The USTA and USTA Florida organizations offer multiple varieties of on-court tennis workshop for the recreational tennis instructor, physical education teacher, tennis coach or tennis program volunteer. To see which workshop might fit your needs, read this training matrix that will outline the different types of tennis workshops the USTA provides and which one fits your needs most.
QuickStart Tennis Workshops (QSTWs)
There are two types of QuickStart Tennis workshops: Recreational and High Performance
Recreational QST Workshop: This 3-hour interactive on-court workshop is for beginner tennis teachers, recreational coaches, parent coaches and Jr. Team Tennis captains and volunteers who will be working with 10 & under beginners, particularly those in a team tennis setting. This workshop gives an overview of the QuickStart Tennis format and the six variables that all QuickStart Tennis programs should adhere to. Each participant receives QuickStart Tennis practice plans. There is a $15 registration fee to attend this workshop ($20 for late registration).
High Performance QST Workshop: This 4-hour interactive on-court workshop is for experienced teaching professionals who will be working with 10 & under players, particularly those in a team tennis or player development setting. This workshop gives an overview of the QuickStart Tennis format and the six variables that all QuickStart Tennis programs should adhere to. Each participant receives QuickStart Tennis practice plans. There is a $15 registration fee to attend this workshop ($20 for late registration).
How to Apply to Host a QuickStart Tennis Workshop:
If your community is interested in hosting a recreational QuickStart Tennis workshop, please read this R-QST fact sheet. If you are able to comply with the minimal requirements listed and feel your community is in ready or in need of hosting a recreational QuickStart Tennis Workshop, please contact Andy McFarland at mcfarland@florida.usta.com or 386.671.8927 to receive an electronic application.
If your community is interested in hosting a high performance QuickStart Tennis workshop, please read this HP-QST fact sheet. If you are able to comply with the minimal requirements listed and feel your community is in ready or in need of hosting a high performance QuickStart Tennis Workshop, please contact Anne Pankhurst at USTA at Pankhurst@usta.com to receive an electronic application.
Attending a QuickStart Tennis Workshop:
If you are interested in attending a QST Workshop, please see a list below of upcoming workshops around Florida.
2009 QuickStart Tennis Workshops (QSTWs)
June 6, 2009, 9:00 AM - Noon
Mandarin High School
4831 Greenland Road
Jacksonville, FL 32258
Registration Fee: $15/person - $20/person after deadline
Registration Form - registration deadline: May 23, 2009
If you have further questions, please contact Diana Gardner at 904-247-5460or email jrtennisjax@yahoo.com
August 1, 2009, 9:00 AM - Noon
Naples YMCA of the Palms
5450 YMCA Road
Naples, FL 34109
Registration Fee: $15/person - $20/person after deadline
Registration Form - registration deadline: July 17, 2009
If you have further questions, please contact Susie Bessire at 941-629-4733 or email bessire@florida.usta.com
Recreational Coach Workshops (RCWs)
SERVE IT UP!
In an effort to encourage the development of tennis programs within schools, municipalities and other organizations, the United States Tennis Association invites all P.E. teachers, after-school staff, parks & recreation employees, youth organization staff, moms, dads, high school tennis coaches, college students and anyone else who has an interest in learning the basics of teaching tennis at the developmental level to attend any of our Recreational Coach Workshops held throughout Florida.
If your local community would like to host a Recreational Coach Workshop, there are a few resources available to assist you with administration. The
Recreational Coach Workshop Packet will help define what a Recreational Coach Workshop is and what support the host and participants will receive from the USTA. Please submit this
RCW Host Site Application form to Andy McFarland, USTA Florida at
mcfarland@florida.usta.com if you are interested in hosting a RCW in your community. Once your Recreational Coach Workshop has been approved by Sectional and National, a National Trainer will be assigned to your Recreational Coach Workshop and you can begin promoting and marketing your workshop to attract and register attendees.
USTA Florida will supply the host with registration and flyer templates to aid in the marketing and promotion efforts. There is a standard
$20 registration fee for all attendees ($25 for late registration). This will include the 6-hours of on-court training with a specialized National Trainer, teaching guides/materials and lunch/refreshments.
If you have questions about RCWs, please contact Andy McFarland at mcfarland@florida.usat.com or 386.671.8927.
2009 RECREATIONAL COACH WORKSHOPS (RCWs)
June 6, 2009, 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
North Palm Beach Country Club Tennis Center
951 US Hwy 1
North Palm Beach, FL 33408
Registration Fee: $20/person - $25/person after deadline
Registration Form - registration deadline: May 22, 2009
If you have further questions, please contact Janet Sprague at 561.686.1103 or email sprague@florida.usta.com
Recreational Coach Workshop – Testimonials
“The response and feedback I have gotten and continue to get [after the RCW] has been so overwhelmingly positive. The pros in this area are so hungry for knowledge, training, and additional, creative ways to teach tennis. You hit a home run, or should I say, grand slam.”
RCW Host Site Director
Mary C., Reston, VA
“What a difference to the usual approach of a pro feeding tennis balls to whoever is on the other side of the net. This games approach is fun, gives you an aerobic workout, and is especially suited for new players, because it starts them off getting into playing the game right away. I personally think this will be a key factor for retaining players and making them become involved and happy in our sport.”
RCW Host Site Director
Rich N., La Costa, CA
“When I first heard about this training program I was very interested and thought it would be a pretty good introduction in how to become a part-time coach and/or tennis teacher. After attending this wonderful one day program, I would say that anyone who would who would describe this event as a ‘pretty good’ tennis workshop would probably also describe Roger Federer as a ‘pretty good’ tennis player. One small criticism of your workshop is that your rating scale only went up to 5 for excellent…I learned much more than I thought I possibly would have an enjoyed it tremendously.”
RCW Attendee
Dave P., Livonia, MI
“I attended [an RCW] along with two of my high school players who taught in tennis camps this summer. The experience was a wonderful, practical, fun and informative day. Sue is an excellent presenter and offered a continuous stream of tips, ideas, suggestions and hints for making tennis fun for every age group. My two players used everything Sue suggested in the summer tennis program. Every idea stuck and worked with real participants. We had over 200 people of all ages attending our camps and we are in a town with less than 4,000 residents. Tennis is catching on here in our little burg and much of the success can be directly attributable to the RCW and the support of USTA.”
RCW Host Site Director
Steve S., Williamston, MI
I really wanted a better basis for how to teach my daughter. I’ve been a player for a while, but never had any formal training when it came to teaching. The RCW gave me a lot of tools to walk away with, and it was really enjoyable playing with new people and learning new games to try with my daughter. She’s just getting into tennis, so I’m trying to learn how to be the best teacher I can for her.”
RCW Attendee
Mark H., Kansas City, MO
“Our trainer, Claudio, did a fantastic job. He kept the workshop moving and was so enthusiastic with the crowd. The information we gained was quite valuable--especially all the explanations regarding the various tools to use and teach with (i.e. the different types of balls and downsizing of racquets and the court to accommodate younger players). Overall, I think it was a great success.”
RCW Host Site Director
Robyn H., Pittsfield, MA
“I was less than thrilled about attending the RCW. This was because I have already attended several…workshops which were very good. In addition, I spent a lot of time reading articles on tennis instruction and subscribing to various tennis instructor sites. That being said, my wife and I had a wonderful day at the Orlando RCW. Rita is an exceptional trainer. Her energy level, sense of humor, experience and organization skills cannot be surpassed. Anyway, despite my strong negative bias, Rita somehow made sure I did learn several new tricks of the trade that I can’t wait to try!”
RCW Attendee
Bobby R., Orlando, FL
“From the initial contact with [the USTA National Office], receiving the well-prepared carton of balls, evaluation forms, literature & teaching aids, and even name badges, to the instruction we received from the trainer, Kevin, it was terrific…The additional support of someone contacting the host, having a list of host duties to read before committing helped make a smooth and efficient RCW. Kevin's passion for the game was demonstrated all day long.
[Participants from the local magnet school] learned that tennis can be fun and simply taught and will continue to pass on their knowledge. Most of the participants will be assisting in the summer, high school or after-school programs.”
Host Site Director
Gwen R., Fairbanks, Alaska
I filled out a very complimentary evaluation but I don’t believe that would do the justice to the quality of the course. It was superb and just exactly what I was hoping for regarding the games based approach, customizing to the level of your students, and the emphasis on fun. The most noteworthy [idea presented] was the progressive method for the serve. With one of my beginner students, after reaching the stage of serving from behind the baseline, she said to the rest of the class, ‘I don’t see what’s so hard about serving.’ “
RCW Attendee & Teaching Pro
Jim E.., Reston, VA
“This one day training session for leaders has made a tremendous difference in the quality of our summer program. This is because many young people hired by Parks and Rec for summer job have a limited knowledge of tennis and how to keep 15 or 20 kids interested for 2 hours on a court!”
NJTL Host Site Director
W.R.M., Bristol, VA
“I just wanted to tell you how successful the RCW was that we hosted. You can’t beat it! We got the best training [our organization] has ever had and it didn’t cost a dime. We actually made money! My instructors who have been to many trainings before and are pros thought the 6 hours was very worthwhile. We even used some of the new games at our Tennis Block Party on Saturday. That shows me they really thought it was valuable. This really is an awesome program. It’s great for Parks & Rec agencies like ours that struggle to get quality programming for our seasonal programs.”
Park & Rec Host Site Director
Meagan J., Portland, OR
“I was in the St. Louis workshop you ran last weekend. I have been using the games in my practices; I think the girls like Triples and Wipe Out the best. Thanks again for all the excellent info!”
RCW Attendee
Ron B., St. Louis, MO
“The coaching clinic I attended was fabulous! The instructor, Ajay, was top notch, and taught a method that was so positive. The focus of the clinic was to make it fun, otherwise kids would, after one ‘lesson’, quit and find another sport. After the clinic was over (9am to 3:30pm with lunch provided…all for $25!), we filled out an evaluation and received a wonderful packet of info. It was a wonderful, interactive, and extremely fun day.”
RCW Attendee
Elinor T., Rolla, MO
I attended the RCW this past Saturday and I was amazed at how useful the information was that I received, including the tips, lessons, and materials. I have a daughter learning the game and I’m looking into coaching kids at a county park where paying for lessons is an issue.”
RCW Attendee
Miguel S., Hernando County, FL
“Just want to thank and congratulate you on a great workshop! I know because I was there and I asked the participants, especially those veteran teaching professionals and long-term coaches with 30+ years of experience… they thought it was worthwhile attending! Your presentation skills, knowledge, and tennis playing abilities added together to create a memorable package for these attendees to share with their respective teams.“
RCW Attendee
Ron F., Scarborough, ME
“I have participated in at least three Recreational Coaches Workshops and came away with valuable information that I was able implement into my program right away. The idea of getting the student to hit the ball early has been most successful for me. My new students like the idea of getting involved with rallying on their first lesson. I have gone to other workshops that taught different methods, but I find that Recreational Workshops give instant success.”
Ed G. via e-mail
“The trainers were extremely knowledgeable and entertaining instructors. There was never a dull moment. I give high recognition to anyone who can keep 60 plus people engaged for 6 hours. I truly appreciate the wealth of information they shared.”
RCW Attendee
Phyllis J., Beverly Hills, MI
If your community, association, organization, school or program is interested in hosting a Recreational Coach Workshop, please contact Andy McFarland at mcfarland@florida.usta.com or 386.671.8927.
> Recreational Coach Workshop Packet [PDF]
> Recreational Coach Workshop Host Site Application [DOC]
If you would like to customize your own RCW Flyer and/or Poster
to promote your Workshop, then please click here.