A1 Pharmaceuticals Academy news

A1 tennis academy · Satellite level

RE: A1 Pharmaceuticals Academy news

RJA · Hall of fame

Coup Droit wrote:
Thanks - all backs up the same point really.

Yes, all the prize-givings abroad (for money tournaments, juniors, ITF etc.) will 'be an event'.

Firstly, if you go along mid-week, there will be a sign saying 'Saturday morning is Finals morning. Prize-giving at 12. Everyone welcome !!!' or something like that. It'll be in the local paper.

There will ALWAYS be drinks and nibbles (very nice, in some cases, basic but acceptable in others). Definitely speeches from club president, sports guy from the local council, sponsor or whatever. And lots of prizes - down to semis, every category, the umpire, whoever they can find. (This will be a LARGE number in a money tournament). And often a raffle i.e. everyone gets a free ticket and there's a draw. I think it's important to try and value these events. But, then, if you haven't pushed the tournament in the first place, I guess there's no point pushing the prize-giving . . . :(

Most of the futures I have been to give the distinct impression that they couldn't care less if any spectators turn up or not.

indiana · Tennis legend

Generally, I see little effort to inspire any interest from folk who are not already in some way in the tennis "in" crowd.

Of course, there will be individual enthusiasts like Gary and the Richard Joyner chap he mentions, who do their best. But the leadership from the LTA in this matter ?!!! - especially given official public criticism re how they have been failing to spread the game and increase numbers.

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

RJA wrote:
Coup Droit wrote:
Thanks - all backs up the same point really.

Yes, all the prize-givings abroad (for money tournaments, juniors, ITF etc.) will 'be an event'.

Firstly, if you go along mid-week, there will be a sign saying 'Saturday morning is Finals morning. Prize-giving at 12. Everyone welcome !!!' or something like that. It'll be in the local paper.

There will ALWAYS be drinks and nibbles (very nice, in some cases, basic but acceptable in others). Definitely speeches from club president, sports guy from the local council, sponsor or whatever. And lots of prizes - down to semis, every category, the umpire, whoever they can find. (This will be a LARGE number in a money tournament). And often a raffle i.e. everyone gets a free ticket and there's a draw. I think it's important to try and value these events. But, then, if you haven't pushed the tournament in the first place, I guess there's no point pushing the prize-giving . . . :(
Most of the futures I have been to give the distinct impression that they couldn't care less if any spectators turn up or not.

Most of the Futures I have been to gave the distinct impression that they were absolutely amazed that any spectators turned up.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Isn't that just one of the saddest things ?

Do people reckon this is partly (or mainly) because the funding for the tournament is provided as a done deal, unlike Eddie's Italian story where the club has had actually to go out and woo local sponsors and MAKE it a success ?

Or just because it's a stuffy, blazer lot who don't really want outsiders on their patch ? (I'd like to think this was out of date but I'm not sure . . . )

Either way it's pretty sad . . .

paulisi · Tennis legend

I've been to many futures and several finals. Some attempt to promote via local schools and colleges and some have well attended finals. Generally during the week, it is family and coaches watching. The players generally appreciate the extra support, but what incentive do the LTA have to attract these spectators? there is no financial benefit and there is an associated cost. It's down to the clubs and the best in NW is Wirral.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

There's a huge financial benefit, but it's not a direct one.

More spectators means more interest, more club players, more LTA licences, more sponsors, etc. etc.

It's all part of the business cycle and exactly what the LTA should be doing to promote the sport.

And it's dead cheap. Having helped organise many tournament prize-givings, the newspaper guy comes for free and just needs someone to give him a drink. Local supermarkets will normally provide wine and crisps as long as they get their name on the flyer (and even if you can't be bothered, it doesn't cost much, the LTA could provide zillions of wine and nibbles for the price of one hugely-overpriced sofa). Some local sports shop will donate a prize for the raffle (and I'm always amazed how much store people set by a free glass of wine and a chance to win a raffle prize).

If the LTA don't promote their events, then how they can expect the sport to get wider coverage and wider participation ? Which means more cash ?

indiana · Tennis legend

What incentive do the LTA have to attract these spectators ? Bangs head !

Sorry, but...

( answers can be found in this thread and many other threads )

EddietheEagle · County player

There is, or certainly was, minimal involvement of the Italian federation (F.I.T.) in local Italian tournaments (the federation being basically bankrupt in those years). You paid a local FIT giudice-arbitro to nominally provide technical oversight but he doesn't do very much apart from enjoy the hospitality. I think he signs the official match sheets. The provincial FIT chairman (il Presidente) turns up at the weekend to say hello, shake hands with everyone, present prizes, have his photo taken and enjoy lunch. Apart from that you get on and do things yourself, for good or bad. We had a good crowd watching the finals (men's and women's) which as mentioned before, was televised locally with a satellite uplink. When you get television interest, everyone's a winner. It's key. There's less regulation and more anarchy in Italy so personal energy, initiative and localism counts for more. There is no over-arching institution that casts its influence and/or sponsors over everything. As an indication, they run many more futures tournaments than we do, all with significant local sponsor involvement because without that support they wouldn't happen; the ITF 2014 calendar shows 39 futures in Italy which as we all know provides that all-important breeding ground for aspiring pros. I think Tennis GB runs half that number. It's critical to the development of UK tennis IMO that we get more of the A1 sponsorship type instead of A1 effectively acting more or less alone as pioneer. This needs to become standard.

Ratty · County player

As mentioned, and as with all animal behaviour, the incentives are fundamental.

Private sponsors want maximum publicity and razzamattazz for their money, so they want lots of spectators to create a good buzz.

However, the LTA funds British Futures and has no incentive to encourage spectators, who are after all a bit of a pain. They want somewhere to sit, and most venues don't have very good spectator facilities and so would have to pay for temporary stands. They want parking spaces, food, drink, and lavatories. If they fall over and hurt themselves they might sue you, so you need liability insurance.

It makes everybody's life much easier to discourage spectators.

Shhh · Challenger level

A1 tennis academy wrote:
Did offer an opportunity to jonny but did not want to commit to our Aegon team a common problem .
Middle class pro players rarely understand the concept of you scrub my back I scrub yours ! which always baffles me . I guess have worked my living since I was 13 and from a working class background I understand that theres no such thing as a free lunch .

-- Edited by A1 tennis academy on Thursday 25th of September 2014 11:37:36 PM

I have no problem with a sponsor looking for some advertising in exchange for thier cash but why is the Aegon Team and the tournament so important to you Gary? The amount of money, and time, you say you'll invest there are more visible ways of getting your name out there. Why this route, its obviously a little at odds with the path the players are trying to go down so whats the big deal with it.....I just dont get it. Isn't there another way you can get a return for your sponsorship?

domara · Junior player

Just a short reply as jonny mentioned in the thread. We were honest in our answer to garys offer, which had nothing to do with a lack of business acumen or any naiivity in what is required in high level sport funding. It was simply as I explained to gary a loyalty thing, Raynes park had already asked Jonny to play again for them next year, garys offer included an absolute requirement to play for his team in the league as youd expect, so we had no choice really we were already committed. We live by principles, its just the way we are, we thanked gary for his generous offer but had to turn it down Please dont think we dont appreciate those guys who helped with his crowdfunding page bthis help has been crucial, jonny continues to work hard with a limited budget but importantly is free to do what he and i feel is the best for him and his career.

JonH · All-time great

I saw on another thread that apparently Evo had signed to play for a1 in team tennis - this felt like interestimg news and I understand this thread albeit old appears to be the place to post it. I'd be very interested in hearing more and what the commitment is, and hope it works out. The squad of Evo, Willis and Pauffley was mentioned and that feels like a squad worthy of more comment on the how and why??