YYANKEE ANKEE PPROSE ROSE
New England Board of Directors A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT: LISA WILCOTT
Division President: Lisa Wilcott metennis@comcast.net
Regional Vice President: Milan Kubala stowemiles@gmail.com
Treasurer: Christy Bennett bennett@newengland.usta.com
Secretary: Wilbur Shardlow shardlowtennis@roadrunner.com
Vice President: Kristen Gerety kdgerety@icloud.com
Vice President: Mike Hill michael hill@alumni brown edu
Past President: Mike Kolendo mkolendo46@gmail.com
Hello to all RSPA members,
NE Executive Director: Pam Dodman pam.dodman@rspa.net
Greetings, and I hope everyone had a great fall season. Our last newsletter was right after the World Racquets Conference announcement of RSPA. Hopefully everyone has watched the announcement on the RSPA website and had a chance to join in on some of the webinars to get more informed. The Town Hall Webinar with Brian Dillman, Trish Faulkner, and Ramona Husaru was very informative and answered many questions. Two Florida hurricanes delayed the October presentation dates, but make sure you take some time to watch it if you missed the webinar. There is communication coming out from National in a weekly newsletter about membership information, benefits, career opportunities, stories and updates to keep us all informed as well.
Our New England Division has been working on communicating to members about the new certifications, which now include five: tennis, pickleball, platform, padel, and squash. Recently in mid-December we had Tennis, Pickleball, and Platform Certifications held in New England. These new racquet sports certifications are providing more opportunities for career development and we all should take advantage of these programs. Make sure you keep reading the newsletters, and the communications from our New England division and National to plan for testing dates. We are always looking for locations to hold certifications, so please reach out to Pam Dodman or myself if you would be interested in hosting a testing site in 2025. Also reach out to our coach developers if you are looking to get certified in a location near you. Your New England coach developers are Pam Dodman for tennis (pam.dodman@rspa.net), Angelo Rossetti for pickleball (angelo@tennacity.org), and Mike Cochrane for platform tennis (mike.cochrane16@gmail.com). Padel and squash certification is done through the national office.
We are planning our New England Conference for May 8th & 9th in Waterville Valley NH, so save the date. Feel free to reach out to any of us on the New England Board or State Representatives if you would like to get involved or join one of our committees to help our division. Also, a friendly reminder to also make sure you renew your membership by the end of the year and keep up to date on your safe play status.
Happy Holidays, have a great winter season and enjoy every day!
Lisa Wilcott
RSPA New England President
Wilbur Shardlow
Christy Bennett
Lisa Wilcott
Mike Hill Pam Dodman
Kristen Gerety
Milan Kubala
Mike Kolendo
Division Conference!
State Events
Maine Tennis Pros Holiday Gathering
by Chris Nordenson, RSPA ME State President
On December 8th, RSPA (Racquet Sports Professionals Association) New England (ME) held a holiday pizza party for both prospective and current members at the Maine Pines Racquet and Fitness Center in Brunswick. The gathering offered a chance to network and discuss topics related to the tennis industry, while celebrating the season in a casual and friendly atmosphere.
State Events
CT Platform Tennis Players Raise Almost Half
a Million Dollars
by Kent Chalmers, RSPA CT State President
It was great to be part of an awesome team that hosted the 14th, 24 Hour Annual Paddle Against Hunger. The Patterson Club each year hosts a Paddle Marathon to raise funds for the Bridgeport Rescue Mission. Our goal was to raise $50,000. This year we exceeded our target and raised just over $58,000. To date The Patterson Club has raised $480,000.
This year's event featured a celebrity exhibition featuring RSPA pros, Kent Chalmers and Daniel Mitha,, raffle baskets, play with a pro, free clinics, apparel for sale, and a DJ on Saturday afternoon.
A huge thank you to my RSPA pros on staff for donating their time for 24 hours straight, the wonderful team at The Patterson Club and our generous members for again making this one of the highlights of our season.
News 12 Connecticut came on Friday to cover the event. See the story here: https://connecticut.news12.com/paddle-tennis-marathon-in-fairfield-helps-bridgeport-rescuemission
State Events
Playing For Pink
by Avis Murray, RSPA Master Professional
Every year Bass Rocks Golf Club holds a Play for Pink Breast Cancer Research Foundation Fundraiser. Tennis is always involved in this worthy cause and this year we raised $7,100. We have three round robins on our three courts for tennis and we also include pickleball. The lady golfers have their own event and this year the amount we sent to Play for Pink was well over $32,000, which includes our $7,100.
Certification Workshops
Level 1 In-Person Tennis Certification Workshop
New England held their first Level 1 In-person Tennis Certification workshop at the East Hartford Tennis Club in Hartford, CT the beginning of December! We plan to offer more Level 1 and Level 2 Inperson workshops however finding court space is difficult. If you have or run a facility that could help with courts please contact Pam Dodman at pam.dodman@rspa.net.
The next Level 2 Tennis Workshop will be held at the Sportsmen’s Tennis and Enrichment Center in the Boston area. Please click on the image below to register.
The next Level 2 Tennis Workshop will be held at the Sportsmen’s Tennis and Enrichment Center in the Boston area. If you want to upgrade from Level 1 Tennis Instructor to Level 2 Certified Professional, you would need to attend this workshop as one of the requirements. If you want to upgrade to Elite Professional you might need to attend the workshop but you must contact national for that information. Lastly, you can earn continuing education credits by attending the first two days of the workshop! You could fulfill all your education requirements for a cycle, get a refresher on teaching technique, and share your knowledge all at the same time!!!
Please click on the image to register.
l-r: Stephanie Canales (CT), Carl Simna (NY), Thien Tran (CT), Nancy Donohue (NH), Henrick Colbert (NY), Doug Folsom (MA), Daniel Velek (CT)
Racquet/Paddle Sports Business
8 Pitfalls of Tennis & Pickleball Club Management
by Tim Owens; Co-Founder/Owner CourtReserve
Running a tennis or pickleball club might seem straightforward. The reality? It’s a complex operation with many potential pitfalls. We’re exposing the worst and how to avoid them.
After years of building CourtReserve to serve over 1,500 clubs (and launching our own club), we’ve seen these challenges firsthand.
Managing a successful club requires more than just keeping the courts busy. From understanding your members to investing in the right tools and strategies, every decision can impact your club’s long-term success.
In this article, we’re diving deep into the most common mistakes we’ve encountered, offering insights to help you navigate the complexities of club management and build a thriving, engaged community.
Let’s begin…
1. Poor Member Persona & Journey Definition
Understanding who your ideal member is and mapping out their journey within your club is crucial. Without a clear picture of your target member, you’ll end up attracting people who may not be the best fit for your club. This can lead to poor retention and wasted resources as you struggle to meet the needs of a diverse but unfocused member base.
Instead, invest time in defining your member personas age, interests, skill levels and tailor your offerings to match their needs This clarity will help you focus your marketing efforts and create a more cohesive club environment.
Racquet/Paddle Sports Business
8 Pitfalls of Tennis & Pickleball Club Management
2. Over-relying on Outdated Tools
Many clubs still rely on outdated management tools—or worse, pen and paper. While these tools can offer some insights, they rarely provide a full picture of your club’s needs and operations.
The real insights often come from engaging directly with your members. Talk to them, understand their pain points, and use this information to refine your strategies. Not even the best court reservation software can replace the value of direct, human interaction.
3. Champagne Ideas, Beer Budgets
We all have grand visions for our clubs, but without the necessary budget, those dreams can quickly turn into nightmares.
Running a successful club requires substantial investment, particularly in facilities, coaching staff, and technology. If your budget is limited, prioritize spending in areas that directly impact member experience.
High-quality courts, experienced coaches, and user-friendly technology (like a Mobile app) are non-negotiables if you want to provide a toptier experience that keeps members coming back.
4. Cutting Corners on Quality
There’s an old saying, “You get what you pay for,” and it rings especially true in club management
Whether it’s hiring coaches, maintaining facilities, or investing in marketing, cutting corners on quality will almost always backfire. Poor investments can lead to subpar member experiences, which in turn can damage your club’s reputation and hurt retention rates Remember, quality is an investment in your club’s future.
5. No Dedicated Management Team
Managing a club isn’t just about basic administration it requires expertise in member engagement, marketing, and facilities management.
Relying solely on a general manager or a volunteer board without specialized support can lead to inefficiencies and missed opportunities for growth. Consider hiring a dedicated director or management team who can bring professional expertise to the table. The right leadership can make all the difference in your club’s success
6. Believing Technology Alone Will Save You
Technology can enhance your club’s operations, but it can’t replace the human touch that members crave
Racquet/Paddle Sports Business
8 Pitfalls of Tennis & Pickleball Club Management
continued
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that technology will solve all your problems, but the reality is that it should be used to complement, not replace, personal relationships. Use technology to streamline processes, such as booking courts or managing memberships, but make sure your team is still focused on building strong, personal connections with your members. After all, it’s these relationships that will keep them loyal to your club.
7. Neglecting Member Experience Optimization
Many clubs fail to fully optimize the member experience, whether through facility design, communication, or events.
The member experience starts the moment someone walks through your doors—or lands on your website—and continues through every interaction they have with your club. Consider everything from the layout of your club to how you communicate with members online. Small improvements can lead to significant boosts in member satisfaction and retention.
8. Being Too Focused on Short-term Results
It’s easy to get caught up in the pursuit of quick wins, like rapid membership growth or immediate financial returns. However, focusing too much on the short term can lead to neglecting the long-term sustainability of your club.
Building a thriving club culture and a loyal member base takes time. It’s important to balance your goals, ensuring that while you’re working towards short-term successes, you’re also laying the foundation for long-term stability.
The Takeaway
Don’t get caught up in the flashy tactics that might work for mega clubs focus on understanding what makes YOUR club unique and build your strategies around that
Clear member personas, proper budgets, and a dedicated management team are key to success.
Invest in quality where it matters most, and don’t underestimate the power of direct engagement with your members. Technology is helpful, but the heart of your club lies in the experiences you create. Remember, every interaction is a chance to reinforce your club’s identity. Keep your members at the center of your strategy, and their satisfaction will become your greatest marketing tool.
Tim and his wife, Ashley, are co-founders of CourtReserve. Tim is a techincal guy Ashley is a marketing genius They both LOVE tennis and pickleball So they decided to combine their strengths and create CourtReserve They now own a pickleball facility.
Racquet Sports Career
Key Points to Building Lasting Personal & Business Relationships
by Frank Fanning; Chief Relationship Officer, McMahon Careers
You hear it all the time that the racquet sports industry is a small world, and you never know when or where a connection you made may come in handy. In my life and my career, I have made it a priority to build relationships in order to grow both personally and professionally, and along the way, I have found that there are five key factors that are crucial to building lasting relationships
1. Communication: Open and honest communication is essential for building lasting relationships, fostering understanding, and resolving conflicts. The key to effective communication is seeking to find points of connection. Points of connection can be anything from shared experiences and interests to emotions or stories Finding points of connection takes effort but it is worth it Trying to get to know the people you are engaging with shows a respect for them, their views, their values, and their priorities.
2. Trust: Establishing trust is crucial. Consistently delivering on promises and being reliable helps build a foundation of trust in both personal and business relationships When employees have confidence in their colleagues and leaders, it promotes loyalty and engagement. Trust amongst colleagues allows people to feel empowered and to share opinions and ideas and leads to better collaboration and teamwork. When you prioritize trust you create a sense of belonging and connectedness where everyone feels valued.
3 Mutual Respect: Treat others with respect, valuing their opinions and perspectives. Mutual respect forms the basis for healthy and enduring connections. A common misconception about mutual respect is that it means you always agree. However, this is not the case, as mutual respect is the acknowledgement of another person’s opinions and feelings, even if you don’t agree with them A simple way to show mutual respect is through active listening– taking the time to focus on the opinions of others and what they are sharing.
4. Empathy: Show empathy by understanding and acknowledging the feelings of others. This creates a deeper connection and fosters a supportive environment A simple and powerful way to connect and care for others is to recognize others’ emotions–especially negative ones When we are recognized by those who we share a connection with, we feel a tighter tie to them and have an easier time opening up. In the workforce, employees who felt caring from colleagues had less emotional exhaustion, less absenteeism, better teamwork and higher satisfaction.
Racquet Sports Career
Key Points to Building Lasting Personal & Business Relationships
continued
5 Collaboration: Whether in personal or business relationships, collaboration is key Working together towards common goals enhances the strength and longevity of the relationship. Collaboration is easier than ever thanks to technology, but you should never discount the value of sitting side by side with someone to work together. Collaboration encourages problem solving and allows people to learn from one another
It’s been said many times that people who have healthy relationships are more likely to feel happier and satisfied with their lives. They are less likely to suffer from physical and mental health problems, and healthy relationships can make you feel less alone We can all benefit from a sense of belonging
Frank Fanning, RSPA, CRSE, brings over 30 years of racquets industry experience to his role as Chief Relationship Officer and Executive Search Consultant at McMahon Careers. Frank has led the racquets program at Big Horn Golf Club in Palm Desert, CA, The Plantation at Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, and worked at some of the country’s finest clubs and resorts Frank has also coached NCAA tennis teams at Marist College, College of St Vincent’s, and Sarah Lawrence College, where his women’s tennis team won the most matches of any coach in program history
Racquet Sports Business
How Racquet Clubs Benefit Local Communities
by Jason Wen; RSPA, Boston Chinese Tennis Association
A racquet club can provide numerous benefits to local communities by promoting physical health, social connections, and overall well-being. Here’s how:
1. Health and Fitness
- Physical Exercise: Racquet sports like tennis, pickleball, and squash provide cardiovascular workouts, improve hand-eye coordination, and enhance flexibility and strength
- Youth Engagement: Clubs often offer programs for children, helping instill healthy habits and keeping them active.
2. Social Benefits
- Community Building: Members can connect through leagues, tournaments, and social events, fostering friendships and a sense of belonging
- Inclusive Activities: Many clubs cater to all age groups and skill levels, encouraging participation from a diverse population.
3. Educational Opportunities
- Skill Development: Lessons and clinics help people learn or improve their skills, making the sports accessible to beginners
- Mentorship: Experienced players and coaches can mentor younger or less experienced members, promoting growth and confidence.
4. Economic Impact
- Job Creation: Clubs create employment opportunities, including for coaches, maintenance staff, and event organizers.
- Local Business Support: Events and tournaments can attract visitors, benefiting nearby restaurants, hotels, and shops
5. Mental Well-being
- Stress Relief: Physical activity is a known stress reliever, and racquet sports provide a fun way to unwind.
- Competition and Achievement: Participating in tournaments and setting goals can boost selfesteem and mental focus.
6. Youth and Family Engagement
- Family Programs: Family-oriented events and activities encourage bonding and participation across generations.
- After-school Programs: Racquet clubs often offer structured activities that keep children engaged and safe after school.
Racquet Sports Business
How Racquet Clubs Benefit Local Communities
continued
7. Promoting Diversity and Inclusion
- Accessible Sports: Some clubs offer adaptive sports programs, ensuring inclusivity for individuals with disabilities.
- Scholarships: Many clubs provide financial aid for low-income families, making the facilities accessible to a wider audience
By combining fitness, fun, and community interaction, racquet clubs contribute significantly to the vibrancy and health of local areas.
Longfellow Health Clubs, established in 1972 by Laury Hammel who created the largest junior program and tennis instructional business in New England at that time, is a good example of how a racquet club benefits a community With the great leadership and partnership of Laury Hammel and Myke Farricker, Longfellow has expanded tennis facilities, cardio and strength fitness facilities, indoor/outdoor aquatics, basketball, and related programs. Longfellow is always looking to respond to the needs of the local community, and has now grown to be a group of highly respected multipurpose health and tennis clubs Currently, it is the fourth largest independent health club organization in New England, and the forty-eighth largest in the U.S., including campuses in Wayland, Natick, and Wellesley of Massachusetts, as well as affiliated businesses in Franklin, MA (Adirondack Club), Longfellow New Hampshire, and Salt Lake Tennis and Health Club (Salt Lake City, Utah) Having a total 39 tennis courts (31 indoors and 8 outdoors) in New England, plus 16 pickleball courts, Longfellow erves over 12,000 members and an additional 10,000+ clients every year. Longfellow has become a recognized industry leader in innovative business practices, social responsibility, and community service.
All the above achievements are based on the leadership and efforts from Laury and Myke. Particularly, Laury Hammel, who has personally taught more #1 ranked New England tennis players than any coach in New England, is a true legend who has been a leader and public speaker about tennis, management, local business, and health in numerous organizations and conferences. He founded the Sustainable Business Network of Massachusetts Boston (SBN) in 1988, co-founded the national business group, Business for Social Responsibility (BSR) in 1991, and co-founded the national organization the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE) in 2001 He also serves on the Board of Directors of the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA) He co-authored the book “Growing Local Value”, which dives deep into case studies of how small businesses can make a big difference in our communities and our world. Director Phil Parrish (RSPA Elite Professional and former Harvard Tennis Coach), who has managed and operated the Longfellow clubs for 21 years, is also a significant community contributor
Racquet Sports Business
How Racquet Clubs Benefit Local Communities
continued
Longfellow Health Clubs are a locally owned and independent business committed to the health and wellbeing of the local community, and provide extraordinary fitness, recreational, and educational programs for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. Their purpose is to build a world where everyone’s basic needs are met, and people experience love, happiness, and satisfaction Helping people in health and fitness of both mind and body is their goal! Moreover, Longfellow endeavors to partner and collaborate with like-minded nonprofit community organizations and regularly make in-kind and cash contributions/donations to local community organizations including Colon Cancer Alliance, N.E. Senior Slams, One Percent for the Planet, Social Venture Network, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, Acing Autism, Teddy’s Team - American Stroke Association, Wayland Police & Fire, American Red Cross, etc.
About Jason Wen:
Jason Wen, Ph D , MBA, CLP, RTTP
President of Boston Chinese Tennis Association
USPTA and PTR Certified Tennis
Coach
E-mail:
BostonChineseTennisAssociatio n@gmail.com
