The APTA Takes Care of Business
MAY 20, 2009
HUNTINGTON, LONG ISLAND, NY
The APTA held its annual meeting on Friday, May 8, 2009, at the Head of the Bay Club in Long Island, NY. The agenda included financial, regional, PPTA and Hall of Fame reports, the election of new directors, and closing words from retiring President Mark Fischl. Mark was presented with a newly created APTA service award, honoring his commitment to the sport. The event was capped off in the usual platform tennis way with cocktails and socializing.
The five new directors include Tim McAvoy (President) of Phoenixville, PA, Fritz Odenbach (Vice-President) of Webster, NY, Aila Main (Treasurer) of New York, NY, Hendy Dayton (Region VI President) of San Francisco, CA and Amy Halstead of Lake Bluff, IL. Retiring from the board were Mark Fischl (President), Scott Bondurant (Vice-President), Nancy Budde (Region IV President) and Beach Kuhl (Region VI President). Their service has been appreciated by all.
Before and after the annual meeting, the board met to discuss a lengthy agenda of platform tennis business. This meeting is the one time during the year when the entire board meets in person, so there is a lot of business to attend to. Outgoing President Mark Fischl led the Friday afternoon session, which was followed by the annual meeting and a board member party at the Fischl's. On Saturday morning Tim McAvoy took up the reins as the new board tackled plans for the upcoming season.
The board focused on intiatives for growing the sport and supporting players, clubs and tournament directors. The 2009-2010 season will see a new set of exhibitions in areas where the sport is becoming popular. Also, the board voted to provide grant money to a publicly accessible facility in Atlanta, a huge potential growth area which is one of the largest tennis cities in the country. On the tournament front, the Viking Junior Tour will now become the APTA Junior Tour. While the APTA takes over leadership of the junior circuit, Viking will stay active and continue its support.
