Copyright © 2015. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.

The United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) announced the hiring of Sid Newcomb as the association’s national tester, effective on Jan. 2, 2016.  Newcomb will recruit and train new testers, conduct USPTA certification exams, maintain contact with applicants, and act as a liaison to divisional head testers.“The USPTA felt a national tester would improve the quality and consistency in testing our applicants and ensure that they have a positive experience when entering our association,” USPTA CEO John Embree said. “We are excited to have an experienced professional like Sid on board to deliver that customer service to our members.”

Newcomb, a USPTA member since 1997, comes to the association with more than a decade of experience conducting USPTA certification exams. He became a tester in 2004 and has served as the USPTA Northern California Division head tester since 2005.

“The quality of candidates that applied for this position was astounding, but Sid is great manager with a wealth of experience in testing and a passion for the USPTA,” said Gary Trost, USPTA Vice President and Chair of the Testing and Certification Committee. “A great hire for the future of our association.”

Newcomb has been the Director of Tennis at Peninsula Community Center (PCC) in Redwood City, Calif., since 1996.  After a year and a half stint on the ATP satellite tour, he joined the coaching ranks at the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy where he was the European Academy Director for seven years.  He launched Bollettieri Academies in Belgium, Germany, France and England before leaving Europe for northern California. He is fluent in English, Spanish and French and teaches lessons using these languages.

“I am so excited for the direction the USPTA is headed and consider it an honor, privilege and blessing to be a part of the team as we continue to move forward,” Newcomb said.

Newcomb has also been involved in community outreach programs through tennis. In September 2000, he helped found the Life Advantage Tennis and Tutoring (LATT) program that helps lower-income schools that lost funding for physical education classes. The program provides free tennis lessons and English tutoring for first generation immigrants attending local middle schools in Redwood City, Calif.  LATT was named the charity organization of the year by the USPTA Northern California Division in 2002 and 2004.

While attending John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Ark., Newcomb was nationally ranked in both singles and doubles. He continues to play competitive tennis, being named the USTA NorCal Senior player of the year seven times and reaching a USTA No. 3 national ranking in 2012 in Father/ Son Doubles with his oldest son who is also a USPTA-certified Professional. His wife, Linda, and their five children are all involved in tennis.

Copyright © 2015. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.