Latest News
11 April 2021 - Collaboration with leading brands / Course Update
We are pleases to announce that ERSA has agreed a collaboration with several leading string, stringing machine and racquet brands, along with a highly experienced, and long standing UK based string, stringing machine and accessory distributor.
Firstly, we will be running most of our forthcoming course at Apollo Leisure's (www.apolloleisure.co.uk) location in Verwood, Dorset. This will allow us to utilise their available space, have a permanent set-up, and the ability to have their many years of experience within the stringing world to hand. We will be using Babolat, Head, and Gamma stringing machines for our courses allowing all attendees to work with the latest stringing equipment.
Secondly, we will be supported by Babolat, Head, and Gamma in using their strings, stringing machines, grips, racquets, and accessories on all of our courses. This will allow attendees to learn with the brands who are known to be at the fore-front of the stringing industry.
For those who attend our courses, we are working to create a starter pack of samples from the companies we are working with.
But we won;t just be working from our new base at Apollo Leisure, we will look to run courses around the country, and these will appear on the courses page as well as being promoted through our social media outlets.
We have update our expected course dates for tennis, squash, and badminton; and you can see them here.
Our tutors -
Tennis
Tennis course will be run by Paul Skipp and Huw Phillips.
Paul is a highly experience stringer, having been stringing for over 30 years. He has worked at The Championships, Wimbledon since 2004; and been Head Stringer for the last 7 years. Along with Wimbledon, he has worked Roland Garros with Babolat; and at numerous other professional tournaments from Master1000, Davis Cup, Fed Cup all the way to ITF Futures. He has achieved ERSA Master Pro Tour Stringer level
Huw is another experienced stringer. He has also worked at The Championships, Wimbledon, and several other ATP/WTA/ITF tournaments. He runs a Pro Shop at Great Missenden Tennis Club; and customises racquets for aspiring British players.
Squash
Squash course will be run by Nick Down
Like our tennis staff, Nick is a highly experienced racquets stringer, with his expertise being in squash. He has worked at numerous tournament events at the highest levels. He is also responsible for creating the ERSA squash courses and certification tests, and is well respected by all those who know and have worked with him. His courses will cover all those obscure squash racquets that may seem daunting to even the most experience stringer.
Badminton
Badminton course will be run by Mark Lawrence and Mark Goodman
The Marks have a wealth of knowledge in the badminton stringing world. They have both worked closely with Yonex at tournaments throughout the world, including the Yonex All England Badminton Tournament.
Mark Lawrence is possibly the most experienced badminton stringer around. He has many years working with Yonex, and could be regarded as a sensei for those looking to learn the art of badminton stringing. He runs the Pro Shop at the High Wycombe Badminton Centre; and badminton courses will be run from this location.
Mark Goodman has also worked many tournaments, and is also a good resource for badminton stringing. He owns a small chain of racquet specialist shops based around Cambridge and Norwich.
We are pleases to announce that ERSA has agreed a collaboration with several leading string, stringing machine and racquet brands, along with a highly experienced, and long standing UK based string, stringing machine and accessory distributor.
Firstly, we will be running most of our forthcoming course at Apollo Leisure's (www.apolloleisure.co.uk) location in Verwood, Dorset. This will allow us to utilise their available space, have a permanent set-up, and the ability to have their many years of experience within the stringing world to hand. We will be using Babolat, Head, and Gamma stringing machines for our courses allowing all attendees to work with the latest stringing equipment.
Secondly, we will be supported by Babolat, Head, and Gamma in using their strings, stringing machines, grips, racquets, and accessories on all of our courses. This will allow attendees to learn with the brands who are known to be at the fore-front of the stringing industry.
For those who attend our courses, we are working to create a starter pack of samples from the companies we are working with.
But we won;t just be working from our new base at Apollo Leisure, we will look to run courses around the country, and these will appear on the courses page as well as being promoted through our social media outlets.
We have update our expected course dates for tennis, squash, and badminton; and you can see them here.
Our tutors -
Tennis
Tennis course will be run by Paul Skipp and Huw Phillips.
Paul is a highly experience stringer, having been stringing for over 30 years. He has worked at The Championships, Wimbledon since 2004; and been Head Stringer for the last 7 years. Along with Wimbledon, he has worked Roland Garros with Babolat; and at numerous other professional tournaments from Master1000, Davis Cup, Fed Cup all the way to ITF Futures. He has achieved ERSA Master Pro Tour Stringer level
Huw is another experienced stringer. He has also worked at The Championships, Wimbledon, and several other ATP/WTA/ITF tournaments. He runs a Pro Shop at Great Missenden Tennis Club; and customises racquets for aspiring British players.
Squash
Squash course will be run by Nick Down
Like our tennis staff, Nick is a highly experienced racquets stringer, with his expertise being in squash. He has worked at numerous tournament events at the highest levels. He is also responsible for creating the ERSA squash courses and certification tests, and is well respected by all those who know and have worked with him. His courses will cover all those obscure squash racquets that may seem daunting to even the most experience stringer.
Badminton
Badminton course will be run by Mark Lawrence and Mark Goodman
The Marks have a wealth of knowledge in the badminton stringing world. They have both worked closely with Yonex at tournaments throughout the world, including the Yonex All England Badminton Tournament.
Mark Lawrence is possibly the most experienced badminton stringer around. He has many years working with Yonex, and could be regarded as a sensei for those looking to learn the art of badminton stringing. He runs the Pro Shop at the High Wycombe Badminton Centre; and badminton courses will be run from this location.
Mark Goodman has also worked many tournaments, and is also a good resource for badminton stringing. He owns a small chain of racquet specialist shops based around Cambridge and Norwich.
10 December 2020 - Course Calender 2021
We have now complied a list of dates, and these are available via the Course Dates page. You will see that we have a comprehensive range of courses available throughout the year; and covering Badminton, Tennis and Squash.
These courses are run by top stringers, not just in the UK but in the World. Our Badminton tutor works closely with Yonex at tournaments throughout the World, and instruction other stringers on the best techniques for badminton racquets and strings. The Squash tutor has string for the very best professional players over many years; and he also wrote the course and test for ERSA. And finally, the tennis courses are run by the Head Stringer at Wimbledon, who also has a wealth of knowledge from over many years of tournament experience at all levels.
We will reveal the rest of our plans regarding locations and corroboration very soon.
We have now complied a list of dates, and these are available via the Course Dates page. You will see that we have a comprehensive range of courses available throughout the year; and covering Badminton, Tennis and Squash.
These courses are run by top stringers, not just in the UK but in the World. Our Badminton tutor works closely with Yonex at tournaments throughout the World, and instruction other stringers on the best techniques for badminton racquets and strings. The Squash tutor has string for the very best professional players over many years; and he also wrote the course and test for ERSA. And finally, the tennis courses are run by the Head Stringer at Wimbledon, who also has a wealth of knowledge from over many years of tournament experience at all levels.
We will reveal the rest of our plans regarding locations and corroboration very soon.
25 November 2020 - ERSA UK 2021 Plans
While 2020 has been difficult for all of us, we have been working hard on our plans for next year. We are currently working not only a full schedule of courses and test dates for all racquet sports, but also on securing support from some of the biggest names in racquet sports. These companies will help us to provide more courses, a stable location, and the resources to provide the best service possible. We willhave some course around the country, but we'll be primarily based in once location.
Once we have concluded these discussion we will release this information via social media.
While 2020 has been difficult for all of us, we have been working hard on our plans for next year. We are currently working not only a full schedule of courses and test dates for all racquet sports, but also on securing support from some of the biggest names in racquet sports. These companies will help us to provide more courses, a stable location, and the resources to provide the best service possible. We willhave some course around the country, but we'll be primarily based in once location.
Once we have concluded these discussion we will release this information via social media.
9 January 2020 - ERSA Membership Change
From 9 January 2020 all UK memberships will now be administered from the central ERSA office & website. We have removed all payment buttons from this site. If you need to make a payment for membership please visit This Site. For current UK members, if you have an inquiries, please visit the Contact page.
We will continue to run stringing courses and tests within the UK.
From 9 January 2020 all UK memberships will now be administered from the central ERSA office & website. We have removed all payment buttons from this site. If you need to make a payment for membership please visit This Site. For current UK members, if you have an inquiries, please visit the Contact page.
We will continue to run stringing courses and tests within the UK.
8 January 2018 - Sergetti Members offer
Following on from December's offer from Sergetti, they are now offering any current ERSA UK Member 1 free personal tension sheet. To view the offer and requirements, members should login and visit the ERSA UK members documents page. If you're a member but don't have access, please contact us so that we can arrange a login for you.
Following on from December's offer from Sergetti, they are now offering any current ERSA UK Member 1 free personal tension sheet. To view the offer and requirements, members should login and visit the ERSA UK members documents page. If you're a member but don't have access, please contact us so that we can arrange a login for you.
12 December 2017 - ERSA Symposium 2018 : Details have now been released outlining the plans for next years symposium. It will be held in Milan, from 6 April 2018, and last for 5 days. The outline, initial timetable, and application form can be found on the dedicated page here.
12 December 2017 - Sergetti Stringing System
ERSA UK is proud to offer the Sergetti stringing system to our UK members at a discount price. The Sergetti method is a way to string you or your customers racquets so that the size of the sweetspot is increase. This can help in performance, but also in making the racquet more comfortable to use. All aspects of the racquet and string are taken into consideration when determining the exact tension to be placed on each string; therefore each set of stringing instructions are personal to a player, their racquet, and their string.
The current cost of each personal set of stringing instructions is £17.45*; and Serge Thibodeau (the owner & designer of the system) has allowed ESRA UK to offer our members a discount of 20%. If you would like to read more about the system, please visit Sergetti, and to buy the system for your preferences please visit Sergetti ERSA Discount. For a discount code please click here.
*Based on current exchange rate with Canadian Dollar
20 October 2017 - 'Stringer' software
ERSA UK is proud to endorse the 'Stringer' racquet stringing management software. This is a comprehensive stand alone piece of software that can record all your stringing records. It has been in use at Wimbledon since 2009, and we have help evolve it into the excellent tool that it is.
You can use a trial of the software by visiting here, or clicking on the image below.
ERSA UK is proud to endorse the 'Stringer' racquet stringing management software. This is a comprehensive stand alone piece of software that can record all your stringing records. It has been in use at Wimbledon since 2009, and we have help evolve it into the excellent tool that it is.
You can use a trial of the software by visiting here, or clicking on the image below.
19 October 2017 - 2 Day Stringing Course at Nottingham Tennis Centre
We will be running a 2 day stringing course at the Nottingham Tennis Centre on 11 & 12 November 2017. The course will be a standard course and the content covered can be view here. If you'd like more information, please contact us; and to book a place please do so here.
We will be running a 2 day stringing course at the Nottingham Tennis Centre on 11 & 12 November 2017. The course will be a standard course and the content covered can be view here. If you'd like more information, please contact us; and to book a place please do so here.
Stringing Courses18 September 2017 - Racquet Customsation Course at National Tennis Centre, Roehampton.
We will be running a course on racquet customisation. For full details of what the course will entail please click here. Due to the size of the location, places will be limited. So please contact/book as soon as you can.
We will be running a course on racquet customisation. For full details of what the course will entail please click here. Due to the size of the location, places will be limited. So please contact/book as soon as you can.
12 August 2017 - Strings & Stringing Workshop for Players/Parents/Coaches at Junior Nationals - West Hants Club, Bournemouth & Nottingham Tennis Centre, Nottingham
Further to previous tweets, and the listing on the LTA Coaches website, we need to apologise and clarify the situation regarding the the above workshop
Firstly, we apologise for any confusion that has been caused if people felt that we were offering 2 day stringing courses at both West Hants and Nottingham Tennis Centre, that the course was free, and that it would attract 12 CPD points. This is not the case, and it was never out intention of running a course under those circumstances. Unfortunately due to the nature of the LTA site, we were unable to fully outline the basis of the course, the length of it, and how many CPD credits would be applied.
Secondly, the course is actually a workshop run in association with Babolat, who is an LTA sponsor; and the outline is listed below. The cost of each workshop is still free, but is only open to players, their parents, and their coach(es) who are taking part in the tournemtn. Due to limited parking space, it is not open to those who are not part of the tournament.
Babolat workshop
Babolat, in association with the European Racquet Stringers Association (ERSA), would like to invite players to a workshop on the subject of racquets, string and stringing.
The aim is to share information with players, parent, and coaches on:
· Maximising the player’s skill level - using the correct racquet, string & type of stringing
· Avoiding the wrong racquet/string set up
· Understanding string choices
· Dispelling common myths about racquet/strings
· Helping to differentiate between ‘strings’ & ‘string set-ups’
The workshop is also listed on the Continuous Professional Development (CPD) section of the LTA website.
2 CPD points will be offered to any coach attending any of the sessions
The workshop times and dates would be as follows
21 August - West Hants TC - 11am - up to 1.5hrs
22 August - Nottingham Tennis Centre - 11am - up to 1.5 hrs; 2pm - up to 1.5 hrs
There will be no practical instruction on racquet stringing
We appreciate that this may not be what you were looking for, but we still hope that you will attend especially if you’ll be at either venue with your players and their parents.
We apologise for any confusion that may have been caused. If you would like to attend a stringing course run by the ERSA, please contact by us directly by email.
Further to previous tweets, and the listing on the LTA Coaches website, we need to apologise and clarify the situation regarding the the above workshop
Firstly, we apologise for any confusion that has been caused if people felt that we were offering 2 day stringing courses at both West Hants and Nottingham Tennis Centre, that the course was free, and that it would attract 12 CPD points. This is not the case, and it was never out intention of running a course under those circumstances. Unfortunately due to the nature of the LTA site, we were unable to fully outline the basis of the course, the length of it, and how many CPD credits would be applied.
Secondly, the course is actually a workshop run in association with Babolat, who is an LTA sponsor; and the outline is listed below. The cost of each workshop is still free, but is only open to players, their parents, and their coach(es) who are taking part in the tournemtn. Due to limited parking space, it is not open to those who are not part of the tournament.
Babolat workshop
Babolat, in association with the European Racquet Stringers Association (ERSA), would like to invite players to a workshop on the subject of racquets, string and stringing.
The aim is to share information with players, parent, and coaches on:
· Maximising the player’s skill level - using the correct racquet, string & type of stringing
· Avoiding the wrong racquet/string set up
· Understanding string choices
· Dispelling common myths about racquet/strings
· Helping to differentiate between ‘strings’ & ‘string set-ups’
The workshop is also listed on the Continuous Professional Development (CPD) section of the LTA website.
2 CPD points will be offered to any coach attending any of the sessions
The workshop times and dates would be as follows
21 August - West Hants TC - 11am - up to 1.5hrs
22 August - Nottingham Tennis Centre - 11am - up to 1.5 hrs; 2pm - up to 1.5 hrs
There will be no practical instruction on racquet stringing
We appreciate that this may not be what you were looking for, but we still hope that you will attend especially if you’ll be at either venue with your players and their parents.
We apologise for any confusion that may have been caused. If you would like to attend a stringing course run by the ERSA, please contact by us directly by email.
18 March 2017 - We are now in a position to offer the new ERSA Master Professional Stringer Certification. This replaces the outdated Master Racquet Technician (MRT). For those people who are currently MRT's or who have been in recent years, the upgrade test is free. If you are a member who's membership has lapsed, you must re-join before taking the test. We intend to have several dates where people can attend and take the tests. If you are interested in taking this test, please register your interest by completing the form below.
There is also a sign-up form for the ERSA Symposium here. It relates to additional courses and tests for those who are attending the symposium in Dusseldorf from the 31 March.
There is also a sign-up form for the ERSA Symposium here. It relates to additional courses and tests for those who are attending the symposium in Dusseldorf from the 31 March.
2 December 2016 - ERSA Symposium 2017 : Details have now been released outlinging the plans for next years symposium. It will be held in Dusseldorf, from the beginning of April. The outline, initial timetable, and applicstion form can be found on the dedicated page here.
22 November 2016 - IMPORTANT PRESS RELEASE
Please see the press release regarding ERSA International's position within the professional stringing community, updates to existing certifications, and relationships with other associations. You are able to download and read this document at your convenience. This sit4 will also be updates in due course to reflect this information.
Please see the press release regarding ERSA International's position within the professional stringing community, updates to existing certifications, and relationships with other associations. You are able to download and read this document at your convenience. This sit4 will also be updates in due course to reflect this information.
ERSA International Press Release 2016
21 October 2016 - As some of you may be aware, the ERSA is planning to change both the names and contents of two of its levels of certification. While no names have been confirmed yet, the ERSA Certified Stringer (CS) and Master Racquet Technician (MRT) are those levels that will be changing. This opportunity will allow us to bring up to date both the relevant courses and certification levels so that it reflects the current state of the stringing world.
Here in the UK we have yet to receive confirmation from the main ERSA Office in Germany as to when the new certifications will be introduced, we would like to think that the following may happen:-
At the same time, the ERSA is expected to introduce other levels of certification. These would be as follows:-
Furthermore, the ERSA is no longer affiliated with the USRSA. While both associations recognise the status of each as a professional body, neither directly recognises the CS and MRT certifications offered by each. As the original source for the CS & MRT from both associations is the same, the level of each is equal. However, just because a stringer has an MRT from one organisation it does not entitle them to the same certification by the other. If you have any questions about your certification from the ERSA, please Contact Us
Until we implement the changes, we will continue to offer ERSA courses, ERSA CS and ERSA MRT certifications; and all existing certifications hold the same status as before. If you'd like further information about existing courses, certifications, or the new certifications, please feel free to contact me using the details on the Contact Us page.
Paul
Here in the UK we have yet to receive confirmation from the main ERSA Office in Germany as to when the new certifications will be introduced, we would like to think that the following may happen:-
- ERSA Certified Stringers will remain as such, since the ERSA CS certification was always to be 'for life'.
- A new level 1 certification would be introduced to replace the ERSA CS. This would be more inline with today's stringing world. It would likely be accepted at the same level as the old ERSA CS.
- A new level 2 certification would be introduced to replace the ERSA MRT. The test paper would contain question more relevant, while the practical would be more inline with stringing that stringers are currently experiencing.
- It would be expected that existing ERSA MRTs would remain as such until the new certifications are introduced.
- There would an upgrade test for people looking to move forward from ERSA CS level, the new level 1 or existing ERSA MRTs.
- Existing MRTs may have to take a more comprehensive test to obtain the new level 2 that the usual annual test. This would be because both the practical and written parts are up to date.
- The usual annual test would be taken in subsequent years once a successful candidate has passed the new level 2 test.
- It would be expected that the new level 2 test would sit above the existing ERSA MRT (or any other MRT) due to its more advanced content.
At the same time, the ERSA is expected to introduce other levels of certification. These would be as follows:-
- A new level 1 certification for badminton and squash. These would be aimed at stringers who work primarily at 1 racquet sport.
- A new level 2 certification for badminton and squash. These would be aimed at stringers who would like to work towards working at a tournament level.
- A Pro Tour Level 1 would be introduced for badminton and squash. These would be aimed at stringers who would like to work at the high levels to tournament.
- A comprehensive course that covers all three major racquet sports, and is aimed at people that have a wide variety of stringing work such as a shop at a club.
Furthermore, the ERSA is no longer affiliated with the USRSA. While both associations recognise the status of each as a professional body, neither directly recognises the CS and MRT certifications offered by each. As the original source for the CS & MRT from both associations is the same, the level of each is equal. However, just because a stringer has an MRT from one organisation it does not entitle them to the same certification by the other. If you have any questions about your certification from the ERSA, please Contact Us
Until we implement the changes, we will continue to offer ERSA courses, ERSA CS and ERSA MRT certifications; and all existing certifications hold the same status as before. If you'd like further information about existing courses, certifications, or the new certifications, please feel free to contact me using the details on the Contact Us page.
Paul
3 October 2016 - We have now uploaded information about the certification levels that we offer, and what it takes to achieve these high-regarded qualifications. By visiting Certification Levels, you'll be able to see the full list that is available; and the breakdown can be seen by viewing CS & MRT and PTS 1 & 2 requirements respectively.
We will hopefully be able to add the information regarding squash and badminton certifications shortly.
We will hopefully be able to add the information regarding squash and badminton certifications shortly.
28 September 2016 - We have now uploaded information about our Introductory, Standard, Prep & Test, and Racquet Customisation Course. We've also included information about the Tournament Stringing Room Simulation, and if you'd like to be part of that stern test of your skills, please complete the form. All course dates are listed here.
3 May 2016 - We have uploaded our schedule for the courses we will be running from July 2016 to March 2017. Please visit the Course Dates page. We will shortly be adding the full details of all our courses. For the type of courses we offer please visit the Stringing Courses page.
We have also been approved to offer LTA Licence points if you are a coach and take one of our courses we can arrange for those points to be granted to you. We offer 12 points for the Standard course, and 6 points for every other course.
We have also been approved to offer LTA Licence points if you are a coach and take one of our courses we can arrange for those points to be granted to you. We offer 12 points for the Standard course, and 6 points for every other course.
17 January 2016 - We will be working with Babolat to provide stringing services to local badminton tournaments which come under the Badminton England banner. We are looking for experienced badminton stringers to work at these tournaments. Tournaments cover a range of age groups from juniors to veterans. Some may be a single day, while others may be over a few days. While we can't guarantee a specific level of income, there will be a possibility to sell additional products as well as the income from stringing. Stringers should have a professional level stringing machine, ideally Babolat, but others will be considered. You would also be required to promote Babolat badminton products, and branded kit will be supplied to successful applicants.
If you are interested in this opportunity, please feel out the from below and I will contact you in due course
13 August 2015 - We are looking to run ERSA Certification tests between mid and the end of September. We will run both Certified Stringer and Master Racquet Technician tests. Courses may be run in different locations dependent upon interested parties location, but it is intended to run a course at the National Tennis Centre, Roehampton.
To register your interest, please complete the form below :-
