What Does Being a Certified Coach Really Mean with Sid Newcomb
Welcome to Season 8, Episode 24 of the ParentingAces Podcast! In this week's conversation, I chat with Sid Newcomb, lead tester for the USPTA.
For those unfamiliar with USPTA, it is one of the most highly-regarded certifying organizations for tennis coaches, and its offices are located directly across the street from the USTA National Campus in Lake Nona, Florida. The organization was founded in September of 1927 in New York and has grown to over 15,000 members in its 92 years. Member coaches must go through an education and testing process before receiving their official certification. That's where Sid Newcomb comes in!
Sid is a USPTA Elite Professional and USPTA National Head Tester. Sid loves coaching and teaching tennis to all ages and levels. He has been in the industry as a teaching pro and coach for almost 30 years. The first seven years of his career were with the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy. He was the European Academy Director in Belgium, Germany, France and England. While with the NBTA, he had the opportunity to coach numerous professional and collegiate players.
Prior to joining the USPTA in 2015, Sid was the Director of Tennis at a private club in Northern California. In his current role at the USPTA, he works to set the standards and elevate the game of tennis for current and future teaching professionals. He is an integral part of the USPTA staff, and his passion and love of the tennis shines through in all that he does. Sid played collegiately at NAIA tennis power, John Brown University in Arkansas. He was nationally ranked in both doubles and singles. He had a short stint on the professional tour before he began his coaching career in 1990.
Sid and I discuss what's involved in become a certified teaching pro and how the process could improve. We also discuss some of the changes coming in the next couple of years, including more extensive education around junior development and college recruiting.
Thank you to my son, Morgan Stone, aka STØNE, for our intro and outro music this season! You can find more of his music at SoundCloud.com/stonemuzic. If you're interested in House Music, please be sure to check out his social media channels: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.
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