UTR Sports' Color Ball Rating is the world's one and only! Tennis providers globally have used the Color Ball Rating to create a positive learning experience for players, allowing them to develop their skills and have fun.
The CBR Rating has also been used worldwide to facilitate development by introducing level-based play while youngsters use right-sized equipment, court sizes, and formats.
Nowhere has this been more evident than in Australia, where the Color Ball Rating has helped thousands of youngsters fall in love with the sport of tennis.
UTR Sports chatted with Ricky Neilsen, the head coach of Smash Tennis at the Ingleburn Tennis Club, to learn more about the Color Ball Rating and the great work being done throughout the country.
How long have you been involved in tennis and in your role overall?
I have been coaching for over 20 years and started playing tennis as a kid in 1994. I started our color ball program in 2014. My main role is overseeing our younger players (ages 4-10) by progressing them at the correct stage in their development.
How long have you been working with UTR Sports?
I joined UTR Sports in 2022.
What do you think of the UTR Sports Tournament Management Software overall?
The software is generally user-friendly once you have some basic training. It is very easy to set up events with this software.
What do you think of the UTR Color Ball Rating?
I think it’s been a welcome addition to the platform to have players getting used to the system. Many of my own students tend to move quickly from Orange and Green into normal UTR Rating, so they often are not in the same color for long periods.
What do you enjoy most about CBR Rating and UTR Sports?
The fact that younger kids not ready for full court (yellow ball) can experience the same offerings and events.
What is the best part about color ball tennis overall? What's your favorite part?
Being able to progress all players (kids) in a more controlled environment.
What would you say to providers unsure about color ball tennis?
There is too much focus on yellow ball as this generates the most available players since many providers don’t often have strong foundations of orange and green players. Many providers will only do yellow since it is easier. If you want to build your tournament and competition base, color ball tennis should be added to your program.
How do kids gravitate towards it overall?
Most kids are very motivated with color balls and can see plenty of advantages moving from red to orange to green. However, it is usually only high-end juniors (and their parents) who see color as not great. As a coach, I find that once a player has enough skill and is playing frequently, they naturally progress into full court and yellow ball quicker.
Go here to learn more about Color Ball tennis and the UTR Sports Color Ball Rating