USTA League
Age Group Restructuring
USTA League Restructuring
Adult (18+)
Senior (50+)
Super Senior
(60+)
• Adult
• 18 & over
• 40 & over
• 55 & over
2013
• Adult 70 & over
Mixed (18+)
• Mixed
• 18 & over
• Mixed 40 & over
• Mixed 55 & over
TBD
2013
TBD
USTA League Task Force
July 9-10, 2008
Special Task Force established to:
Develop ideas which could result in
improved and more competitive Local
League Play, and to enhance growth at the
local level.
Composed of:
USTA Past President, USTA VP, Section
ED and SLC, Club owners, USTA League
Captains and players, National League
Committee Members and staff, etc.
USTA League Division Restructuring
Task Force Results (one of fourteen)
FINDING:
Age groupings seem outdated in today’s spread of league
participants. Age groupings of: 18 and over; 40 and over; 55 and
over (and perhaps a “masters” level of 70+) seem more
appropriate for principal league programs.
RECOMMENDATION:
Conduct a thorough assessment of age groupings in Adult, Senior
and Super Senior Leagues. Age groupings considered more
appropriate by the TF are: 18 and over; 40 and over; 55 and over
(and perhaps 70+).
Age Distribution of League Players
80,000
60,000
40,000
20,000
Age
81+
76-80
71-75
66-70
61-65
56-60
51-55
46-50
41-45
36-40
31-35
26-30
0
19-25
Unique Players
Players and Age
A Study of League Players
Conducted for:
Conducted by:
Presentation: 9/4/10
Study Approach
7
• This USTA study sought systematic feedback from USTA
league players, captains, and administrators on several
issues under consideration: possible age break and name
changes and possible changes in the configuration of match
play in the two older divisions.
• To meet the objective, a questionnaire was e-mailed to all
USTA league participants throughout the system. Nearly
25,000 respondents completed the survey online. Focus
groups, presentations to leadership groups and analysis by
the USTA League Committee and Staff completed this
initiative.
Estimated Effect of
Age Changes on Participation
6
Division
Structure
18+ / 50+ / 60+
18+
50+
60+
Projected #
of Players (1000)
460.4
356.7
79.7
24.1
% Change from existing
structure division
Existing
Existing
Existing
Existing
18+ / 40+ / 55+
18+
40+
55+
534.1
271.1
170.5
66.3
+ 16 %
- 24 %
+ 114 %
+ 175 %
18+ / 45+ / 60+
18+
45+
60+
483.4
292.5
137.8
40.5
+5%
- 18 %
+ 73 %
+ 68 %
18+ / 50+ / 65+
18+
50+
65+
442.0
310.3
105.2
19.8
-4%
- 13 %
+ 32 %
- 18 %
AGE RESTRUCTURING
-The OpportunityResearch and focus group results predict a significant increase in League participation
These changes will better align the age groups with our current and future
populations in USTA League
Tennis on Campus moving into USTA League and existing players aging up
An increase in players in each age group should help alleviate two-team league
challenge
Age restructure projected to produce more competitive match play and more
accurate ratings
Approved Concept
(2013 League Year)
Division
League Type
League Format
NTRP Levels
National
Program
Adult
18 & Over
2-Sing ;3-Dbl
1-Sing; 2Dbl
3.0; 3.5; 4.0; 4.5
2.5; 5.0
Yes
Yes
40 & over
2-Sing; 3-Dbl
3.0; 3.5; 4.0; 4.5
Yes
55 & over
3-Dbl
6.0; 7.0; 8.0; 9.0
Yes
70 & over?
3-Dbl
6.0; 7.0; 8.0
TBD
18 & over
3-Dbl
2.5; 6.0; 7.0; 8.0;
9.0; 10.0
Yes
40 & over
3-Dbl
6.0; 7.0; 8.0; 9.0
TBD
55 & over
3-Dbl
6.0; 7.0; 8.0
TBD
Mixed
Restructuring Topics of Interest
1.
2.
3.
• Will now have two Divisions: Adult & Mixed
• Local Format of play can use alternate formats if
determined essential due to local constraints
• 2.5 & 5.0+ levels only in 18 & Over
Restructuring Topics of Interest
4.
5.
6.
• 4.5+ play in 40 & Over
• Upper Adult age group will be Section sponsored
program until time TBD
• Mixed 40 & Over Nationals – TBD – possibly 2014
program
• Mixed 55 & Over – Section program until participation
level warrants national event
• Mixed 55 & Over is only “opt-in/out” in NTRP
Calculations
• xed
Restructuring Time Line
Apr.
2011
Approval of Concept
Summer 2011
Marketing & Promotion effort
Sept.
2011
Mar.
2012
Approval of National Regulations for
Restructuring concept
Final approval of 2013 National
Regulations
May
2012
Oct
2013
First Early Start League using the new
structure
First National Championships under
new structure
USTA League Restructuring
Adult (18+)
Senior (50+)
Super Senior
(60+)
• Adult
• 18 & over
• 40 & over
• 55 & over
2013
• Adult 70 & over
Mixed (18+)
• Mixed
• 18 & over
• Mixed 40 & over
• Mixed 55 & over
TBD
2013
TBD
USTA League
Age Group Restructuring