The Maze Cup is an annual team match played between the top juniors from Northern California and Southern California. It includes both boys' and girls' 18 and 16. It is played using a 5-match Davis Cup format. The site of the competition rotates between Northern and Southern California. The Bakersfield Racquet Club will host the Maze Cup in 2007.

All players interested in participating in the Maze Cup must submit a letter of interest by a date to be determined by the Director of Junior Tennis. From players expressing interest, the Director of Junior Tennis will select the Maze Cup Team. Selection shall be based on any combination of USTA NorCal singles and doubles rankings, national singles and doubles standings, the amount of tournament play within USTA NorCal, and sportsmanship.

The Herb Cup is named in honor of Peter Herb, the former executive director of USTA Northern California, and his family. The top eight doubles players in each age division who have collected the most points, from January 1, 2007 through a date yet to be determined, will be selected to play in a one-day tournament hosted by USTA NorCal. Participation in this tournament by invitation only.

The USTA NorCal Junior Excellence Program was initiated in 1994 to improve performance at national events. These are one-day workouts for high performance players immediately prior to the USTA National Championships (December / April, and July / August). Two workouts prior to each USTA National Championship will be held; one for the BG 18 and 16 and one for the BG 14 and 12.

Participation in this program is by invitation from USTA NorCal.

USTA Competition Training Center Teams are designed for a select group of the most promising junior players between the ages of 10 and 14 who reside in a given geographical area. In all, over 100 area training centers are in place across the United States, providing instruction in the sports sciences and drills and match play with other top juniors in each area. Participation on these teams is by invitation only. Graduates of the USTA Competition Training Centers could be selected to participate in cross-sectional camps and in training sessions at a USTA Regional Training Center.

USTA NorCal Regional Training Center Teams are designed for a select group of the most promising junior players between the ages of 14 and 18 who reside in a given geographical area. The Regional Training Centers provide instruction in the sports sciences and drills and match play with other top juniors in each area. Participation on these teams is by invitation only.

This is a new pilot program that will be held at 10 Novice and/or Challenger level tournaments in 2007 among geographic regions of NorCal. This program will provide free clinics to the players and tournament education for the parents.

USTA NorCal has established a Coaching Commission to create the best training and competitive environment for our section's juniors. Headed by Jeff Southwick, the Commission provides guidance to those juniors who wish to advance to the national level. In addition, it helps identify talent and makes recommendations regarding proper playing and training schedules.

Current coaching commission members are:

College tennis is fun and exciting and it's happening at a college near you! Check online for the local colleges near you for more information about the womenÕs and men's tennis match schedules.

CLICK HERE to download a copy of "Friend at Court."

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You can also purchase a copy of "Friend at Court" by calling 1-888-832-8291.

The USTA NorCal offers free clinics in conjunction with the SAP Open, Bank of the West Classic and Comerica Challenger professional tennis tournaments.

Since 1990, USTA NorCal's Multicultural Participation Committee has played an active role in identifying and eliminating barriers which prevent ethnically diverse people from gaining full participation in organized tennis. Minorities are defined as African-Americans, Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders, Hispanics, and Native Americans.

We encourage you to join us in our mission. If you would like a copy of our grant application, a list of multicultural outreach programs or have any questions about our programs, please contact Sharon Smith-Mauney, Director of Diversity, at (510) 748-7373 x 2919.