by Hannah Thompson
Embarking on the journey to become a director of tennis is far from easy. It requires years of training as a player and an extensive coaching background to ascend to the pinnacle position at a tennis club. The allure of this role, viewed from an external perspective, is undeniably captivating and at times glamorous. Many directors find joy in dedicating each day to what they love, basking in the sun for hours at a time while imprinting their unique personality and style on their programming and facility. Beyond the glamor of enhancing clients’ tennis skills, tennis directors navigate a terrain of unexpected responsibilities that become part of a rigorous daily routine.
Player Psychologist: Life Coach
Achieving success as a director of tennis hinges on cultivating strong connections with clients both on and off the court. For certain individuals, the role transcends traditional coaching; at times, it requires donning the expertise of a personal psychologist rather than solely a tennis mentor. Providing unwavering support, lending an empathetic ear, and guiding players through mental challenges can unexpectedly become an integral part of the job. Embracing this role not only forges strong relationships but also establishes trust with your clients. Furthermore, this allows you to understand and relate to the emotions and pressures your clients face, fostering a stronger bond and contributing to their growth on and off the court.
Facility Maintenance: Getting Your Hands Dirty
Whether you are at a facility with clay courts, hard, or even grass courts the day-to-day maintenance of a tennis facility demands a high level of attention and commitment. While larger clubs may boast a dedicated maintenance team, at smaller facilities, the director assumes the dual role of court maestro and head of maintenance. As the director, a comprehensive understanding and hands-on involvement in every aspect of the club are imperative for a smooth operation. A high level of knowledge and prowess is needed to understand court maintenance, resurfacing, and repairs. Being a good leader requires getting your hands dirty, from fixing leaky faucets and securing windscreens to confronting less-than-ideal situations like a clogged toilet. In essence, as unglamorous as these tasks are, they become so important to success as an accomplished director. Swiftly addressing issues not only ensures the seamless operation of your facility but also amplifies your value in your leadership role.
Event Entertainer – Elevating the Member/Guest Experience
In orchestrating tennis-related events and tournaments at your club, the role demands wearing numerous hats to ensure a seamless and high-quality experience for all. It transcends the simplicity of setting a date and showing up to teach; rather it involves extensive hours of meticulous planning, strategic marketing, and effective communication across various club departments. A pivotal aspect of event success lies in being not just an organizer but a strong communicator. From catering themed food and drinks to allowing ample time for marketing, ordering prizes, staffing, and most importantly executing the event to the highest level, with every detail being crucial. Amidst this planning, Directors seamlessly transition into the role of event entertainers, whether curating themed mixers, pro exhibitions, or adding some well-needed energy into a tournament. In essence, Directors become the maestros both in the forefront of the facility and behind the scenes, skillfully orchestrating the entire event experience for participants and spectators alike.
Digital Solutions – Becoming an expert Troubleshooter
In addition to extensive hours spent on court and serving as the main face of the facility, a director’s role extends into the office, demanding dedicated time set aside for scheduling, marketing, operations, and administrative duties. Many directors will not enjoy this aspect of the job but if these tasks are not completed consistently and efficiently programming and overall facility management will be affected.
In this era dominated by technology, unforeseen IT glitches can disrupt operational efficiency on any given day. Whether troubleshooting electronic scoreboards during a tournament or ensuring the seamless function of your online registration system, addressing these issues promptly is crucial for the smooth daily operation of the facility. Learning how to set up new systems, and devices or even fixing the internet connection can prove highly beneficial. As the primary point of contact for any issue, resourcefulness and adaptability are qualities required to navigate and resolve challenges efficiently.
Amateur Meteorologist: Weathering Your Facility
Unless you’re managing an exclusively indoor facility, weather-related challenges are inevitable at a racquet facility. A typical work day begins with diligently checking various weather apps to anticipate incoming rain/storms: What time will it hit? How intense will they be? And for how long will they persist? Predicting these variables is particularly challenging, influenced by your facility’s location and the reliability of your weather app. Whether it involves planning the delay of your classes, offering make-up sessions, or adjusting staffing, staying ahead of the weather becomes a vital skill. This proficiency ensures that planned activities are unaffected, communication with members/guests is swift, and the facility is prepared to mitigate unexpected damages.
In conclusion, the life of a director of tennis is a multifaceted one, encompassing roles that go beyond the traditional coaching boundaries. It is a testament to the diverse skill set required to not only build successful tennis and, these days pickleball and padel players, and a profitable facility but also to cultivate a thriving tennis community. The next time you see a Director on the court, remember that their influence extends far beyond their teachings as they will most likely be juggling a long list of challenging tasks.
Hannah Thompson is a leading figure in the racquet and club industries. As a full-time Director of Tennis under the Cliff Drysdale umbrella, she has forged a path in the industry on this side of the big pond, far from her native England. A regular contributor to Beyond The Baselines, Hannah and her experience allow her to mentor, coach and support upcoming directors and department heads in the club maanagement arena.
