The Pathway to Professional Development

PTR members are some of the most active in the tennis industry when it comes to seeking new information and furthering their knowledge of the game. Taking the time and effort to become a better teacher, coach, tennis director or manager should be recognized as an advancement in your career. To provide support for members who continue to develop professionally, PTR has initiated the Merit Achievement Program (MAP).

The purpose of the MAP Program is to:

• encourage PTR members to continuously upgrade their skills and knowledge
• enhance PTR members’ career paths by providing credit for educational activities
• provide an additional rating designation which is an indication to students and employers that PTR members are active in current industry trends and teaching techniques
• recognize PTR members who continue to . . . Make a World of Difference.

The Merit Achievement Program is divided into two rating categories:

MAP Ratings

MAP ratings allow PTR members to supplement their current certification rating with 1A, 2A, 3A, 4A and 5A levels of professional development. Members who have raised their standard through workshops, courses, conferences, degree programs or other educational activities, will be recognized for their dedication to improving professionally. Every certified member of PTR (Associate Instructor, Instructor, Professional) is eligible to participate in the program. To qualify for the additional rating, members must meet a specific requirement (MAP points). Once the point requirement is fulfilled and verified, members will be issued a certificate indicating their continued involvement in professional development. The requirement is met through a point system. Requirements for each level of professional development are:

For example, a member who has a Professional rating and has completed 60 points will carry the rating PROFESSIONAL 2A. An Associate Instructor who has completed 90 points will carry the rating ASSOCIATE INSTRUCTOR 3A. These ratings will appear on a member’s new certification certificate upon renewal the following year.

Obtaining & Verifying MAP Points

MAP points are obtained by attending educational activities and events they attend. To verify your points, you must provide documented confirmation of attendance and participation in each educational activity. The preferred documentation would be a certificate (copy acceptable) received from the event. Other possible means to confirm attendance may be the official name badge from the event or a letter confirming attendance. Brochures of events will not be considered as confirmation of attendance.

In general, educational courses and workshops receive 5 points. These courses must be a minimum of three hours in duration. Educational conferences lasting three days or more (a minimum of 20 hours), such as USTA Tennis Teachers Conference, may be eligible for 10 MAP points. The PTR International Tennis Symposium is worth 15 points.

Applying for Your MAP Points

Applications for MAP Ratings are available through PTR International Headquarters or at www.ptrtennis.org/MAP_Application.pdf. You will be asked to list all your activities and attach documentation verifying your attendance. Please supply only copies of your documents. No materials will be returned.

If your submitted activities are acceptable, you will:

• receive the additional rating designation on your next membership certificate
• be issued a separate certificate in recognition of your commitment to professional development
• be listed in a special section of the annual PTR Membership Handbook

If your submitted activities do not meet the requirement, your application will be returned. You will be given an opportunity to reapply and amend the deficiency.

Acceptable MAP Activities

The following is a list of activities/events that may be used to complete MAP rating professional development requirements. This is not a complete list and there may be additional activities that will qualify for point credit.

PTR

• Workshops (5 points): Competitive/Situational Games, Play Action drills, Club & Event Programming, Successful Doubles, Advanced Successful Doubles, Drills & Skill Building, Growing Kids-Growing the Game, mental Training, Tennis Business Management.
• International Tennis Symposia (10 points), regional symposia, international workshops and conferences.
• PTR International Tennis Symposium (15 points)

International Tennis Federation (ITF)

• All educational courses and workshops conducted for coaches and tennis teachers.

National Tennis Associations and Federations (USTA, LTA, DTB, etc.)

• Workshops, conferences, courses and other educational opportunities offered by a country’s recognized tennis teaching organization.

Other acceptable educational activities offered by:

• Intercollegiate Tennis Association; International Heath Racquet & Sportsclub Association; United States Professional Tennis Association; accredited college or universities; and Van der Meer TennisUniversity courses.

As a general guideline, and educational activity that can further an individual’s knowledge of tennis, the sport sciences, coaching techniques or tennis business skills is acceptable. PTR International Headquarters will have the final determination on every activity. Look for the MAP or MAP Points logo indicating that an activity is participating in PTR’s professional development program. Please note, however, that many acceptable activities may not display the MAP logo.