A Word From Our President

MTOA Officials,

Just a reminder.  Complete your work record on Nucula making sure that your school grades are included. Once completed, highlight the My Account tab and click on the My Settings tab.  Next click on the Certs Tab and scroll down the 2014 Pending Certifications and at the bottom is the Re-certification request button.

This must be completed by October 31, 2013.

Best regards,

Lee Thornburn
MTOA President

New Chair Training Opportunities Being Offered

In order to succeed in the ITA world or in the world of officiating in general the key to success is TRAINING AND MORE TRAINING.  As officials we never get too old to learn and if we expect to be successful in our profession, we need to be as well-trained as possible.

This is especially true in the ITA officiating realm.  Many officials aspire to do chairs at collegiate matches since they are some of the most exciting venues in tennis--but--you will never get that opportunity if you aren't trained in chair work.  The beginning stepping stone for this is the chair training that is offered this fall at Highland Park High School and UNT.  This training opens the door for spring ITA work and ultimately the Texas Section Chair Academy in May.  If one aspires to do Big 12 work, the Chair Academy is a requirement.

The only requirement for the fall training is that you are a USTA certified official and have a desire to learn.  An ITA certification would be helpful but not required.  The training consists of doing chairs at a dual match under the supervision of a trained instructor.  Listed below are the dates for the training:

HIGHLAND PARK HIGH SCHOOL

August 23                               August 24

September 3                           September 10

September 24                         September 27

October 4

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS COLLEGIATE TOURNAMENT

November 1-2, 2013

Since these opportunities are for training purposes only there will be no pay but the experience gained is invaluable.  If you are interested, contact Randy McDonald at 214 796 7402 or rmtennis@yahoo.com

New Officiating Opportunity

Officials needed to work the USTA SuperExcellence Tournament Aug. 31 - Sept 2 in Richardson, TX.

This tournament features the best players in Texas.

If you are interested in working the tournament, please send message to Joe Mounger at mounger@gmail.com.  Include what days you can work and if you want to work all day or a shift; if just a shift indicate which shift.  Shifts run 7:30 am - 1:30 pm and 1:30 pm until end of day.

Chair Training Opportunities

The month of August marks the beginning of some new CHAIR TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES in Dallas.  The chair training will take place at Highland Park High School during the school's fall dual matches.  There will be an instructor at every match and anyone is welcome to participate.  The only requirements are that you be a certified USTA official and desire to learn to do chair officiating.  Here are the dates for the chair training:

August 23        Opportunities at 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
September 3     3:30 p.m.
September 10   3:30 p.m.
September 20   3:30 p.m.
September 24   3:30 p.m.
September 27   3:30 p.m.
October 4         3:30 p.m.

This chair training is invaluable for advancement in ITA officiating and provides a great opportunity to also attend the Texas Section Chair Academy in May, 2014.

There will also be a special CHAIR EVALUATION OPPORTUNITY on October 5th.  If you are needing an evaluation there will be a certified evaluator on hand to provide you with an eval.  Reservations are required for this evaluation.

To participate in either the chair training or the evaluation, email Randy McDonald at rmtennis@yahoo.com or call him at 214 796 7402

Plano Officials School--May 12th

There will be an Officials School in Plano on May 12, 2013.  Here is the information:

Time:  1:00 p.m.

Location:  Southfork Hotel, Plano, Texas

Schools offered:  Sectional, Referee, and ITA

How to sign up:  Go to the blog (http://www.tennisofficials.blogspot.com/) and click on "Schools Registration Link" on the right side of the blog.

Contact Person:  Randy McDonald  (214 796 7402)

Welcome To New Members

The MTOA just finished their annual January school and we have some new members among us.  WELCOME!  We hope that you will find this blog informative and helpful as you begin your new officiating life in the Metroplex.

The blog is making two very important documents available to you upon request.  First, is a copy of the new 2013 ITA RULE CHANGES.  There are some key rule changes this year so you will need this document to keep you well informed.

Second, we have available a new power point presentation for CHAIR OFFICIALS.  The presentation covers all aspect of chairing and is an invaluable tool for every official--experienced or not.

If you would like copies of either of these documents--simply email us at the above listed email address and they will be send to you.

ADDITIONAL METROPLEX SCHOOL

There will be another officials school offered in the Metroplex on May 12, 2013.  The school will be held in Plano, Texas and begins at 1:00 p.m. on May 12th.  You can register online by clicking on the appropriate site on the right side of this blog.

2013 FRIEND AT COURT RULEBOOK

For all new officials--if you did not receive a 2013 FAC, you may request one by emailing us at the above listed email address.  There are copies available but only for new officials.

DFW National School Information

For all those attending the DFW National School on January 19-20, 2013, please print out and bring the following handouts in addition to your tests and results:

http://www.usta.com/About-USTA/Officials/officials school handouts/

SCHOOL TIME & LOCATION

Classes will begin each day at 8:00 a.m. at Grapevine High School.

For further information or questions contact Mara Chase at mara.chase@softswitchcom.com