Posted on

Local Summer Flex League

Flex Leagues are LOCAL, FUN and FLEXIBLE and allow you to play at your own pace and time, so you can fit tennis into your busy schedule.
6 Weeks: July 13 – August 23 Registration Deadline: July 7th
USTA Montana is offering a summer flex league in Billings, Bozeman, and Missoula for levels 3.0 – 4.5 for both men and women.
KEY POINTS about Flex League:
  • You are provided with a weekly suggested “play by date” schedule, but you and your opponents decide WHEN and WHERE you will play. (The FUN of leagues with the convenience of FLEX.)
  • Round Robin Format.
  • You can play the week 6 match the first week, or you can play 2 matches (or more) in a week, or none. You just need to complete the matches by the end of the season which ends.
  • The league consists of doubles teams for men and women at the 3.0 – 4.5 level.
  • The number of matches/weeks in a schedule depends on the number of persons/teams who register for your flight level, but we typically do not schedule fewer than four or more than seven matches in a “season.”
  • You can use a SUB when you need to because of travel, injury, or whatever. You do not need to tell us unless you are getting a “permanent sub.”
  • You do not have to be a USTA member to play FLEX league.
  • You can select the NTRP rating level you wish to play, even if you have a current USTA rating. So, you can play UP and you can play DOWN; we just want you to select the best competitive level for all.
  • Your Flex matches NEVER calculate in your USTA rating.

FAQ:

How many players on a team? 2 players to form doubles teams. Subs are allowed.

Do winners from local areas move on anywhere? No, this is just local play.

Do we report scores? Yes, players report their own scores into Tennislink using their match ID.

USTA Membership is not required for these leagues, however, the cost is $10 for the flex league season. This covers administrative fees,
How to Register: Contact Andrea Johnson for team number for you and your partner at ajohnson.mta@gmail.com
Posted on

Junior Tournament Updates

The USTA-MT board and Intermountain Junior Committee have met and made a few decisions/updates regarding upcoming tournaments.

-The Big Sky State Games, July 17-19, in Billings, is now a level 5 sanctioned tournament for 2020. Register and more information here.

-Dates have changed for the MT State Junior Open. New dates – July 30-Aug 2, Missoula, MT. The MT State Junior Open is still a level 4, but will also grant National Points to it in 2020. Register and more information here.

Posted on

Meadow Lark Tournaments Canceled

Both the MeadowLark Junior and Adult Open tournaments scheduled for July 8-12 in Great Falls have been canceled. Please contact Dirk Baker at dbaker@meadowlarkclub.com  with any questions.

Posted on

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.
Posted on

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

Posted on

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
Posted on

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.