Line Clinic

The following Line Clinic associated with the Dallas Men’s 50K Challenger is open to all certified officials.  It does not matter if you have been officiating for several years, or if you just became certified with the class at Grapevine High School this Sunday, January 17^th.

(You are certified if took the Provisional exam or took & passed the USTA Officials Exam.)

If you would like to attend, please RSVP to:  cathy@hvglass.com

Dress comfortably & wear tennis shoes—uniform is not required.

T-Bar M Racquet Club

6060 Dilbeck Lane, Dallas, TX

Click Here for Map to T-Bar M

Friday, January 29^th

6-9pm

DFW National Certification School is THIS weekend.  Re-certification is mandatory for every official.  If you do not attend the school in Dallas, you may attend one elsewhere.  The options in Texas can be found at this website:  Texas Certification Schools.

There may also be a second certification school held in the DFW are in May or June, but this has not yet been confirmed.

The  weekend SCHEDULE is:

(All classes at Grapevine High School)

SATURDAY, 1/16 CURRENT OFFICIALS WITH 3 YEARS OR MORE SOLID EXPERIENCE

8-1    USTA              (break for lunch will be between USTA and Referee)

1-3    ITA

3-5    REFEREE

SUNDAY, 1/17 OFFICIALS WITH LESS THAN 3 YEARS OR NEW PEOPLE INTERESTED IN BECOMING AN OFFICIAL

8-1

Be sure to bring your completed answer sheets to the class.  There will not be any time given during the class to complete the tests!

Anyone who is interested in becoming certified to work college or to become a Referee is welcome to attend the Saturday ITA or Referee classes.  It is, however, recommended that if you have less than 3 years experience that you still attend the Sunday USTA class as it will cover more details needed for those newer to officiating.

Confirm the class(es) you are attending with Nancy Ebersole via email: ncebersole@yahoo.com

To:  All Current & Prospective Officials

National Certification School for DFW is Jan, 16-17, Grapevine High School, 3223 Mustang Dr., Grapevine, TX  76051

CURRENT OFFICIALS:  You must register first through NUCULA  (Remember this will be your 2010 work record as well!)  Bring completed USTA test and answer sheet as well as ITA & Referee tests if you want that certification.

NEW OR PROVISIONAL OFFICIALS: If you were not previously a certified official, you will not yet be able to create a NUCULA account.  Follow the instructions below

ALL CLASS ATTENDEES:

1. Email Nancy Ebersole [ncebersole@yahoo.com]

2. Let her know the date & class you plan to attend

3. Complete the USTA test prior to class

4. Bring completed test & answer sheet to class

5. Note: Provisionals & Prospective Officials-you will only attend the Sunday, Jan. 17th class)

6. Any additional questions, email Nancy or myself: cathykennan@metroplextennisofficials.org

2010 USTA, Referee and ITA School Pre-tests

All tests are now online.  Click the link below to access the tests.

All tests should be completed prior to attending class!  Bring your completed answer sheet & the questions for the review of the tests.

All officials will take the USTA test.

If you work college (or would be interested in working college) take the ITA test.

All Referees (and those interested in becoming one) should take the Referee test.

(Note:  taking the ITA or Referee test does not guarantee work opportunities.  Talk to Susan Wertenberger (Referee) or Randy McDonald (College) in training opportunities for each area.

Click here for USTA, Referee & ITA Tests

Minutes-2009 Annual Meeting

For those of you who made it to the annual meeting….Thanks!  It was great to see those of you we hadn’t seen for awhile and great to meet those of you we hadn’t!  We had great food & a good time as well.

For those of you who were unable to make the meeting, here are the minutes:

Minutes:  MTOA

General Meeting,  22 November 2009

Present:  Marsha Alexander, Bob Barrie, Dale Beckham, Martha Benson, Dee Birdwell, Stephanie Burnam, Carl Cogdill, Lynn Davis, Randall Edwards, Doug Fisher, Jim Garcia, Bill Jesburg, Cathy Kennan, Nancy King, Myron Krueger, Gayle Land, Carol Linden, Hugh Meilinger, Randy McDonald, Seande Pulley, Eddie Quinones, Gary Rayburn, Robert Reddert, Bruce Sampley, Lee Thornburg, Gary Tolbert, Susan Wertenberger, Max Wright, Roz Tuerk

Meeting called to order by president Cathy Kennan at 7:31 p.m.

A motion was made to accept the minutes as written.  Seconded and passed.

1 – Treasurer’s report:  Randall (Edwards) presented an itemized statement.  The tournament income so far this year is $180,487.11.   Last year – $196,074.59.   Net income (so far) this year $147.61.

2 -  An explanation was given regarding the independent contractor status of officials.  The MTOA is not an employer.  The USTA only certifies officials.  It also is not an employer.  Discussion.  Randall pointed out that as an independent contractor, all expenses are deductable.

3 -  Susan (Wertenberger) gave an update on training.  There was brief discussion on training class outside of the national school (s).  It was then stated that information will be on the website to help officials decide which type of officiating they are interested in pursuing.  It was also stated that the MTOA is there to be of assistance.  A preview document (by Stephanie Burnam) was made available.

4 -   Bruce (Sampley) talked briefly about NUCULA.

5 -  Bruce also mentioned that the Texas Section personnel will be observing tournaments.

6 -   Elections – The terms of four (4) board members expire this year.

Randall Edwards, Jim Garcia, Myron Krueger, and Roz Tuerk.  All have said that they would be willing to serve again.

Cathy called for any additional nominations from the floor.  There were none.  The board members were re-elected by acclamation.

A motion was made for adjournment.  Seconded and passed.

Meeting adjourned at 8:04 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Roz Tuerk, Secretary

MTOA

Annual  Meeting

Mark the Date!!

Sunday, November 22, 2009

7:00-9:00 PM

3059 Old Mill Run, Grapevine, TX

Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend!!

This is an opportunity to meet your fellow officials & referees.

More details to follow!

Welcome all new officials!  We’re glad to have you join the Metroplex Tennis Officials Association and hope you have many year of enjoyable & successful officiating!

First of all….Do know that you have just joined over 100 active and experienced officials in the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex.  Every new official has already had the opportunity to shadow with a couple of our most seasoned officials since they are the ones chosen to be trainers.   Do know that our goal is to provide the very best USTA official for each and every event!  Here’s how you can become one.

DO’S:

• Do check emails regularly for availability requests for tournaments
• Do respond to every availability request–whether or not you can work
• Do save the date if you have replied that you are available to work
• Do keep in touch with the Referee should something change in your availability
• Do show up to work at least 15 minutes prior to the beginning of your shift–either to check nets & courts or to relieve the prior official
• Do spend time on-court.
  
  
• Do take your break away from the courts.
  
  
• Do call foot-faults.
• Do give necessary code violations
• Do record all codes & advise the Referee
• Do check with the desk prior to each scheduled match time  to confirm on-time arrivals (if you are the only official at a site)
• Do keep your Referee informed of any issues or potential problems
• Do review your FAC before & after every tournament to reinforce your knowledge
• Do work many different types of tournaments–it takes many kinds (adults & juniors) to get the best experience
• Do wear the proper attire–look professional!
  
  

DONT’S:

• Don’t ever talk about other officials to another official.  If you have an issue, discuss it with the Referee directly.
  
  
• Don’t expect officiating to support you or guarantee you a 20-hour work week.  As a new official, assignments may be sporadic until the Referees become more familiar with you & you gain experience.
• Don’t expect to get to work every tournament you are available for–many tournaments require officials with more experience than you will have for awhile.
• Don’t expect to get to work for every Referee–each Referee is free to hire or not hire the officials they feel are best for each and every tournament–you are an independent contractor, not an employee.
  
  
• Don’t spend time excessive time at the desk–a 10 minute break or a brief check to see that all players have checked in is appropriate
  
  
• Don’t accept an assignment & and cancel to work a different tournament–the best way to not get future offers.
• Don’t be a “know-it-all”  You really don’t know all there is to know about officiating…even if you or your kids have played tennis “forever”

As a new official, look to your Referee for any rules  or techniques clarification.    Continue to check this website as we post tournament scenarios to test your knowledge.  Additionally, we will have many training opportunities to be offered in the future–both lines clinics as well as chair training.