insomniacfolder wrote:

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There is a specific site dedicated to supporting and funding athletes through their fans, and others.

The site is http://www.involvedfan.com

For example, Julia Glushko - the Israeli tennis player, who recently beat Johanna Konta in the final of an ITF $50K - uses it.

The basic idea here is "crowdfunding," lot's of small contributions adding up to achieve something big.

People can invest any set amount, and get a tiered reward system based on how much they invest.

I couldn't invest in the ebay manner, but would happily give £100 or so on a crowdfunding scheme.

You do still have to 'market' it and make people aware of it in the right places regularly, but that's always going to be true!

If you're serious about alternative funding, then having someone look in to it for you would probably bear greater fruit. 

 Anyway, all the best to you.

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I've just had a quick look and this does look just about perfect for a player at Fitzy's level, especially one who is happy to interact with fans and already has a bit of a fanbase made up of people who would like the opportunity to help but aren't in a position to be sponsors in the normal sense of the word. Certainly worth asking the tennis players already on there how well it works for them if Fitzy already knows any of them.

wow this looks amazing, i have just filled out an application form and they said they will process it and get back to me.
definitely worth a shot and way better than ebay. i will keep you all posted on this front and if i get it all set up ill filter it out there to see what happens.

In reply to your question regarding the LTA funding for next year, i havent even thought about it. i just take it as a given that i wont be getting anything. I really doubt that i would to be honest, i dont know what the criteria is and when they make decisions on team aegon and that stuff. To be honest the LTA love there bonus scheme and think its amazing, when it isn't so i would not be surprised if they cut there numbers in half and said the players were best of on the bonus scheme.

I have to say that the idea of Fitzy selling himself on Ebay just seems both wrong and dangerous. Don't get me wrong, I understand fully why Fitzy has done it and wouldn't criticise him for his decision. What is wrong is that he should have to do that in the first place.

What worries me about the whole idea is basically what Steven was talking about in his comment, where a "bidder" could end up buying a %age of Fitzy's earnings for some paltry amount - eg £50 and Fitzy has to give back far more in prize money payouts and ends up worse off. I seriously hope that there is a very large reserve built into the bidding process and that the agreement has a 12 month time limit.

I have long wondered if it would be possible to simply open a bank account in Fitzy's name and those of us that wanted to, could pay in small amounts of cash to which he would obviously have access. For me this would be a DONATION and not in return for a %age of prize money. I know that in this day and age, opening a bank account and making the account number public is a dangerous thing to do, but there must be a way around it.

I have looked at the "involved fan" site mentioned above and it does seem that this is a potential solution. I notice that Marcus Willis and Matt Short are already on there !! But it also has it's downsides - firstly, that 20% of the funds go to "admin" etc, and secondly, it places an additional burden on the player in making themselves available for phone calls/skype chats etc. Personally, I would rather just give the money to Fitzy with no strings attached and no fees.

So my question (as a non tech savvy person) is this - Is it possible for Fitzy just to open up a paypal account so we can just donate as and when we see fit? I am good for £20 per month. Any other takers? Maybe we could persuade Muzza to chip in. I've heard that he has just made a bob or two !!

Bob in Spain wrote:

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So my question (as a non tech savvy person) is this - Is it possible for Fitzy just to open up a paypal account so we can just donate as and when we see fit? I am good for £20 per month. Any other takers? Maybe we could persuade Muzza to chip in. I've heard that he has just made a bob or two !!

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It would certainly be very easy to do this through Paypal.

But Fitzy does say if he doesn't get a sensible bid he will cancel the auction, one problem may be even if someone wants to bid a high amount you actually need 2 people to do so. However even if the auction doesn't go ahead it's a good way to raise publicity and interest parties may get in touch directly, even here the discussion seems to have raised some results! Also could be worth allowing Steven to publicise it via his twitter, as getting into the papers etc can garner more interest. the media love ebay stories.

On the bonuses i believe you have to sign a agreement wit the LTA not to do a 'bloomers' ie criticise them publicly, as well as a host of other restrictions, you know soul of your first born etc :) in return for win bonuses; these figure are from 2010 don't think the amounts have changed:

	10k	15k	Challengers	ATP tour
Qualifying in to MD	N/A	N/A	£500*	£1000
2nd Rd	N/A	N/A	£500	N/A
QF	£150	£250	£1000	N/A
SF	£250	£350	£1500	N/A
RU	£350	£500	£2000	N/A
W	£500	£750	£2500	N/A

 

The £500 qualy bonus is added to many MD bonus.

Only dubs bonuses are £500/£750 for RU/W at challenger level.

The ladies is mostly the same, except only RU & W bonues at 10k, and no qualies bonus at 50k+.  (25K same as mens 15k)

What are the prize breakdown's for an ITF event ?