Yankee Prose Summer 2023

YYANKEE ANKEE PPROSE ROSE

USPTA New England Board of Directors

Regional President: Mike Kolendo m_kolendo@charter.net

Regional Vice President: Lisa Wilcott supermiketennis1@gmail.com

Secretary: Christy Bennett bennett@newengland.usta.com

Treasurer: Chris Stevens stevens10spro@gmail.com

Vice President: Kristen Gerety kdgerety@icloud.com

Vice President: Milan Kubala stowemiles@gmail.com

Past President: Michael Mercier supermiketennis1@gmail.com

A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT: MIKE KOLENDO

Dear Colleagues and Racket/Paddle Professionals:

At our Annual Spring Conference last month I was able to do something that meant a great deal to me. I said thank you to my mentor, Kirk Anderson, by awarding him the USPTA New England President’s Award.

In what now feels like 100 years ago, Kirk made me a member of the USTA’s National Workshop Faculty. We delivered 6-hour Recreational Coaches Workshops, 3-hour Schools Workshops, 3.5-hour 10-and-under Workshops all around the country. Oh… and we did the Arthur Ashe Kid’s Day too.

In an effort to ensure the best possible experience for our attendees, Kirk brought together an incredible group of people that included some of the best tennis professionals in the country. I’ve done workshops with the likes of Butch Staples, Mike Carter, Tom Fey, and Kirk Anderson himself. Heck, I even stood in for Kirk twice — once at a USTA New England Schools Summit, and once at the National AHPERD (Physical Education) Congress.

I learned so much by spending time with this group of tennis professionals. We all openly shared our experiences, our struggles, our successes and, most of all, our passion. We weren’t competing with each other. We all just wanted to be better. Which is as it should be.

When I handed Kirk his award after telling 2 or 3 stories about him that had inspired me along my journey, he stepped up to the microphone to say a few words to our attendees. As usual, he kept it very simple, but what he said really resonated with me. “When we start out as tennis professionals, we’re hoping to teach tennis. But as we grow in our careers, we realize that we’re really hoping to teach people — to effect them in a positive way.”

NE Executive Director: Pam Dodman pamela.dodman@uspta.org

Kirk certainly did that for me, and I know there are countless others around the country that feel exactly the same way. I was just lucky enough to be in a position to do something about it. For that, I’m very grateful to our New England Division.

I’m also very grateful to our National USPTA Association for recognizing Kirk’s contribution to our sport and our profession. At this year’s World Conference, Kirk will be inducted into our USPTA Hall of Fame alongside Chris Evert. Given all of his accolades, the fact that he flew from Portland, OR to attend our regional event still boggles my mind.

As for the conference itself, it was wonderful — even if we only attracted 50 or so pros. I know it was great for several reasons:

Tracy Almeda-Singh, the USPTA National Board member in attendance, told me so.

Kirk Anderson, now completely retired from teaching, sat in the front row of every session riveted, while taking notes.

Greg Patton, one of our featured speakers told me the following: “I speak at a lot of Conferences around the country. What you are doing here in New England is magic.”

When I walked into the pickleball certification course (which I took) after the conference had officially ended, I received a standing ovation from the pros who had attended our weekend event.

While I wish more of our members were able to attend, I know we put together a great event. Our entire New England Board worked very hard to make it happen, and our awesome Executive Director, Pam Dodman, was relentless in her efforts to keep us all organized and on track. I can’t thank each of them enough.

All The Best, Mike Kolendo;

President 413-374-9738

m_kolendo@charter.net

USPTA

New England State Presidents:

Connecticut: Paul Coorssen

pcoorssen@gmail.com

Maine: Wilbur Shardlow shardlowtennis@roadrunner.com

Massachusetts: Stu Lehr stuartklehr@gmail.com & Phil Hayman hayman.phillip@yahoo.com

Rhode Island: Nestor Bernabe nestortennis@gmail.com

Vermont: Joyce Doud jdoud@edgevt.com

The

USPTA New England 2023 Conference: Education by the Sea was a Success!

We offered 15 hours of continuing education with dynamic, positive, and knowledgeable speakers such as Greg Patten, Ken De Hart, and Danielle McNamara.

We had 10 vendors at our Trade show who generously donated prizes so all present went home with at least one raffle prize. Prizes included ball mowers, racquets, Lace Clips, etc.

We had a delicious Awards Luncheon where we honored the 2022 Award Winners and had time to socialize and enjoy the beautiful surroundings of Wentworth By The Sea Country Club.

Most importantly, we had wonderful opportunities to meet our colleagues and friends to share laughs, ideas, and a drink or two! If you weren't able to make it, I hope you will consider attending a conference in the future!

2023 USPTA NE Awards Luncheon

Kirk Anderson President's Award

Chuck McFarland Industry Excellence Award

Susan Kirby Regional Tennis Professional of the Year

Mike Hill Elevate Award

Rick Sharton Lifetime Achievement Award

Mario Llano NE Tennis Professional of the Year

Xiao Li Regional Tennis Professional of the Year

Bruce Levine College Coach of the Year

Stu Lehr Small Facility Manager of the Year

Angelo Rossetti Pickleball Coach Developer of the Year

Creating the Desired Relationship

by Brian Anderson; CCM & McMahon Careers Executive Search Consultant

In most clubs, the racquets program is working well until it isn't. If that happens, you will wish you spent more time getting to know the Racquets Department.

Most GMs of a full-amenity club spend time with their Chef and their F&B Department by spending time "working the dining room" or "helping in the kitchen." It is widespread, if not expected, that the GM spends time with their Superintendent on the golf course--what GM hasn't heard; "The golf course is our greatest asset." A good GM walks the buildings with their facilities engineer often to address issues. A good GM spends time with the Golf Pro.

How much time does a GM spend with the Director of Racquets? "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." I have been guilty of this as a GM. Many times, the racquets program is located in a separate building and "runs itself." As a GM, or as an aspiring GM, I recommend you spend an equal amount of time with the Director of Racquets as you do with your other department heads.

Noticing I was not spending a similar amount of time with the racquets program, I changed my ways. There are so many ways to stay involved with what is going on “down at tennis”, but here is what I suggest:

Weekly lunches with the Director of Racquets

Take lessons (in off times) with some of the teaching pros.

Learn about the member experience--. Does the booking process work efficiently? What does the member experience walking onto, and leaving the courts?

Get to know the Pros better.

Show up one day for a lesson without a racquet. Do they provide one? What condition was the racquet they provided?

Add the racquet events to your calendar. Make a point to drop in on several member events.

Attend the Committee meetings (if you don't already).

"The time to fix a roof is when the sun is shining."

-JFK

Creating the Desired Relationship

continued

Many GMs already do many of these actions, and that is great. But a General Manager will spend a significant portion of their time putting out fires or dealing with problems that they never have enough time to get as involved, as they desire, with all the departments. The benefit far outweighs the time invested.

Take this entire thought process and flip it to the Director of Racquets (or aspiring DOR). Does your GM spend time in your department? If not, how do you get him/her more involved? Perhaps tell them you would like a fresh set of eyes on the shop's layout, teaching style, Kids Camp brochure, etc. Everything that I have mentioned that a GM should be doing, a Director of Racquets should want their GM to do. GMs (like most humans) are creatures of habit. Help them create new habits that include racquets. As a Director of Racquets, how much time do you spend in the GM's office? If the buildings are separated, how much time do you spend in the other building? Are you changing your habits? Do you ask for 30 minutes of your GM's time a week to catch up? Do you only venture to the "main building" once a year for budget discussion?

Ultimately the goal is for both the General Manager and the Director of Racquets to have a substantial relationship where each can depend on the other and understand how their action affects the other. I often hear from General Managers that they are frustrated when they feel blindsided by a situation. Nobody wants to listen to a voicemail, read an email, or be standing in front of a member discussing a situation where they have absolutely no knowledge. A healthy and robust relationship with all department heads is the best way to solve this challenge. I would always appreciate a late-night text from my Director of Racquets saying Mrs. Smith complained about the lights out in the parking lot, over having Mr. Smith ask me the following morning if I knew the lights were out in the parking lot. Do you have a relationship with your GM where you can send that text at midnight? Does your Director of Tennis know to send that text at midnight?

Brian

all of the club’s amenities, including tennis and racquets

McMahon Careers offers career coaching and executive education programs for racquet sports professionals and executive search services for employers. The firm also manages USPTA Director Search. For more information visit: https://mcmahoncareers.com or https://USPTADirectorSearch.com

In 2020, Brian began presenting the Racquet Sports Strategic Planning and Capital Budgeting module for the Certified Racquet Sports Executive (CRSE) Program, an executive education program for certified Racquet Sports Professionals.

Armstrong, As the General Manager of the Country Club of Fairfax (VA.) Brian led the club through completing a $12 million Club Improvement Plan, which enhanced and modernized

Tennis Coach Developer Change

Pam Dodman will be the Tennis Coach Developer for the USPTA New England Division. Mario Llano, who was originally designated, had to resign due to a change in his business situation.

Sports Business

Creating a Business Plan for Your Pickleball Club

by Ashley Owens; Co-Founder/Owner CourtReserve

Creating a business plan for your pickleball club can seem daunting, but it’s an essential step in ensuring the success of your organization. A business plan provides a roadmap for your club, including its goals, strategies, and financial projections. CourtReserve is working with many new pickleball clubs and facilities, so here are the best practices for creating a business plan for your new pickleball club!

Define your business idea by conducting market research.

Start by articulating your vision for the club. What is the purpose of the club? Who is the target market? What makes your club unique compared to others? Who are your competitors? What are their strengths and weaknesses? How can your club stand out? Another way to determine your area would be how many current players are in the community.

What technologies can help you be paperless and cashless?

Finding online software that can help with court management, event and program management, payments, and more can make your life as an owner/operator easier. Automation reduces manual paperwork and mistakes and improves data and analytics. An online presence with a mobile app creates visibility for players for opportunities to play, register and pay online.

How will you drive revenue?

Are you going to set up multiple membership levels with perks or drive programming and open plays? Will you have a pro shop with merchandise or sell contract court time? Are you considering being a 24hour facility for maximum playtime?

Set clear goals and objectives.

Identify what you hope to achieve with your club. Consider short-term and long-term goals, such as increasing membership, hosting tournaments and events, and creating a strong sense of community.

Do you want to be a players’ organization or a teaching academy? Do you have memberships, or do players pay for court time, open plays, and special events?

Develop a marketing strategy.

Once you understand the local pickleball market, you can create a marketing plan to help you reach your target audience. Consider how you will promote your club through social media, word of mouth, or advertising.

. Determine your finances.

Creating a budget and financial projections is crucial for the success of your club. Consider the costs of starting and running the club, such as equipment, facilities, flooring, and marketing expenses. Then, create a budget that considers both your projected expenses and revenue

Write your business plan.

Once you have all the necessary information, you can start putting your business plan together. Be sure to include an executive summary, a description of your business, market research, goals and objectives, marketing strategy, and financial projections. By defining your vision, understanding the market, setting clear goals, and creating a solid financial plan, you can position your club for long-term success.