New membership category launched by TIA to provide business support, advice and services to volunteer-run clubs.
If you are one of the many volunteers who ensure that the UK has a thriving network of tennis clubs but sometimes feel you could do with some support, then help could be at hand.
TIA’s new court membership scheme is open to all clubs run by volunteers (broadly speaking that is member-run clubs). The scheme, which launches on October 1 2014, aims to deliver key business services and advice to clubs to help them sustain and grow membership and activities.
Phil Sandilands, TIA’s Business Development Manager, says this new category of TIA membership, which costs £25 per court, will “plug a gap that some tennis clubs felt existed where they were not provided with specific-enough support”.
For clubs that sign up, the benefits include special discounted rates for goods and services, plus guidance on business topics including ”better club management, website design, online court booking systems and funding”. As an incentive for clubs to join, the first 100 that sign up will receive 12 months’ free access to an online court booking, course management and member communications software tool provided by Booking Pulse.
Sandilands said: “The scheme has lots of potential. In particular if we can get our members on board to provide equipment and services that clubs really need then it will enable us both to grow TIA membership and provide trading opportunities for the companies that supply goods and services.”
The benefits of TIA UK Court Membership are evolving and in future may include online education and training sessions. Already included is facility procurement advice and guidance for tennis and clubhouse projects, and discounted rates to attend TIA UK Forums and the annual Tennis Summit.
Sandilands says there are six or seven companies already signed up to offer goods and services, as well as several clubs who have joined the membership scheme. With the TIA’s database of clubs currently at 1,800 and growing, it is anticipated that more clubs will become aware of the new category of membership and sign up in October.
The scheme is administered by Gilly English. If you are a volunteer interested in signing up your club to the scheme then contact Gilly@tiauk.org If you are a business interested in offering your services and products to these clubs then Phil Sandilands would like to hear from you. Phil@tiauk.org