February 2000 -- On January 17, 1976, 18-year-old Brad Parks of the University of Utah was taking his first warm-up jump in a local competitive freestyle snow ski competition. At the end of the jump, young Parks was a paraplegic.

Although devastating to this young athlete, little did he realize that a new lifestyle and sport – wheelchair tennis – was in his future, and that his initiative and foresight would be the direct cause and contributor to recruiting thousands of young men and women worldwide to this great sport.

In December 1979, Parks formed the organizing body of the sport – the National Foundation of Wheelchair Tennis. In 1980, more than 300 players were actively participating in the sport. In the same year, the first inaugural Wheelchair National Championships were held in Southern California.

The World Team Cup, a similar competition to Davis Cup, was established in 1985. The symbol of international wheelchair tennis supremacy, this competition has grown to more than 60 countries. In addition, the International Tennis Federation has taken wheelchair tennis under its wing, and hundreds of national and international tournaments take place each year.

In the 1990s USPTA got more involved in wheelchair tennis with presentations at national conventions in Boca Raton, Palm Springs and Miami. In early 1998, USPTA began to work closely with Bal Moore, Ph.D., USPTA Master Professional, to formulate a wheelchair tennis certification. In 1999, 24 people in the United States became certified as USPTA wheelchair tennis teachers.

Recently, the Paralyzed Veterans of America, a service organization whose members have catastrophic paralysis caused by spinal cord injury or disease, committed funds to the certification effort in 2000 to increase the number of certified wheelchair tennis teachers. These funds are to be used to send USPTA testers who are certified to administer the wheelchair certification exam to the various USPTA divisions.

“What better way could there possibly be to promote wheelchair tennis participation than through USPTA’s network of tennis teaching professionals at the grassroots level around the world,” said Bruce Scott, recreation director for the PVA.

“PVA realizes the need for quality wheelchair teaching professionals and has worked closely with USPTA in this effort.”

USPTA members who participate in the program will receive the marketable skill of wheelchair tennis certification, enabling them to assist with the growth of the sport. The daylong certification includes a Certification Training Course, and a private lesson and written exam. Current USPTA members need only pay a fee for the certification; there are no additional annual dues.

“USPTA is proud to partner with the PVA to expand the wheelchair certification program. The need for quality wheelchair teaching professionals is increasing as the sport of wheelchair tennis becomes more popular,” said Tim Heckler, USPTA CEO.

USPTA is committed to quality teaching and understands the need to fill the void in this new certification area. This program offers professionals an additional opportunity for instruction within their respective programs, and encourages the growth of wheelchair tennis.