National Survey: How to Promote Racquetball

5 Survey Questions (please read 2 plans and explanations below)

There 2 basic plans to promote racquetball.

Question 1) Which do you like?

Question 2) Which do you think has a better chance?

Question 3) Which would you participate in (local club programs or sanctioned tournaments)?

Question 4) Which would you support, by volunteering your time or money?

Question 5) Do you have any suggestions?

http://usra.org/

Plan 1) Trickle Down Plan, which is what the national organization (USA Racquetball Plan) wants.

(What USA Racquetball wants - Promoting Pro, National and International Tournament Players, with dreams of TV and Olympics to promote tournaments, hoping to create new players.)

MISSION STATEMENT
USA Racquetball (USAR) is the National Governing Body for the sport of racquetball, recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee and is committed to excellence and service to our members. We provide opportunities for members and enthusiasts to actively participate in the sport, through sanctioning of events, administration of programs, and development of competitive teams.

(Note: USA Racquetball doesn't provide programs to non-members. Annual Membership $35 Adults / $20 Youth. Tournament Programs: Camps (1 listed at one location), Collegiate Development (tournament), National Teams (12 top players) and Sanctioned Tournaments (all members).)

Website Coming Soon

(What the CBP Racquetball plan wants – Offer fun recreational programs at local facilities that introduce, inform and retain new and existing racquetball participants of all ages and skills through organized social activities and competitive play, while increasing local club memberships and program participation.)

Plan 2) Trickle Up Plan, which is what the typical player and club management wants (the CBP Racquetball Plan).

A national program available at local facilities, providing instruction, and organized social and competitive play for all ages and skill levels.

Mission Statement under construction

(Note: The CBP Racquetball plan is open to anyone. No membership fees required, with free introductory programs available at local facilities.)

Pros and Cons

Plan 1) Trickle Down Plan

Trickle Down (Promote Pros, TV and Olympics) has no current market, outside of the 25,000 existing national tournament players, but could reach a very large audience if it became an Olympic sport, or was televised.

Very expensive to produce national events, pay for TV time and have staff organize events. Olympics only create excitement every 4 years, with limited exposure at the national level.

Advantages of having one national organization run events, saving state and local organizations and clubs any work.

These new players could enter tournaments, which was the main purpose of the Trickle Up plan, but few “new” players have courage or time to participate in tournaments.

Problem arises when new players want to learn and play racquetball, but there are no “existing local club programs” to support these new players.

Typical tournament players have competitive playing experience in leagues, challenge courts or playing frequently with others. Something that requires existing club programs and time for players to excel.

Plan 2) Trickle Up Plan

The Trickle Up plan requires a national program at local facilities that introduces and teaches new players basic skills and promotes organized play.

Inexpensive, since one national program is used by all facilities, but requires involvement by many facilities nationwide.

Requires local contact staff, but staff consists of current or retired “volunteers” who have a love of the game, who follow one national program guide. Higher level experienced players and instructors would be paid to host and instruct programs.

Local facilities that don't have the money, experience or staff, would welcome a national recognized program at their facility. Facilities are interested in programs that generate income, or sell and retain club memberships.

New players want fun club programs that provide basic instructional skills, to meet other players, and participate in organized friendly mixers and challenge courts.

As new players increase their skills, they want to join competitive leagues, and eventually participate in tournaments.

This program cycle continues, with new players increasing program growth and club income.

I cannot imagine any club embracing the 2nd program. I have been part of several clubs; some of which use racquetball as a draw but do not organize and 1 club that had a very successful, long term and organized program. The first club would not in any way shape or form allow any "National" governing body to into their club to tell them how to run a racquetball program. Racquetball has already served its purpose and they are currently one of the largest distributors nationally for a major racquetball racquet manufacturer. 97% of their sales come in the form of "beginner" racquetball sets. How would a national organization help them improve their program and how do you propose to make them be part of a mandatory program?

The 2nd club already has excellent racquetball programs (leagues, clinics and tournaments) and sport management so any interference by a "national" organization would be nothing more then interference. The Owner, General Manager and Sports coordinator run one of the best programs and clubs in the country by continuously promoting the sport through leagues for all skill levels, equipment demo days, clinics (club and/or national personnel) and tournaments.

Maybe I am missing something but I basically fail to see where a "National" organization is going to benefit either one of the clubs. Like anything else the growth of racquetball has to be part of a grass roots movement. That does not, however, mean letting each club figure things out without any sort of guidance and assistance. State organizations can have a huge impact if they perform their functions as needed. In other words, put together some fairly basic guidelines for building a successful club with racquetball. Use real data to show new or existing clubs how to use racquetball to increase their membership and profits by incorporating racquetball into their health clubs. Use real examples of profitable clubs and references from those clubs that are willing to share ideas etc.

We (the racquetball community) already have this forum as a national meeting place and there are several other tools already available that can help generate interest in the sport. The manufacturers are already doing a lot considering their current potential ROI. Who does that leave to help push racquetball to the forefront; clubs and local and state organizations.

Here is a list of what I believe needs to happen to grow this sport:
1) It can start with meet and play members. Get the owners and general managers of clubs that have successfully incorporated racquetball into their clubs to come to this forum and drop ideas, hints, suggestions into a part of this forum that is easily accessible even without registering.
2) You are not going to see many new clubs incorporate racquetball into new facilities without an extremely valid reason, more revenue and profit. Provide easily accessible real world data and suggestions for running a club centered around or at least including racquetball that is easily distributed. Ie: .2 page pdf doc available for download from here, USRA (or is it URSA or ASUR etc), RacqetballWarehouse.com, IRT-Tour etc.
3) Run a national yearly or semi-yearly mailing (or email) campaign to all athletic clubs that includes the pdf doc above, links to other available resources etc. State organizations will not do this as many of the board members would essentially be asking clubs in their home towns to add more services and enter in to their current niche.
4) Leave the USRA as is with the exception that they do something other than send me a yearly membership renewal. Racquetball needs to be promoted nationally otherwise you are basically getting specific health club advertising, not racquetball advertising.
5) I could go on and on but I will make this the last point, for now. Racquetball, as we all know, is a large investment for a health club. The average court costs $70-$100k (correct me if I am wrong). Basically here is what you are asking someone to spend in the “hopes” of drawing in more customers. 5 courts @ $85k = $425k. Amortized over 5 years (yes I know that a building or addition to a building can be amortized for a longer period of time) would require the addition of 142 new members paying $50 per month. That is break even at a very basic level. Add in additional monthly expenses incurred: additional liability insurance, additional employment expenses (salary, benefits etc), additional janitorial expenses etc. you would realistically need to bring in a total of 250 new members in addition to projected yearly growth. No, that’s not 250 new members, that’s 250 new members who would not have joined without the racquetball courts in place. All of the above to lead to this point; racquetball growth can and will progress faster as soon as communities embrace outdoor racquetball. Most cities already have parks or recreation facilities. Start a fundraiser to raise enough money to put in 1-2 outdoor racquetball courts. It would be easy enough to provide entry level racquets each year and that would give club owners an idea of the general interest in the sport verses a leap of faith. It also gives new players a chance to play and learn the sport without a large financial commitment. This would work even better in cold climates as players would move indoors in the cooler (or downright fricken cold) months.

In summary:
• Get the ones who know the most about building successful racquetball and health club programs to share their knowledge.
• Provide a basic outline on how to make a club successfully (profitably) incorporate racquetball.
• Let the USRA (or whatever it is called) handle all national exposure and state and local groups handle anything within their respective regions.
• Promote outdoor racquetball. It costs less to build, lasts longer and more importantly is accessible to more people with little or no investment on their part.


Ok, so my first post in a couple of years was a bit preachy and long winded. Last thing I will say is this, I am just now returning to racquetball after a 2 year layoff. Not once during those two years did I hear anything about racquetball unless I actively looked for the info.

Only a plan involving elements of both scenarios above would work in my opinion.

And any plan that does not include outdoor in the growth of racquetball is flawed, IMHOAL.

I could explain why outdoor is so critical, but it would be a very long post.:cheesy:

Vic Heat Fan

I could explain why outdoor is so critical, but it would be a very long post.:cheesy:

I would love to hear/read it.

Manny

Vic, I couldn't agree more. We have to, at some point, get over the idea that it is indoor vs outdoor racquetball. Each version brings something to the table and outdoor offers new players a chance to try the game without a gym membership. Less risk + more reward = more players.

Melle wrote:

I cannot imagine any club embracing the 2nd program. I have been part of several clubs; some of which use racquetball as a draw but do not organize and 1 club that had a very successful, long term and organized program. The first club would not in any way shape or form allow any "National" governing body to into their club to tell them how to run a racquetball program. Racquetball has already served its purpose and they are currently one of the largest distributors nationally for a major racquetball racquet manufacturer. 97% of their sales come in the form of "beginner" racquetball sets. How would a national organization help them improve their program and how do you propose to make them be part of a mandatory program?

No one likes being told how, or what to do. The “bottom line” and “trends” are reasons why fitness clubs start new programs (Spinning, Pilates etc).

If a facility learns that other clubs are “cashing in” on a new trendy program, it becomes a lot easier to convince “most” clubs to try something new.

Yes, there are some club owners and managers that believe they know what is best, and they have a right to operate their club as they please, it's their money.

The 2nd club already has excellent racquetball programs (leagues, clinics and tournaments) and sport management so any interference by a "national" organization would be nothing more then interference. The Owner, General Manager and Sports coordinator run one of the best programs and clubs in the country by continuously promoting the sport through leagues for all skill levels, equipment demo days, clinics (club and/or national personnel) and tournaments.

You are lucky to have such a well established racquetball program.

I am sure everyone would love to hear the name of the facility. This club would be foolish to try anything new, since it sounds like they have a well managed racquetball program with no need to further increase any type of programs or create new generated income.

There are some facilities that offer fantastic programs, with members calling in days in advance to reserve court time. When members are on waiting lists for filled programs and court time, the management has done their job.

Unfortunately, not all players (nationwide) have the luxury of belonging to such a dedicated facility that actively promotes racquetball.

I don't recall any “mandatory program”. The original post was describing the differences in types of promotional agendas at “existing facilities” that have racquetball courts.

No facility would be “forced” to do anything, and could “pick and choose” what programs, if any, best fit their facility needs.

Maybe I am missing something but I basically fail to see where a "National" organization is going to benefit either one of the clubs. Like anything else the growth of racquetball has to be part of a grass roots movement. That does not, however, mean letting each club figure things out without any sort of guidance and assistance. State organizations can have a huge impact if they perform their functions as needed. In other words, put together some fairly basic guidelines for building a successful club with racquetball. Use real data to show new or existing clubs how to use racquetball to increase their membership and profits by incorporating racquetball into their health clubs. Use real examples of profitable clubs and references from those clubs that are willing to share ideas etc.

We (the racquetball community) already have this forum as a national meeting place and there are several other tools already available that can help generate interest in the sport. The manufacturers are already doing a lot considering their current potential ROI. Who does that leave to help push racquetball to the forefront; clubs and local and state organizations.

I would be interested in hearing about a few facilities that had no programs, then suddenly blossomed by simply “offering” a program adopted from “other tools already available”?

It's not just a “program”, its the “people behind the program”.

I am not interested in re-inventing the wheel, so please explain what “tools” and “programs” you are referring to?

Here is a list of what I believe needs to happen to grow this sport:
1) It can start with meet and play members. Get the owners and general managers of clubs that have successfully incorporated racquetball into their clubs to come to this forum and drop ideas, hints, suggestions into a part of this forum that is easily accessible even without registering.
2) You are not going to see many new clubs incorporate racquetball into new facilities without an extremely valid reason, more revenue and profit. Provide easily accessible real world data and suggestions for running a club centered around or at least including racquetball that is easily distributed. Ie: .2 page pdf doc available for download from here, USRA (or is it URSA or ASUR etc), RacqetballWarehouse.com, IRT-Tour etc.
3) Run a national yearly or semi-yearly mailing (or email) campaign to all athletic clubs that includes the pdf doc above, links to other available resources etc. State organizations will not do this as many of the board members would essentially be asking clubs in their home towns to add more services and enter in to their current niche.
4) Leave the USRA as is with the exception that they do something other than send me a yearly membership renewal. Racquetball needs to be promoted nationally otherwise you are basically getting specific health club advertising, not racquetball advertising.
5) I could go on and on but I will make this the last point, for now. Racquetball, as we all know, is a large investment for a health club. The average court costs $70-$100k (correct me if I am wrong). Basically here is what you are asking someone to spend in the “hopes” of drawing in more customers. 5 courts @ $85k = $425k. Amortized over 5 years (yes I know that a building or addition to a building can be amortized for a longer period of time) would require the addition of 142 new members paying $50 per month. That is break even at a very basic level. Add in additional monthly expenses incurred: additional liability insurance, additional employment expenses (salary, benefits etc), additional janitorial expenses etc. you would realistically need to bring in a total of 250 new members in addition to projected yearly growth. No, that’s not 250 new members, that’s 250 new members who would not have joined without the racquetball courts in place. All of the above to lead to this point; racquetball growth can and will progress faster as soon as communities embrace outdoor racquetball. Most cities already have parks or recreation facilities. Start a fundraiser to raise enough money to put in 1-2 outdoor racquetball courts. It would be easy enough to provide entry level racquets each year and that would give club owners an idea of the general interest in the sport verses a leap of faith. It also gives new players a chance to play and learn the sport without a large financial commitment. This would work even better in cold climates as players would move indoors in the cooler (or downright fricken cold) months.

By the way, this post was NOT about “building” new courts, only how to utilize and promote programs at existing facilities that have courts.

Yes, existing courts (or new courts) cost upwards of $60,000. But that “space” used is a two story, 40 foot by 20 foot room occupied by two members per hour. Imagine how many more “memberships” could be sold if the same space was occupied by 60 members per hour?

This is why it is so crucial that racquetball courts be utilized as much as possible by “different” racquetball members, and not just the same 40 racquetball members who play 3 of 4 times a week. Facilities rather have 200 new members who are happy playing once or twice a week, and not just between 5pm and 7pm Monday thru Thursday nights.

In summary:
• Get the ones who know the most about building successful racquetball and health club programs to share their knowledge.
• Provide a basic outline on how to make a club successfully (profitably) incorporate racquetball.
• Let the USRA (or whatever it is called) handle all national exposure and state and local groups handle anything within their respective regions.
• Promote outdoor racquetball. It costs less to build, lasts longer and more importantly is accessible to more people with little or no investment on their part.

Thanks for taking the time to explain your views.

Your viewpoints and input was one of the reasons for this type of survey.

For over thirty years (my own experience) there is been no real national push, or support, to promote racquetball outside the existing group of tournament players.

Ironically, the tournament players are the “last group” that needs support, since they already play, have facility memberships and make regular equipment purchases.

But a “handful” of tournament players can never support the sport alone.

Yes, there are a few “rare exceptions” where a “few” facilities have “several dozen” active tournament playing members. But I guarantee a better choice is to have “several HUNDRED” recreational members who never played tournaments.

Yes, “Outdoor Racquetball” is a great way to expose new players.

But you still need to get these “new” outdoor players inside if you live in a climate with winter months.

And in Chicago, there are a few outdoor courts, that could only be used a during a few months and require about the same “costs” of a soccer field that has 22 participants per hour!

Instead of trying to get new people on outdoor courts, who happen to be strolling near the outdoor courts, why not go after the MILLIONS of existing members who already belong to indoor facilities with racquetball courts, but walk right by the courts every day!

If you had to “pay” out of your own pocket to promote racquetball, which would you do?

Build outside courts in hopes to attract new income to your existing unused indoor courts?

Promote your existing indoor courts by offering and promoting programs to your existing members?

Either way, just “offering a room” won't pay the bills.

If you existing members aren't already using your indoor courts, why would they decide to use your newly built outdoor courts?

Yes, if it was FREE to play outdoors, it would create new players (like tennis).

But even tennis has problems moving players used to playing FREE outdoors, to paying $500 for a indoor membership.

The problem with tht current system is promotion. At my club which granted is small there is no promotion of racquetball, what it can do for your health and wellness etc.. My buddy and I have just started the first ever league or any sort of organized racquetball program of any kind in our area. It has been amazing how many people have joined and are taking notice of this. We have several brand new players who have never played before this started. We have some intermediate level players and we have some elite-open level players who were glad to see something finally organized. This was all accomplished by putting up some flyers by the court and good old fashioned word of mouth advertising.

I say this not to toot my own horn, but to make this point: Promotion is the key. The USRA is currently not doing any sort of promotion on the local level. I have not seen one banner, coffee mug, shirt or anything else at any tourneys in my state not even our state finals. The USRA seems to have no local presence here. This is the biggest thing that needs to change. The only reason I even knew about the USRA is because to play the tourneys you have to give them your $35. If not for that requirement who would sign up? What have they done for me? I don't go to houston or memphis, I play here in my club, in my state. What are they doing for the players like me? I get a card and 6 issues of a magazine a year. That is it. They are always talking about finances and we need donations. There is big $$$$ out there in the club players who don't know that the organization exists and if they do they dont care because again what do they do for them. The USRA needs to start training local contacts, have USRA sponsored clincs everywhere. They need more of a presence than a website.

Just my 2 cents.

"
Yes, existing courts (or new courts) cost upwards of $60,000. But that “space” used is a two story, 40 foot by 20 foot room occupied by two members per hour. Imagine how many more “memberships” could be sold if the same space was occupied by 60 members per hour?"

Bingo! It's a simple fact that racquetball can't overcome. I love this sport but the ROI for clubs is not great.

BillB wrote:

How will the survey be used? Who will see/use it? I'm not opposed to such a thing, just wondering what's the use? If you get, say, 14 people to respond, what does that mean, and what does that do to your considerations for sampling error, validity, etc?

Good question!

“This information will be used to help develop new racquetball programs.”

Basically I am getting free information from a wide demographics of racquetball enthusiasts on the Internet.

I have a pretty good idea what is going on (survey questions), especially where I live, but I also understand the importance in being open to new ideas and concerns.

I am always looking for ideas and comments.

In over 30 years working in fitness clubs, the two best programs I have ever done or seen weren't main-stream programs, or programs offered in any instructional manual or guide.

The two most successful racquetball programs I did was by complete accident.

The real work was to turn an accidental lucky idea into a successful program.

Both occurred on JUST ONE racquetball court, and involved youth participation.

One took 4 years and had over 120 weekly participants. The second program grew from 8 weekly participants to over 60 weekly participants in a few months, and had over 500 total participants in the first year.

Years ago I was approached by my supervisors to offer pre-school programs to help our overcrowded YMCA pre-school department. I did so, hoping to attract the moms into daytime programs. Ironically, the moms didn't have much interest, but the kids kept signing up!

A few years later, at another facility I taught at, I noticed a bunch of Junior High school kids hanging outside the racquetball court hallway, every Friday after school. Too many kids for our three courts, but perfect for a new Wallyball program I recently was doing for pre-school and youth Birthday Parties (lower net and larger soft ball).

Within a few months, we had a few hundred kids on a data base that participated in Friday after school Wallyball. Since no courts were used (paid) for at that time, and our rarely used “kids game area” was under construction, I convinced my bosses to allow the kids to play Wallyball for free, to get them out of the halls (and get them addicted to playing).

All they needed was to wear gym shoes and listen to a 2-minute safety speech before playing. As the program grew, I had to start using “wristbands” that kids got before they could play (I couldn't tell who was a new or past player!).

Kids on the data base would get a wristband (and name checked off that day) and new kids not on the data base would fill out data base information "card" and listen to my 2-minute safety speech. I even got kids to volunteer helping check other kids in!

Each week I would enter all the participating kids into a Wallyball Friday Afternoon data base. Weekly details of how many new and existing participants were given to the boss.

I supervised these weekly FREE 2-3 hour programs (on 3 glass back courts) and my fees were covered from the Weekend Wallyball Birthday parties, which we charged $150 for 90 minutes (3 glass courts and hall, table and chairs) in private court glass court lounge.

I had no idea how easy it was to attach the normal 8-foot high Wallyball net to the bottom 5-foot high hook (bottom net swinging freely), and use a pre-school large soft ball (Walmart $3 ball). I had to installed two new Wallyball courts (hardware) in the other two courts, after the program grew so fast on just one court!

So yes, I am always willing to listen to new ideas from others.

Who knows, maybe someone else stumbled across a great idea too!

No, you don't read about these ideas in any books, trade articles or newsletters (yet!).

By the way, if you ever had the chance to visit Racquetball.com, take a look at the Promotions menu. All the information under “Promote” was created by me, for my original AOL website. The people at Racquetball.com asked to use many of my website graphics and creations, including instructional and marketing tips. Most all of the “menu” (play and promotions) are from me.

Recreational Play

When I first began teaching racquetball (when Dinosaurs roamed), my job was to teach new (prospective members) players every Friday Night (averaged about 60 participants a week).

This occurred at a 12-court racquetball only facility (Skyharbor-Highland Park, IL), during weekly Friday Night “MatchMaker” Mixers, 8-11 PM, on all 12 courts.

Local racquetball couple, Chuck and Peg Gudbransen, hosted this mixer, put out a huge tray of food and refreshments, and arrange games or lessons (with me).

At the time, it was normal for members to call 6-days in advanced to get a court time between 5 and 9 PM, Monday through Thursday (and we had 12 courts).

But Fridays were very slow, so the owners used a “tennis program” they called “MatchMakers”, that provided recreational level new instruction and game arranging, with the goal to sell new memberships (cost $5 a week to play Matchmakers, members or non-members).

Eventually news of Friday Night MatchMakers spread, and it was not uncommon for local top ranked tournament players to show up, when they couldn't participate in a weekend event, or wasn't any (summer).

Everyone, from the die-hard “Open” tournament players, to the new first-time players had a great time, and continued coming back to play.

Learning Experience

I learned that everyone, regardless of experienced, loved participating in “Social Events”, but not everyone had the courage, time or funds to participate in “2-3 Day Weekend Tournaments”.

I also learned you could make much more money, with less problems and stress, hosting “Mixers” that lasted for a couple hours, than hosting a weekend long “Tournament”.

Real Data

I served on my State (Illinois) Racquetball Association Board for 10 years.

I watched the the number of State Members and tournament participation drop, although my own recreation programs continued to grow.

This is why I strongly believe the only effective way to promote racquetball is at the non-tournament “Social” recreational level.

People want to play racquetball because it's fun, not because they want to compete in a tournament!

You can promote and create new players without tournaments, but you can't run a tournament , or keep racquetball courts occupied without new players.

Great thread.

Jordan...you are the man!

Manny

Jordan

You are lucky to have such a well established racquetball program.

I am sure everyone would love to hear the name of the facility. This club would be foolish to try anything new, since it sounds like they have a well managed racquetball program with no need to further increase any type of programs or create new generated income.

I was lucky to belong to such a great facility but as it stands I moved 900 miles away and the local racquetball programs are non-existent. Normally I would not use any names but this facility and the people who run it deserve any credit they receive. Here is the funniest thing about this club, they have approx 200-300 active racquetball players and 15,000 members. They are in a city of 25,000. I have never seen their business plan nor spent any time discussing it with them (they really do not need any outside input) but it is fairly obvious that they have used the racquetball programs to promote their other facilities and services with a great deal of success.

Prairie Athletic Club
Sun Prairie, WI
Bruce Thompson - owner, WI Racquetball Hall of Fame inductee
Pete Simon - General Manager
Paul Krueger - Sports Coordinator

All sarcasm aside, generating continuous growth in income and profitability are the only ways you are going to convince club owners to do anything to promote or support racquetball.

Jordan

There are some facilities that offer fantastic programs, with members calling in days in advance to reserve court time. When members are on waiting lists for filled programs and court time, the management has done their job.

Unfortunately, not all players (nationwide) have the luxury of belonging to such a dedicated facility that actively promotes racquetball.

I don't recall any “mandatory program”. The original post was describing the differences in types of promotional agendas at “existing facilities” that have racquetball courts.

No facility would be “forced” to do anything, and could “pick and choose” what programs, if any, best fit their facility needs.

My misunderstanding then but the only national programs that work require participation from most groups involved. If you run a national campaign that promotes the rules and values of the USRA and racquetball and you have a local facility that chooses not to participate aren't you in essence invalidating their club as a viable racquetball facility. I would not think that but the "suggestion" is something that would need to be addressed prior to any campaigns.

Jordan

I would be interested in hearing about a few facilities that had no programs, then suddenly blossomed by simply “offering” a program adopted from “other tools already available”?

It's not just a “program”, its the “people behind the program”.

I am not interested in re-inventing the wheel, so please explain what “tools” and “programs” you are referring to?

No idea what you are talking about. I may have written something incorrectly but I have not seen an example of this. If you are referring to clubs that have the facilities but no programs then the benefits of developing a "program" should be fairly obvious.

Other tools available - if I want to start almost any business or franchise I can type a search in to Google and get several successful business plans. My suggestion was to create something similar from the combined experience of club owners and managers that have done this in the past. No need to recreate the wheel, just refine it and make the wheel accessible.

Jordan

By the way, this post was NOT about “building” new courts, only how to utilize and promote programs at existing facilities that have courts.

Grow the sport = make it more accessible and affordable = more health clubs and communities with racquetball facilities. I in no way shape or form meant to suggest that health clubs build there own outdoor facilities. That is something that can easily be done on public property through donations and fundraisers.

Jordan

Yes, existing courts (or new courts) cost upwards of $60,000. But that “space” used is a two story, 40 foot by 20 foot room occupied by two members per hour. Imagine how many more “memberships” could be sold if the same space was occupied by 60 members per hour?

That is why an existing and accessible set of tools is necessary. On the surface there are no economically sound reasons to add or maintain existing courts. They take up a lot of space, are typically empty during the day and have little or no use outside of racquetball matches.
If I told you adding 3 courts to your new facility or maintaining (instead of turning them in to a spinning facility) would generate 25% more new members or an increase in profit would you be willing consider adding, keeping or promoting racquetball? It's a simple question to answer but in order for it to be a legitimate argument it has to be validated with quantifiable facts and real world examples.

Jordan

This is why it is so crucial that racquetball courts be utilized as much as possible by “different” racquetball members, and not just the same 40 racquetball members who play 3 of 4 times a week. Facilities rather have 200 new members who are happy playing once or twice a week, and not just between 5pm and 7pm Monday thru Thursday nights.

Exactly, but a national ad campaign will not accomplish this. This has to be done at a grass roots level. A simple idea would be to start a middle and high school recreational racquetball program. Start a youth program that is free to members or a very minimal cost to non-members. I have read, somewhere in this forum, of a very successful high school program. It has been a long time since I spent any time here or anywhere related to the sport so I cannot remember the details but it would be an excellent addition to any "tools" that were made available. Another quick idea - make Sunday afternoons "family" days (not my original idea) and allow memmebrs and non-memebers (little or no fee) to use the facilities on a walk on basis. Have a couple of club regualrs availalbe to answer questions or provide quick lessons. If done correctly this could be used to generate many (just guessing so "many" or "several" is as close as anyone will get to quantifiable data) new members each month with a decent percentage staying in the racquetball program.

Jordan

Ironically, the tournament players are the “last group” that needs support, since they already play, have facility memberships and make regular equipment purchases.

But a “handful” of tournament players can never support the sport alone.

Yes, there are a few “rare exceptions” where a “few” facilities have “several dozen” active tournament playing members. But I guarantee a better choice is to have “several HUNDRED” recreational members who never played tournaments.

Here is the biggest hurdle that has to be crossed. Those tournament players are usually the ones who spend the time to promote the sport through clinics, teaching and recruiting new players etc. They are also the ones that want to look at this as a sport verses a business. Like anything, established participants want to protect their territory. I'll use this forum as an example; I left, as I mentioned before, two years ago. After a two year absence I still recognize most of the forum participants. This is not a knock on meet and play but more of eye opener. Each person who wants to make recommendations needs to start with themselves. Who have you brought into this forum? Who have you referred to meet and play in general? What have you done locally to promote the growth of racquetball?

I agree that any club that wants to be successful needs many recreational players but these recreational players are also the ones that have a short shelf life and need to be replaced regularly. So again, we get back to the best ways to continuously draw in new players and maybe more importantly, to generate additional revenue and profit from recreational players. We all know the problems and challenges this sport faces (cost, availability etc) but I have not seen many shared ideas that specifically answer those problems.

#1 CBP Program Plan: “The Goal, Make Money!"

Huh, make money? Why Not “support or promote racquetball”?

You can't “support or promote” racquetball unless these racquetball programs generate money (program fees or memberships).

Without the “facility”, there are no racquetball courts. The facility “support” takes priority over supporting racquetball.

This may be the crux of the problem we “all” share.

We all need to realize that just “wanting” to support and promote racquetball will never help, unless consideration and MONEY produced from racquetball programs is generated back into the host facility.

#2 CBP Program Plan: “Host Facility Paid in Advance”

All participant “prepaid” program fees are received by host facility in advance, before any “fees” are paid to instructors, staff or outside organizations.

All staff and instructor fees are paid after program ends, or based on arranged contracted agreement.

The “Host Facility” Receives all Program Income Before Supporting any other Organization or Staff.

Example: USA Racquetball wants to run a tournament at a facility. The facility should first request a down payment (deposit) from the USA Oarganization or Tournament Director upfront, then either a flat fee, percentage or shared profits of tournament income.

Sounds harsh?

USA Racquetball requires their own $100 “*Sanction Fee” (not a deposit) from the host facility, or Tournament Director, 3-months in advance of the tournament, to receive full benefits of sanctioning. Plus a $20 penalty if sanction application is received by USA within 7-days of start of tournament.

(* see details at: http://www.usra.org/Portals/18/docs/StateAssocconfcall%2001072008.pdf)

#3 CBP Program Plan: “No Cost Guarantee”.

The “Host Facility” doesn't pay any program, or program staff fees until a “agreed facility contract minimum PRE-PAID participant fee” is generated by that program.

Example: A Racquetball Clinic is Scheduled (with participant fees). Instructor must offer clinic, unless minimum number of participants are registered.

The “agreed facility contract” would stipulate who, the Instructor, or Club, could “cancel” a program, based on not enough, or low registration.

Instructor receives a lower “pro-rated” fee, when the total prepaid number of registrants have not been met. But the Instructors receives a higher “Bonus” fee if number of prepaid registrants passes the contracted “bonus” number.

These are incentives for both the Instructor and the facility to maximize registration, since both receive a “percentage” registration fees.

(Special programming experience is required to set a maximum number of possible participants to insure program safety and value,)

This is a “carrot on a stick” approach to “Sales Incentives”.

And better than a money back guarantee, since no money was paid in advance.

A program is not just “one” event (same date and time), but a series of available activities for participation.

How to BUILD Smart Profitable Programs

Example of Typical Clinic Registrations

Six clinics offered by same Instructor, at different times.

Two are canceled for lack or registration.

Two reach the 4 registrants minimum (4 min / 8 max).

One has 8 registrants.

One has 2 registrants.

Some facilities and instructors would cancel the clinic with only 2 registrants, or try to move them into another clinic.

Many registrants won't be able to switch their schedule, resulting in a “loss” of two prospective registrants.

Worse, most Instructors and facilities just cancel the clinic, not wanting to take a “loss” by offering the clinic (losing money by paying Instructor more than that clinic takes in).

But there isn't any loss, as long as another clinic (same Instructor) can make up the lost income!.

Look at all clinics (same seasonal / weekly schedule) as one big program, Instead of looking at each clinic as a individual “program”.

This way, there is no difference in how many registrants there are in 'each' clinic, as long as the total “program number” of registrants from “all the clinics” covers any loss!

4 Clinics Run

Total 18 Registrations

Averages 4.5 registrants for that particular program (season / weekly schedule).

If the clinic that had just two registrants was canceled, there would be a higher average of registrants (5.3, not 4.5), but less clinics offered (3, not 4) and possibly a higher rate for both the facility and instructor.

Yes, the Instructor and the club make more money, but at the cost of having fewer participants.

The answer is not how much "profit" to maximize per activity (clinic), but how to maximize the total number of registrants, who will register for additional activities, and create MORE profits down the road (investment).

The minimum fee and bonuses are only incentives, but the total number of registrants is more important in the long run of the “programs”, and not the short-term profits of just one type of activity (clinic).

I learned this accounting method years ago, when I would still offer a class (15 weeks) with just 2 students, as long as my other (current) “profitable” classes (5 or 6 students) could justify the “loss” of that class.

In the past, my supervisors (and facility procedures) required classes to be canceled.

I quickly learned that the registrants would simply register for a different program (non racquetball) or at a different facility!

This is how I developed a Youth Programs, utilizing past registrants from weekly (15 weeks, one hour per week) pre-school age (3-6) and youth classes (6 – 12), who progressed and registered into my Youth Team (ages 5 – 18, mixed ages, 15 weeks, 2 hours per week).

When you have 12 to 20 registrants (paying $9 – $12 each, every week), your activity generates a income fee between $54 and $120 per hour! ($810 - $1,800 in 15 weeks).

This high income offsets all the classes offered with under minimum registrants, which would have normally been cancelled.

I ran 4-6 PM Youth Teams, that met once a week for 15 weeks, and had 5 different Youth Teams (Mon-Fri) each week.

That's what helped me generate over $10,000 in annual “program profit” , at just one facility.