USRA Programs

USRA MISSION STATEMENT

The United States Racquetball Association provides opportunities for members and supporters to participate in the sport of racquetball at all recreational and competitive levels.

Vision Statement: The United States Racquetball Association (USRA), as a member of the United States Olympic Committee and National Governing Body for the sport of racquetball, strives to promote the development of recreational and competitive racquetball through sanctioning of events, administration of programs, and development of competitive teams. The USRA is committed to excellence and service by providing opportunities for members and supporters to participate in the sport of racquetball.

Objectives:
Membership support - the USRA values its members and will strive to provide the best possible member services at all levels.
Membership recruitment – the USRA believes that racquetball is a lifetime endeavor and the benefits of health, recreation, and competition should be available to everyone. The USRA will strive to expand its membership in order to share these benefits with as many players and supporters as possible.
Promotion of the sport – The USRA will promote the numerous benefits of participation through mass marketing efforts in order to sustain a strong player base.
Competitive success – The USRA will strive to maintain America’s position as the number one racquetball nation in the world. Success at the elite levels has a positive influence on every other facet of our sport.
Sponsors and supporters – The USRA values its relationship with sponsors and supporters and will continue to maximize exposure to their products and services by members and supporters of our sport.

MEMBERSHIP SERVICES

USRA Membership
All players who wish to participate in any USRA sanctioned tournament must purchase a one-year membership for $30.00. A lifetime membership is also offered for $1000.00. [Secure online sign-up]

Members are provided with a membership card indicating eligibility to compete in all USRA sanctioned tournaments, plus receive a six-issue subscription to the official association publication, RACQUETBALL magazine. Other benefits include: Secondary competition accident coverage while participating in a USRA sanctioned tournaments; Member discounts on United Airlines when flying to a Regional, Invitational or National Championship, plus Alamo rent-a-car discounts; Special USRA MBNA Visa program.

State Association Program
The USRA continuously develops and adds programs to its member benefit package. To assist in administering these programs at the local level, state affiliate organizations have been established in each state and a portion of all membership fees is provided to offset the cost of operations. Each state is required to publish a quarterly newsletter targeted specifically for the state readership to be eligible to receive the funds.

National, Regional and State Ranking System
Developed by the USRA for the purpose of recognizing players for their accomplishments and to help with the seeding for local, state, regional and national USRA sanctioned tournaments. Currently, over 100,000 performance records are maintained in these systems.

AMPRO Certification Program
The American Professional Racquetball Organization program has certified over 800 instructors and clinicians since its inception in 1985. The program offers clinics and testing throughout the country, advises instructors on marketing techniques and teaching methods, and services a network of professional instructors, managers-programmers and coaches with manuals and teaching materials. The program is designed to create a standardized level of quality certification and programming in three distinct areas: professional instruction; programming, and coaching, plus offers a management component designed to assist club owners in developing profitable racquetball programs and reaching their recreational player market. Affiliated with the International Health and Racquet Sports Association [IHRSA], the program reaches upwards of 3,000 facilities with racquetball courts and their accompanying three million recreational members through print and online outreach [www.usampro.com].

Referee Certification Program
The national Referee Certification program is implemented through state program officials who assist in providing certification to referees throughout the country. Officials are certified at state, regional or national levels, and are used according to that level of expertise to oversee match play at sanctioned tournaments. The USRA program is designed to instruct and certify any USRA member who wishes to become a qualified referee.

National Outreach Program
The National Outreach Program is designed to take racquetball into the inner cities of this country to teach the disadvantaged how to play racquetball. This program is directed at the youth of our country but would not preclude any person regardless of age, race, sex, national origin to participate.

Scholarship Program
Graduating high school seniors and college undergraduates can apply for competitive USRA scholarships each year (by the deadline of June 15). Underwritten by USRA members and the National Masters Racquetball Council (through tax-deductible donations to the scholarship fund), awards totaling over $20,000.00 have been awarded since the program began in 1990.

DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRAMS

Junior Program
Each year the USRA sanctions state, regional, and national championships for junior players aged 5 to 18. Through the efforts of the Junior Council, the USRA has established an annual international event, the Junior World Championships, sanctioned by the International Racquetball Federation. Many state organizations offer official junior programs, and have established and support state "Junior Teams."

High School Program
This nationwide program involves young players interested in representing their schools at the annual U.S. National High School Championships. Positions are reserved on the U.S. Junior Team for the winners of this marquee event. Through the combined efforts of the High School and Junior Councils, increasing numbers of high schools are involved in the tournament each year.

Intercollegiate Program
The USRA Intercollegiate program is designed to aid in the development of intercollegiate and intramural racquetball programs. State, regional and national competitions are offered for undergraduate competitors, and positions on the U.S. National Racquetball Team are reserved for winners of the National Intercollegiate Championships held each spring. The program has grown to include over 60 colleges and universities which field a team to the National Championships.

COMPETITIVE & TRAINING PROGRAMS

United States National Racquetball Team
The first U.S. National Racquetball Team was fielded to compete at the World Championships in 1981. Since then, annual qualifiers have determined the membership of the team, which represents the United States in International competition. Currently the team is made up of the top-ranking professionals from each men's and women's tour (2 players); the top three male and female finishers in the U.S. National Championships (6 players); the top two male and female doubles teams in the National Doubles Championships (8 players); and the male and female Intercollegiate champions (2 players).

United States Junior National Racquetball Team
The first "Junior Team USA" was selected in the summer of 1991, through a series of qualifying events and team trials. Now aligned with its adult counterpart, players are appointed to the team on the basis of finishes at annual qualifiers. The team is currently comprised of the National High School Champions (2 players); and Junior Olympic singles finalists from the 18-/16-/14- divisions (12 players), and the Junior Olympic 18-/16-/14- doubles champions (12 players). "Junior Team USA" members represent the United States in international competition, plus conduct clinics and goodwill tours at home and abroad.

National Elite Training Camps
Annually, the USRA offers the country's top racquetball players an opportunity to receive physical and psychological training from the best instructors in the country. Attendees qualify on the basis of early application and consideration of their finishes at regional qualifying events, and a limited number of applications are accepted. Both adult and junior elite training camps are offered, as well as U.S. National Team training and trial events. Conducted at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, the elite training camps are highly competitive, sought after and valuable training opportunities.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
[For additional detail, request/refer to separate prospectus]

PROGRAMS
U.S. National Racquetball Team
U.S. National Junior Racquetball Team
American Professional Racquetball Organization [AMPro]
Intercollegiate Program
High School Program

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
U.S. National Singles - 1,500 players, 2,000 spectators
U.S. National Doubles - 1,000 players, 2000 spectators
U.S. National Junior Olympics - 800 players, 1,000 spectators
U.S. National Intercollegiates - 450 players, 900 spectators
U.S. National High Schools - 200 players, 300 spectators
U.S. Open Racquetball Championships - 700 players, 2,500 spectators, national television coverage

OFFICIAL PRODUCT SPONSORSHIPS
Official Racquet
Official Glove
Official Shoe
Official Eyewear
Official String
Official Grip
Official Ball

STATE & REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Over 1200 events are sanctioned each year
50 Level Three State Championships, nationwide
20 Level Four Adult Regional Championships. All held in major market areas.
10 Level Four Intercollegiate Regional Championships. All held on large university campuses.
4 Level Five National Invitational events.

MEDIA: PUBLICATIONS & VIDEO

RACQUETBALL
RACQUETBALL Magazine is the official publication of the USRA, geared to an audience of USRA member/competitors, court club facilities and a growing subscriber list of international readers, recreational players, industry retailers and overseas affiliates. The 64-page bi-monthly magazine is published in full-color and features national and international events, personalities, top-rated instructional articles, pro tour coverage and schedules, state and regional news, program updates, industry reports, national rankings and current calendar of USRA sanctioned events. Online previews of each issue serve an ever-growing Internet audience.

Rulebook
The USRA Rulebook includes the most recent official rules, plus professional tour rules and approved modifications for specialty play, along with policies and procedures which govern sanctioned tournaments. It is offered for purchase, at nominal cost, and an abridged official "rules of play" version is distributed annually as a member benefit, via RACQUETBALL magazine.

Recordbook
The USRA Recordbook is published periodically within RACQUETBALL magazine, and made available at national events. The publication features a history of the sport and complete listings of national and international champions and award winners named since the sport was founded in 1968. An expanded Factbook version contains an added media guide segment and tournament guide information

Media Guides
Event media guides are published prior to national events, and feature selected athlete bios and articles, media information and tournament details, along with individual event recordbooks and contact information.

Instructional Videotapes
The USRA has produced a series of three instructional videotapes entitled "Learn Your Lessons" I, II and III. This ongoing project is intended to provide the most comprehensive and up-to-the-minute professional instruction in video form. Additional promotional and instructional videotape projects are ongoing.