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The Programming Timetable
David Simms outlines a progression to follow in building up your programme... | |
In looking to start a programme from scratch we can identify a series of progressions
1. Initial Promotion
Ok, so your starting at a new club or venue. Firstly let's get the word out!
Ideally make the first session free in order to get 'feet on courts'.
Your targets are:
Existing members / users of the facility: Get a mailshot or e mail shot around plus plenty of adverts at the venue outlining a starting date.
Potential new members: Get leaflets round three or four local primary schools or better still arrange to do an in school demonstration. In England contact your local PDM (Partnership Development Manager) to make use of the school sports partnership network. You can also try and set up a photo opportunity with the local newspaper (this is both cheaper and more effective than paying for an ad!)
2. Flagship Sessions (see also separate resource article)
Your first session to be established is the Junior Flagship Session. This guarantees numbers as well as being popular with clubs as it rapidly generates new members. Many clubs offer these sessions free to members for an initial period (eg 6 weeks) as an incentive (the coach is paid an hourly rate) after which time the coach collects the income direct.
Similarly the Senior Flagship Session will engage older members whose preference will be for organised play.
This is a win/win situation as parents will be happy to pay since the deal also includes court usage and the coach is guaranteed both work and a potential client base.
3. Create Social Infrastructure
Your next task is to get the participants and parents into regarding your club as a recreational home and to form a social community aligned to tennis. Encourage juniors to spend as much time as possible at the club outside of sessions and encourage parents by providing chat and coffee facilities plus the right to play on court at other times free of charge with their kids.
This is very useful for children under 9 who would not be able to rally without an adult present - it increases standards quickly and incentives families to get involved - remember you are competing with many other activities for the children's free time. Done? OK we're getting there!
4. Diversify programme.
Now let's get people taking part more than once a week and increase the quality of delivery at the same time. Offer small group squads during midweek slots on a course basis. Families will often want to 'box off' after school slots for activities for children.
You can also run adult courses and team training as an offshoot from the club sessions. Now you're programmes starting to fill up 7 days per week!
5. Provide competitive structure and 'exit routes' to higher levels.
Now its time to add the finishing touches. Introduce junior rankings and box leagues aligned to the LTA British Tennis Membership or Imternational Tennis Numbers (used universally in Ireland) plus Junior Aces nights for 12 and unders.
As the players improve start invitation sub-performance and performance squads to higher levels
...way to go!
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