Consent to Communications: I understand that by providing my mailing address, email address, telephone number, and fax number, I consent to receive communications sent by or on behalf of USTA North Carolina/USTA Southern, its member organizations, and their representatives, via email or fax.

Consent to Publication. I hereby give USTA North Carolina/USTA Southern, its member organizations, and their representatives the irrevocable right to use my name, picture, photograph, or other likeness in all forms and media, and in all manners. This includes but is not limited to print and the web. I waive the right to inspect or approve the finished version (s), including any written copy that may accompany it.

Medical Release: I hereby consent to emergency first aid and other medical procedures, or hospital service that may be rendered by or at accredited hospitals, by appointed physicians, which at the time of injury or illness seem reasonably advisable.

Waiver and Indemnity Agreement:

Acceptance of my entry in these events is without responsibility of any kind by the USTA, the USTA Southern/USTA North Carolina, the host clubs, committees, or the management of any event in which I may be entered or may participate. In consideration of the acceptance of my entry, I do hereby for and on behalf of myself and my heirs and legal representatives release and forever discharge the USTA Southern/USTA North Carolina, the host clubs, their officers, committees, and representatives and their successors and assigns, of and from any and all claims, demands, and injuries, however arising, whether caused by the negligent or intentional acts of the USTA Southern/USTA North Carolina and its representatives, representatives of other sponsoring entities, or by third parties, which injuries may be in any way related to my activities during the tournament and any period traveling to or from the events described, and all such claims are hereby waived and released, and I covenant not to sue therefore.

The parent or guardian, by signing below, does hereby agree to indemnify and hold harmless the USTA Southern/USTA North Carolina and its representatives and the sponsoring entity from any liability which they may incur to the entrant, howsoever arising and whether caused by the negligent or intentional acts of the USTA/STA/USTA North Carolina, its representatives, or the sponsoring body. I understand that this tournament will be governed by applicable USTA rules and regulations, the rules and regulations of this tournament, the rules and procedures governing discipline of players in

USTA Southern/USTA North Carolina sanctioned tournaments, the USTA Southern code of ethics, tournament policy, and ranking regulations and agree to conduct myself accordingly.

Player and Spectator Conduct

Junior Team Tennis is sanctioned and supported by the United States Tennis Association, USTA Southern, and USTA North Carolina. In recognition of the support provided by the USTA, certain behavior is expected from both players and spectators.

Player Conduct

We expect the highest level of sportsmanship and exemplary behavior both on and off the court. Each player shall abide by the following rules of conduct during all USTA Junior Team Tennis match play.

1. If you have any doubt as to whether a ball is out or good, you must give your opponent the benefit of the doubt and play the ball as good.

2. It is your obligation to call all balls on your side, to help your opponent make calls when the opponent requests it, and to call against yourself (with the exception of a first service) any ball that you clearly see out on your opponent’s side of the net.

3. Any “out” or “let” call must be made instantaneously; otherwise the ball continues in play.

4. Do not enlist the aid of spectators in making line calls.

5. If you call a ball out and then realize it was good, you should correct your call.

6. To avoid controversy over the score, the Server should announce the set score before starting a game and the game score prior to serving each point.

7. If players cannot agree on the score, they may go back to the last score on which there was agreement and resume play from that point, or they may spin a racket.

8. Do not stall, sulk, complain, or practice gamesmanship.

9. Wait until the players on another court have completed a point before retrieving or returning a ball.

10. From the beginning of the match, play must be continuous. Attempts to stall or to extend rest periods for the purpose of recovering from a loss of physical condition are clearly illegal.

11. Players are expected to put forth a full and honest effort regardless of the score or expected outcome.

12. Players are expected to maintain full control over their emotions and the resulting behavior throughout the match. If you begin to lose your composure during play, try the following:

a. Take several deep breaths, exhale as slowly as possible and feel your muscles relax

b. Concentrate on your own game and behavior while ignoring distractions from your opponent or surroundings.

c. Be your own best friend – enjoy your good shots and forget the poor ones.

13. The ZERO tolerance policy towards any physical, verbal, racquet or ball abuse will be strictly enforced. 

Failure to comply with any of the above regulations may result in dismissal from the event or league.

Spectator Conduct

If you have ever been to a football game, you know that there aren’t set expectations or rules of etiquette around spectator behavior. As a result these events can get loud and sometimes even rowdy. Tennis is a different sport though, where just one or two opponents go head-to-head on a fairly small court. In an effort to promote fairness and to ensure a physically and mentally healthy experience for all players, tennis has expectations around spectator behavior. All Junior Team Tennis spectators are asked to follow these rules of conduct:

1. Cheering. Clapping for good shots is encouraged and will be allowed provided spectators clap for both teams’ good shots.

• Please wait until a point has finished before clapping. Clapping during            play is a distraction for all players.
• Please do not cheer when a player makes a mistake. This is considered poor etiquette.
• Please keep cheering respectful in tone and volume. Cheering that gets out of control can intimidate children on the court, disrupt other matches in progress and cause conflict between opposing teams.
• If cheering gets out of hand, spectators will be informed that any cheering or clapping will not be allowed the remainder of the match.
• If abuse continues the person(s) will be asked to leave the site. Any violation or rules may be enforced by the point penalty system.
• Team Managers are responsible for their spectators and should make sure their parents and players understand.

2. Coaching. Spectators are prohibited from coaching players. Only one designated Team Manager/Coach can provide on-court coaching, and only during changeovers.

• Spectator coaching can intimidate and disrupt play on the court. Spectators who attempt to coach players will be asked to stop.
• If spectator coaching continues, the person(s) will be asked to leave the site. Any violation of rules may be enforced by the point penalty system.

3. Spectator Help. Spectators are prohibited from making line calls, calling double bounces or providing scores to players. Only the players on the court, or designated court monitors can make line calls, double bounce calls or assist with scoring.

• This can be particularly tough for spectators, especially when watching their own children. It is possible to feel that your own child has been mistreated on the court and “robbed” of a point.

Naturally, parents want to stand-up for their own kids. Please control any urge to address a perceived injustice. Remember that these are children and they are still learning the mechanics and rules of the game. In addition, they are also learning how to manage their own behavior and make good decisions on the court.

• Please discuss line calls, double bounces and score discrepancies with your child before they play. And, follow-up with him or her after the match to debrief any on-court calls that could have gone a different way. Encourage your player to be fair with his or her own calls.
• Conversely, let your player know it is acceptable to politely ask an opponent of his or her certainty with a call. However, make sure you own child knows that constant questioning of an opponent’s call is not acceptable. Player should speak to the Team Manager on a changeover to discuss concerns about calls.
• Address any concerns you have with your Team Manager. The Team Manager should be the one to discuss player behavior with the opponent’s Team Manager.One of the goals of Junior Team Tennis is to put junior players in a competitive setting without the pressures of tournament play. Ultimately, spectators are asked to use common sense. Think how your child would feel in a situation before subjecting another child to unfairness.

I have read and understand the foregoing releases, waivers and indemnity agreement.