Whether you are with us or not...this is a HUGE way we believe racquetball will grow.

Doing what i did!:)

It's a way that can be duplicated.

Start a racquetball club/group or two or more that can attract new people to the game.

we have to continue to introduce "NEW" people to the game. Many in turn will turn around and tell others.

We (Racquetball Coaches Network) have introduced 24 brand new first-time participants to the game of racquetball since January 1. Is that the number we want? we want more!

As new coaches come in...follow the system or help create new systems... the numbers of first-time participants will continue to grow.

We are finding and helping coaches all across the country be successful in their area when it comes to growing the game.

We help our coaches get paid 11 different ways.

It's a numbers game.

The more new players that are introduced the more players that will stick to the game.

It's true!

We just need more coaches out there to direct and teach and guide!:)

The plan is in place...and it is working!:)

Watch the numbers grow!:)

If nothing else...in our book the numbers will soar!:)

Yes, it's a numbers game, but racquetball's growth isn't dependent on the number of “players”, it's dependent on racquetball program income at the local club (facility). What good are 12, 25 or 100 NEW racquetball players, if ONLY a few are club (facility) members, pay for regular programs, or regularly support the local facility?

The trick is to generate new racquetball players while generating new club (facility) income. Clubs (facilities) look for new ways to increase and retain membership and program participation. Clubs (facilities) aren't too keen when existing members switch to a new program like racquetball, unless there are participant replacements (waiting list) to fill the old programs.

Everyone seems to want to play racquetball at the same time. Many die-hard racquetball players have become spoiled because racquetball courts are usually available without advanced reservations. Some die-hard players complain to club management when it's tough to get court time. Club management could become hesitant to offer new racquetball programs that could upset existing core paying racquetball members.

Local clubs (facilities) require economic support to maintain their racquetball courts, or offer racquetball programs. This is a must for growing racquetball. What good is growing the sport if there is no place to play?

BTW- Racquetball equipment sales have the same problem.

Fewer active players result in fewer racquetball courts and less equipment sales. It would be impossible for any individual company, store or facility to attempt to promote racquetball alone. This is how Manny's “Racquetball Coaches Network” can help. I am amazed that for decades, no organization (or program) was created to develop racquetball's growth. Local players, clubs (facilities), companies and organizations (USAR) all depend on one common factor, "paying" players, members, participants and player retention. As the age of the current active “paying” racquetball players increase, it will be more important to introduce new players.

Jordan

It would be impossible for any individual company, store or facility to attempt to promote racquetball alone. This is how Manny's “Racquetball Coaches Network” can help.

Yes...you said it.

We help other coaches in our network like myself start programs in their area and offer them an exciting way(s) that keep the coach interested and focused on running successful programs with the a team of coaches/racquetballers behind one another and helping one another.

The great part about all of this...a coach is never alone in their efforts.

As a coach I'm going to start driving to Indianapolis as a way to help other coaches and players in the network improve their skill level. Whether it is as a coach or player.

Last night one of our coaches in Kansas held a clinic.

That is good for his area in Kansas. There were 4 players and now they have something to look forward to. With the proper direction the sport will grow.

The sport sells itself but it doesn't sell it from the outside looking in.

Need coaches across the country to help guide the new player.

Manny

Kids are the answer. Make the game fun accessible and COOL for the kids.

Free basic lessons. Free court time. Free used gear. Make it easy for kids to "get into it". Once they do they turn into paying adults. If you dont invest in planting seeds now you cant harvest any results later. Clubs should have a "donations box" where players can donate old racquets and eyeguards to kids programs.

Kids will love the game if we make it easy for them to play. If Mom and Dad need to spend money on memberships, court time, and gear - a lot fewer kids get exposed to the game.

Kids refill our ranks much better than converting a jogger or tennis player. Gotta solve that puzzle to get any loing term results.

When racquetball becomes cool for Junior High School kids, 5 to 8 years later clubs get income and manufactureres sell gear. Gotta plant those seeds now if you want to harvest desired results later.

Trouble is everyone says its a great idea to do things for kids, but there's always an excuse why OTHER PEOPLE should do it. Instructors and Clubs dont see the value in short term investment of FREE access to all kids., Players would rather keep their 4 year old 5th racquet in their bag - "just in case" - rather than give it to the kid playing with a cracked Bandito. Players dont have time to step into a court and hit with the youngsters and play fun games. No - they only have XXX amount of time and they are here to play serious.

Like so many other aspects of the sport, we have a lot of folks saying what OTHER PEOPLE SHOULD DO. We have a real dearth of people who actually DO ANYTHING besides make suggestions about sacrifices OTHERS should make to grow the game.

I agree with Vic about getting kids involved, providing free access and equipment. I worked at a local YMCA and knew that “free” access to equipment and courts helped my programs grow (130 youth students per week in racquetball programs).

One of the most successful programs my YMCA offered was “free” youth racquetball walk-on play during any available non-reserved time, and free rental equipment to all racquetball players. We also used a unique method to “require” eyeguard use for kids. Liability prevented us from requiring mandatory eyeguards for juniors when it was impossible to supervise. A simple posted warning that “Eyegaurds must be worn, or parents would be billed for full court time fee” solved the eyeguard problem during free youth walk-on play. This also forced adult members who sneaked on the courts without a reservation or paying, to reserve and pay for their court time because the kids were now officialy on court "walk-in" reservation in the court schedule book. The YMCA ended up having more kids play plus increasing the weekly adult court fee income. Kids could still pay and reserve in advance, or pay and not wear eyeguards (this was many years ago).

BTW:
The greatest success for my youth programs was a result in helping out our YMCA “Pre-School Department” with the overflow of waiting list participants for non-racquetball pre-school programs. All departments were asked to add/create pre-school programs. I always thought kids must be 5-7 years old to start playing racquetball, but I was so wrong. I offered 3-4 and 5-6 year old classes and within a few years was teaching 60 kids (age 3-6) a week, and many (or siblings) eventually registered for other youth racquetball programs. I learned that at age 11, many kids were dropping out of all YMCA youth sports programs to participate in school or social activities.

Vic Heat Fan

Kids are the answer. Make the game fun accessible and COOL for the kids.

Free basic lessons. Free court time. Free used gear. Make it easy for kids to "get into it". Once they do they turn into paying adults. If you dont invest in planting seeds now you cant harvest any results later. Clubs should have a "donations box" where players can donate old racquets and eyeguards to kids programs.

Kids will love the game if we make it easy for them to play. If Mom and Dad need to spend money on memberships, court time, and gear - a lot fewer kids get exposed to the game.

Kids refill our ranks much better than converting a jogger or tennis player. Gotta solve that puzzle to get any loing term results.

When racquetball becomes cool for Junior High School kids, 5 to 8 years later clubs get income and manufactureres sell gear. Gotta plant those seeds now if you want to harvest desired results later.

Trouble is everyone says its a great idea to do things for kids, but there's always an excuse why OTHER PEOPLE should do it. Instructors and Clubs dont see the value in short term investment of FREE access to all kids., Players would rather keep their 4 year old 5th racquet in their bag - "just in case" - rather than give it to the kid playing with a cracked Bandito. Players dont have time to step into a court and hit with the youngsters and play fun games. No - they only have XXX amount of time and they are here to play serious.

Like so many other aspects of the sport, we have a lot of folks saying what OTHER PEOPLE SHOULD DO. We have a real dearth of people who actually DO ANYTHING besides make suggestions about sacrifices OTHERS should make to grow the game.

Vic I really appreciate your thoughts on growing racquetball.

Total participation is said to be up 2.2% over last 9 years. I don't know any accurate numbers on that but the fact that we are still a relatively new sport and have shown any type of break even or growth in participation says this baby is just beginning.

The selling point I think for the sport is the fitness level and fun someone can enjoy for a very long period of time.

I'm not sure I really agree that Juniors are the answer right now because when they get into high school their interest is generally directed else where in team school sports and other peer pressure activities.

unless we are going to make a HUGE effort with direct focus on growth to make this a team sport and give the kids a chance to letter in the sport and be with their school peers more.

I think in today's racquetball environment our focus should be on junior players and collegiate players. There are courts in colleges all over the country. The only problem then is a way for them to continue playing when they get out of college. Getting that first career job and getting all their affairs in order and many marriages and many kids coming into the picture before you know it they don't pick up a racquet for 5, 10 years and that is money that is not going coming back into the sport for growing reasons.

Two markets for growth

Juniors - easy...just have clubs in place for kids to continually learn with coaches dedicated and committed to being a part of it for 3-5 years while working as a team with others that are also dedicated to the growth of junior racquetball.

Kids need a reason ($$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$) where LOTS of participation would continually grow into and thru out high school. Need a reason for their parents to spend the big bucks to train them to be a champion. AND MOST IMPORTANTLY....Need courts that will be ok with kids of all ages. That is a slight hiccup that I'm sure we will eventually get over.

I think Jason Mannino is doing a great job leading the IRT in a direction that will offer more for juniors to focus on a career on the IRT.

Collegiates - ALREADY many courts in place. Need to get coaches in ALL of those colleges to help direct it for a long time and see that grow. I'm witness to that being possible as that is what I have done at Indiana State University. Now I'm seeing the system fall more in place as participants are holding offices and roles to help grow and stay organized. And all I have to do is coach and mentor. Love it!!!!:)

NEED MORE OUTDOOR RACQUETBALL COURTS STARTING IN THE MIDWEST!!!:)

Will still need coaches and guidance.

These junior clubs would be best served with coaches who are committed because of the sport itself and not because their child is involved. Time and time again I see when the kids interests start going elsewhere in short time after so does the parents interest as well. NOT ALL....but there is a consistent pattern. Meaning it happens a lot.

Junior and collegiate racquetball are a couple of our goals for the Racquetball Coaches Network. To help develop and find coaches all across the country who are passionate about growing the sport and willing to take action as soon as they join our network if they don't already have something in place.

We have coaches who join because they want to help. We have coaches who join because they need help. Either way, there is always a team of people ready to help our coaches be successful in growing the sport and offering fitness to all.

And helping our players continually develop their skill level.

The sport sells itself with proper direction.

Manny -

We are finding outdoor courts all the time. Found some in Colorado, having WOR events in Washington State and St Louis this season... Many more places being discovered. Let's get those places used and that will help get more built!

Just an FYI - WOR membership and participation is growing at over 20% per year.

I dont think most indoor guys understand some of the dynamics of why outdoor RB attracts so many people.

Outdoor RB is a social thing as much as exersize. Nearly all recreational outdoor ball is challenge court doubles. Show up at a park, call game. Different partner each time you go. Players and spectators hear all the chatter back and forth. Often a picnic atmosphere, even just for weekend fun with no tourney. The focus tends to be on "having a great time outdoor in the park and getting some games in" rather than "drill and improve my game".

Big "groups" of players know and play with each other, rather than a small circle of friends. The challenge court nature coupled with doubles as the norm, means many levels of players comingle all the time. Not unusual at all to have an Open player paired with a B player against 2 A players for a fun game of doubles. And the courts are typically free to use. Show up - call game.

So - I obviously agree that Outdoor racquetball is an important part of the overall growth of the sport. Great way for kids and beginners to try out the game, and to concentrate on the "fun" aspect rather than how much exersize you will get. For better or worse, most people play to enjoy themself - not to become a great tourney player, and not to have a washboard stomach. I like it - so I play.

AND .... PLEASE

If you know of any outdoor courts that may not be on the WOR Master Court List
(go to HERE and click on COURTS) send me the info, at minimum the Park/school name, and I'll get it on the Master Court List!
Then... get an event there!!!

PM or email me!

Bill

The best way to grow racquetball is the following:

1. Ensure your state has enough certified coaches
2. Ensure all clubs in your area have a coach and are running programs
3. Ensure everyone is participating and supporting the clubs the have the courts

#1 & 2 are important to ensure players are being developed and new players introduced. Always make sure you are hired by that club before you attempt to teach, organize play or host a program. If the club finds out or the person you took on court gets hurt- you are liable and can also risk your membership. All clubs are looking for help. Who doesn't want to see their courts full with happy members?

Don't have enough certified coaches- Get with the USAR and request a clinic in your area. Promote it to all RB players!

#3 from a clubs prospective this is huge. When courts are not full and programs not filled it gives a GM a club opportunity to "review the space". Clubs need all areas that are dedicated to a program to be successful. When they are not, that's when you see Martial Arts, Zumba and other programs take over. Remember, members are always looking for more space for fitness programs and when they can look over and see courts empty 50% of the time....well we all know what happens next. Remember, this is a investment for them and courts take a lot of space.

Work with your State SRA to ensure activity is happening in the clubs around you, and if not, connect with the person in charge of the racquetball program at the club and offer some help. Most clubs have a Department Head responsible, GM or National Director.

Get out there, get certified, and develop new players!

If they are already at the club the above works. How do we get folks to the clubs in the first place. How do we convert tennis players, bowlers, joggers and channel surfers is the hard question.

I'm a converted bowler and what converted me was a co-worker asking me to try it at lunch one day... I was hooked.
Moral: Ask a non-player out to the courts, loan them a racquet, safety glasses and PLAY!

billgeo

I'm a converted bowler and what converted me was a co-worker asking me to try it at lunch one day... I was hooked.
Moral: Ask a non-player out to the courts, loan them a racquet, safety glasses and PLAY!

My college roommate introduced me and I was hooked.

My grades showed how hooked I was!!!!

Manny

Vic Heat Fan

If they are already at the club the above works. How do we get folks to the clubs in the first place. How do we convert tennis players, bowlers, joggers and channel surfers is the hard question.

Great question.

I'm at a university and it can pose challenges because its focus is students.

I show them that I can help them put those 10 courts to use. Truth is...if I didn't do what I do...those courts would be empty. You know how I know? That is why I started the two programs (ISU club and junior club) because they have 10 beautiful courts and it was hardly getting used regularly.

During season now...Some nights...you would be lucky to get a court.

That being said...proof is in the pudding. Find people who do a lot for next to nothing with an long term intent that could bring many rewards.

we recently put a brochure together putting our Junior programs on there and a free women's clinic and other racquetball stuff.

We went to all schools in the area and passed out brochures.

We put events in newspaper.

We teach our current players to "recruit".

Just takes effort.

No effort...no results.

Manny