APTA Annual Meeting highlights

Weston Golf Club, in Weston, Massachusetts, was the host of the 2012 APTA Board Meeting and Annual Meeting. Despite two warm spring days beckoning, the board was able to tackle its full agenda. As the governing body of platform tennis, the APTA continues to look for ways to improve communication within the sport throughout the country, build the game by making it accessible to all corners, and streamline rules and tournament and Nationals coordination.

Hellos and Goodbyes:
One important order of business was voting in new board members and saying farewell to those who have served their three-year terms. The APTA Board approved three new members—President of the APTA, Rob Coster, of Region II, Steve Caccam, also from Region II, and Sara Lanthier, of Region IV (the Canadian connection). Tim McAvoy chaired the Friday meeting as outgoing President of the APTA. He will be missed. The Board also said goodbye to Tom Safford and Paul Wiggin. Their service has been much appreciated.

Business Financials:
Alia Main reported that the financial position of the APTA is strong. Revenues were up over last year.

Grow the Game:
The “Grow the Game” initiative continues to create a much needed boost for clubs and municipalities aiming to build new courts or rehab older courts. Peter Lauer described the system in place for scoring grant applicants. In the seventh year of the program, over 100 projects have been proposed.

Exhibitions and Clinics:
Last year, the APTA sponsored ten clinics around the country. This year’s clinics and exhibitions will be held in Toronto; Scituate, MA; Denver, CO; Fairfield County and Salisbury, CT; Newport, RI; Rochester, NY; and Chapel Hill, NC.

Hall of Fame Selection Committee:
The Hall of Fame Selection Committee was approved and includes: Bob Brown, Chair; Steve Baird, VP; Scott Bondurant; Patty Hogan; Walt Peckinpaugh; Deirdre Redden; and Tim McAvoy.

Juniors:
Tom Safford and Steve Caccam presented. There were over 600 players on the junior tour and thirteen tournaments were held in seven states. The College program is now part of the Junior tour.

Membership:
Ann Sheedy presented the following information. The APTA added three new leagues: Boston, Western Mass, and the PPTA. Kansas City came back as a league. Baltimore women dropped out. All league numbers increased except for Rochester and Cleveland. A record number of clubs (222) joined this year. The database now lists 470 facilities. The club gifts were chosen and approved and will be sent out to member clubs this fall.

Courts and Building:
Rob Coster reported the court builders’ update, stating that last year saw rapid growth and demand. Some builders saw a three-fold growth in their business. Next season projections are for at least the same level of growth. Wilson reports paddle is the fastest growing segment of its business.

Equipment:
Fritz Odenbach reviewed the equipment rules. The Board voted to require the standard ball (vs. the low bounce ball) be used at all National Championships. When submitting equipment for APTA approval, manufacturers will be requested to submit independent lab reports (similar to Underwriters’ Laboratories) showing that their product falls within the specification established by the APTA. (A full listing of all APTA-approved paddles and balls will be listed
on the website.)

Regional News:
All seven regions reported in at the Annual Meeting on Friday evening. The consensus was that the game is growing in all regions.

Player Rating System /National Ranking System:
John Noble talked about these two systems. The PPTA is working on a Player Rating System to be distributed country-wide. A new NRT tournament weighting system has been created. (Look for the explanation on the APTA website in the future.)

Website / League Dashboard / Social Media:
John Noble discussed the success of the Live Scoring and Live Streaming at major tournaments and Nationals this year. The League Dashboard and MyAPTA are in the works and should be available early this season. Sara Lanthier will be in charge of the APTA Facebook page. Regions have been encouraged to create their own Facebook pages. Region II and IV have already done so.

Seniors:
Courtia Worth talked about all the changes in the Seniors (or 45+). The Women’s 40+ Nationals is now the Women’s 45+ Nationals. Several Senior events are changing locations. The Women’s 45+160+ Nationals are moving to Chicago this year, the Men’s 45+155+165+ are moving to Cincinnati, the Mixed 60+ Nationals are going to the Villages in Florida and the Mixed 50+/H/W 50+ Nationals will be in Allentown, PA.

Platform Tennis Magazine:
The Platform Tennis Magazine Committee (headed by Amy Halstead) met prior to the Annual Meeting to discuss the direction of the magazine. Wayne Dollard joined the group to discuss the issues of timeliness, content and communication between the APTA and Dollard Publishing. New features will include senior news, volunteers, and destination tournaments.

Awards:
The 2012 APTA Service Award was given to Anne Flemming of California. Hendy Dayton received it on her behalf and presented it to Anne in California in June.

Source: Platform Tennis Magazine, Vol. 14, Issue 1, September, 2012