UTA Policies

Our policies have been tried, tested and refined over the years. When followed, these policies are fair and work well for both our players and their families as well as UTA. Please take the time to review them:

Rain Policy

In the event that the courts are unplayable due to weather, the Pee-Wee, Quickstart and Challenger groups will not be held. Pee-Wee, Quickstart and Challenger students may make up the day by coming on a day that they do not normally attend. All other groups are expected to attend drills rain or shine. Strength and conditioning or skull sessions (skull sessions are lecture/discussions that reinforce strategy, tactics and technique learned on court) will be held if the courts are unplayable. Back to top

Billing Policy

UTA drill sessions are one-month sessions (see drills brochure for summer sessions). All UTA families should submit a valid credit card and current e-mail address to club accountant to Carol Doherty (caroldoherty@utatennis.com). You will receive a bill for each one-month session, via e-mail, by the third of each month, and payment is due by the 17th of month. If you do not bring payment in by the 15th of the month, the bill will automatically be charged to your credit card. If you are unable or unwilling to submit a credit card, we will bill you for two months the first month and will continue billing you monthly from that point on, thus ensuring that a credit remains on your account at all times. If you will be leaving the academy, please notify Academy Manager Carol Doherty at least 30 days in advance to avoid being billed. Back to top

Changing Drill Groups

The UTA Drill Groups are generally established in August and take effect when the September session begins. A maximum number of students per drill group is established based on the number of courts available per drill group and the desired student-per-court ratio (generally 4 per court for higher level groups and 4-6 per court for lower levels). When we feel that a player is ready for the next drill group (if they are among the top couple in their group and are very competitive with the players in the next group) we may have them split time between the groups until we are certain that they are ready for the stronger group. We refer to this process as "tweening" and strongly believe that players need to compete with players below, at, and above their own level. If you are the best player in your group, be aware that you will soon be near the bottom of the next group. UTA has nothing to gain by holding players back, and your child will be moved when they are ready and there is room in the next group. Back to top

Financial Aid

Financial Aid is available to families who qualify. There are no set criteria for Financial Aid at this time. The Chattahoochee Foundation provides grants for coaching, equipment, travel, and education to those students who apply and qualify. See the Chattahoochee Foundation section of this website for more details. We also have work opportunities around the club for some of the older players. This work includes club maintenance, Pro Shop hours, racket stringing, and teaching of some of the lower level drill groups. Please contact David Drew if you are in need of financial aid. Back to top

Excused Absence from Drills

If any UTA student is unable to attend drills due to injury or extended illness, please contact us to be placed on inactive status. Make-ups or credit towards future sessions will only be allowed in the case of injuries or extended illness. Back to top

Protocol for Changing Primary Coaches

If you and/or your child feel that a change in primary coaches is necessary, please try to follow the following guidelines. First, address the issues that are concerning you with the existing coach. Keeping the lines of communication open may allow your concerns to be resolved without a coaching change. If, after consulting your primary coach, it is agreed that a coaching change is in your child's best interest, you must notify that coach that you will be changing coaches. This can be a sensitive issue in our work environment, and no pro will discuss working with your child until after you have an adequate level of closure with the current primary coach. Back to top