PPTA Joins USPTA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 4, 2015

USPTA Expands to Incorporate PPTA, Platform Tennis
USPTA to take on administrative functions, certification and education

HOUSTON – The United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) will expand to incorporate the Professional Platform Tennis Association (PPTA), as announced by the USPTA on Monday.

The USPTA Executive Committee voted to incorporate the PPTA into the association during its semiannual meetings in Houston in April.  With a vote by its membership in May to dissolve, the PPTA will cease to exist and become a part of the USPTA beginning Aug. 1. The USPTA will assist with administrative functions and handle certification and education responsibilities for platform tennis-teaching professionals.

Platform tennis will become a separate tested membership category under the USPTA. All professionals who become certified in platform tennis will receive all of the same benefits and pay the same annual dues as current USPTA-certified tennis professionals.

“With so many facilities where USPTA Professionals teach offering platform tennis, there is an increasing need for professionals who are certified in the sport,” said USPTA CEO John Embree. “The steady growth in this game provides USPTA Professionals who become certified in platform tennis more job and business opportunities.”

USPTA Professionals will be encouraged to become certified in platform tennis, and platform tennis professionals will be encouraged to become USPTA-certified.

“Since its inception, the PPTA has continued to grow along with the game of platform tennis. Joining the USPTA with its resources and experience presents the PPTA with a tremendous opportunity as both organizations are committed to the education and advancement of racquet professionals,” said PPTA President Brad Easterbrook. “We are looking forward to working with the USPTA to educate new professionals, grow the game of platform tennis, and provide greater opportunities for educational and professional growth for all Platform Tennis Professionals throughout the country.”

“The American Platform Tennis Association (APTA) is thrilled with the announcement that the PPTA will be combining with the USPTA,” said Scott Bondurant, APTA President. “We look forward to working hand in glove with the USPTA and PPTA board to do everything we can to continue to grow this game we love."

Tennis-teaching professionals will have the opportunity to learn more about platform tennis at the 2015 USPTA World Conference in New Orleans. The sport will be incorporated into the education curriculum along with a booth at the annual Buying Show for conference attendees to learn more about including the game into their tennis programming.

For more information on the USPTA, visit www.uspta.com.

About the PPTA
The Professional Platform Tennis Association was formally incorporated in 2000 in Colorado and is a not-for-profit trade association for people who teach platform tennis on a full or part-time basis.  It was created to strengthen the standards of teaching platform tennis as a profession and is governed by an elected Board of Directors. The goal of the PPTA is to work with players, club owners, club managers, manufacturers and other allied organizations to increase interest and awareness of platform tennis.  The more than 400 members of the PPTA serve as a delivery system for programs, products and services that increase awareness of the sport. Visit www.pptausa.com for more information.

About USPTA
Founded in 1927, USPTA strives to raise the standards of the tennis profession while promoting greater awareness of the sport. USPTA offers nearly 70 professional benefits to its more than 15,000 members worldwide, including certification and professional development. With more than 300 days of educational opportunities throughout the year, USPTA offers the most comprehensive continuing education program in the tennis industry. For more information visit www.uspta.com, or follow us at facebook.com/USPTA.Official and @USPTA_Tennis. 

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CONTACT:

USPTA
Christiana Johns, Public Relations Coordinator
713-978-7782, ext. 114
christiana.johns@uspta.org

Julie Myers, Creative Services Director
julie.myers@uspta.org