If you like to play racquetball, are 45+ years of age, and have a desire to compete against some of the finest masters players in the world, then you should join the NMRA. Maybe you just want to play with some of the legends of masters'  racquetball and test your skill level against theirs. Maybe you just want to be a part of a very special group of people who love to compete but who also enjoy the concept of competing against the best in a self-refereed format. Maybe you just want to play in tournaments where you can get the maximum amount of competition without the fear of being eliminated from the tournament.  If you are any of the above, you should join the NMRA.

How Do You Join The NMRA?

When you become a member of the NMRA you will join other members in all the travel, fun, excitement, adventure, camaraderie, and friendship. To join the NMRA all you have to do is complete an "APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP" form, pay the low three-year membership fee, and send it NMRA. It's just that simple!                       

• ENTRY FORMS for all NMRA tournaments.

• "RACQUET/RACKET": Receive the official newsletter of the NMRA, containing all NMRA tourney results, dates of up-coming events, racquetball humor and information about the NMRA and the sport of racquetball.

• NMRA DIRECTORY  A complete directory of all members of the NMRA divided into two sections: alphabetical,  and geographical. A super resource for those who travel and wish to play with other members, or who just want to keep in contact with NMRA racquetball friends.

• WELCOME GIFT

• HALL OF FAME CONSIDERATION. In 1996, the NMRA established a National Masters Racquetball Association, International Hall of Fame. All players who meet the criteria for consideration are eligible.  In years to come, this might be you!

• THE GREATEST BENEFIT IN JOINING is that you will become one of a group of very special people who have many interests similar to those that you possess -- a love of racquetball, competition, fairness, friendship and camaraderie. You will likely find what you seek within the National Masters Racquetball Association.

Sportsmanship-Camaraderie-Friendship-Competition

These four words go a long way toward describing the nature and philosophy of the NMRA.  If you do join this organization, you will witness these attributes at all NMRA tournaments.  At NMRA tournaments you will meet some of the finest friends one could ever have, and play lots of highly competitive racquetball without referees.  After play, you will enjoy socializing and dining together with your friends and fellow players.  Finally, when the tournament is finished, you will eagerly look forward to the next tournament where you can do it all again.  These are real good reasons for joining the NMRA, and now is a good time to do it.

Round Robin Tournaments - No More One Round And Out

Have you ever gone to a racquetball tournament that was single elimination, where you lost in the first or second round on the first day of play, and home you go? Or, possibly, after being eliminated, you sat around for a few days and watched the others play because your return plane ticket was dated for the last day of the tournament, or your friends and transportation home were still playing and having fun. Fear no more, because all NMRA tournaments are round robin. No matter what the outcome of your matches,  win or lose,  you play all of your scheduled matches and continue to play to the end of the tournament.  No going home early!  Round robin guarantees you get lots of play, lots of matches, and that you will not depart early. 

Tournaments - How They Work

All NMRA Tournaments are sanctioned by the USAR as level 5 events (level 6 is the highest). So, for national ranking purposes, you will receive USAR level 5 ranking points. Very few events rank as a level 5.

The typical round robin tournament will have five (5) year age groups. Depending on the number of participants in each age group, one or multiple flights will be established. Each flight will be seeded according to the known ability of the players, with an attempt to make the flights as balanced as possible.  You will play each of the opponents in your flight, at least once. On occasion, because of a smaller number of players in any given age group, a multiple round robin format may be necessary in order to guarantee that each entrant gets a sufficient amount of play. You will compete against a large number of players within your division. This format allows you the chance to experience the excitement of matching your skills against those of a large variety of players.  

Match format and points are determined by the NMRA and the tournament committee, but generally you can expect at least 200 points of play if you enter one division, or double that number for two divisions. A match may consist of one game to 21, or two games to 11. Tournaments are four days long, and you may enter up to two divisions. Winners of each match are awarded bonus points and the losers record the number of points they score during the match. At the end of a single flight round robin, the winner is determined by the person with the highest number of points. In multiple flight age brackets, cross flight competition will determine the champion.  

All matches are self-refereed and "sportsmanship and fairness" is the name of the game. When players disagree, the point is replayed. The judges, linesmen, and officials are in the court with you. The decisions are arrived at via the integrity of the competing players.      

"National Champion" or "International Champion" awards are given to the winners. "National Finalist" or "International Finalist" along with 3rd and 4th place awards are presented to those who came close. Links to tournament results can be found on the "Tournaments" page. 
  
Regardless of the outcome, the round robin format used in all NMRA tournaments provides each player the opportunity to test their skills against the best players in the world, and return home with a sense of accomplishment knowing they've competed with the best.