One Universally Accepted Scheme

The Tennis Racket Specialist Scheme is an education and certification programme for retailers and associated teaching pros benefitting the buying public.

TRS Certified Stringers are the recognised experts in this field and a real asset to British tennis.

As more retailers become accredited to the scheme, consumers are able to seek out TRS Certified Stringers on the TIA UK website designating their nearest accredited racket specialist > See Find a Qualified Stringer

Workshops and testing afford specialist sports retailers the opportunity to become fully accredited and recognised and plans are afoot to run two in April. Details will be posted here when confirmed.

TRS Membership of the TIA UK offers information to accredited stringers and a form is available to download from this page.

TRS Board and Certification

The scheme is administered under the auspices of the TIA UK by an independent group called the TRS Board.

This group represents racket manufacturers and stringing companies who along with the European Racquet Stringers

Association have combined their expertise to provide a universally recognised and credible system of training and certification for sports shops and associated teaching professionals throughout the UK.

Stringers attending the workshops learn the best methods of racket stringing and servicing and are subsequently tested by Master Racquet Technicians from the European Racquet Stringers Association, whose certification system is used to measure standards around the world.

This results in better advice and service for the consumer and ensures grater knowledge in tennis equipment and on-going maintenance costs

In all, a better deal for the British tennis enthusiast and the sports retailers.

Members of the TRS Board include representatives from Apollo Leisure, Bow Brand, W & D Strings, ERSA, the Lawn Tennis Association, tenniscoachesUK and the TIA UK.

The Chairman of the TRS Board may be co-opted to the Council of the TIA UK.

The TIA UK Board is currently reviewing the TRS Scheme and will advise of future workshops in due course.

Traditionally workshops have covered the following topics:

• Introduction to the TRS Scheme
• Racquet & String History
• Stringing Demonstration
• Restringing a racquet
• Racquet Technology
• String Technology
• Machines & Tools
• Gripping, Grommeting & Tubing Demonstration
• Re Gripping & Re Grommeting a racquet
• Sales and Marketing
• Racquet Tuning Demonstration

Attendance of a workshop counts for 6 credits towards an LTA Licensed Coach's credit requirements.

Participants are invited to take the appropriate written test a month later, after which successful graduates may promote themselves as TRS Certified Stringers and to display the distinctive sticker.