YEAR ENd 2008 - Ontario Tennis Association

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
At the first regional general
meeting I attended three
years ago, Adrian Baldeo,
Chair of Tennis Toronto,
invited each club to share their successes
of the past year, and the challenges they
faced in the year ahead. It was an eye
opener; not only for me, but for the rest
of the group listening to what some
clubs had achieved, irrespective of the
size of their membership. The same was
true when clubs described the challenges
they faced in the coming year. I
later shared Adrian’s idea with the other
Regional Chairs and a number of them
now include a similar session as part of
their AGMs.
This past fall I attended five OTA
regional annual general meetings.
Those meetings allow me to meet club
Presidents on a personal level and hear
about their successes in 2008 and the
challenges they face in 2009. What follows
in a summary of my notes from
those five meetings. I have not included
everything that was discussed. I have
instead limited myself to common elements.
Beginning on a positive note, a
majority of clubs in all regions reported
an increase in both adult and junior
membership requiring, in several
instances, a need for waiting lists. In
areas where a decrease was reported,
Once players developed a feeling
of being a part of something
special, participation increased.
reasons included an economic downturn
in the region, increased unemployment,
and financial hardship. Other reasons
included aging membership, a high
yearly membership turnover, and difficulty
recruiting new members.
Clubs reporting either stable or
increased membership were proactive
in providing tennis programming that
matched the instructional needs and levels
of ability of members of all ages. Led
by enthusiastic tennis pros and volunteers
these clubs provided: free lessons
for new members, new member
orientation, junior camps, progressive
tennis, family nights,
house leagues, round robins,
inter-club leagues, a variety of
tournament structures, a fitness
program, club socials, a
Pro-Am event and, in one case,
a cancer fundraiser in honour
of a deceased member.
Junior camps were by far
the most successful activity
with record numbers reported.
Several clubs also reached
out to disadvantaged youth
and either waived or obtained
sponsors to cover camp fees.
Some smaller clubs worked
together and shared pros and
programs. Clubs that focussed
on being “a people place” with
strong community connections
tended to draw more new and
casual players to the court.
Once players developed a feeling
of being a part of something
special, participation
increased.
In terms of 2009, the most
commonly reported challenge continues
to be the development of a good working
relationship with the municipal authorities
who own the land upon which most
community clubs are located. While we
recognize that tennis is not the
only sport competing for local
recreational funding, a more
open and transparent process
is required. Currently, regional
associations and clubs feel as if they
have little or no input into a process that
affects them directly.
The current economic crisis will
certainly impact 2009. Job cuts and
unprecedented cost-cutting measures by
companies will translate into decreased
membership, particularly in areas hardest
hit by the economic downturn. A
recent article in The Hamilton Spectator
stated that “Canada’s economy is in a
period of deep uncertainty that is difficult
to see beyond.” Bank of Canada
Michel Lecavalier, OTA President
with James Blake at Rogers Cup
governor Mark Carney does not foresee
a rebound in the Canadian economy
until 2010, and even then, predicts that
it will be a modest one. Over the next
two years, the OTA and its member
clubs must budget carefully and manage
resources prudently.
However, in an attempt to stimulate
the economy, the federal budget
included a commitment to invest in
Canada’s recreation infrastructure. An
infrastructure funding program is being
developed that will focus on renewing
and building community sport and recreation
facilities. The initiative provides
$500 million over two years to cover the
cost of eligible projects. Details regarding
how to access these funds have not
yet been released. OTA members will be
kept informed of further developments
via the OTA’s weekly news letter.
2008 successes, there were many!
2009 will be all about challenges...
4
OTA YEARBOOK / WINTER 2009