Presentation by Patrick Kearns and Ellen Miller at the USTA Mid Atlantic Annual Meeting on November19, 2011

2. The Game Plan is initially more of a wish list:
What you hope to achieve!
Programming:
Clinics
Play opportunities:
Tennis Festivals
Tennis Play Days
In-house Team Tennis Events
Team Tennis Events vs. Outside Clubs
USTA Junior Team Tennis

3. But it is also a reality check and will force you to look
at your needs and limitations:
COURT TIME:
WHEN, WHERE, HOW MUCH
INSTRUCTORS:
HOW MANY, WHAT LEVELS, PAY
FEES:
FOR CLINICS, PLAY DAYS, TEAM TENNIS

4. START WITH CLINICS

5. 3-5 years PARENT & ME CLASS
5-7 years BEGINNER CLASS
6-8 years INTERMEDIATE CLASS
8-11 years ADVANCED CLASS

6. 3-5 years PARENT & ME CLASS
5-7 years BEGINNER CLASS
6-8 years INTERMEDIATE CLASS
8-11 years ADVANCED CLASS

7. 3-5 years PARENT & ME CLASS
5-7 years BEGINNER CLASS
5-8 years INTERMEDIATE CLASS
7-11 years ADVANCED CLASS

8. Set up lesson plans
Make lessons interactive and fun, no standing around
 Partner kids up, same gender if possible
 Teach how to toss, catch, roll, bounce, move
 Take skills learned and allow kids to work together
 Set quantitative goals
 Every activity has a purpose
 Keep competition cooperative and as part of a group
Teach parents how to work with their kids (Parent & Me)

9. Set up Benchmarks
Determine what do the kids need to be able to do to
move up
 Skills based
Programs must flow seamlessly into one another
Make sure this is well communicated to parents and kids
No exceptions
A BIG NO!!!!
Many clubs dump the low compression balls and 10 and
under format once kids learn to hit. Don’t break the chain!

10. If you are the Head PRO:
Recruit and Train Good instructors
Find an enthusiastic junior pro to assist you
Helps with running of clinics, tournaments
Serves as your right-hand man
Recruit junior helpers (college students, high school
students) to help junior pro
Can help with fitness, games, play days
Recruit Volunteers
Slightly older junior players needing community
service hours
Can use as hitting partners for little kids

11. Train and motivate them!
Put youngest and most inexperienced on
point play, agility/fitness and games
Keep most experienced on technique
Require that staff contributes to curriculum
Everyone has to buy in; be consistent
BONUS
Host a USTA 10 and Under workshop and get
all your people trained!!

12. Host parent orientation
Introduce 10 and Under Tennis
Explain your program
Explain your goal for tourneys, JTT, etc.
Ask for help!
Many parents have skills you need
Get an army of helpers for tournaments

13. AND
KIDS…..ID

14. 10 and Under Group Lesson:
16 kids on one court at $12 per
person=$192.00
Expenses=staffing=$80.00
Profit=$112.00
Private Lesson:
Profit of one person taking a private=$60.00-
$48.00 pro fee=$12.00

16. Tennis Festival (kids 3-6)
20 kids @$8= $160
1X month
10 & Under Tournaments/Play Days
20 kids @$25= $500
2X month
Junior Team Tennis
60 Kids @ $60= $3600
Championship season

18. IT’S NOT EXPENSIVE
COST TO START:
Nets-$78-$100
Balls-1.00-1.50 each, or $200
Cones, bean bags, gym balls-$50
Lines-use chalk/drop down lines- $34.00-
$55.00
st to Start

19. GET THE WORD OUT
MARKET YOUR PRODUCT:
Get out to area schools
Work with local Parks and Recreation
Establish and distribute calendar’s
Promote 10u events with PTO’s and local
media
SUPPORT:
Blended lines on public courts