USTA League Restructuring in 2013
The USTA will be restructuring USTA Leagues in 2013 based on two years of research, including surveys of USTA League players. Included in the research, a questionnaire was e-mailed to all USTA league participants throughout the nation. Nearly 25,000 respondents completed the survey online. Focus groups and analysis by the USTA League Committee and USTA staff completed the research.
Under the new national structure, the USTA League National Championships will fall under just two divisions—Adult and Mixed. The Adult Division will be broken down into 18 & over, 40 & over, and 55 & over. The Mixed Division will be 18 & over, which is the same as the previous format. As they had previously, players will continue to compete by NTRP rating within each division.
Below is the breakdown of divisions at the national and section (Pacific Northwest only) levels:
(The Adult 18+ and Adult 40+ national formats are two singles and three doubles courts. The USTA/PNW will try to accommodate that format but both of those divisions can be played locally with one singles and two doubles courts if necessary. All other leagues will continue to use current format of three courts of doubles.)
Adult age 18 & over National program 2.5–5.0
Adult age 40+ National program 3.0–4.5
Adult age 55+ National program 6.0-9.0 (combined rating)
Adult age 65+ Section program only 6.0–8.0
Mixed age 18+ National program 2.5 & 6.0–10.0 (combined rating)
Mixed age 40+ Section program only 6.0 - 9.0
Mixed age 55+ Section program only 6.0 - 8.0
The USTA Pacific Northwest is currently developing customized plans for each area of our section (Alaska, Northwest, Southwest and Eastern Washington and Northern and Southern Oregon) for the restructure to be implemented by the summer of 2012. Communication of those plans will begin in March 2012 to all USTA League players in the Pacific Northwest.
For more details on the national restructure, please click here.
USTA League in the Pacific Northwest
REGISTER A PLAYER FOR USTA LEAGUE
Before a player can register for a team, they should keep the following points in mind:
• The player must be a USTA member.
• The player’s USTA membership must be valid through the end of the team’s local league season
• The player must have the appropriate team number for the team they wish to register for. If the player does not have a team number, they must contact their captain for the number.
• The player’s NTRP rating must be less than or equal to the NTRP level specified for the team they are registering for. If the player does not have a rating, then the player must go through the online self-rating process as they register for the team.
SELF-RATING GUIDELINES
• You must declare a NTRP rating when you sign up for a team. If you do not already have a NTRP rating, you will need to complete the online self-rating process.
• You will be asked a series of questions used to determine your rating. The questionnaire must be filled out completely as you will not be able to hit the "back" button. Once the form is completed, the player will be given a rating immediately.
• If the player does not agree with the rating, they can appeal it right away online. To appeal the rating, the player needs to click on the "APPEAL" button at the bottom of the page. The next screen will prompt the player to fill out the appeal form and state why they do not agree with the computer generated rating.
• If the player does submit an appeal, the computer registration system will not allow the player to register for the team until the player receives a response to the appeal. In this case, no fee will be charged since the player is not registered.
• After the player has received a response, they will need to go to the USTA web site at http://national.usta.com to begin the registration process again.
Click here to view and print a detailed chart that will help you as you determine your appropriate NTRP level. If you have questions or would like more information, please contact your local USTA League Tennis Coordinator.
2012 calendar for USTA League play in the Pacific Northwest
View and print a complete 2012 calendar for USTA League play in the Pacific Northwest. The calendar lists important dates such as registration and section championships for each division and local area. In addition to USTA Pacific Northwest League events, you will find the dates for the 2011 USTA League National Championships.
There is a USTA League for You - Get on Court Now
You love tennis. However, you don't always enjoy the solitude that surrounds the game. You like being around other people and thrive in competing in a team atmosphere. Don't think this is possible in tennis? Think again.
All teams are set up according to player's NTRP rating. Therefore, players are assured of facing off against someone of comparable ability. This allows for a highly competitive and fun tennis environment.
USTA League features local, area and sectional championships, culminating in a national championship. The following is a list of requirements for participants.
USTA League - Adult
For men and women 18 years of age and older. Must be a USTA member and have a current computer or self-rating. NTRP levels include 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5 and 5.0. Team match format consists of two singles matches and three doubles matches, except 2.5 and 5.0 division, which plays one singles match and two doubles matches.
USTA League - Senior
For men and women 50 years of age and older. Must be a USTA member and have a current computer or self-rating. NTRP levels include 3.0, 3.5, 4.0 and 4.5. Team match format consists of three doubles matches.
USTA League - Super Senior
The Super Senior league offers both a women's and men's league for players who are 60 years of age and older. The team format is three doubles positions and the levels of play are 6.0, 7.0, 8.0 and 9.0. Partners combined ratings may not exceed the level in which they are playing. Teams winning their local leagues are eligible to play at the Sectional Championship. Teams qualify for the Super Senior national championship during the fall of the championship year and compete for the national title the following spring. Players must have a current USTA membership as well as current computer or self-rating.
USTA/PNW 70 League
For men and women who are age 70 and over. Levels are based on combined ratings of 6.0, 7.0 and 8.0. Winners from local league play will advance to the section championship to be played in June. Learn how you can
become part of the Super 70 league.
USTA League - Mixed Doubles
For men and women 18 years of age and older. Must be a USTA member and have a current computer or self-rating. Teams are developed with a combined rating of 7.0, 8.0, 9.0, 10.0 and Open. Total NTRP rating cannot exceed level of team (i.e., 7.0 team could be a combination of two 3.5 players, one 4.0 partner and one 3.0 partner or one player a 3.0 and partner a 3.5). Format consists of three doubles matches.
USTA League - Senior Mixed Doubles
This mixed doubles league is for players who are 50 and over and must be current members of the USTA as well as have a current computer or self-rating. The levels of play are 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, 9.0, 10.0 and partners combined ratings may not exceed the level in which they are playing. The local league champions are invited to play at the Mixed Doubles Sectionals. There is no national event at this time.
USTA/PNW One Doubles League
The
USTA/PNW One Doubles League is a doubles-only league for men and women in the 3.0, 3.5, 4.0 and 4.5 divisions. Teams schedule their own matches at a time and place that is convenient for all. The section championship event for the One Doubles League is held in the fall. The section champions in each division have the opportunity to compete for a national championship at the annual BNP Paribas Open Tri-Level Championships held the following spring.
USTA/PNW Singles Flex League in Northern Oregon and Northwest Washington
Currently available in Northern Oregon and Northwest Washington only, USTA Flex Leagues offer great tennis on your terms and combines the beauty of USTA League tennis with the flexibility of playing when you want, where you want. The only requirement is that you finish all of your matches. This league is for singles players only at the 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5 and 5.0 levels. The season typically runs late June through early September and there are currently no section or championship events for this division. For more information or to register, go to www.ustaflex.com.
If you have questions or would like more information about any of the USTA League opportunities described above, please contact your local USTA League Tennis Coordinator.