

|plan to evaluate the effectiveness of the high school | | | |

|coaches training program | | | |

|Develop a proposal for a doubles only event for players not competing in the | | | |

|singles championships | | | |

|9. Foster doubles play by increasing the number of junior doubles only |12/31/09 |P |USTA SC will require all Level II |

|tournaments by thirteen, encouraging high-level South Carolina tournaments to | | |(State Championship) tournaments to |

|offer doubles, adding one-day events to facilitate more match play in less time, | | |include doubles |

|adding mixed doubles categories for variety and fun, and encouraging more | | | |

|consolation play, especially in doubles events. | | | |

Challenger Circuit Subcommittee

|Action Plan Item |Target Date |Progress Report|Progress Report |

| | |Code | |

|Add more Challenger events to make it easier for players to compete near their |12/31/09 |P |The number of events, the number of |

|hometowns | | |matches played, and the number of |

| | | |participants have all decreased 2008 –|

| | | |38 tournaments, 3171 matches, 2313 |

| | | |participants |

| | | |2009 – 35 tournaments, 2980 matches, |

| | | |2208 participants |

|Promote doubles play in this circuit; develop alternate ways for sign up to help |12/31/09 |P |The Committee is still developing a |

|players find partners | | |plan to increase doubles sign-ups. The|

| | | |numbers have held even with 2008 |

| | | |figures |

|3. Work with the Marketing Department to obtain sponsorship for this circuit for |12/31/09 |N | |

|better recognition and to provide financial help to tournament directors | | | |

|Consider adding a circuit championship |12/31/09 |N | |

Rising Stars Circuit Subcommittee

|Action Plan Item |Target Date |Progress Report|Progress Report |

| | |Code | |

|Provide a tournament packet for every tournament director, to include a sample |3/31/09 |P |This item is 50 percent complete. New |

|flyer, a logo, format ideas, and an outline for a parents meeting | | |promotional materials include posters, |

| | | |tournament flyers, and informational |

| | | |flyers for TDS |

|Propose a one hour Rising Stars tournament workshop to be held for pros and |6/30/09 |P |The Committee Chair will conduct a |

|tournament directors at the 2009 annual meeting | | |workshop at the Annual Meeting during |

| | | |the Pro’s Meeting and Forum |

|3. Add more Rising Stars tournaments at the beginning of 2009 and in the summer |12/31/09 |P |Twenty RS Tournaments have run in 2009:|

|of 2009 to increase the total from 18 to 24 | | |718 players have participated with a |

| | | |total of 1401 matches played--percent |

| | | |18 percent increase in both categories |

12. League Council

|Action Plan Item |Target Date |Progress Report|Progress Report |

| | |Code | |

|Utilize media marketing and work through Local League Coordinators to promote adult|2/28/09 |P |Flyers produced by the state office |

|leagues | | |have been used locally. However, no |

| | | |major initiatives have been launched to|

| | | |date |

|Establish at least two additional singles leagues |7/31/09 |A |There are currently five singles |

| | | |leagues, all in the larger urban areas |

|Grow all league divisions by at least five percent |12/31/09 |A |Significant growth has |

| | | |occurred, particularly in the Senior, |

| | | |Mixed Doubles, and the new Super Senior|

| | | |Mixed Doubles Leagues, producing an |

| | | |overall growth rate of 6.0 percent |

13. Nominating Committee

|Action Plan Item |Target Date |Progress Report|Progress Report |

| | |Code | |

|1. Solicit written applications for all officer and Area Director positions |10/13/09 |A |Applications were solicited from Member|

| | | |Organizations, and through the web |

| | | |site, from the membership |

|2. Interview all applicants except unopposed incumbents |10/13/09 |A |Interviews were conducted on October 19|

| | | |and 20, 2009 |

|3. Submit a slate of officers and Area Directors |10/13/09 |A |A complete slate was provided to the |

| | | |Secretary for distribution on October |

| | | |20, 2009 |

14. Officials Committee

|Action Plan Item |Target Date |Progress Report|Progress Report |

| | |Code | |

|In order to increase on-court oversight of play, lessen behavioral problems, help |1/31/09 |A |Guidelines were included in Tournament |

|ensure that officials are adequately compensated, and improve the recruitment and | | |Director Handbooks and discussed at |

|retention of competent officials, distribute guidelines for the Utilization of | | |each of the March-April TD/Referee |

|Certified Umpires and Compensation of Officials to tournament directors | | |Workshops—both TDs and referees were |

| | | |invited to these workshops; the |

| | | |guidelines are also available on the |

| | | |USTA SC web site as reference material |

| | | |for TDs |

|Revise the Mentor Program to improve its effectiveness in order to assure that new| |A |This project has been in progress all |

|officials receive good on-court coaching and training | | |year; revisions made during the year |

|Refine the Mentor assignment and evaluation process to ensure Provisional | | |have been posted on the web site. The |

|Officials are assigned a primary Mentor and receive thorough evaluations | | |assignment of Mentors to new officials |

|Refine and clarify Mentor duties to ensure improved communications with site |2/28/09 | |was successfully, although some new |

|mentors and referees regarding Provisional assignments | | |Provisional Officials elected not to |

| | | |participate. Maintaining good |

| | | |communications between the Mentor |

| | | |Coordinator and Mentors has been a |

| |3/31/09 | |continuing problem and has required |

| | | |frequent attention |

|Develop a system/form for monitoring the use of on-court umpires at junior and |3/31/08 |P |A form for referees to complete after |

|adult tournaments, which would be completed by referees and submitted to the USTA | | |each event will go to the Officials |

|SC office | | |Committee for approval in December; if |

| | | |approved, it will be put to use in 2010|

|Develop written guidelines for the selection of referees to assist in evaluating |4/30/09 |N |Referee selection was not addressed; |

|the adequacy of official assignments | | |however, a mentor program for new |

| | | |provisional referees will be |

| | | |implemented in 2010 |

|5. Conduct at least three certification clinics for new (Provisional) and |5/30/09 |A |Six scheduled clinics were completed |

|experienced officials throughout South Carolina from January through April | | |and a seventh was added to the |

| | | |schedule: 28 new Provisional Officials|

| | | |were added in 2009. SC ended the year |

| | | |with 169 certified officials |

|6. Develop written policies and procedures as necessary to guide the activities |Ongoing |N |A committee responsibilities statement |

|of the Committee | | |has been proposed by the Strategic |

| | | |Planning and Evaluation Committee for |

| | | |adoption in 2010. In addition, the |

| | | |Committee will need to determine how to|

| | | |help officials adapt to the new |

| | | |national computer program that is |

| | | |replacing data cards (NUCALA) |

|7. In collaboration with the USTA SC staff, continue to monitor the assignment of|Ongoing |P |Monitoring is conducted by staff and |

|tournament referees to ensure that they are certified and that adequately | | |any problems are reported to the |

|experienced referees are used at each tournament level | | |Committee Chairman and to other |

| | | |committees when appropriate |

|8. Continue to increase the diversity of South Carolina officials through the |12/31/09 |P |There have been gains and losses, but |

|USTA recruitment and retention program; increase the number of non-Caucasian | | |the total will still be 13 at the end |

|officials from 13 to 17 | | |of 2009; because several minority |

| | | |officials did not choose to re-certify,|

| | | |there will be only 9 at the beginning |

| | | |of 2010 |

15. Player Development Committee

|Action Plan Item |Target Date |Progress Report|Progress Report |

| | |Code | |

|1. Conduct several Competition Training Centers throughout the year in various |12/31/09 |P |3 of 4 CTC’s have taken place this |

|places in SC. To increase participation, the following steps are planned: | | |year. Locations included Furman |

|Increase participation of highly ranked players by providing early notice of the | | |University September 12-13, Palmetto |

|schedule and eliminating conflicts with national events | | |Tennis Center October 24, Topspin |

|b. Coordinate with the Sanction and Schedule Committee to avoid conflicts with | | |Racquet Club November 14-15, and the |

|major sanctioned tournaments whenever possible | | |final CTC is scheduled for December |

|Use a few new coaches from different areas of the state at each event. Each must | | |12-13 at Prestwick. All coaches hold a|

|be approved by the committee, hold a current certification (PTR or PTA) and pass a| | |certification and have passed |

|background check | | |background checks. |

|Continue to conduct the Van der Meer All Star Camp as a year-ending reward for |12/31/09 |A |Sophie Woorons-Johnston spearheaded |

|players who have excelled the previous year. Action plans include: | | |this project at the Family Circle Cup |

|a. Solicit bids for two-year contracts to host the event | | |in 2009, and 10 pros and over 40 |

|Include the budget and plans for this event in a signed contract. The contract | | |players participated. The event |

|must stipulate that the host of the event will work with the Competition | | |featured a fitness trainer and |

|Coordinator and Player Development Committee throughout the planning process | | |presentations on Mental Toughness and |

|Working with the Sanction and Schedule Committee, review bids for the All Star | | |Doubles Strategy by Sophie |

|Camp to and make a recommendation for JCC and Board approval | | |Woorons-Johnston. Dates have been |

| | | |selected for 2010 and bids have been |

| | | |sent out. A host facility will be |

| | | |selected at the Annual Meeting |

|Identify coaches to travel with players to the Southern Junior Cup and Southern |12/31/09 |A |Coaches for all age groups have been |

|closed events and make appropriate recommendations to the JCC | | |selected. |

|Enhance recruitment of highly qualified coaches for all Player Development events |12/31/09 |A |Coaches can submit applications |

|through added publicity | | |throughout the year. USTA SC continues|

| | | |to build its coaching database. |

|Support Southern Training Camps for 8 and 9 year olds and consider planning one or|12/31/09 |NA | |

|more in our state to help with the selection of the players for Southern camps | | | |

|Stay current with the National Training Centers to implement similar training in |12/31/09 |NA | |

|our state; send the Committee Chairman to a coaches training event | | | |

16. Sanction and Schedule Committee

|Action Plan Item |Target Date |Progress Report|Progress Report |

| | |Code | |

|1. Complete the supplemental 2009 sanction period and award sanctions as |3/31/09 |A | |

|appropriate | | | |

|2. Complete Committee review of policy and submit any changes to the By Laws |6/1/09 |P |With S&S Committee split into |

|and Policies Committee | | |sub-committees under the Junior and |

| | | |Adult Competition Committees, this |

| | | |document is being reworked |

|3. Ensure that 2010 sanction packages are mailed to tournament directors |7/15/09 |A | |

|4. Complete the primary 2010 sanction period and award sanctions as appropriate|10/31/09 |A |The primary meeting was held 9/15. |

| | | |After cleaning up Action Lists, the . |

| | | |approved tournaments were posted in |

| | | |October |

18. Senior Cup Committee

|Action Plan Item |Target Date |Progress Report|Progress Report |

| | |Code | |

|1. Disseminate information about this event to players, teaching professionals,|Ongoing |A |A link was placed on the USTA SC web |

|and tennis administrators, and encourage recommendations, including self- | | |site, letters were sent to prospective |

|recommendations, for the team | | |players, and an add was inserted in the|

| | | |2009 Yearbook |

|Select players for the Southern Senior Cup team based on tennis skills and |3/31/09 |A |The Committee met in January 2009 and |

|availability to compete; when necessary organize challenge competitions to | | |selected players from a “long lost”—a |

|determine the relative strengths of candidates | | |letter went to these players to |

| | | |determine their availability. On April|

| | | |7 the Committee met and selected |

| | | |players based on availability, rankings|

| | | |and tournament results these |

|Consistent with the goal of fielding the best players, seek to increase diversity |3/31/09 |A |The committee ensured that notice of |

|on the team | | |selection was publicized to the entire |

| | | |SC tennis world, then the best players |

| | | |available were selected for the team |

|Field the strongest possible team and win the event |6/30/09 |A |Ten teams (M&W 35, 45, 55, 65, and 75) |

| | | |represented SC in Huntsville, AL, June |

| | | |5-7, 2009. Eight of the nine Southern |

| | | |states participated, but SC came in |

| | | |first, winning the Gil Stacy and |

| | | |Mildred Southern Cups |

19. Strategic Planning and Evaluation Committee

|Action Plan Item |Target Date |Progress Report|Progress Report |

| | |Code | |

|Develop more concise formats for the USTA SC Strategic Plan, the USTA SC Action |6/30/09 |A |Concise formats were developed and used|

|Plan, and the annual Progress Report | | |for the first time in the 2009 Plans |

| | | |and the 2008 Progress Report, all of |

| | | |which were completed early in 2009 |

|Complete the 2009 Progress Report early enough to permit its consideration at the |12/1/09 |A |Committees submitted Action Plan |

|December 2009 Board meeting | | |Reports each quarter; 4th Quarter |

| | | |reports were collected in late November|

| | | |and used to prepare the 2009 Progress |

| | | |Report, which was provide to volunteers|

| | | |prior to the Annual Meeting |

|Complete and distribute the 2010 Strategic Plan and the 2010 Action Plan prior to |12/31/09 |P |An updated USTA SC Strategic Plan was |

|the beginning of 2010 | | |posted on the web site in early |

| | | |November. Committees will be asked to |

| | | |provide their Action Plans for 2010 |

| | | |shortly after the December 2009 Annual |

| | | |Meeting, which will allow publication |

| | | |of the USTA SC 2010 Action Plan before |

| | | |the end of the year |

20. Wheelchair Tennis Committee

|Action Plan Item |Target Date |Progress Report|Progress Report |

| | |Code | |

|Develop a written plan to foster wheelchair tennis in South Carolina by |3/31/09 |P |A plan is under development. The |

|increasing public awareness and | | |Committee plans to use the text submitted|

|recruiting efforts throughout the state | | |for a national grant as the basis of its |

| | | |plan |

|Obtain suitable storage space and develop written procedures for the secure |6/30/09 |A |Procedures for loans, accountability, and|

|storage of the USTA SC tennis wheelchairs and for shipping them to CTAs, other | | |shipping are in place—the chairs have |

|member organizations, and tennis professionals for demonstrations and trainings | | |been checked out several times |

|Develop a comprehensive wheelchair player database |6/30/09 |A |A database is available and is being |

| | | |updated as new information becomes |

| | | |available |

|4. Develop a statewide network of professionals and facilities to provide |12/31/09 |P |Julie Jilly corresponds via e-blasts with|

|services to wheelchair tennis players | | |teaching pros statewide. Arlo Elkins, |

| | | |the women’s coach at USC is helping the |

| | | |Committee solicit collegiate contacts |

|5. Increase the number of active tournament/league wheelchair players in South|12/31/09 |P |Currently, there are 9 league and/or |

|Carolina to 20 | | |tournament players |

|6. Conduct at least four wheelchair tennis exhibitions at high-profile events |12/31/09 |P |Two events have been held: at the Family |

| | | |Circle Cup and the Charleston |

| | | |Superintendent’s Cup. Bob Masella is |

| | | |participating in the Mixed Doubles State |

| | | |Championships for the 11th year in a row |

|7. Conduct or sponsor at least four clinics for wheelchair athletes at diverse|12/31/09 |P |Domino Boulware conducted a multi-week |

|locations throughout the state | | |clinic in Columbia and Darelyn Holliday |

| | | |conducts a weekly clinic with 5-8 players|

| | | |in Greenville |

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download