Eligibility Requirements for the USBA National Championships and Qualifiers:

Because the top players in the National Championships will be representing the US in international competition, all participants must meet the nationality or residence requirements for such events. All players in the qualifying events must sign an eligibility form, claiming either US citizenship or official permanent resident status.

At the Nationals, each entrant must provide physical proof of eligibility. There are three basic forms of such identification:

1) a birth certificate showing birth in the US
2) a US passport
3) a "green card" (Permanent Resident Alien identification).

One of these documents must be brought to the Nationals in 2009 by EVERY PLAYER so it can be authenticated and recorded by the Secretary. The only exception is if a player has already submitted the document to the USBA for authentication and it has been approved. Once you have had your status checked and noted, you do not have to provide proof in the future, although the Secretary should be notified of changes, such as if you become a naturalized citizen.

These requirements apply to all the National Championships including the Women's and Junior’s Championship events. In addition, any player in the Junior event must be no older than 20 on January 1st of the year of the competition.

Bob Jewett
USBA President