The USTA does not require nor authorize coaches at events or tournaments. Coaches who do attend have been selected, retained, and/or hired by an athlete and/or their parent or legal guardian (a Personal Coach or a “Retained Coach”). Unless the Retained Coach is that athlete’s parent or legal guardian, a Retained Coach must be Safe Play Approved in order to access practice areas or maintain any form of contact with players. If the Retained Coach is not Safe Play Approved, they will only be permitted to attend the tournament as a spectator.
Safe Play is the USTA’s comprehensive athlete safety program consisting of education, screening, reporting tools and policies for appropriate conduct in tennis. The USTA works with the U.S. Center for SafeSport and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee to develop Safe Play policies, procedures and educational resources to support the USTA Safe Play program. Adults who have regular contact with or authority over minor athletes in USTA programs, events, or tournaments must be in compliance with Safe Play requirements. This includes undergoing background checks and completing education on preventing misconduct in sports. Because Retained Coaches are in contact with minors, they are required to be Safe Play approved.
Coaches MUST be Safe Play Approved through the end of the Tournament. This includes completing SafeSport training, acknowledging the USTA Safe Play Policy which includes reporting requirements, and a criminal background check.
Please complete this process ASAP by visiting www.usta.com/safeplay and selecting “Get Approved.” PLEASE NOTE: SAFESPORT TRAINING IS 90 MINUTES LONG AND FULL APPROVAL CAN TAKE UP TO 5 DAYS.
At check-in, coaches will be asked to show confirmation of their Safe Play Approval on their phone. If they are approved, they will receive a badge they must wear everyday indicating their approval. Any coach who is not Safe Play Approved will have to pay to attend. They will be considered a standard spectator and prohibited from any form of contact with players.
If your Retained Coach is not approved by registration dates, they must show proof of their in-progress background check and completed Safe Play training. The Coach must return to pick up their official badge when approved.
