2003 is looking like one of the most exciting years we will ever experience in Northern California tennis! Much of the credit should go to our outgoing President Mark Manning, to our (relatively) new Executive Director Bruce Hunt, and to our technological wizard, Mike Friedman. Combined with a board of directors which has focused solely on the issues that concern our tennis players, and a staff that has rolled up its sleeves and worked closely with our volunteer committees, we hope to implement programs that will significantly benefit Northern California tennis for years to come.

Here are a few of the major programs initiated in 2002:
1. A new ranking system called Points Per Round was approved. Points Per Round is a highly effective ranking system used by virtually every major tennis playing country in the world (including the WTA and ATP). This system has been used by the Florida Section for three years, and Florida is very happy with the results. In the first year, Florida experienced a 28 per cent overall increase in match play!

2. A new partnership with the USPTA/PTR was formed to focus on introducing tennis to young juniors (ages 6-10). The partnership will rely heavily on the talent of the experts in junior tennis. They will help introduce an exciting USTA program (Rallyball) that utilizes a team approach for our youngest potential players.

3. The super tie-break in lieu of a third set was approved for all local League play (previously required at Districts, Sectionals and Nationals). While this has been a controversial decision, there are some very good reasons why the Board felt this was in the best interest of the USTA NorCal tennis for the long run.

4. We will be expanding our Community Coordinator staff from 7 to 13 in an effort to more effectively deliver USTA programs to our Member Organizations and ultimately to our members. In conjunction with this increase, we will be introducing a comprehensive accountability process designed to help us more effectively respond to and act on the needs of our membership.

5. Our Inner City Development Program has been re-focused to provide more quality, ongoing instruction to our multicultural, athletic youths who have demonstrated interest and/or promise in tennis.

These are just a few of the programs that were initiated in 2002.

One of my major responsibilities in 2003 will be to help ensure that these programs are successfully implemented. AND I WILL NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE. If you want to become a volunteer, please contact me. If you have ideas on how we can improve please contact me. If you simply want to enjoy the result of our efforts, let me know how it is going!

We may not always agree, but I can assure you that during my tenure as president I will encourage open debate, well thought out ideas and a single-minded purpose to promote and develop the growth of the game of tennis in our section.

Paul Kepler
President