SQUASH NEW ZEALAND Annual Report - Devoy Squash & Fitness ...

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Squash New Zealand Annual Report 2011 Before Top: Masterton Squash Club’s refurbishment of courts, stairwell and lounge. Below: The new Devoy Squash & Fitness Centre in Tauranga with ASB moveable wall courts, gym and attractive lounge/cafe area. After SQUASH FACILITIES THAT ARE WELCOMING 8
Squash New Zealand Annual Report 2011 Chief Executive’s Report When looking back over the last year it is hard to imagine any twelve month period of such contrasting lows and highs. New Zealanders have had to deal with the economic and emotional costs of several major disasters including the devastating earthquakes in Christchurch, the Pike River mine disaster and the Rena grounding in Tauranga. By contrast the euphoria and excitement surrounding the Rugby World Cup has united the country and showcased the very best New Zealand has to offer. To varying degrees these events have had an impact on squash particularly in Christchurch where clubs have had to deal with the loss of income, loss of members, rebuilding and increased insurance costs. It is a credit to the club members and their committees that most have been able to cope with these extra demands and continue to operate successfully. For some clubs it has not been as easy and it will take many years before things are back to normal. In my report last year I focused on the key elements of our strategic plan so it is appropriate to make a comparison twelve months on. SQUASH IS CONNECTED WITH EVERY PERSON AND FACILITY ASSOCIATED WITH THE GAME. The ongoing development of SIT (Squash Information Technology) and completion of the remaining modules has been an important focus again this year. Along with the membership database, grading, interclub and results entry modules work has been completed on a web based court booking system, improvements have been completed with the administration and reports functions and the first stage of the competition management module has been tested and is ready for release. Other functions have been added including bulk email, district supervisor status and online membership returns. The SIT platform underpins much of our operational activity and will be developed to incorporate more online data processing in the future. The changes to date have been positively received however we are mindful of the need to ensure there is adequate training and support for the users of the system. Affiliation and affiliation levies remain a significant discussion point with clubs and districts and while it was the subject of a remit at the 2010 annual general meeting which generated a lot of discussion no conclusion was reached. It was agreed that more work was needed and while the T2020 Task Force spent some time looking at the current SEM method and alternative methods of affiliation and levies it was decided that Squash New Zealand should continue to review the matter separately from the structural change work undertaken by the T2020 Task Force. Work has continued to attract unaffiliated squash clubs back to Squash New Zealand with some success however this has proven to be a more difficult challenge than envisaged. SQUASH FACILITIES ARE HEALTHY, WELCOMING AND RELEVANT. In a tightening market squash clubs are facing increased competition from every direction. The lingering effects of a recession, natural disasters and the rugby world cup have all contributed to a tighter economic climate and greater competition for the discretionary dollar in the sports sector. Increasingly technology is changing the way we live and how we connect with others. The challenge for clubs is how to compete in that environment and offer products and services that meet the needs and expectations of the customers. Pennie Ball, Club Development Director for Squash New Zealand, has been working with clubs and districts over the last twelve months to educate them on the benefits of SIT and how this technology can make a difference at club level. Along with these initiatives, other resources are also available to assist clubs including audit tools, facility maintenance programmes and management guidelines. It is encouraging to see new courts being built and the Tauranga Squash Club is to be congratulated on the opening of the new Dame Susan Devoy Squash and Fitness Centre. The state of the art complex, which is sited adjacent to the Sport Bay of Plenty offices and located on school land, features four ASB courts with a further two planned and will eventually include a gym. A significant upgrade was also completed at the Masterton Squash Club this year and this is a great example of how an old, traditional squash club can be transformed into a vibrant, modern facility. This was a major undertaking for the committee and they are to be congratulated on their vision and determination to breathe new life into the club. It is encouraging to see a number of major developments which 9
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