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USTA MONTANA CANCELS 2020 DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIPS

Due to the continued situation surrounding the COVID-19 virus, the USTA Montana Board and Staff has made the difficult decision to cancel its 2020 District League Tournaments which include the Spring Mixed, 18 and over, 55 and over, 40 and over and Mixed 40 & over leagues. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. The health and safety of our players is our top priority and of the utmost importance. Currently, the USTA has extended the suspension of USTA sanctioned products and events through May 31, 2020, which includes USTA Leagues. Additionally, the USTA has canceled the 2020 USTA League National Championships and the Intermountain section has canceled all Sectional Championships.  Recognizing the evolving and fast-changing nature of this situation, USTA Montana will continue to monitor and assess conditions to make future determinations about our Tri-level, 65 & Over and ITA Mixed league tournaments. These tournaments are considered to be invitational events and the decision to cancel these at the sectional level has yet to be decided. We will continue to keep you updated as we know more.
We remain hopeful that we can go forward with various types of local league play once the suspension has been lifted. Our focus for the remainder of this 2020 season is to provide support for as many local play opportunities as possible as a way to continue the social and exercise benefits that tennis provides for so many of us.
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Intermountain Sectionals Canceled

Hello fellow tennis players, we have yet another announcement regarding league play for you from the Intermountain Section.

Due to the continued situation surrounding the COVID-19 virus, the Intermountain Section has made the decision to cancel its 2020 Sectional Championships. This includes Mixed 18’s, 18’s, 40’s and 55’s. Check out this link for more info: https://www.usta.com/en/home/stay-current/intermountain/intermountain-covid-19-updates.html?fbclid=IwAR3nmRkIUH50dODOXVbYQMFpUiNqIxl8Nycl0eXbtJ45pQQ1XkESkjzaBiA

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Scheduling Update

Over the past month, it’s become apparent that we will continue to experience change for some time and it’s very difficult to know when things will improve.
Still, we have a very vibrant community of league players who are optimistic that things will eventually improve and allow league play to begin. We share their optimism but want to assure everyone that our first priority is the health and well-being for all involved in our league programs.
To allow players and facilities to make future plans in regard to leagues and tournaments, we are working on an updated schedule and plan for our 2020 league schedule. Our USTA-Montana Spring Mixed League scheduled for May 29 – 31st in Helena is currently suspended as a result of USTA suspending all league play until after May 31st. We will let you know the status of this tournament as plans develop. As many of you know, Nationals has been canceled. As a result, there is a possibility that Intermountain Sectionals could be canceled. We have not received final word on this yet but will let you know as soon as we know more.
We appreciate your patience and understanding. Know that our goal is to be ready to provide league play to all of you when it is appropriate to do so. Your continued patience throughout this process will be helpful as we are all dealing with so many unknowns. Our No. 1 priority is the health, safety and well-being of all our players.
If you have any questions, please see these FAQ links:
https://www.usta.com/en/home/stay-current/national/usta-faqs-regarding-coronavirus-and-covid-19.html
https://www.usta.com/en/home/stay-current/intermountain/intermountain-covid-19-updates.html
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Coronavirus and affected programming

Greetings Montana District Tournament and League Players:

By now many of you may have received notice from USTA National, which effective immediately is suspending all USTA programming including tournaments, league play, and junior events through April 20th.

March Madness Adult tournament in Billings and the Bobcat Spring Break Classic in Bozeman, scheduled for March 20-22, have been canceled. Entry fees will be refunded. We are working with our tournament directors to reschedule events where possible.

Our league events are scheduled as planned and we will continue to accept team registrations. These are changing times and our information is fluid. As we know more, we may need to make further adjustments based on how the situation changes.

USTA-Montana League Refund Policy remains in effect and any player who wishes to withdraw by the player deadline will receive a full refund.

USTA Montana League Refund Policy

All players must pay the league fee regardless of whether they intend to go to the Section Championship. Players who withdraw by the player deadline will receive a refund, minus a processing fee, See Table 3. After the refund deadline, no refunds will be given unless the District League Coordinator and Executive Director determine a refund is warranted due to exceptional circumstances. Examples of exceptional circumstances include injuries that make it impossible to play, a death in the player’s family, or cancellation of the event.

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Montana Tennis will miss Marcia Anderson

Marcia Anderson, who funded the construction of the new Belgrade tennis courts and two years of high school tennis in Belgrade, passed away on January 31 in Santa Barbara, CA. She was 95.
In 2013, Marcia enthusiastically offered to pay for the new Belgrade courts and the tennis program. The courts were completed in 2014 and the ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in August of 2014.
Marcia was a strong advocate of healthy activities for youth. She was so pleased to hear how many students became involved in the tennis program and the successes they had. As a former tennis player herself, she liked knowing the courts were being used by adults in the community as well.
Marcia’s generosity was evident in many ways throughout Gallatin Co. over the years, as a philanthropist for Heart of the Valley Animal Shelter, the riding arena at the Fairgrounds, the MSU Bobcat/Anderson indoor tennis facility, the Three Forks tennis court, the paddle tennis courts at Riverside and, most recently, the repair costs for the Bogert Pavilion.
Marcia’s vision and generosity will have a positive impact on this valley far into the future.  Her selfless commitment to making improvements in her community is an inspiration and an example of what is possible.
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League Changes in 2020

League Changes in 2020

  • The USTA Adult 40 & Over format has changed to 1 singles and 3 doubles positions. (Note: This is now the National format for this league as well)
  • Captains play for free! Contact Andrea Johnson to register your team.
  • All team captains must contact Andrea Johnson for a team number to create their teams. You can no longer create a team number online via tennislink.

Download the 2020 League Schedule with Montana, Sectional, and National dates here