“One Star” ITF Recognition – Multisport Concepts
One Star ITF Recognition
We were recently asked to quote on a project that called up this standard and I don’t mind admitting there were a few blank faces in the office. So in true quiz show tradition we “phoned a friend”, well actually several friends. All this research led us to the publication “ITF approved Tennis Balls, Classified Surfaces and Recognised Courts 2011” publication and various pages of the ITF web site.
In short the “one star recognition” is a set of quality standards for the construction of a court. This is an entirely different standard to the “court pace classification” that most manufacturers of surfaces gain for there products.
To quote the ITF “IFT recognition is targeted at venues hosting elite-level competitions where the standard of play demands the specification of precise playing characteristics, e.g. at international tournaments, national / regional centres.” (ITF approved Tennis Balls, Classified Surfaces and Recognised Courts 2011, page 79). Thus far only ONE court in the world at Madrid has been so classified.
So what is involved?
- A visual inspection for flaws to the court
- A evenness test that basically measures the undulations of the surface over selected 3 metre runs both parallel to and perpendicular to the net (per ITF CS 02/02)
- Slope and planarity test to ensure the court meets the ITF CS 03/03 standards (19 measurement points in total)
- A dimensions test to ensure IFT CS 04/02 is met
These tests must be conducted by someone approved in advance by the ITF.
Sounds simple enough?
Well yes and no.
Any quality court builder such as Multisport Concepts should be able to meet these standards without undue stress. So pay the significant testing fee and away we go.
There are however “hidden issues”. The IFT clearly states “following installation, on-site tests should not be carried out until the court surface has been given sufficient time to stabilise. Typically, the playing surface of an acrylic court requires a week to stabilise, whereas clay or artificial grass may need several months. ….” (ITF approved Tennis Balls, Classified Surfaces and Recognised Courts 2011, page 38)
The problem here is one of practical completion – when a builder commences work, the client hands over the responsibility for many things including the safety on-site. That responsibility is returned to the client upon practical completion. So if a one star standard is requested for a synthetic grass court, practical completion maybe delayed for many months and unless the contract explicitly deals with this issue the court remains closed to the client until the testing is complete. Playing on such a surface expedites the settling in process and thus not playing on the court is further delays the process.
A secondary issue is one of payment. Let’s face it everyone expects to be paid and paid in a timely manner. If the practical completion is delayed then so to could the final progress payment. A contract so written will not win you favour with your builder.
Conclusion
Firstly ask yourself do I really need this standard, given no elite-level centre in Australia is yet certified and the answer is likely NO.
Do I want this standard? If the answer is yes, we are delighted to build such a court and get the certification but be prepared for the additional costs and contractual issues.
At Multisport Concepts we have the skills and equipment to meet / build the required one star standard.