WMTA District Qualifier: Midwest Level 3

Match Format: .
The tournament is a full feed-in consolation event. All events will utilize a match tie-breaker for the third set except for Main Draw finals which will play 2 of 3 full sets. The finals of the consolation draw will not be played out unless a wildcard is determined as one of the 4 quota spots. In the event a wildcard is determined as one of the 4 quota spots, the back draw final will play a full third set. The Wilson US Open is the official tournament ball for the 12-18's events. *The WMTA Junior Competition Committee approved this plan so players still in school could participate and that the Qualifier may end in a timely manner. NO additional match time avoidance's will be considered past the close of the registration process.

TOURNAMENT ELIGIBILITY:
The WMTA Qualifier is open only to those players whose primary residence is within the Western Michigan Tennis Association boundaries. This event is a qualifier for the USTA/ Midwest Sectional Closed. Juniors may only compete in one age division and must play the age group they wish to attempt to qualify for. (No exceptions).Players are eligible in an age division until the month they age up... (example: 12 turning 13 in June would be in 14's).


Tournament Schedule and Match Times
Due to school schedules, play will begin at 5pm on Friday, .. A majority of players will still be in school, so adequate drive time will be accommodated for players located outside of the Kalamazoo area. While many of the main draws will be completed over the weekend, some feed-in consolation events could conclude as late as the Tuesday after the event begins. These factors are controlled by the number of event participants. Match times will be available on this site on Wednesday by 4pm before the tournament is to begin .

Match Conflicts/Avoidance's:

Only conflicts for regularly scheduled school days, a player's high school graduation service (no family member) or for participants in Grades 11 or 12 for the SAT/ACT test will be considered. Sporting events, graduation parties, school trips, parents work schedule, elementary or middle school graduations are not valid requests for this purpose. Legitimate requests must be emailed to the tournament director. Each will be individually evaluated if requested before entry deadline. Players will receive match times that will take into account the end of school day or time of test. Drive time will be allocated based upon distance. Be sure to include full information of the player and contact numbers. Emailed conflicts must be sent to elande@kzooymca.org before the tournament entry deadline to be considered.


Qualifying for Midwest Closed

ENDORSEMENT PROCEDURES FOR JR. MIDWEST CLOSED / TEAM CUP:

ALL players wishing to be considered for the Midwest Closed June 24-29th, must register through the Tennis Link Registration System before the conclusion of our district qualifier. The following are the Tennis Link Registration ID Numbers:

BG12, 14: -Okemos, MI (850066317)
BG16, 18: -Indianapolis, IN (850016117)
*Only players that appear both on the District Endorsement List and in the Tennis Link Registration System will be considered for the event.

Player's must provide a registration confirmation and a contact phone number to their district endorser by email before 11:59 pm Sunday June 11th.

Boy's Endorser-Tom Walker (twalker136@gmail.com cell # 269-598-8767)
Girl's Endorser- Oak Saad (oaktrees123@gmail.com cell # 269-217-2237)

*Qualifying for Midwest Closed

Western Michigan Quota is (4) Players:
The Champion, Finalist and both Feed- in Consolation Finalists* of each division will be selected for direct entry into the Midwest Closed Championships . "Players defeated in the semifinals will be fed into the consolation draw."
*(The WMTA reserves the right to alter selections based upon the possibility of injury, national/ international tournament conflicts or sportsmanship issues. Western Michigan will allow for legitimate requests for rare upper level play (Professional Futures, ITF Junior events, etc..) or extraordinary injury situations to be evaluated for a possible wildcard situation. If granted 3 quota spots will be played for (champion, finalist and feed-in champion). If not used the (4) quota spots will be (champion, finalist, 2 feed-in finalists(feed in consolation not played out). Wildcard applications must occur before qualifier the deadline and be made in written form to the district office.)

Sectional At Large Bids (26) Players Per Division:
In each age division, a list of endorsed players will be compiled. A varying number of competitors (no less than 26 from around the Midwest) will also be accepted into each division of the Midwest Closed. This procedure will be completed by the Midwest Tennis Association. Player selection is based upon sectional ranking/results. (Players ranked within the Midwest in the top 120 of their age groups should have a realistic expectation of Midwest Closed acceptance as long as all of the following WMTA qualifier requirements are met.

ALL ENDORSED PLAYERS MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:
1. Players must fully play and complete their qualifier. These rules are as follows:
i. A player who does not play and complete his/her final match in the District Qualifier will not be eligible for endorsement to the USTA/Midwest Closed Junior Outdoor Championships;
ii. Play and complete is defined as playing all points including the final point of their match;
iii. A Retirement, Walkover or Default by a player in their final match (including any FIC matches) of the District Qualifier will cause the player to no longer be eligible for endorsment to the Midwest Closed;
iv. There is no appeal to play and complete rule. The districk committee can however consider a player for the district wildcard in mid-tournament injury situations.
2. District Quota spots cannot be awarded to a player that has not won a match at their District Qualifier. (District Wildcard excluded)


District Team Cup Selections:
DISTRICT CUP TEAM PLAYER PARTICIPANTS:
Western Michigan juniors compete each year in team competitions against other districts that make up the Midwest Tennis Section. These elite competitions are held June 17-19th. Selection to represent our district is a privilege and will take place during the qualifier. Individual age group coaches will evaluate and select players based upon match results, game development, and sportsmanship. Coaches will accompany their teams to compete in the following age groups:
Boys 18's- Coach Jerry Hendrick. Girl's 18s- TBD. B/G 14's- Coach Oak Saad. B/G 12's- Coach Dan Howard. Parents are expected to provide transportation and supervision for the 12's-14's teams. Further information including details & costs will be available through the coach or by contacting the Western Michigan District office.

Midwest Zonal Teams

The USTA Zone Team Championships is a five day team competition emphasizing both singles, doubles and mixed doubles play against other section teams with match results counting for National and Midwest Section rankings. Enclosed is a review of the basic structure and exciting aspects of the developmental format. We hope this information will answer some of the questions and encourage you to apply to the USTA Zone Team Championships.

Event Goals
The goals of the USTA Boys' and Girls' Zone Team Championships are:
• To introduce young players to national competition in such a way that competitive stress is minimized and competitive learning opportunities are maximized.
• To provide the best possible competitive opportunity for maximizing each child's physical and emotional development.
Coaches
The USTA/Midwest Section will send coaches to the event. The coaches may coach players at specific times during matches and will supervise teams at official team functions.
Assignment to Teams
The Midwest Boys' and Girls' Sectional Endorser will assign players to teams to obtain as uniform team strength as possible. The teams will be selected by using the most current Midwest Standing List in the age division being endorsed.

Selection of Players:
To be considered for endorsement by the USTA/Midwest Section, each player must apply through the TennisLink Registration System (links to each team below). The USTA/Midwest Section will endorse the following:
• Boys' & Girls' 12s: A total of 18 boys and 18 girls for this event.
• Boys' & Girls' 14s: A total of 24 boys and 24 girls for this event
• Boys' & Girls' 16s: A total of 24 boys and 24 girls for this event.
Site Selection
The USTA/Midwest Section will notify all players of site selection via mail. After the deadline date, players can check the above registration web-sites for a list of players accepted to the event. No entry fee refunds will be granted for withdrawals within seven days prior to the start of the event. All other questions need to be directed to the USTA/Midwest Section.







DRAW PROCEEDINGS (NEW LOCATION) -Tuesday, June 6th, 11:00am @ YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo - Portage Branch 2900 W. Centre St. Portage MI 49024 (Tennis Office)
The Draw is open to any party who wishes to observe. We invite anyone who has concerns over procedures to avail themselves of the process. Draws are completed as per USTA regulations using the TDM program. On the occasion the computer cannot distinguish proximity of cities, the player (non-seeds) are moved into the closest allowable location. (WMTA rules mandate that we protect players from a same city match in the first round if possible) The original draws are signed and placed into a sealed envelope for verification purposes.




District At Large Alternates
District At Large Alternates In each age division, a list of endorsed alternates will be compiled. A varying number of players may be accepted into the Midwest Closed. This procedure is completed by the USTA Midwest Tennis Association. Final player selection is based upon individual ranking/results versus other district's alternate pools.


Seeding
The tournament committee will base seeding on the most current lists and tournament play available.. Seeding will be a blend of sectional and national seeding lists. District rankings will only be used if higher level information is not available.* (The Tournament Director may consider outstanding International, National or Sectional results in all age groups in order to properly seed the event.) Please fax a player record only if your tournament online record is in error or you have substantial ITF results.

Trophies and Awards.
Awards will be presented to the champion, finalists, and consolation finalists of each age division. (based on draw size)

Tournament Staff
Co-Directors-Erik Anderson, Oak Saad. Referee: Betsy Craig



WE CANNOT CONTACT YOU UNLESS YOU PROVIDE YOUR TELEPHONE NUMBER AND EMAIL ADDRESS WHEN REGISTERING.



The USTA Legal Department has determined that they cannot provide contact information to tournament directors unless the customer provides the contact information during the registration process. Previously the home phone number and email address were pre-filled from the USTA Membership database when a player went through the online registration process. The pre-fill was removed due to privacy concerns. If you don't provide an email address and/or telephone number when you register for this tournament then we will be unable to notify you about any possible changes in the tournament.

USTA/MIDWEST SECTION DOMICILE RULES:
The USTA/Midwest Section Closed Junior Championships, the district qualifiers, the USTA/Midwest Section Designated Tournaments and USTA/Midwest Section Junior Davis & Wightman Cup events are open to citizens of the U.S., permanent resident aliens in possession of a valid alien registration card, individuals who are applicants for adjustment to lawful permanent resident status and who can present a USCIS receipt for a pending unadjudicated form I-485, aliens who have resided continuously in the US for more than one year and who are members of families of persons in the diplomatic or consular corps and aliens who have been granted Refugee Status, Asylee Status or Temporary Protected Status.

DRAWS WILL BE POSTED AT 12PM the FRIDAY OF THE TOURNAMENT.


QUESTIONS? Email, elande@kzooymca.org or call (269)324-9622 X426. . Happy to answer any of your questions.



NO REFUNDS AFTER THE DRAW MEETING HAS BEEN COMPLETED.

No Selection Process. All registered players will be selected.

Entry to this tournament is open to specified residents only. Entries must be submitted by Monday, June 5, 2017 11:59:00 PM Eastern Time. Only USTA members can register online if available.

In the future, you can jump straight to this tournament by entering the tournament identification number: 855804617 from the searchable schedule homepage.

Division and Draw Type Abbreviations Legend

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