Why should you sanction your event?

Quite simply, sanctioning your event through the United States Racquetball Association helps you to provide your tournament entrants with the best competition in the safest environment. It’s one of the USRA’s most important goals, and we've made it easy for your host site to do the same.

The Best Competition — By sanctioning your event, you gain access to a target market of confirmed, dedicated athletes and enthusiasts who are committed to competitive racquetball. Our member base includes the full spectrum of players, from novice up-and-comers to elite U.S. Team and pro tour athletes -- all made available to you through a series of local, state and national administrative support services.

The Safest Environment — Sanctioning protects your players and your club with two-part insurance coverage -- secondary accident coverage for your entrants, and site liability coverage for your facility. USRA members are protected from excess medical expense in the event of injury at your event; and your tournament facility is protected from damage claims related to the event.

The USRA — The United States Racquetball Association is a not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) corporation designed to promote the development of competitive and recreational racquetball in the United States. The association is recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee as the official national governing body for the sport, and offers member institutions and individuals an opportunity to participate and contribute to the development and growth of the sport. The USRA was founded in 1968.

benefits

Once an event is sanctioned, the USRA will aid in the marketing of your event by providing the tournament director with:
• Mailing labels of USRA members for those states requested
• Rulebooks, membership applications, tournament result forms, sample issues of Racquetball magazine and other promotional material
• Current USRA membership lists for the states requested
• Current USRA state rankings to assist with seeding, upon request
• In addition, your properly sanctioned event will also receive:
  • $5,000,000 General Aggregate per event liability coverage
  • Secondary accident medical insurance for all USRA registered members*
  • Advance promotion of your event in RACQUETBALL Magazine (subject to deadlines)
  • Exclusivity of dates to host an event as set forth by your state association

*If injury occurs at a sanctioned event, the competitive license holder can file a claim for what could be considered “catastrophic coverage.” The participant’s primary carrier must meet the deductible before the secondary coverage goes into effect. The injured party must be treated by a physician within 30 days of the injury and the claimant form be filed within 90 days of the accident. Failure to follow these guidelines may result in forfeiture of this benefit. A complete outline of the liability and athlete insurance is available on request. Remember that all incidents, no matter how minor, must be reported to the USRA immediately.

responsibilities

Pre-Event Requirements — Before your event begins, each sanctioned event host must agree to insure that:
• ALL event participants are current USRA members in good standing*
• USRA rules will be followed including the use of lensed eyewear during warmup and match play
• The event will be conducted at standards set forth by your state association & the USRA

Post-Event Reporting — Following your sanctioned event, three wrap-up requirements must be met:
• Complete event results must be submitted to the USRA or your state association
• Fees are to be submitted as appropriated for the three levels of membership for new and renewing members to the USRA
• Membership applications must be submitted from each event to the USRA or your state association

your state association

The USRA recognizes an affiliate association in each state to serve as the local organizing body and liaison to the national office. Each is recognized as an autonomous association with an elected board. Many state associations are incorporated as non-profit business operations, while others are working to gain the recognition and support of their members and tournament directors.

All state associations are charged with the primary functions of perpetuating, promoting and developing the sport of racquetball in their respective states. At the national office, all inquiries from members “in the field” seeking information at the local level will be directed to their state association. Another function of the state association is to sanction events.

The state sanctions an event and the USRA recognizes that sanction. The state should:
• Identify all events for the calendar year that have applied for sanctioning
• Coordinate available weekends with club tournament directors
• Assure that USRA rules and sanctioning guidelines will be followed

how to sanction an event

Use the online state association directory to find out how to sanction your event, since many states maintain their own websites with current calendars, and can be contacted direct via email for sanctioning requests. Or call the USRA at 719-635-5396 for the name and phone number of your local state affiliate.

For more information please contact: USRA Membership Director — United States Racquetball Association 1685 West Uintah Colorado Springs, CO 80904-2921 Tel: 719/635-5396 ext. 23 Fax: 719/635-0685

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