INSIGHT FROM A RSPA-CERTIFIED TENNIS COACH
PADEL IS ON THE RISE
TIPS EVERY COACH SHOULD KNOW
SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM PRESIDEN
R S P A E A S T E R N D I V I S I O N
RSPA EASTERN LEADERSHIP TEAM
EXECUTIVE BOARD
PRESIDENT - MILLIE DIDIO ; MILLIE.TENNISCLUBOFHASTINGS@GMAIL.COM
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - PAUL FONTANA ; PAUL FONTANA@RSPA NET
FIRST VICE PRESIDENT - HEATH HOOVER ; HHOOVER@CLUBFIT.COM
VICE PRESIDENT - BRAD BREAKSTONE ; BREAKS03@GMAIL.COM
VICE PRESIDENT, SECRETARY - DAVID SLATER ; DAVIDSLATERTENNIS@GMAIL.COM
VICE PRES - TREASURER-MARTIN MIEDZOWICZ ; MARTINMIEDZOWICZ@GMAIL.COM
PAST PRESIDENT - MIKE SMOOKLER ; MIKE@WESTORANGETENNISCLUB.COM
DISTRICT PRESIDENTS
NORTHERN/WESTERN - STEVE PEKICH
SOUTHERN - MARC FARRELL
NEW JERSEY - BOB BYNUM
METRO - SOMADI DRUKER
LONG ISLAND - JACKIE CLARK
TENNIS COACH DEVELOPERS
SOMADI DRUKER, JASON JOSEPH
PICKLEBALL COACH DEVELOPER
GEOFF LOCONTE
COMMITTEE
CHAIRS
ANNUAL DIV CONFERENCE - MIKE SMOOKLER
EDUCATION - JASON JOSEPH, BRAD BREAKSTONE
MEMBERSHIP - HEATH HOOVER
BUDGET AND FINANCE - MARTIN MIEDZOWICZ
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION - DARIA PASCALE, KARLA RUAYA
AWARDS - STEVE PEKICH
WOMENS COMMITTE - ADRIENNE ALTERI
PUBLICATIONS - PAUL FONTANA
NEWSLETTER - JAMES STARK
ELEVATE - SURAJ BENIWAL
MARKETING - KHRYSTSINA TRYBOI
PUBLIC RELATIONS/COMMUNICATIONS - JACKIE CLARK
SCHOOL COACHES - JACKIE CLARK
LONG RANGE - WHITNEY KRAFT
NOMINATING AND HALL OF FAME - MIKE SMOOKLER
IT- VINCE CASALE
PADEL- ROB DELMAN, WHITNEY KRAFT
PICKLEBALL AND PLATFORM - GEOFF LOCONTE
ASIAN - INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE-LUIZA BIKTYAKOVA
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Rebranding RSPA Eastern, Rebranding You!
As we close in on the one year mark since our rebranding from USPTA to RSPA, I am pleased to report that our RSPA Eastern Division has lived up to the task of embracing our mission to provide education and certification opportunities for our members to expand and develop their professional development in a number of racquet sports.
This spring and summer RSPA Eastern was particularly active in doing just that Our RSPA Eastern Division Conference held at West Orange Tennis Center, West Orange, NJ in late May included certification opportunities in pickleball as well as tennis.
In early August RSPA national partnered with DUPR to offer a special initial pricing to become a DUPR Pickleball Coach which can offer opportunities to assess and rate
MILLIEDIDIO
RSPAEASTERNPRESIDENT
unranked pickleball players to help increase revenue. In late August RSPA Eastern Padel Committee Co-chair Whitney Kraft hosted a joint Pickle and Padel Event at his club in Vermont with RSPA New England that featured RSPA Eastern Pickleball Coach Developer Geoff LoConte. On September 7 Geoff will offer another pickleball certification at Taconic Sport and Racquet from 3:30-8:00pm in Hopewell Junction, NY.
Speaking of Padel, I was honored and grateful to head to Sport Haus in Norwalk, CT in July where RSPA Master Paddle Pro Marcos del Pilar was running his RSPA Padel Certification.
As I wrote about in an earlier newsletter, I was privileged to take part with several members of our RSPA National Executive Committee in the first certification utilizing RSPA’s proprietary certification that Marcos developed after running certifications for RSPA in prior years. Marcos kindly provided me with an opportunity to speak with the group of pros being certified about my experience, invited me to a nice luncheon with the pros, and made time for me to upgrade my panel certification!
It was an amazing day and fabulous opportunity to learn more about the sport of
Rebranding RSPA Eastern, Rebranding You!
Padel from the very best! The passion and knowledge that Marcos del Pilar brings to the port of Padel is unmatched and I strongly encourage anyone interested in rebranding to include this vastly growing sport of Padel to register for a Padel Certification with Marcos while you have this unique opportunity as the explosive growth of this sport will certainly mean that Marcos and RSPA will need to add more Padel Coach Developers to its roster to address the growing demand! I’m delighted to now be a Certified Professional in Padel and Pickleball in addition to being Elite Certified in Tennis!
Attending Marcos del Pilar’s RSPA Padel certification opened up another opportunity to witness the explosive growth of Padel and Pickleball as I was invited to attend the Grand Opening of Smash Pickle Aand Padel in Branford, CT a few days later !
Bruno Semino, the Director of Racquet Sports at Smash Pickle and Padel, was one of the RSPA pros beings certified by Marcos at Sport Haus. Marcos was an honored guest at Smash Padel and Pickle’s Grand Opening and played in a fun Padel exhibition match that included Bruno! On the Pickleball side, tennis legend and current avid pickleball player Ivan Lendl joined the Rossetti Brothers and Tyson McGuffin in a special pickleball exhibition.
And, while RSPA Eastern has embraced the industry growth in these and other racquet sports, we have been equally active in our tennis centered mission. In early June, RSPA Eastern held its second annual Level 2 Certification, followed by a Coaches Education Workshop at Southampton Bath and Tennis on Long Island, hosted with the kind support of RSPA Certified Pro and Club Director Lee Sutor, and led by RSPA Metro President and Tennis Coach Developer Somadi Druker Somadi also ran the Level 2 Tennis Certification RSPA offered at its Division Conference in late May while RSPA Coach Developer Jason Joseph ran the Level 1 Tennis
Rebranding RSPA Eastern, Rebranding You!
Certification at the Division Conference all at West Orange Tennis Center, thanks to the kind support of RSPA Past President Mike Smookler.
In July, RSPA Eastern’s Northern and Western District President Steve Pekich held Coaches Education workshops at Shaker High School in Latham, NY and Tennis Club of Rochester. In August, RSPA Eastern NJ District President Bob Bynum held a Coaches Education Workshop at West Orange Tennis Center and RSPA Eastern Southern District President Marc Farrell joined forces with RSPA Eastern Board Member Brad Breakstone to support a Tennis Directors Workshop and Meeting at the Round Hill Club in Cos Cob, CT. Also in August RSPA Eastern Long Island District President Jackie Clark and RSPA Metro District President Somadi Druker co-hosted an RSPA Eastern Female Coaches Networking Meetup on the grounds of the USTA National Tennis Center during Fan Appreciation Week.
The RSPA Easter Female Coaches Networking Meetup was a followup to the highly successful Female Coaches Roundtable held to kick off the RSPA Eastern Division Conference that was led by RSPA National Board Member Jenny Gray, ITF Touring Coach Vania Yui and myself.
I would be remiss not to thank our RSPA Eastern IT Committee Chair Vincent Casale for his invaluable experience in the technology world which has helped bring RSPA Eastern into the modern era. One of the many ways examples of Vince’s contributions is the filming of our RSPA Eastern Division Conference to enable members unable to attend to benefit by watching from the incredible presentations. Kudos also to our RSPA Eastern Publications Committee Chair James Stark who worked with Vince in filming the Division Conference and has been doing an outstanding job in producing our RSPA Eastern Newsletter.
And, perhaps, savings the best for last, I applaud our RSPA Eastern Hall Of Fame Committee led by Mike Smookler, in honoring the late Danny Burgess and Past President Mark Savage at our RSPA Eastern Awards Banquet during our RSPA Eastern Division Conference. There were heartfelt tributes given to Danny by Jackie Clark and Bob Bynum, as well as Danny Burgess’s family. Mark Savage spoke with deep
Rebranding RSPA Eastern, Rebranding You!
e o our Division Conference, catching this portion of our Division Conference alone will make it all clear why we do what we do as RSPA Coaches. You can find the footage by visiting the RSPA national website.
Lastly, on the theme of Rebranding, I hope you will join me at the upcoming WRC 25 in Kona, Hawaii September 21-25 at the Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa where the theme is Rebranding You!
Award Winners
Dale Evans Major Contributer
Adrienne Alteri Industry Excellence Award
Mark Savage Hall of Fame Honoree
Caroline Matiss Stars Award
Sam Hall Elevate Award
Award Winners
Chris Meeker High School Coach of the Year
Denise Franklin Facility Manager
R Southe
Collin Crawford Western & Northern Volunteer of the Yea
Matt Niielsen College Coach
Elliot Lovi NJ Volunteer of the Year
DANNYBURGESS
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
LUIZA BIKTYAKOVA
My name is Luiza Biktyakova. I was born and raised in Uzbekistan, but I currently reside in Brooklyn, New York. I am a former professional tennis player. My highest WTA ranking is #816. I played on the national team of Uzbekistan for many years, played the Federation Cup twice and later played college tennis. While playing for Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, I won the National Championship in singles. Later, while playing for Georgia College and State University, my senior year I finished the season ranked #7 in singles nationwide. Before coming to New York, United States, I worked at the National Tennis School in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. I helped many junior players to become the best in their age category. I also stayed involved with ITF Asia, conducted Central Asian camp over the summer in Bishkek Kyrgyzstan. I was also appointed as team coach for tournaments that ITF Asia has conducted in Vietnam. I have completed three possible coaching levels with ITF, the third level I have done in Valencia Spain at TennisVal academy where Marat Safin, Sara Errani and many other professional players used to practice.
Since I came to the United States, I worked in some tennis clubs of the Eastern section. Last year, I decided that I would like to develop more as a coach and achieve my dreams. I went to several conferences in New York, then traveled to RSPA World Racket Conference (WRC) that was held in Rancho Mirage, California It was a very nice, informative conference There I met the leadership team of RSPA Eastern section At WRC, I have also applied for ADD (Advancing Development and Diversity) program and later I found out that I was approved and given this opportunity Also at WRC, I was offered to join the Asian American Task Force team We are focused on supporting and developing Asian American community nationwide RSPA Asian American Task Force team introduced me to other Asian American professionals in Eastern section This year at US Open, I was invited to two Asian American events On one of the events, we gathered together with the Asian American coaches and shared our experiences as coaches and discussed on how we could improve in our profession At the other event, many Asian American leaders from areas of sports, entertainment and business got together, and some of the leaders shared their life path experiences as Asian Americans on their way to success here in United States.
CLINICS
TogetherWeImprove! Together We Improve!
RSPA Instructors Clinic in Albany
On July 2, an Instructors Clinic was presented at Shaker High School in Latham, NY near Albany. The topic of the clinic was “Camps and Large Groups” and it was actually part of a large junior summer camp offered by the Town of Colonie, a suburb of Albany. It was run by RSPA Western Representative Steve in an inventive format where drills were demonstrated by Steve using the juniors themselves and then the staff instructors taking the juniors onto adjacent courts and running the demonstrated drills. Notebooks were given out to both camp staff and attending RSPAs, who observed.The clinic was welcomed by the Town Supervisor Peter Crummey and lasted from 9am to noon, involving almost 30 juniors.
RSPA Clinic at Rochester Futures Tournament
An RSPA drill clinic took place at the ATP Men's $15K Men's Futures Tournament at Tennis Club of Rochester. Western District Rep Steve Pekich conducted it for Coaches and Pros with juniors Staff from the Tennis Club on Thursday, July 17.
Attendees were given notebook folders with the drills inside, and all attendees were incentivized by free tickets to the night matches. Originally scheduled for an hour, the enthusiasm carried on for an extra 1/2 hour before everyone went back outside to watch the matches. Thanks for Deanna Kernan and her staff for hosting!
By Steve Pekich
By Steve Pekich
Padel is experiencing an electrifying surge in the United States transforming from a niche pastime into a burgeoning recreational and competitive sport. Fueling its growth is that padel is social, accessible and fun. Play is all doubles and the court is smaller than tennis. It also appeals to fitness-driven players who are looking for a sport that incorporates cardio, coordination and strategy. Due to its Mexican roots, the game is especially popular in Latin America, Western Europe and Latinheavy regions in the US such as Florida, Texas and California.
One of the key challenges to adoption in our region is infrastructure. Building an outdoor court restricts usage to outdoor months while building indoor courts requires a building without a lot of structural columns and a ceiling height of at least 20 feet, although 26 feet is the ideal height for more advanced game play including lobs.
region include PadelHaus (2 facilities in Brooklyn), Golden Point Padel (Brooklyn), Padel United Sports Club (Creekskill, NJ) and, although just outside of our region, SportHaus (Norwalk, CT). You can also find private Padel clubs and courts throughout the
district including Reserve Padel (NYC), Brisas and Hampton Racquet (both Hamptons Long Island) as well as many private country clubs. Padel also competes with tennis and pickleball w c T p p a a partnered with RSPA Master Professional Marcos del Pilar, as the leading authority for Padel certification under the RSPA umbrella to offer RSPA professional Padel certification. We currently have 23 certified instructors in our district and are looking to increase that b f iliti nd cer are nee
RSPA Eastern and Padel United in Creekskill NJ are partnering on a padel event for RSPA members on October 26th from 2-5pm. No experience necessary - just an opportunity to play, learn about the sport and network with your fellow RSPA Eastern members!
Padel Certifi Padel Certifi
https://forms.gle/Rw3x141PSLEfeZVR9
COACHING BEYONDLIMITS
THE VALUE OF A RSPA CERTIFICATION THOUGH THE EYES OF A COACH DEVELOPER
TBy Somadi Druker
here’s something magical about watching an aspiring tennis coach evolve into a confident leader, someone who not only teaches the intricacies of the game but also inspires athletes to become their best selves As a Coach Developer with the Racket Sports Professional Association (RSPA), I’ve had the privilege of guiding many individuals on this transformative journey. The road to becoming a certified tennis coach is not just about mastering forehands and backhands— it’s about embodying qualities that foster growth, connection, and success on and off the court.
challenges and discover their potential. It’s not just about teaching; it’s about lighting a fire that keeps burning long after the final whistle blows.
It begins with passion. A true coach’s journey is rooted in a deep love for tennis and a genuine desire to help others improve. This energy is infectious, setting the tone for practices and igniting a spark in every athlete they touch. Coaches with this kind of enthusiasm create an atmosphere where players feel motivated to push through
But passion alone isn’t enough. The heart of a successful coach lies in their ability to connect. A coach’s voice must carry clarity, confidence, and understanding, guiding players while building trust and respect. It’s about knowing when to instruct and when to listen, creating a dialogue rather than a monologue. Athletes thrive when they feel heard, and the best coaches know how to make every player—from the shy beginner to the ambitious competitor—feel valued.
A coach’s knowledge of the sport is, of course, a cornerstone. But it’s not just about knowing the game; it’s about knowing how to teach it. The ability to break down complex skills into manageable steps, to adapt drills for a struggling athlete, or to devise strategies that play to a team’s strengths—all these reflect a coach’s true mastery. Yet, great coaches also recognize that
that learning never stops. The game evolves, and so must they, staying ahead through continuous education and self-reflection. The challenges on this path are real Coaches face the weight of expectations, from parents, players, and sometimes their own high standards. It takes resilience to keep showing up, even when practices are grueling or a team is struggling to find its rhythm. Patience becomes a coach’s closest ally, as development is never linear. Victories may be fleeting, but growth—both in the players and the coach themselves is the ultimate reward. The RSPA certification process reflects these truths. As I work with candidates, I look for more than technical prowess. I observe how they plan practices, organize drills, and manage their time. I watch how they interact with players, ensuring safety and inclusivity remain at the forefront A certified coach understands their role as more than an instructor—they are mentors, motivators, and, often, lifelines. They handle setbacks with grace, find solutions in the face of adversity, and always prioritize the well-being of their athletes.
One of the most critical aspects of becoming an RSPA-certified coach is learning to view the game through a broader lens. Tennis is not just about the sport itself; it’s about the relationships it fosters, the character it builds, and the joy it brings. Coaches who understand this create environments where players feel safe to grow not just as athletes but as individuals.
As a Coach Developer, I see my role as a guide and a partner. My job is not to shape every coach into a carbon copy of a textbook ideal but to help them find their unique voice. Each coach brings their own style, personality, and strengths, and when they learn to channel these authentically, the results are remarkable.
Coaching, at its core, is an act of service. It demands integrity, resilience, and heart. Watching a coach reach that level of understanding, where they realize their influence extends far beyond the court, is the most fulfilling part of my work. And as I tell every aspiring coach who enters the RSPA certification process, tennis is just the beginning. The skills you hone as a coach— the ability to lead, inspire, and connect— become gifts you carry with you for a lifetime.
For those willing to embrace the challenge, the journey to becoming an RSPA-certified tennis coach is transformative. It demands the best of you but also gives back tenfold. You’ll teach forehands and strategies, yes, but more importantly, you’ll help shape lives. That, above all else, is the true reward.
By Somadi Druker
CERTIFICATIONS & WORKSHOPS
May 29/30 with Jason Joseph
August 20-22 @Queens College
PROTECTING YOUR ONLINE CREDENTIALS
Vincent Casale Head of IT, Chairperson
What Every Tennis Pro Should Know
https://wwwcbsnewscom/news/google-passwords-leaked-data-breach-cybernews-16-billion/?utm source=chatgptcom
In today’s digital world, safeguarding your online accounts is just as important as the right approach to teach your students or selecting the right racket. Whether you're sending emails, managing schedules, or using social media to promote your lessons, your online credentials (usernames and passwords) are the keys to your digital life. A recent headline-making incident involving two of the biggest names in tech highlights just how vulnerable we ALL can be —and why it's important for everyone to take simple steps to stay protected
What happened
A massive data breach was recently uncovered involving over 16 billion credentials, from Google (Gmail) and Meta (Facebook) among the most affected platforms. Cybersecurity experts believe this data is now being actively circulated on the dark web The dark web is a hidden part of the internet that can’t be found when conducting a standard search by Chrome, Edge or Firefox, or any other search engine. It requires special software to gain access. If you use the same password across multiple sites or haven’t changed your credentials in a long time, your accounts may be at a great risk even if you haven’t noticed anything unusual.
Here’s what you should do:
VincentCasale HeadofIT,Chairperson
With over 30 years of corporate experience in enterprise IT and program management, I’ve led global teams and multimillion-dollar initiatives that modernized infrastructure and aligned technology with business strategy delivering high-impact, complex solutions My corporate background includes senior roles at UBS and Lehman Brothers As an entrepreneur, I’m now focused on building AI-powered training tools for racket sports professionals that aim to transform how coaches and athletes work My passion lies in applying innovative technology to real-world challenges that drive growth, efficiency, and performance
TIPS
Change your passwords immediately, especially for Gmail, Facebook, and any account where you reuse that same password.
Use a unique password for each account, ideally with at least 12 characters
Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) where available it adds a second layer of protection beyond just a password. You’ll be notified each time your account gets logged into.
OPTIONAL: Consider using a password manager to securely store and organize your login information
Taking a few minutes now to tighten your security could save you from major headaches down the line. If you need help, don’t hesitate to ask a trusted colleague or family member to walk you through it. Any questions feel free to drop me an email at vincasalerspa@gmail com
Education CORNER
WITHSURAJBENIWAL
ADDINGOBJECTIVESANDTACTICALAWARENESSINTENNIS COACHING
In high-performance tennis, every practice session should include clear objectives that challenge players’ perception, decision-making, and physical ability on the court. These objectives not only prepare athletes for immediate improvement but also equip them to face the future challenges of competitive play.
Errors, however, should not be heavily criticized by coaches. Instead, mistakes should be viewed as learning opportunities. Research shows that penalizing players for errors reduces their effort and willingness to take risks. Coaches should highlight positives, reinforcing what players do well and using those strengths as building blocks for development.
I have observed the same principle over the past five years of running USTA tournaments. Having organized more than one hundred events, I have consistently seen players thrive when feedback is positive. Not only does performance improve, but sportsmanship also becomes stronger in a supportive environment.
THEROLEOFTHECOACH
A successful coach must be able to listen, observe, and respond. By setting both short-term and long-term goals tailored to each player’s development, coaches can create drills and game scenarios that mirror real match situations. This approach ensures that training is purposeful, constructive, and directly connected to performance outcomes.
TACTICALFRAMEWORK:THEABC–123SYSTEM
A practical way to teach tactics is by dividing the court both horizontally and vertically:
Horizontal (A–B–C): dividing the width of the court.
Vertical (1–2–3): dividing the depth of the court.
This ABC–123 system gives players a simple yet effective framework for understanding positioning, shot selection, and tactical decision-making. With a clear plan in place, hesitation is reduced during rallies, and players learn when to attack, defend, or reset the point.
Education
WITHSURAJBENIWAL
PhysicalandMentalObjectives
Former ATP player Sam Querrey once said: “Go challenge your lungs.” Endurance and conditioning are essential, but so too is the ability to remain calm under pressure. A well-structured game plan helps players maintain a neutral mindset, avoiding unnecessary emotional highs and lows.
Breathing patterns between points can also be a powerful tool. By finding the rhythm that works best for each individual, players can regulate their heartbeat, recover more efficiently, and make better decisions in crucial moments.
CommunicationBetweenCoachandPlayer
Coach–player interactions should be less emotional and more task-oriented A coach’s role is to observe, provide constructive feedback, and guide performance without overreacting to errors.
As Coach Paul Dale once remarked: “Boys are happier when they win, but girls need to be happier in order to win.”
This highlights the importance of knowing each player individually. Motivation and emotional needs vary widely: for instance, team-based games often work better with girls, while boys may thrive in more competitive, point-based drills a principle also emphasized by coaching expert Mike Barrell.
CoachingYoungPlayers
When working with children under 10, coaches must be especially aware of their facial expressions and body language. Young players are highly sensitive to whether a coach appears supportive or overly serious, and this can strongly affect confidence and engagement.
Additionally, research shows that higher movement levels increase dopamine release, which boosts motivation and enjoyment. For this reason, sessions for younger players should focus on dynamic, high-energy activities rather than static drills
ProfessionalDevelopmentforCoaches
Continuous learning is vital for any coach seeking to raise their standard. The RSPA Level Two Course is an excellent program, offering a strong foundation in designing effective practices, improving communication, and adapting coaching styles to meet the needs of both individuals and groups.
The “Little Mo” Slam Want to win the Win all three “Little Mo” Internationals (yellow ball division only) and take home the trophy! The first leg is in Colorado Springs, Colorado (July 49), the second leg is in West Orange, New Jersey (August 16-20), and the third leg is in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida (December 5-10) Registration is open for Colorado and New Jersey Florida will open in June/July Colorado Springs, Colorado July 4-9
Player Clinic and Player Party
Results count for UTR Ratings
JOIN TODAY REAP
THE BENEFITS
Nowisanexcitingtimetobeapartoftheassociation!Inadditionto educationalchanges,I’veoutlinedourgoalsfor2023below:
1.Education
a.Continuetoprovideregularmonthlywebinars
b.Returntoin-personworkshops&conferences
2.ImproveCommunication
a.Createascheduleofregularmarketingcontent
b.ConductSemi-YearlyVirtualTownHalls
c.SurveyourMembershipmoreoften
3.HelpFacilitateNewNationalEducationTrack
a.ContinuetoLiaisonbetweenNationalandEasternDivision
b.ProvideCommunicationregardingEducationalChanges
4.CreateNewPartnerships
a.PTMPrograms
b.EarlyEducationCollegePrograms
c.LocalClubsinourDistricts
d.AttractaMoreDiverse&InclusiveFullBoardofDirectors
T T our endorsees ! our endorsees !
PAUL FONTANA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
As we enjoy the last few weeks of summer, I’m happy to say RSPA Eastern Division is firing on all cylinders!
Our yearly conference in May, held at the West Orange Tennis Center was a great success. More than 75 RSPA Professionals attended the conference over two days of excellent workshops and speakers. We included a Level I and a Level II Tennis Coaches Workshop and a Pickleball Workshop in the days leading up to the conference. Thank you, Mike Smookler, for making the West Orange Tennis Center available to the RSPA at no cost! Another highlight of the conference was our Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Danny Burgess and Mark Savage were both inducted during an emotional and joyous ceremony. Danny and Mark exemplify the best of us! They both have given so much time to our association. It was a beautiful tribute! I hope everyone puts the 2026 conference on their schedule.
We also have expanded our Coaches Workshops throughout the division, along with several webinars and workshops which are helping bring educational opportunities to all our members. If anyone is willing to host a workshop or be a presenter, please get in touch Brad Breakstone or Millie Didio or any Board member you have contact with. We all could learn from each other!
In September we will be having the RSPA World Conference in HAWAII September 21-25. The conference has an excellent field of workshops and speakers this year. We are fortunate to have this event in such a beautiful location. There is still time to register, and we hope to see as many members as possible at the conference. The World Conference is truly a highlight of year, please try to attend!
I hope everyone has a great summer season and I want to thank you for being an RSPA member!
Paul Fontana Executive Director RSPA Eastern Division