Rich Berman Named PTR Wheelchair Professional of the Year
Hilton Head Island, SC – – Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) presented its annual awards last week during the 2014 PTR International Tennis Symposium. The event, which includes 40-plus on court and classroom presentations for tennis teachers and coaches, a trade show and tournament, was held February 20-23 on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.
Rich Berman, of Boulder, Colorado, was named PTR Wheelchair Professional of the Year.
Berman is a fixture on wheelchair tennis scene. He coached the #1 player in the world – David Hall – as far back as 1993. In 1998, Berman and Bill Trubey wrote the supplement PTR Instructing Wheelchair Tennis, and produced the video PTR Introduction to Teaching Wheelchair Tennis.
Not surprising, Berman was named PTR Volunteer of the Year in 1999. Berman’s passion for wheelchair tennis was recognized in 2012, when USTA Colorado presented him the Arthur Ashe Award for outstanding contributions to the under served.
He is so dedicated to coaching and expanding the horizons of wheelchair tennis, last year Berman launched a website – letsrollwheelchairtennis.com – with David Hall. The site offers video tutorials to help coaches and disabled athletes – or players new to the game – to teach and play wheelchair tennis. The website is 100% free!
Reserved and unassuming, Berman always gives credit to others. It is time Berman be recognized for his steadfast passion for wheelchair tennis and PTR.
PTR is the largest global organization of tennis teaching professionals with more than 14,600 members in 121 countries. It has the greatest percentage of multicultural and women members of any such organization. PTR is dedicated to educating, certifying and servicing tennis teachers and coaches around the world in order to grow the game.
Photo: PTR President Jorge Andrew, Berman
And PTR CEO Dan Santourm
Contact: Peggy Edwards • PO Box 4739, Hilton Head Island, SC 29938 USA
843-785-7244 or 800-421-6289 • fax 843-686-2033 • peggy@ptrtennis.org • wwtrtennis.org
Rich Berman leaving a legacy
Tennis instructor retiring after more than 40 years
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACT: Kristy Harris, Director of Community Development
January 31, 2013 (303) 695-4116 ext. 300 or kristy@coloradotennis.com
Colorado Coach and World Champion Player Share Expertise
‘Let’s Roll-Learning Wheelchair Tennis with the Pros’ video tutorial available worldwide
DENVER, Colorado – Since its beginnings in 1976, wheelchair tennis has grown from an exhibition event to an officially-recognized Paralympic sport and played at all four Grand Slam tournaments. Sydney 2000 Paralympic Gold Medalist and six-time World Champion David Hall has joined forces with his long-term coach Rich Berman of Boulder, Colorado, to produce ‘Let’s Roll- Learning Wheelchair Tennis with the Pros’ video tutorial available for free at www.letsrollwheelchairtennis.com.
The tutorial, recognized by the International Tennis Federation and the Professional Tennis Registry (PTR), covers all areas of the wheelchair game with over three hours of information, including basic strokes and mobility, advanced strokes and mobility, mental toughness, wheelchair selection and injury prevention. Not only is this resource available at no cost but it has been translated into 20 languages and can be viewed on mobile devices, making it readily accessible to the instructor, coach and player anywhere, anytime.
Hall, who was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 2010 says “Rich is the master at teaching the wheelchair game, it’s a real honor for me to be involved in this project with him. I remember when I first started playing wheelchair tennis, to have something like this available would have been so helpful, also with tennis you never stop learning and ‘Let’s Roll’ covers all areas”.
Over the course of a 15 year career Hall succeeded in winning over 80 tournaments worldwide, including 9 Australian Open, 8 US Open, 7 British Open titles and 6 Paralympic medals. Hall’s coach, Rich Berman has been by his side providing knowledge and guidance throughout the years.
Berman, who runs Rich’s Tennis School near Boulder, Colorado, has almost 20 years of experience teaching tennis to wheelchair players. He explains that there was a need for a learning resource out in the community. “Over the years we both have had many players, parents and organizations ask us for guidance about coaching wheelchair tennis. When David agreed to collaborate with me on this project, I said ok mate, let’s do it”.
Berman’s goal is that the tutorial will have far-reaching appeal. “Our hope is that all current and future wheelchair players and coaches worldwide will use ‘Let’s Roll’ as the foundation for learning and teaching this wonderful sport. That is the reason we have two primary sections – one for the novice and one for the advanced player”.
As for how rewarding wheelchair tennis has been in Berman’s coaching career, he says “Anyone that has volunteered their time and effort for a worthwhile cause understands that they receive more than they give. I remember the first time I was asked to coach someone in a chair, I declined to do so, at least at first. Then I gave it a go and I’m so thankful I did”.
For more information contact Mike Wheaton at 303-578-2330 or via e-mail at paraathlete@comcast.net.
WHO WE ARE
Founded in 1955, USTA Colorado is the governing body of tennis in Colorado. A district affiliate of the United States Tennis Association, USTA Colorado’s mission is to promote and develop the growth of tennis in Colorado, coordinating recreational and competitive tennis programs for players of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. For more information, visitwww.COLORADO.TENNIS.com.
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Hall of Fame inductee releases Let’s Roll
05 December 2012 | Briony Craber
Sydney 2000 Paralympic Gold Medalist and six time World Champion David Hall has joined forces with his long-term coach Rich Berman to produce “Let’s Roll- learning wheelchair tennis with the Pro’s” video tutorial.
The tutorial covers all areas of the wheelchair game, such as basic strokes and mobility, advanced strokes and mobility, mental toughness, wheelchair selection and injury prevention.
Hall, who was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 2010 says “Rich is the master at teaching the wheelchair game, it’s a real honor for me to be involved in this project with him. I remember when I first started playing wheelchair tennis, to have something like this available would have been so helpful, also with tennis you never stop learning and ‘Let’s Roll’ covers all areas”.
Over the course of a 15 year career Hall succeeded in winning over 80 tournaments worldwide, including 9 Australian Open, 8 US Open, 7 British Open titles and 6 Paralympic medals. Hall’s coach, Rich Berman has been by his side providing knowledge and guidance throughout the years.
Berman, who runs Rich’s Tennis School near Boulder, Colorado, has almost 20 years experience teaching tennis to wheelchair players. He explains that there was a need for a learning resource out in the community.
“Over the years we both have had many players, parents and organisations ask us for guidance about coaching wheelchair tennis. When David agreed to collaborate with me on this project, I said ok mate, let’s do it”.
Berman’s goal is that the tutorial will have far-reaching appeal.
“Our hope is that all current and future wheelchair players and coaches worldwide will use ‘Let’s Roll’ as the foundation for learning and teaching this wonderful sport. That is the reason we have two primary sections – one for the novice and one for the advanced player”.
As for how rewarding wheelchair tennis has been in Berman’s coaching career, he says “Anyone that has volunteered their time and effort for a worthwhile cause understands that they receive more than they give. I remember the first time I was asked to coach someone in a chair, I declined to do so, at least at first. Then I gave it a go and I’m so thankful I did”.
‘Lets Roll – Learning Wheelchair Tennis with the Pro’s’ is available free at www.wheelchair-tennis.com