Transcript CLUB REGIONAL MEETINGS: Mini/Midi Circuit. Peter Farrell

CLUB REGIONAL
MEETINGS:
Mini/Midi Circuit.
Peter Farrell
February 2007.
PARTICIPATION
INITIATIVES ARE NOW
AT THE TOP OF THE TENNIS
IRELAND AGENDA..
PROPOSED MINI/MIDI
CIRCUIT.
PLAYER RETENTION IS A
RECOGNISED PROBLEM FOR
TENNIS:
“In the USA, 90 million people have tried tennis, but
only 20 million still play….”
(International Tennis Federation).
“In the USA, 5 million people take up the game
each year, and 5 million give up the game each
year!”
(Joe Dinoffer - Coach)
“Healthy, enjoyable easy to
access competition is
arguably the biggest
contributor to retaining players
in the game”
(LTA Blueprint 2006).
The French Tennis Federation has
a history of producing top players,
and they view competition as so
important
that:
“a French Club cannot be
affiliated to the Federation unless
it runs at least one open event
each year..”
The ten most important reasons I play my best sport:
1. To have fun
2. To improve my skills
3. To stay in shape
4. To do something I`m good at
5. For the excitement of competition
6. To get exercise
7. To play as part of a team
8. For the challenge of competition
9. To learn new skills
10. To win
Drs. Ewing and Seefeldt (sample of 3,900 primary school children)
WHAT CHILDREN WANT
PROVIDED BY
COMPETITION?
TO HAVE FUN
Yes
IMPROVE SKILLS
Yes tactical/psychological
STAY IN SHAPE
Yes
DO SOMETHING I`M GOOD AT
Yes
EXCITEMENT OF COMPETITION
Yes
TO GET EXERCISE
Yes
PLAY AS PART OF A TEAM
Yes
CHALLENGE OF COMPETITION
Yes
TO LEARN NEW SKILLS
Yes “how to compete”
TO WIN
Yes sometimes!
A MAJOR KEY TO
RETENTION/ENJOYMENT
FOR YOUNG PLAYERS:
plentiful opportunities to
participate in appropriate
competitive environments…
COMPETITION WHICH FITS THE
NEEDS OF THE CHILD TAKES INTO
ACCOUNT:
1. Physical attributes of children (short matches)
2. Mental attributes of children (concentration span)
3. Lack of emphasis on results (more short matches)
4.
The
value
of
team
competition
5. Use of correct equipment (ball, racquet, court).
Possible Formats:
5-7 years old : one tiebreak
multi sport events -FUN DAY - basketball, soccer, hockey,
olympic handball, MINI TENNIS, social in Clubhouse after..
7-9 years old : best of 3 tiebreaks
9-10 years old : 2 sets to 4 games,
tiebreak final set