tennis 2020 · 3 tennis 2020: facility and ... 4 the environment for sport and tennis facilities in...

Tennis 2020Facility development and management

framework for Australian tennis

The future foundation for Australian Tennis• Betterplanning.

• Moreandbetternationalinfrastructure.

• Bettermanagementpractises.

The results• Healthiercommunities.

• Moreactiveplayers(morepeopleplayingmoretennis,moreoften).

• Moregreatchampions.

• Moredevotedfans.

Table of Contents

1 Introduction 4

2 The Tennis Australia vision 5

3 Tennis 2020: facility and management framework for Australian Tennis 7

4 The environment for sport and tennis facilities in Australia 8

The sports facility landscape 8

Tennis Australia facility census 8

Tennis Australia consumer research 8

Changes in tennis infrastructure and needs 9

Critical facility issues for tennis, government and developers 12

Stakeholder strategies and addressing desired outcomes 12

5 A hierarchy of facilities 14

National facilities 16

Regional Partner facilities 16

Large Community facilities 18

District facilities 19

Local facilities 20

Public access facilities 20

Sharing intellectual property for new developments, redevelopments and rationalisation 21

6 Facility management and development: sustainable performance 22

7 Support services and resources 24

Tennisispartofournationalsportingandculturalheritage.ThesignificanceoftennisinAustraliaextendsfarbeyondthepursuitsofourelitetennisplayers.ThesportcontributesstronglytothesocialcohesivenessofourcommunityandprovidesasafeandhealthysportandsocialenvironmentforAustraliansofallagesandabilities.Tennisistrulyasportforlifeandasportforall.

InSeptember2008,TennisAustraliaintroducedTennis 2020: facility development and management framework for Australian tennis. TheframeworkoutlinedTennisAustralia’sinitialvisionandapproachtonurturingandadvancingtheprospectsoftennisanditsfacilitiesinpartnershipwithourstateandterritoryMemberAssociations,clubs,governmentandotherstakeholders.Thisupdatedversiontakesintoaccounttheactionsandfindingsoverthelastthreeyears.

Someofthehighlightsinclude:

• developingpartnershiparrangementswith37regionsacrossthecountrytonurtureandgrowthesport

• creatingadedicated,nationalPlacestoPlayteam

• investingover$12millioninbuildingorupgradingcommunitycourtsandinfrastructure

• MLCTennisHotShots,ourkidsstarterprogram,engagingover530,000participantsatover950venues

• clearlyunderstandingourtennisconsumerthroughextensiveongoingresearch

• launchingCardioTennis,afunandfitnessprogram,aimedatthosewishingtoincreasetheirskillandfitnesslevels.

Theupdatedframeworkalignsandintegratesourvisionandstrategiestodeliverasustainableandvibrantenvironmentfortennisfacilitiesandclubsfortheperiodof2012to2020.Wearenowintothesecondphaseofarobustcommunitytennisstrategy,backedbymodernmanagementpractices,qualityprogramsandcoaching,tosignificantlygrowparticipationintennisoverthenextfiveto10years.Itisimperativethatbothourkeystakeholdersandinfrastructurearewellpreparedtocaterforandcopewiththeseincreaseddemands.

Thekeythemesoftheframeworkareperformanceandpartnerships.Weseektoprovideaworld-classsportserviceandfacilitymodel,inpartnershipwithallstakeholders,thatiswellplannedanddeliversoperationalpeakperformancewithintennisfacilitiesthroughoutAustralia.

TennisAustraliaanditsMemberAssociationsacknowledgethesignificantinvestmentalreadymadeintennisbyourgovernmentpartners,privatedevelopersandclubstodate.Wewillcontinuetostrengthenthesepartnershipsandourapproachtodevelopingthenationaltennisinfrastructureandtheservicesitprovides.

The Tennis 2020: facility development and management framework for Australian tennisprovidesanoverviewofhowTennisAustraliaanditsMemberAssociationsintendtosupportallstakeholderstocreateasustainableandviablefutureforourfacilities,clubsandcommunities.

Welookforwardtoyourcontinuedsupportofourvision.TogetherwecangrowthegameandenhancethetotaltennisexperienceforallAustralians.

Ready? Play.

Yourssincerely,

Craig TileyDirectorTennis|TennisAustraliaTournamentDirector|AustralianOpen

1 Introduction

Ourvisionforthenext4yearsfocusesontwomajorkeyareas

• 4millionparticipantsperannum,and

• one(more)GrandSlamchampion.

Thisvisionisunderpinnedbyfivekeystrategicprioritiesandobjectiveswhichare;

MLC Tennis Increaseparticipation Hot Shots andcapturetheinterest ofprimaryschool agedchildren.

Cardio Tennis Bringingpeopleintoandbacktotennis.

Talent Improvethequalityandquantityofatheletesundertheageof12.

Places to Play Formleadingpartnershipsinplanning,buildingandmanagingqualityplacestoplay.

Asia DevelopstrongrelationshipswithkeystakeholdersandcommercialiseinAsia.

Asakeydriverofthismissionandvision,TennisAustraliaanditsMemberAssociationsareresponsibleforgrowingthegamefrominitialplayerengagementthroughtoperformanceontheinternationalstage.Continuedsuccesswillcomethroughacollaborativeblendofstrategiesbyallkeystakeholdersatalllevelssupportingthesport.TennisAustralia’sPlacestoPlay,AthleteDevelopment,MLCTennisHotShots,CardioTennis,TournamentsandEventsteamscollaborativelyfocusonprovidingopportunitiesforeverybodyatalllevelstoparticipateinthegame.

ThenationalPlacestoPlayteamisresponsibleforensuringtheAustraliancommunityhasaccesstoawiderangeandmixofwelcomingtennisvenuesandqualityservicesthatwillattract,engageandimmersepeopleintothegameoftennis.

2 The Tennis Australia vision

Participation Performance

4 million participants 1 Grand Slam champion

“More people playing more often, for longer”

“Developing the next Grand Slam Champion”

Targets

1 2

Ourmissionissimple.Making Australia the greatest tennis nation on the planet

Places to Play objectivesTennisAustralia’sPlacestoPlayobjectiveistocreatemoreinvitingandqualityplacestoplaytennis,bydoingthefollowing:

• partneringwithLocalGovernmentAuthoritiesandotherstakeholderstocreateviableandsustainableplacestoplay

• establishinganappropriatecourtmixwithintheframework,includingmaintainingaclaycourtprogram

• investingintennisfacilities

• ensurebettermanagedvenuesbyimplementingobjectivemeasures

• partneringwithregionalfacilitiesforcontinuousimprovement.

Places to Play Guiding Principles 1. Createmodelsofferingprofessionalmanagementwithcommunityoversight.

2. Allprojectsmusthavemeasurableobjectiveswithtimeandpersonalaccountability.

3. Theremustbeacollectiveapproachwithstakeholderstodepreciationandfacilityupgrade/replacement.

4. Strivingtowardsincreasedplayingopportunities,withclubhousefacilitiesthatservicetennisandcommunityneedsandwellbeing.

5. Processesandcontractsthatmaintainstronglevelsofgovernanceandcommercialandcommunityresponsibility.

6. Positivelypromotethegameoftennisandcreategreaterprogramdepthandscopetomeetconsumerneeds.

Places to Play vision Toservicetenniscommunitieswiththebestplanned,designed,managedandsustainedplacestoplayofanysportandrecreationalactivity.

TheTennis2020:facilitydevelopmentandmanagementframeworkforAustraliantennisisdrivenbytheobjectivesandneedsoftennisprovidingacommunityhealthandwellbeingservice,participationprograms,eliteplayerdevelopmentandtourevents.

TennisAustralia’sroleindeliveringtheframeworkis:

• toensuretheprospectsfortennisinAustraliaarenurturedandsubstantiallyadvancedviaanintegratedlongtermstrategicfacilityandmanagementvision,and

• toguidethedevelopmentofnationaltennisinfrastructurewithourgovernmentandprivatedevelopmentpartnersthatunderpinsthesuccessfuldeliveryofTennisAustralia’sparticipationandplayerdevelopmentinitiatives.

Wewillknowwehavesucceededwhenwehave:

• createdaclubandfacilitymanagementmodelthatcontinuallyaccommodatesnationaltennisparticipationgrowthandretentiontargetsandenhancesthetotaltennisexperienceforallAustralians

• delivered(incollaborationwithMemberAssociationsandkeystakeholders)anetworkofnationalandregionalpremiervenuesthatmeettherequiredperformancecriteriafortheeliteplayerdevelopmentpathwayandnurturesthesustainedsuccessofAustraliancompetitivetennisataninternationallevel

• increasedthenumberofviableandselfsustainabletennisclubs,facilitiesandassociationsbypartneringeffectivelywithourgovernment,privatesectorandcluballies.

Theframeworkcanbeusedbyallstakeholderstoguidelongtermplanningandinfrastructuredevelopmentdecisionswithinaregion.Theframeworkprovidesabasisfordecisionmakingaroundthehierarchicalleveloffacilitiestoprovideawiderangeandmixofcommunityopportunitiesandexperienceswithinaregion.FurtheradviceandassistancecanbeprovidedbycontactingthenationalorstatePlacestoPlayteam.Contactinformationcanbefoundonthebackpage.

3 Tennis 2020: facility and management framework for Australian tennis

The sports facility landscapeSport–bothcommunitysportandsportbusiness–hascomeofageinthetwenty-firstcentury.Inthepast,sportandsportdevelopmentwaslefttotheindividualsportgoverningbodiesandseparatedfromworkconductedbylocalcouncils.However,incontemporarysocietytheimportanceofsportasatoolforsocial,health,wellbeing,economicandpersonaldevelopment,aswellasasourceofentertainment,hasbecometooimportanttobelefttotheuncoordinatedplanningoffragmentedstakeholders.Nationalleadershiptowardslong-termfacilityplanningisrequiredtoconfidentlydeliverontheeverincreasingdemandsofboththesportcustomersandmembersofthewidercommunity.

Thisrequiresavisionthatlooksbeyondthemereusageoffacilitiesforasinglesportpurpose.Bothnowandintheforeseeablefuture,societywillbeseekingentertainment,qualitysportandsocialexperiences,opportunitiestocontributetowider(sport)society,andsafeandpleasant(sport)placeswheretheycancongregateandmakevaluablecontributions.Sport,businessandcommunitygovernorsneedtoputtheircombinedknowledgeandinterestsonthetableinordertodesignandbuildinnovative,new(sport)meetingplaces.

Sport,asanyotherbusinessorsociallyworthwhileactivity,hassocialresponsibilitiesandthesecanbestbedeliveredinpartnershipwiththedifferentstakeholders.TennisAustraliarecognisesthisneedbutalsoitssocial(community)

responsibilitytoprovidewidercommunitybenefits.ItwillactivelyseektoleveragecommunityresourcesinthebestpossiblewayandgrowaniconicandquintessentialAustraliansporttoevenhigherlevelsofperformance.

Tennis Australia facility censusTennisAustraliaacknowledgestheneedtoprovideengagingandenjoyableexperiencestocommunitiesviatennisprogramsandfacilities.Inordertoprovidefirmdirectionandadecisivestrategyintennisfacilitydevelopment,anationaltennisfacilitycensuswasoriginallyconductedin2006.

Thecensusdataprovidedsomeclearmessagesoftheneedsandwantsofthetenniscommunity.Fromafacilitydevelopmentpointofviewtheseincludedbutwerenotlimitedto:

• providingaclearneedforassistanceanddirectioninupdatingtennisfacilitiesandsurroundings

• developingmoreofasocialenvironmentwithintennisfacilities,and

• introducingmorerelevantprogramsandservices,toencouragemorepeopletoplay.

Thecollectivedataobtainedasaresultofthesurveyresponse,predominantlybyvolunteercommitteemembers,providedTennisAustraliawithanaccuratebaseunderstandingoftheexistingsupplyoftennisfacilities.

Tennis Australia consumer researchIn2010TennisAustraliaundertookthelargestnationalstudyeverconductedbyasporttogainaclearunderstandingofthetennisconsumer.ThestudywasconductedbytheGembaGroup.Thesamplesizewasover8,300people,coveringallcapitalcitiesandregionalareaswithineachstateandterritoryfrompeopleagedfrom5to75years.TennisAustraliahascommittedtoupdatingtheresearchonanannualbasis.2011updateddataandkeyinsightsinclude:

• 33%ofthepopulationhaveplayedtennisregularlyatsomepointinthetheirlives

• tennishasthehighestparticipationrateofanytraditionalsportinAustralia

• 12%ofthepopulationcurrentlyplaytennisatleastonceayear

• participationisconsistentlyhighacrossbothgendersandgeographiclocations

• thehighestparticipationratesareinthe5-9and10-15yearagegroups

• 74%ofthepopulationstartedplayingbeforetheageof16yearsold.

4 The environment for sport and tennis facilities in Australia

Interest to participate in tennis• Thereisahugelatentdemandtoparticipateintennis.

• Anadditional6%ofthepopulationwhoaren’tcurrentlyplayingareinterestedinplayingtennis.

• Interesttoplayisconsistentlyhighacrossbothgendersandages/lifestages.

• Interesttoplayisconsistentlyhighacrossallgeographiclocations.

• 60%ofthosewhoareinterestedtoplayhaveplayedbefore.

Major drivers• Social(41%)thenfitness(28%)arethemajordriversto

playtennis.

Playing format• Socialplaywithfamilyandfriendsarethekey‘occasions’

toplaytennisformat,followedbycoachingprogramsandweeklycompetition.

Preference of time of year to play• 60%ofcurrentplayerswillplayallyearround,with

anadditionalopportunityinthecoolerstatestoplaysummerandthehotterstatestoplayinwinteroratnighttime.

Access to tennis• 66%ofcurrentparticipantswouldpreferapayforplay

modeltoaccesstennis.

• 1in10participantswhohaveplayedinthelast12monthsaremembersofatennisclub.

• Potentialmembershipofatennisclubincreaseswithregularityofplay.

Changes in tennis infrastructure and needs• Communityexpectationoftennisfacilitiesis

commensuratewithotherleadingleisurefacilityoptionsandmustbemetinordertoattractandretainparticipants.Theprovisionofwelcomingtennisfacilitiespromotesadesirable,positiveclubcultureandencouragessociallyengagedtennisplayerstoplaymoretennismoreoften.Thetennisclubhouseenvironmentallowsforthefacilitytobeutilisedforavarietyofcommunityandwellbeingactivitiesformultipleusergroupswhilstcreatingmuchneededrevenueoptions.

• Nationally,increasingmaintenanceandreplacementcostsofcourtsurfaces,fencingandtheneedtofundlightinghasresultedinstandardsdecreasinginclubhouseenvironments.Asaresult,clubhousesarepresentedintheiroriginalconditionwithclearsignsofwearandtear.

Itiscriticalthatallstakeholdersunderstandtheneedtofinanciallyplanforrefurbishmentandfacilityupgradestobothcourtsandbuildings.

• Itisimperativethatlocalgovernmentsandfacilityownersseektoprovidetennisenvironmentsthatoffernumerousopportunitiesandaremorecommerciallyfocusedinordertocreateself-sustainingoperations.Tennisvenuescanplayanimportantroleasacommunityhubforthelocalcommunity.

• TennisAustraliahasdevelopedaseriesofsiteplans,clubhousedesignsandguides(viewattennis.com.au),suchasthefollowingforgreenfieldsitesthatmaybeusedasreferenceforredevelopmentsortheconstructionofnewtennisinfrastructure.

Concept VenueSite layout

Design PrinciplesGround floor • Acourtlayoutthatcatersforalltennisservices.

• Aflexiblesitethatallowsforgrowth.

• Easyaccessintothevenue.

• Adirectconnectionfromclubhousetocourts.

• Specificcourtsforkidsstarterprogram‘MLCTennisHotShots’.

• Amulti-purposecourtthatprovidesforflexibleprogrammingopportunities.

• Prominentshowcourtthatcanalsobeusedforfunctions,productlaunchesandconcerts.

• Aconfigurationthatallowsformaximumreturnoninvestment.

IfyouwouldlikesomeassistanceinthedesignofaneworupdatedvenuepleasecontactSportDev,TennisAustralia’sofficialtennisfacilitydesignerforconceptplansandcostestimates.

w: www.sportdev.com.au

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Clubhouse Ground floor Clubhouse First floor Design PrinciplesGround floor • Musthavedirectaccesstocourts.

• Asuiteofcommunitymeetingroomstoprovidecommunityaccess.

• Afullylicensedcafeandfunctionspaceforsocialinteraction.

• Dedicatedreceptiontoprovidewelcomingatmosphere.

• Awellnesscentreformassageandsportsinjuryrehabilitationtoadddiversity.

• Aproshopforcoachingandprogrammingpurposes.

First floor• Healthandfitnessstudiotocaterfordiversityand

potentialmembers.

• Loungeareaforinformalmeetingsandsocialoccasions.

• Adedicatedfoodserviceareaformembers.

• Workstationswithinternetaccessforbusinesspeople.

• Afullyservicedmembersdesk.

• Directviewstocourts.

• Dedicatedmeetingspaceformembers.

Concept VenueConcept VenueClubhouse layout

Critical facility issues for tennis, government and developersInrelationtocourtsurfaces,TennisAustraliaisconcernedwiththeincreasingtrendofsyntheticcourtsurfacesthatdetractfromathletedevelopmentobjectives.Whilerecognisingthatenvironmentalimpact,lifecyclecosts,maintenanceandmemberpreferencearecriticalfactorsincourtsurfacedecisionmaking,TennisAustraliaathletedevelopmentrequirementsarethatsurfacetypechoiceismadeonthebasisofcharacteristicsincluding:softonthebody,abilitytoslideduringpointplayand“slow”inrelationtoballresponseonthecourtsurface.Thesedesirablecharacteristicscontributetoaplayer’sabilitytoconstructapointthroughtacticalawarenessandphysicalconditioning.ThesecourtcharacteristicsarealsomostreadilyidentifiedinGrandSlamsurfaces,slowhardcourtandporouscourts.

Researchanddevelopmentiscontinuingforsyntheticsurfacestobedevelopedtowardsathletedevelopmentobjectivesratherthanbeingdistinguishedthroughbrandmarketing.TennisAustraliaiscurrently

pursuingthisresearchincollaborationwithsyntheticmanufacturerstoprovideasolution.

Theimpactofachangingphysicalenvironment,lifecyclecostsandconsiderationofwaterconservationandsunprotectionisalsocriticaltofacilitydevelopmentplanning.Theseissuesshouldbeaddressedwithinthescopeofanytennisfacilitydevelopment.Further,maintenanceregimesshouldbeminimisedwherepossible,particularlyintennisfacilitieswithinthepublicaccess,localanddistrictcategorieswherearelianceonvolunteermanagementwillremainhigh.

Stakeholder strategies and addressing desired outcomes So, where do we all fit in and what do we do now?

Local governmentLocalgovernmentisencouragedtocontactanddevelopcollaborativepartnershipswithTennisAustraliaandMemberAssociationstodevelopstrategicdirectionsfortheirregionsandbestuseofrelevantgrantfunding.Byenactingtheframework

andusingTennisAustraliaandMemberAssociationresourcesasaguidewillassisttosupportstrategicdecisionmaking.

Federal, state and territory governmentFederal,stateandterritorygovernmentsareencouragedtodeveloppoliciesthatensuregrantandfacilitydevelopmentfundingtowardstennisisalignedwiththesuccessfulimplementationoftheframework.EnsuringmasterplanningoftennisinfrastructurealsoinvitesandengagesTennisAustraliaandtherespectiveMemberAssociationstoprovideinputwithstakeholderssothatlongtermsustainablebenefitsarederivedatalllevels.

Tennis AustraliaTennisAustraliaiscommittedtoresearchanddevelopmentanddisseminationofinformationrelatingtokeydecisionsformajortennisassetitems.Further,TennisAustraliawillenhancethedevelopmentofprojectmanagementservicesthatarereflectiveoftheframeworkdeliveredthroughMemberAssociationsandproactivelydeveloprelationshipswithkeygovernmentorganisationsthatareconsistentwithenactingthehierarchyoffacilities.

Member associationsMemberassociationsareresponsibleforthedeliveryofservicesfromclubdevelopmentthroughtoprojectmanagementforthecommunity.Memberassociationsshouldprovideleadershipinstateandlocalcommunityrelationshipdevelopment,decision

making,andproactiveengagementofstakeholderstowardsprogressivefacilitydevelopmentandintegrationofsustainableoperationstocapitalworksprograms.

AffiliatesAffiliatesshouldutilisetheresourcesandassistancethatareprovidedbytheaforementionedstakeholderstoensurethatfacilitiesaresustainableinthefuture.Affiliatesshouldalsoembracemodernplanningandmanagementpracticesincludingappropriatefeesforservicesotheycanprovidebetterservicestomembersandthewidercommunity.

Private developersPrivatedevelopersareencouragedtoworkwithallstakeholderstoensurethatbothcorporateandcommunityobligations/objectivesarebalancedandthatserviceprovisionisrelevantintoday’senvironment.

The story so far......

The State of Queensland, in collaboration and partnership with Tennis Queensland, Tennis Australia and five councils have developed a series of regional tennis venues that are providing increased social, health, economic and community benefits to those areas.

5 A hierarchy of facilities proposal

Inter/nationaltournamentsandevents

Highperformancetrainingenvironment

Sustainabletennisdevelopmentobjectives

Sustainableeconomicdevelopmentobjectives

Showcasefortennis

National/statebasedtournaments

Highperformancetrainingandtalentfeederfocus

Resourceforsmallercentres,clubsandassociations

Economicdriver

Grassrootsdevelopment


Communityhealthandwellbeingobjectives

Intra/Interclubtournaments

Highperformancetrainingfeederandfocus

Resourceforsmallercentres,clubsandassociations



Communityhealthandwellbeingobjectives

InterclubTournaments

HighPerformanceTrainingFeeder



Sustainablecommunityhealthanddevelopmentobjectives

National Tennis Centres

20 Courts +(5)

Regional Tennis Centres

16 Courts +(70+)

Large Community Tennis Centres (Sub Regional)

12 Courts +(300+)

District Tennis Centres

8 Courts +(600+)

Why?• Aplannedapproachtofuturetennisfacilityinfrastructureandmanagement

practisesinAustralia.

• Evidencebased(Tennisfacilitycensus2006andongoingconsumerresearch).

• Aguidetoassistdecisionmakersininfrastructureprovision.

• Operationallymoresustainable.

• Alinkedpathwayfortennisandcommunitydevelopment.

How to apply this hierarchy• Reviewexistingprovisionwithintheregionagainstthishierarchy.

• Developlongtermstrategiesusingthemixandprovisiontoconfirminfrastructureprovision.

• Seekfeedback,adviceandsupportfromallstakeholdersincludingtennisPlaces to Play team.

Interclubtournaments

Highperformancetrainingfeeder



Sustainablecommunityhealthanddevelopmentobjectives

Tennisengagementopportunities

Healthandsocialobjectives

Publicaccessiblevenues

Communitydevelopmentobjectives

Local Tennis Centres

4 Courts +(1,200+)

Public Access Centres

1 Court +(2,400+)

Hierarchical approachTennisinAustraliahasover15,000accessibletenniscourts,whichhistoricallyhavebeenconstructed,managedandoperatedwithinavolunteerandcommittee-basedenvironment.Withmostcourtsresidingongovernmentland,thereisageneraltrendofincreasedandsignificantinvestmentrequiredbyvariousgovernmentsectorstomaintainandupgradecourtsforlocalcommunities.Thisisreinforcedthroughourconsumerresearch.

Risingcostsofsurfacereplacementandconsumerexpectationofqualitytennisprogramservices,courts,clubhouseandsurroundsmakessmallclustersofcourtsincreasinglydifficulttomanageasself-sufficientandsustainablevenues.Sustainablepractice,intennisterms,isdefinedasatennisentityhavingtheresourcestoconsistentlymaintainandupgradetheassetwithoutrelianceonexternalsupport.Manyexistingtennisclubs,centresandassociationsoperateinanenvironmentofdecliningfacilitystandardandserviceprovision.Thesefacilitiesrequireaddresstowardschangeiftennisistoremainviableandrelevanttogovernmentandlocalcommunities.

Itisnowmorecommonforalllevelsofgovernmenttostrategicallyplanforanycommunityinfrastructure.Increasingly,governmentsareadoptingahierarchyoffacilitiesprovisioninordertobalanceregionalandcommunityneedswithsustainablepractices.TennisAustraliabelievesthatasimilarplannedapproachshouldbetakenwithtennisinfrastructureacrossAustralia.Itiscriticaltothehealthoftennisthatahierarchyoffacilitiesisdevelopedinordertomeetthestatedvisionandobjectivesandtodevelopthesportasawhole.

EachMemberAssociationhasendorsedstate/territorydevelopmentplanstoassistintheachievementoftheseobjectives.

National facilities Nationalfacilitiesshouldbepinnaclefacilitiescapableofholdinglargeinternationaleventsthatshowcasethesport.Theyshouldalsoprovideanintensivetrainingvenueforidentifiedtalent.Theyareusuallydevelopedbystategovernmentsasthestateelitevenue.Thisleveloffacilityisalreadyinplaceorplannedtobeinplaceinthefuture.

Regional Partner facilities TennisAustraliaanditsMemberAssociationsbelievethatthislevelofvenueiscriticaltothelongtermhealthoftennis.Wehaveandwillcontinuetobeadrivingactivepartnerwithgovernment,privatedevelopersandclubsintheselectionanddevelopmentofplannedregionaltennisfocuspointsthroughoutAustralia.Wehavedevelopedaregionalpartnersprogramthatsupportsthesevenuesandareactivelyseekingarrangementswithwillingpartners.Aregionalpartnerisanowneroroperatorwhichaspirestoofferthecommunityavenuecapableofdeliveringsustainablebusinesspractices,bewillingtonurturethegrowthoftennisintheregionaswellasbecentresofhighperformancefornationalinitiativesincludingtournaments,playerdevelopmentandcommunitytennisinitiatives.

Criteria – management and facilitiesForafacilitytoberecognisedasaRegionalPartnerthefollowingcriteriawillneedtobemetthroughplannedstrategieswithinanagreedperiod.


Tennis Australia and key stakeholders have invested in over 1,200 new, redeveloped or upgraded courts around the country. This investment is motivated by ensuring that everybody has the opportunity to play on quality surfaces.

Court requirements Thefollowingcourtconfigurationisaguideandshouldconsistof:

• aminimumof16courtsbasedonamixofITFsurfacecodesA(acrylic),F(clay)andH(grass)

• aminimumof14courtsofthesamesurfacebasedonITFsurfacecodeA(acrylic),F(clay)andH(grass).(Ideallythetotalcourtconfigurationshouldbeamixofallsurfaces)

• eachcourtwouldbefloodlittominimumITFcompetitionstandards(500lux)

• ashowcourtthatcanprovidecapacityfornational,state,regionaltournamentsandevents

• aminimumsetof6dedicatedMLCTennisHotShotscourtsforprimaryagedintroductionprograms.

Clubhouse and facility requirementsClubhouseandfacilityrequirementsshouldideallyinclude:

• maleandfemalechangeroomfacilitiesincludingshowers

• café/kioskandpreferablylicensedsocialfacilities

• administrationoffice/swithrelevantofficeequipmentincludingprovisionforonlinecommunication

• outdoorshadedsocialareassuitableforeventsandsocialnights

• onsitefloodlit,sealedparkingincloseproximitytofacilityentrance

• multipurposespaceforwidercommunityuse

• meetingfacilities.

Other amenitiesOtheramenitiesshouldinclude:

• directoreasyaccesstoparklandsorsportsfields

• directaccesstostrengthandconditioningfacilities(gymsandpools)

• shorttermchildcare

• healthandwellbeingservices

• accesstoairportandaccommodationwithincloseproximity.

Management and administration requirementsManagementandadministrationrequirementsinclude:

• acceptableprofessionaladministrationstandards

• endorsedstrategicdevelopmentand/orbusinessplanforaminimumfive-yearperiod

• compliancewithTennisAustralia’sendorsednationalhealthcheckmanagementprogram

• telephonereceptionservice

• face-to-facecounterservice

• anactivewebsitedetailingservices,personalisedpointsofcontact,playerprofiles,profilesofallusergroups,enquiryopportunityandrelevantbookingformstodownloadandreturn

• awillingnesstonurtureandassistothertennisfacilitieswithinanagreedregionalarea.Inessencearegionalcentrewillbecomeaninformationandguidingsourceforlocalfacilities.

Catchment population guideThefacilityisprojectedtohaveacatchmentpopulationof:

• metropolitan-thefacilitycurrentlyorisprojectedwithinthenextfiveyearstohaveacatchmentpopulationwithina15kmradiusofgreaterthan200,000

• regionalcountry-thefacilitycurrentlyorisprojectedwithinthenextfiveyearstohaveacatchmentpopulationwithina30kmradiusof80,000to100,000.


A Regional Partner in Victoria underwent a major court reconstruction in 2009 and was prioritised to host major tournaments in 2010 /11 including Pro Tour, Platinum and Junior AMT events, with an estimated economic benefit to the region of over $2,000,000.

Large Community facilitiesLargeCommunityfacilitiesarecommunityclubsorfacilitiesthathavesomeoftheelementsofregionalcentresbutmayhavefewercourts.Thesefacilitieswillplayalargepartinparticipationgrowthandinidentifyingplayerswithpotentialandnurturingtheirtalent.

Criteria – management and facilitiesCriteriawillneedtobemetorbeplannedtobeprovidedwithinanagreedperiod.


• aminimumof12courtswithatleast80percentofcourtsbasedonITFsurfacecodeA(acrylic),F(clay)andH(grass)

• eachcourttobefloodlittominimumclubcompetitionstandards(350lux)

• amaincourtthatcanprovideadequateseating(eitherfixedormobile)forlocalandregionaltournamentsandevents

• asetof4dedicatedMLCTennisHotShotscourtsforprimaryagedintroductionprograms.

Clubhouse and facility guideClubhouseandfacilityrequirementsshouldinclude:



• administrationoffice/swithrelevantofficeequipmentincludingprovisionforonlinecommunication

• onsitefloodlit,sealedparkingincloseproximitytofacilityentrance

• outdoorshadedsocialareassuitableforeventsandsocialnights.

Other amenitiesOtheramenitiescouldinclude:

• easyordirectaccesstoparklandsorsportsfieldsandtostrengthandconditioningfacilities(gymsandpools)

• shorttermchildcare

• healthandwellbeingservices.


• semi-professionaladministration

• endorsedstrategicdevelopmentand/orbusinessplanforaminimumthree-yearperiod


• telephonereceptionservice

• anactivewebsitedetailingservices,personalisedpointsofcontact,playerprofiles,profilesofallusergroups,enquiryopportunityandrelevantbookingformstodownloadandreturn

• awillingnesstoassistothertennisfacilitieswithinanagreedsub-regionalarea.



• regionalcountry-thefacilitycurrentlyorisprojectedwithinthenextfiveyearstohaveacatchmentpopulationwithina30kmradiusofbetween40,000to50,000.

District facilitiesDistrictfacilitieswillhaveamultisuburbfocusonengagingandimmersingsocialandcompetitiveplayersintothetennisculture.



• aminimumofeightcourtswithatleast50percentofcourtsbasedonITFsurfacecodeA(acrylic),F(clay)andH(grass)

• fiftypercentofcourtstobefloodlittominimumclubcompetitionstandards(350lux)

• asetof2dedicatedMLCTennisHotShotscourtsforprimaryagedintroductionprograms.

Clubhouse and facility requirementsClubhouseandfacilityrequirementsshouldinclude:



• administrationoffice/s

• onsiteparkingincloseproximitytofacilityentrance

• outdoorshadedsocialareassuitableforeventsandsocialnights.


• volunteerorsemi-professionalmanagementstructure



• anactivewebsitedetailingservices,personalisedpointsofcontact,playerprofiles,profilesofallusergroups,enquiryopportunityandrelevantbookingformstodownloadandreturn.


• metropolitan–thefacilitycurrentlyorisprojectedwithinthenextfiveyearstohaveacatchmentpopulationwithina15kmradiusofgreaterthan50,000

• regionalcountry-thefacilitycurrentlyorisprojectedwithinthenextfiveyearstohaveacatchmentpopulationwithina30kmradiusofgreaterthan5,000.

Local facilitiesLocalfacilitieswillhavealocalfocusonengagingandimmersingsocialandcompetitiveplayersintothetennisculture.



• aminimumof50%ofcourtsbasedonITFsurfacecodeA(acrylic),F(clay)andH(grass)

• fiftypercentofcourtstobefloodlittominimumclubcompetitionstandards.(350lux).

Clubhouse and facility requirementsClubhouseandfacilityrequirementsshouldinclude:



• administrationoffice/s

• onsiteparkingincloseproximitytofacilityentrance

• outdoorshadedsocialareassuitableforlocaleventsandsocialnights.




• anactivewebsitedetailingservices,personalisedpointsofcontact,playerprofiles,profilesofallusergroups,enquiryopportunityandrelevantbookingformstodownloadandreturn.

Catchment population requirementsThefacilityisprojectedtohaveacatchmentpopulationof:


• regionalcountry-thefacilitycurrentlyorisprojectedwithinthenextfiveyearstohaveacatchmentpopulationwithina30kmradiusofgreaterthan5,000.

Public access facilities• Publicaccessfacilitiesareregardedasfacilitiesthatcanbehiredorhavefreeaccessfor

communityuse.

Sharing intellectual property for new developments, redevelopments and rationalisationThecurrentenvironmentindicatesthatmanyexistingfacilitiesarebeingevaluatedbyindependentconsultantsonbehalfoflocalorstateandterritorygovernments.Theseconsultantsaremakingrecommendationsofexistingassetsforrequiredcapitalworksortheprovisionofmanagementagreements.ThevariationincriteriabeingusedtodeterminetennissustainablepracticeorotherwisecausesconfusionforTennisAustralia,itsMemberAssociations,Government,tennisclubs,centresandassociations.

TennisAustraliaandMemberAssociationsareactiveinensuringthattheinformationbeingprovidedbyconsultantstodecisionmakersisbalancedandconsistent.Thiswillbeachievedthroughpartneringlocalgovernmentinthedevelopmentoftennisstrategies.Resourcessuchasthe

developmentofoperationalperformancebenchmarks,lifecycleassumptionframeworksandresearchfindingsaretoolsthatwillbeusedtoassistindeterminingdevelopments,redevelopmentsandanyrationalisationdecisions.Asanexample,ourresearchsuggeststhatinthefuturethepublicaccessibleoptimumcourttopopulationratioshouldbe1to1,500people.Thisratioisbasedonourstrategiestogrowthegameandhavemorepeopleplayingmoretennis,moreoften.

ItisimperativethatorganisationsorindividualsseekingtomakelocalisedassessmentsensurethattheapproachremainsconsistentwithTennisAustraliaandMemberAssociationstrategies.

TennisAustraliaprovidesannuallyreviewedlifecycleassumptioncharts(viewatwww.tennis.com.au)thatprovidegeneralguidanceforvaluesassociatedwiththemaintenanceandreplacementcostsofmajorsurfacetypesandcourtitemswithinAustralia,forexample,lightsandnets.Thereis

anincreasingrequirementforlocalandstategovernmentstomakedecisionsrelatingtoamoreeffectiveandefficientlyoperatingtennisfacilities.Industryperformancebenchmarkscurrentlybeingimplementedwillassistinthisprocess.Also,commitmentsbyallstakeholderstoprovideinputintothecollectionofindustrydatawillbecriticalinensuringbenchmarksarereliableforplanningpurposes.

Significantly,aconsistentapproachmustalsobetakentoenableacommerciallyviableenvironmentwhileretainingcommunityawarenessthattennisfacilitieshavebeenhistoricallybuiltfrompastmembers’communitycontributionsandsuccessfulachievements.Thisrequiresasensitiveapproachbyallfuturedecisionmakers.TennisAustraliaandMemberAssociationscanprovideadvisorysupportforlocalgovernmentsandconsultantdecisionmakingactivities.

Australiantennisfacilitiesoperatepredominantlywithinvolunteerandcommittee-basedmanagement.Thisoftenpresentschallengeswhenchangeinbusinesspracticesarerequiredandduetothepart-timemanagementstructure,canbeslowtoimplementandreactto.Facilitymanagersandmanagementcommitteesrequireguidance,educationandtoolstoadapteffectivelyandefficientlytoachangingrecreational,socialandpoliticalenvironmentthathasincreaseddemandsandexpectationsofgovernment-ownedcommunityassets.

Traditionalrevenuemodelsinoperatingtennisfacilitiesfeaturearelianceonmembershipfees,whichalonedonotprovidethenecessaryincometorecovermaintenance,operationalandreplacementcosts.Anincreasingrelianceonexternalgrantsandsupportforfacilityupgradesissymptomaticofaninabilitytomaintainandupgradethroughoperationalactivities.Ownersandoperatorswillneedtoadoptamoreprofessionalandplannedmanagementapproachwhilstnotlosingthecommunity,socialandhealthbenefitsifwearetoaddresstheseissues.


A Regional Partner in Queensland underwent a major development in 2010 and officially opened with a Pro Tour event and a Davis Cup tie. These two events provided an estimated economic benefit to the region of over $1.5 million.

6 Facility management and development: sustainable performance

TennisAustraliaisimplementinganoperationalframeworkwhereapplicationbyeithercommercialorvolunteer-managedfacilitieswillstimulateutilisationaswellasgeneraterevenuetowardsprogressivefacilitydevelopment.

Thisinitiativesharesacloselinkwiththetennisinfrastructureinitiatives,suchastheTennisAustraliaNationalCourtRebateScheme,andisessentiallyfocusedonprovidingthetools,educationandexpertisetooptimisethemanagementandoperationalperformanceofclubsandfacilities.

Progressive facility management and development – new and existing facilitiesProgressivetennisfacilitymanagementanddevelopmentconsidersforemosttheneedsofthecommunityanditscustomersinthepursuitofawelcomingcommunityenvironment.

Itisessentialthatanytennisvenueaddsvaluetocommunitydevelopment,economicdevelopment,destinationdevelopment,socialandculturaldevelopment,facilityassetmaintenanceandlifecyclecosting,keyelementsforviableandsustainableclubfacilities,andprogrammingandfacilityusageoptimisation.

Community developmentNotonlyaccountableeconomically,aneworredevelopedtennisfacilitywilloffermoreopportunitiesforlocalcommunitymemberstocometogether,togettoknoweachotherbetter,toorganiseorbecomeinvolvedincommunityevents,toallowminoritycommunitiestocongregateandintegratewithothercommunitymembers.

Economic developmentDevelopingtennisfacilitiesthatcancaterfortournamentsandeventsenableexpendituretocirculaterightthroughthelocaleconomy.Themostcommoneconomicbenefitscreatedwithincommunitytenniseventsareasaresultofincreasedtourismspendingbyvisitorsonfood,accommodationandtransport.Addedtothisisspendcreatedasaresultofnewinfrastructurebeingdevelopedandindirectspendingfromtheneedformoregoodsandservices.Havingasignatureeventwillassistindrivingimprovedeconomicbenefitforthewholecommunity.

Destination developmentPropertydevelopersandlocalgovernmentsareencouragedtousetennisfacilitieswiththecapacitytohosteventsandtournamentsasamajormarketingstrategy.Thisisbecausetennisallowstargetingofallclientgroupsasaresultofthesportsgenderequityandabilitytoplayatallages.Anattractivetennisfacilitywillprovideadestinationpointforovernightstayswithinlocalcommunitiesnotjustforeventsbutyearround.

Social and cultural developmentThefitness,fun,healthandsocialvaluesassociatedwithtennisareoftenquotedbyparticipantsasleadingreasonsforplay.Indevelopmentterms,tennisisconsumedatbotharecreationalandcompetitivelevelandreadilypresentsitselfasatooltogalvaniseandbondcommunities.Importantly,thismeansthatsocialandculturaldevelopmentthroughtennismaybeginwithrelativelyfewpeopleprovidinganadvantagewhenusingthephysicalactivityoftennistoengageminoritygroupswithinthewidercommunity.


A small Regional town in the Northern Territory resurfaced their courts in 2010 and now has over 12% of the population playing tennis on a regular basis. The venue has become more than just a tennis centre and is now seen by the local as a community hub to socialise and meet.

Facility asset maintenance and life cycle costingTennisAustraliaprovidesmajortennisfacilitylifecycleassumptionchartsthatprovideaguidefortheannualdollaramountrequiredforthemaintenanceandreplacementofmajorassetitems.Theseincludeitemssuchaspredominantsurfacetypes,lights,fencingandnets.Thisinformationisparticularlyimportantforclubstomoreaccuratelydeterminehowmuchrevenueneedstobegeneratedandcontributedtowardsmaintainingandreplacingtheassetafteritsusefullife.Lifecycleassumptionchartsandothertechnicaltennisinformationmaybefoundatwww.tennis.com.au.

Key elements for viable and sustainable club facilitiesTennisAustraliaactivelypromotesthecomponentsofsuccessfulclubswithinanoperationalframework.Thisallowsforclubselfanalysisaswellaspromotingtheservicecapacityoftennisvenues.Wenowofferresourcesandassistancetoprovidefacilityhealthchecksaspartofongoingimprovements.

Programming and facility usage optimisationServicesprovidedwithinanoperationalframeworkwillallowforthecommunitytobecomeengagedandimmersedintennis.Facilityownersareencouragedtoplacetargetsforeachcomponentforfacilityoperatorsinabusinessplanningprocess.Thiswillassistinimprovingcustomerfocus,theoverheadsassociatedwithmanagingtennisactivitiesand,inthelong-term,decreasearelianceonexternalgrantprovision.Further,targetsestablishedforindividualtennisvenueswilldecreaseatraditionalrelianceoninaccuratedatasuchasmember-to-court

ratio.Seekingtoimplementnationallybrandedprogramswithineachcomponentwillallowindividualtennisfacilitiestoleverageandbenefitfromthecombinedmarketingofthegame.


Two Regional Partners in WA have appointed professional managers to drive the growth of tennis within their respective regions. Both venues have reported significant growth in usage at their venues and within the region.


A Regional Partner in Queensland underwent a major clay court redevelopment in 2010 and now holds a month long series of clay court tournaments and events that attract people from all over the country.

Contact detailsIfyouhaveanyquestions,pleasefeelfreetocontactthefollowingPlacestoPlayteamsatthefollowinglocationsand/ornumbers.

Tennis Australia – TennisAustraliaMelbourneParkBatmanAvePrivateBag6060RichmondVIC3121

T: 0399144400 W:tennis.com.au

Tennis ACTPOBox44,DicksonACT2602

T: 0261607800 W:tennis.com.au/act

Tennis NSWPOBox6204,SilverwaterNSW2127

T:0290247600 W: tennis.com.au/nsw

Tennis NTUnit1,90RossSmithAve,FannieBayNT0820

T:0889815609 W:tennis.com.au/nt

Tennis QldPOBox2366,Graceville,QLD,4075

T:0731207900 W: tennis.com.au/qld

Tennis SAPOBox43,NorthAdelaideSA5006

T: 0872248100 W:tennis.com.au/sa

Tennis TasPOBox260,NewsteadTAS7250

T: 0361088200 W: tennis.com.au/tas

Tennis VicLockedBag6001,RichmondVIC3121

T:0384208420 W: tennis.com.au/vic

Tennis WestPOBox116BurswoodWA6100

T:0864628300 W:tennis.com.au/wa

State and Territory Member Associations PleasecontactyourMemberAssociationtodiscovertherangeofaffiliateservicesandadvisorysupportthatisprovided.TennisAustraliaanditsMemberAssociationsareperfectlypositionedtocollaboratewithlocalgovernmentorganisationstoensureprogressivefacilitydevelopment.TennisAustraliaisinpartnershipwithitsmemberstateandterritoryassociationsandsharesthesameaimsandobjectivesandcommitmenttosucceed.

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