Diary date for 2024 Spring Forum
Put the date of THURSDAY APRIL 18TH in your diary for the 2024 Spring Forum. Building on the success of the event held in May this year, we will be gathering again at the offices of TIA UK Legal Business Partner, Pinsent Masons, near Liverpool Street Station, London.
The content of the ‘tennis economics’ event is being worked up and will be announced in the new year but judging from feedback anyone with tennis business interests should make sure they are there!
Goode Sport has re-joined the TIA UK. Founded in 1985 by Nick and Andy Goode, both international badminton players, the company claims to be the number 1 independent racket sports distributor in the UK.
Goode Sport represents several well-known tennis brands exclusively in the UK and Eire, including Volkl, and stringing brands Ashaway and Kirschbaum.
Volkl is a world-wide manufacturer of tennis and ski equipment and is celebrating its 100th birthday this year. ’Vőstra,’ its latest innovative racket technology series, is set for release in early 2024. Preview here.
www.goode-sport.co.uk
sales@goode-sport.co.uk
Wilson launches VR Tennis
Virtual reality tennis, often called VR tennis, is gaining popularity at a fast pace. Beginners and pros alike are loving this easy, indoor, stress-free option for everything from hitting practice to competitive tournaments. By removing common obstacles (like not having access to a court or weather that refuses to cooperate), Tennis Esports is welcoming more and more players every day to the world of tennis.
Tennis Esports is a virtual tennis application that combines the excitement of virtual reality with the competition and energy of a game of tennis. Tennis Esports allows you to play with real tennis swings and immerse yourself in the ultimate world of virtual sports from almost anywhere. All you need to play is a Meta Quest 2 or later, strong wifi, and enough space to swing your arms!
Tennis Esports is for gamers, tennis players, and sports fans of all ages and abilities, and is as realistic as virtual sports get. It’s a fun and easy tool for everyone from beginner players wanting to give tennis a go, to avid players who want to practice from the comfort of home, at school, or even at the office whenever they feel the urge to hit a couple of shots. Download the app and join their Discord community to get started!
Updated SAPCA Code of Practice for Padel published
The Sport and Play Contractors Association has published an updated edition of its ‘Code of Practice for the Construction of Padel Courts’
This has been produced in consultation with the LTA and was first published in 2021. Main points that have been revised or added include:
- Covered courts and canopies for Padel
- Specs for steel structural supports
- Inclusivity requirements relating to disabilities
- Enhanced guidance on noise and lighting
Downloads of all the SAPCA Codes of Practice can be found on the SAPCA dedicated web page: sapca.org.uk/guide/codes-of-practice/
SKY Sports takes ownership of ATP and WTA Tours broadcasting
Sky Sports has announced a 5-year broadcast partnership with the ATP and WTA and will take over the coverage from Amazon Prime. The agreement will see more than 80 tournaments and 4000 matches including season-ending finals and all Masters 1000 events – broadcast live from 2024.
Coverage will include the combined Masters 1000 events taking place in Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid, Rome and Cincinnati plus both the Nitto ATP Finals and WTAS Finals.
From 2024, Sky Sports will also create a dedicated tennis channel providing 24-hour coverage.
2023 Club Business Report
The 2023 Tennis Club Business Report from TIA UK has been published and compiles business data and trends from 35 single-site large tennis clubs, representing a total of some 30,000 club tennis players.
The report highlights issues and trends around membership retention, increasing revenues, operations and diversification, coaching and facility development, key workforce issues, operating systems, risk, sustainability and energy challenges. This is the fourth report in a series that started in 2019.
To request a copy of the published report contact phil@tiauk.org