We are happy to announce that the Tournament Director/Referee Dual Role initiative has been launched. This role supports USTA events by providing you, as the Tournament Director (TD), the opportunity to serve as both the TD and Referee at L7 Adult, L7 Junior and/or L5 Wheelchair events after completing a required online course.

This initiative has been a collaboration between the USTA Junior, Adult and Wheelchair Competition Departments, their respective committees and the USTA Officiating Department. The role came about from feedback from sections and is similar to a regulation that used to exist which allowed TDs to also serve as the event’s Referee at certain Red, Orange and Green ball events.

This initiative provides the following key benefits:

1. Financial Benefit: Allows TDs to run L7 Adult, L7 Junior, and/or L5 Wheelchair events more cost effectively and in turn will potentially increase the number of events offered.
2. Education: TDs will receive training in areas such as basic rules, scheduling and conflict resolution to provide the best possible consumer experience.
3. Exposes TDs to an Officiating Role: The goal is to create a new pathway into officiating by capturing those who enjoy this experience to go through the formal certification process, therefore increasing the number of Officials available to service events.

The regulation change to allow you as TDs to serve in this dual role at L7 Adult, L7 Junior, and/or L5 Wheelchair events is effective beginning October 1, 2021.

Course Information and Registration

The required TD/Referee Dual Role course is accessible on the USTA Officiating Online Learning Center. This course includes an overview of the role, scheduling, rules and procedures, as well as additional topics, to assist you in running your event smoothly. Please follow the steps below to successfully complete the course requirement prior to your event:

1. Register for an account: Begin by accessing the USTA Officiating Online Learning Center and clicking "Register Now".

a.    Here you will be asked for profile information including your USTA membership number. Please ensure your information matches the one on your USTA Serve Tennis account.

1. Locate Course: From the homepage, click the “Disciplines and Courses” box.
2. Launch Course: Locate the “TD/Referee Dual Role” course and click the title. From the next page, you will need to click the “Launch” icon to begin your course.

After completing your course, you will be ready to begin your dual role as the TD/Referee at L7 Adult, L7 Junior and/or L5 Wheelchair events!

If you need assistance throughout the registration process, please contact our LRC support team at ustalrc@eskillz.com.

Please email officiating@usta.com if you have any questions.