Elm Park Tennis Vision Committee Report 0
Contents 1. Club Vision and Goals... 2 2. Constituent Parts... 3 3. Survey overview... 4 4. Director of Tennis Role... 6 5. Facilities... 7 6. Membership and Adult Activities... 9 7. League... 12 8. Juniors... 14 1
1. Club Vision and Goals The vision of Elm Park Tennis club is to actively nurture and promote the enjoyment of tennis by all members irrespective of age, gender or ability through the promotion and development of tennis activity programmes for all members, in a safe and welcoming environment. The club's goals are: To continuously improve and maintain high quality playing, social and changing facilities to support the tennis activities. To create an atmosphere where tennis players of all skill levels can meet other people and make new friends as well as find tennis players of a similar level to play with at the club. To place greater importance on the social aspects of tennis rather than being purely competition and results driven. To provide a range of activities such as coaching, training, social tennis, competition tennis, tournaments and social activities so people can come to learn and improve on their tennis skills as well as participate in social events the Tennis Club may be holding. To participate in the Leinster interclub leagues at all levels. 2
2. Constituent Parts In developing the club s vision and goals the committee considered what the vision should be for each of the constituent parts of the club. Adult Tennis Director of Tennis Facilities League Tennis Junior Tennis 3
3. Survey overview The committee were of the view that an integral part of any vision for the future of the club was to establish what members views were on the current activities and facilities within the club and how they should be developed in the future. For this reason a survey broadly covering: (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) Overview and participation Facilities Adult Tennis Activities Director of Tennis was sent out to all adult members. We would like to thank all members who took the time to respond to the survey. This survey provided an essential ingredient for the development of vision for the club outlined above. Our survey did not cover the junior section of the club as we felt it would be better to meet with the parents and junior committee to develop a vision for this section of the club. 149 responses were received to the survey, from a cross section of the club, as depicted below. The respondents covered a cross section of the club under a number of headings: 4
Headline results The relevant responses to each of the area are considered in detail in each section of the report below. However there were a number of responses which merit highlighting: 1. Over 96% of respondents enjoy their tennis experience in Elm Park. 2. Over 90% of respondents would like social events organised in conjunction with tennis activities 3. Over 95% of respondents felt a junior development squad for feeding into the senior league teams should be developed 4. Over 92% of respondents were in favour of maintaining the front 5 grass courts, 73% were open to replacing the back 2 grass courts to all weather surfaces Suggestions / Comments received The following comment / suggestions were received from a number of respondents. There are a number of others which this committee would strongly urge the tennis committee to give careful consideration to (both good and not so good!). 1. Grading of players is key to the enjoyment of the social tennis activities 2. Some mixed semi open nights for under 35 members should be held 3. Communication and encouragement (in particular to newer members) should be improved 4. Bar food and movement around bar needs to be reconsidered 5. Family membership should be promoted (Cost of this needs to reviewed) 6. Over 78% of respondents would like to see the club host an open Grass court tournament 5
4. Director of Tennis Role The director of tennis role was introduced to Elm Park c 10 years ago with the objectives of Providing quality coaching for both league and non-league players Developing a junior programme with the club Developing and assisting the committee with the introduction of new tennis formats within the adult social tennis programme. Administration of a number of social tennis events With the recent departure of the director of tennis the committee considered whether the current structure of this role was the most appropriate for the future development of the club. The views of a number of ex committee members and past captains were garnered in respect of this. The strong view was that the Director of Tennis role was imperative for the continuing development of the club. However it was felt that the administration role should be separated from the Director of Tennis role as the qualities required for both were very different. A number of members, from both the junior and adult sections, felt a panel (circa 3 or 4) of coaches should be approved and available for member private coaching within Elm Park as it was felt a one size fits for all approach does not necessarily work. It was felt that the Director of Tennis should be responsible for selecting coaches with the tennis committee s approval. 6
5. Facilities Mission Statement To have high quality playing, social and changing facilities for members to ensure enjoyment by all members of the tennis club. Survey results analysis The Survey results were particularly clear on some aspects of the tennis facilities the club should strive (or not) to achieve. Facilities Consensus Change Grass courts for artificial Change surface on back two grass courts Improve viewing facilities Provide a gym 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 No Yes It is clear from the above that respondents are clearly in favour of retaining the front five grass courts, changing the surface of the back to grass to artificial (some suggested artificial clay), improving the viewing facilities and the building of a gym. Respondents saw gym facilities as an integral way to attract new members in various age categories as older people need to keep active and younger people want to maintain high fitness levels. Other points of note: The indoor courts are favoured by over 60% of the respondents during the winter months. 90% of respondents were happy with availability of courts Significant percentages (c 80% +) considered the court surfaces, enclosures, nets, court lights, paths to courts and the clubhouse were excellent / good. Court house keeping and the caddy master s reception were rated excellent / good by just circa 70% of respondents Ratings for o distractions caused by the car park or pedestrian activity o Peripheral light glare o Lockers, Locker rooms and Showers & Sanitary o Notice Boards 7
were mixed in the range of 43% to 58% rating them as excellent / good The rating of sporting goods in Pro-shop was rated average to poor. Given that Elm Park tennis club is part of a larger sporting club we felt it was important to establish what other facilities the tennis members enjoyed. 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Other Facilities Enjoyed by Members The club house and grass courts dress codes were thought to be fair by c80% of respondents although there were a number of specific comments reflecting annoyance at the restrictions around sports apparel in the clubhouse bar and the quality of the food offering gave rise fro concern. Specific actions recommended: Changing of the surface of the two Nutley Lane grass courts and potentially the two existing artificial courts should be investigated. Particular consideration should be given to the viability of artificial clay courts, giving Elm Park Tennis Club a unique surface offering to members and potential members. (A proposal is currently being prepared in respect of this) A number of small ticket items should be addressed which would significantly enhance the member s enjoyment of facilities. Such issues include peripheral light glare (from tennis, golf, security, car park lights), Distraction from car park and pedestrian activity (lack of adequate low level vision screens) Medium term proposals for consideration include the indoor court surface being changed to an indoor hard surface, review lighting replacement timelines (to account for the fact that new LED lights deliver brighter light, have zero warm up time and have c30% reduction in electricity cost Consideration be given (as a longer term objective) to the development of Padel tennis in Elm Park 8
6. Membership and Adult Activities Mission Statement: The vision for Elm Park s adult Tennis Section is to actively nurture and promote the enjoyment of tennis by all adults at whatever their playing standard. Objectives: To achieve this mission we need to recognise that all members have different levels of ability and ambition Offer a structured development coaching programme for all members who wish to improve their playing ability Continue to provide an organised and active programme of social tennis activities for all members Ensure that all members have an enjoyable experience when engaging in tennis related activities Member s views: Establishing member s views In considering the results gathered from the survey it is worth considering how active respondents were in the club. Respondents activity levels 19% 5%3% 73% At least once a week A few times a year At least once a month Not in the last year 9
Social tennis - 55% of members who replied take part in social tennis organised by the club. The current organised tennis events were rated: Social Tennis Ratings 120% 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% No Rating Don't Enjoy Not particularly enjoy Enjoyable Highly enjoyable Thoroughly Enjoyable" The team tennis and progressive doubles formats are the most popular. 54% of members said they would like to see more American tournaments organised and 40% would like more semi open tournaments. 91% of members want social events organised in conjunction with the tennis event. Less than 50% of respondents play in the club championships (both Hardcourt and Grass court) Integration of members - Some of the newer members feel they are not made feel welcome by older members of the club. 60% of the members who replied would like to see a tennis ladder established and this would help to integrate new members with existing ones. The ladder would have to be monitored by the tennis director to ensure new members are included on it. Cost the general feeling is that the cost of tennis in Elm Park is too expensive and that family membership is the way forward. Specific actions recommended: The following specific actions were proposed to achieve the objectives and hence fulfil the mission. 1. Organise more social tournaments, ideally, ensure there is a social aspect to the tournaments. Particular events suggested: Tennis and BBQ once a month in the Summer on Fridays (some to be semi opens) 10
American tournaments Sunday competitions - Possible Brunch tournaments on some Sundays (popular among other clubs e.g. Riverview) Weekday morning competitions followed by lunch. Younger members with young families find it hard to get out in the evenings and older members do not want to come out to play tennis after dinner. Cardio tennis (proved popular with members when previously on in Elm Park) More regular fix it programs or free group coaching Such competitions could: Promote a good social environment in the club ensuring people meet more members through organised social events post playing tennis. Promote the facilities of the club and generate business for the bar and restaurant. Encourage members to bring guests to the Club. Allow Midweek members, who may have children in school and so only free midweek mornings, participate in club tennis activities. Allow a targeting of younger members 20/30 year olds who are keen to get fit while also improving their tennis. 2. Relax the rules for tennis members in the bar. Many tennis members still feel like second class citizens by sitting in the darkest part of the bar if they are in their tennis attire. 3. Look at improving the club facilities to include a gym and/or some fitness classes. Pilates has become very popular for people of all ages and there is not a lot of equipment needed for it. 4. In the winter months, possibly show reruns of classic tennis matches of the past, biopics of famous players, for example to uplift the social agenda a little. 5. Ensure that all new tennis members are made aware of, and introduced to the other social clubs e.g. snooker, bridge, wine, film etc which are active within Elm Park. This will ensure a sense of belonging for new members and a wider circle of friends within the Club. 11
7. League Mission Statement: Elm Park should aim to participate at all levels within the Leinster leagues. Objectives: To provide Interclub competitive tennis the club needs to: 1. Promote the participation in league tennis to all members 2. Provide training and coaching sessions targeted at the participating levels 3. Promote transparent selection processes through the use of tennis ladders 4. Set goals for each of the participating teams Survey results: 40% of members who replied play league at the moment but 55% of those who don t play said they would like to play. It would appear that there are members who have not been approached to play on a team but who would be happy to do so. 50% of those receiving coaching in the club do so for participation on league teams 71% and 76% are happy with the team selection process and team participation respectively. 53% of respondents would participate in tennis ladders Over 80% of the respondents to the survey felt a development squad for feeding players through to the senior league teams should be established within the junior section. 12
Specific actions recommended: 1. Contact all members about the leagues and arrange squad get- together before and after coaching sessions and ensure that all available members understand the team selection criteria. 2. Set up a tennis ladder(s) and have the Director of Tennis involved in monitoring it. In particular consider: A doubles tennis ladder format. The ladder at present is only singles and many players in the club only like doubles so this might encourage more to take part in a ladder program. Winter league challenge ladder. Winter league ladder would also encourage players to keep up their tennis during December / January and so create more competition for spots on winter league teams. The ladder(s) should be proactively managed to ensure matches are arranged and played and to engender a sense of competition particularly among the better adult players. 3. Establish a junior development squad for feeding through to the senior teams (this should not be aimed at elite players only as the club participates at all adult league levels) 13
8. Juniors Mission Statement: The vision for Elm Park s junior tennis section is to actively nurture and promote the enjoyment of tennis by the clubs junior players in a safe environment. Objectives: To achieve this mission we need to: Recognise that there are different levels of ability and ambition within the junior cohort Offer a structured development coaching programme for the junior members who wish to participate at a competitive league level Continue to provide an organised and active programme of social tennis activities for all juniors Actively encourage our older teenage juniors to continue to participate in the club through the development of an active integration programme with the senior club Ensure the club s junior code of conduct is implemented appropriately Current attributes of junior tennis in Elm Park: Elm Park s junior tennis section currently has c300 members. An active social tennis programme is run throughout the year for all juniors. Coaching is offered on a once a week basis. Competitive tennis is provided through the Hardcourt and Grasscourt championships. Junior teams are entered in the Leinster leagues with limited success over the past number of years. A very high percentage of the junior members play tennis for enjoyment. There are however a number of strong junior tennis players who wish to develop their skills to a competitive league level who would ultimately feed in to the adult teams. Member s views: Establishing member s views In garnering the views of what members wanted for our junior section we decided to meet with 14
1. A group of the junior parents who have been actively involved in organising our junior section over the past number of years and some parents of our potential development juniors 2. Our junior tennis committee Our survey included a couple of questions aimed at our student membership and one to identify the appetite for a development squad within our junior section. Over 80% of the respondents to the survey felt a development squad within the junior section should be established. The mission and objectives, set out above, were established through this process. Specific actions recommended: The following specific actions are proposed to achieve these objectives and hence fulfil the mission are to. 1. Review the coaching strategy to ensure that a. Relevant coaches are available to meet the varying requirements of all players b. Provide a coaching programme for the development of competitive league players (but ensure this is not developed as an elite squad). Ensure there is transparency in the selection of players to participate in such development squads. Some financial subsidy should be considered for these squads (possibly 3 sessions per week for the price of 2) c. Have the director of tennis meet with the parent s committee at the start of the year to discuss a vision and programme for the year ahead. d. Consider the introduction of an under 21 category in either the junior or senior club championships e. Appoint a co-ordinator to develop social tennis for the older teenage group f. Ensure courts are available to juniors (in particular older juniors) at hours appropriate to their availability. g. The detailed programme of events currently in place for the juniors should be expanded for the above rather than replaced 15