2025-2026 Racquets Coaching Award

In recognition of the vital role played by Racquet Club Professionals in the North American clubs, the Racquets Coaching Award (“RCA”) will be made at the end of this coming season. The RCA will be awarded to the racquets teaching club pro who stands out as the most effective driver of play and travel among his North American colleagues.  This year’s award is funded by The Jesters’ Foundation, which has generously committed $5,000.00. 

As determined by the RCA’s independent committee, the award will be presented to the professional who best meets the criteria below for the 2025/26 NARA season:

1. Number of players travelling to an out-of-town NARA tournament during the season (exclusive of the U-35 event).

2. Number of first-time traveling racquets players participating in out-of-town tournaments as contestants.

3. Number of players participating in the U-35 event.

4. Number of Kendrick Cup contestants (greater weight given to travelling contestants).

5. Initiatives developed or maintained which directly and positively impact the participation of racquets playing members of his club (e.g. racquets nights, one-off intraclub matches).

6. Contribution to the health or growth of his club’s racquets program, as measured by court hours, lessons given, new players recruited from the squash courts, tennis courts, members’ bar, etc..

7. The size of each club’s membership will be taken into account when looking at participation figures.

8. Nominations may only be made by an active racquets-playing member of the nominating NARA club.

9. Please send a single nomination letter for each nominee (though more than one nominee from any particular club is welcome) to PlayRacquets@gmail.com  by the deadline of May 1st, 2026.

10. The winner of this season’s award will be announced at the Kendrick Cup, Pro-Singles and Pro-Am Doubles Event at Tuxedo in Early June.