Top 10 New Year’s Resolutions for Junior Tennis Directors in 2019

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There’s never a better time to set goals and plan for success than at the start of a new year. Besides the personal goals you may be setting to read more or hit the gym, have you considered making resolutions to better your tennis program? If not, we’re here to help!

Read on to discover the top 10 New Year’s resolutions for Junior Tennis Directors in 2019.

10. Engage the coaches on your staff.

The coaches on your staff set the tone for your program’s community. It doesn’t matter how strong their serve is if their service falls short in the eyes of your players and their parents. On the other hand, micromanaging your coaches can lead to job dissatisfaction and turnover.

In 2019, hold coaches accountable without driving them away by respectfully engaging your staff. Not sure where to begin? Tennis Locker makes it easy strike this balance as you monitor how coaches are supporting their players, then provide specific feedback to help them improve.

9. Increase your program’s revenue.

Love for your program isn’t enough to keep it running. (After all, in the world of tennis, “love” technically amounts to nothing!) To keep your business thriving, strive to base your decisions this year on real data and measurable trends.

If you don’t have data to draw on yet, this is the year to start tracking some key performance indicators. Pro Tip: If you’re already using Tennis Locker, simply check your app for insightful analytics on everything from the brands your players want to see stocked in your pro shop to which programs are growing or shrinking.

8. Modernize operations.

Tennis is a sport steeped in tradition—but that doesn’t mean you have to stick with the same systems your program has been using since the 90s! As you enter 2019, look for ways to minimize or eliminate paperwork, track and store useful data, and stay ahead of your competitors with modern training tools.

7. Achieve stronger event turnouts.

Events are a great way to keep juniors and their parents invested in your tennis training program. Once you put an event on your academy’s calendar, take some time to advertise it. After all, advertising an event doesn’t have to cost a dime but can help you achieve stronger turnouts. Use free tools like email and social media to promote your event, then send out push notifications to remind all parents and players in seconds as event day draws near.

6. Field fewer phone calls from angry parents.

When it comes to disgruntled parents, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Communication is key to preventing misunderstandings, so ensure parents receive regular updates on their player’s development. Tennis Locker makes it easy to run fitness tests, track practice matches, and log practice evals, so parents can view results and feedback in real time.

5. Improve retention rates.

Tennis training is an investment of time and money, but when parents can see the value of that training, they’re more likely to keep their players on the courts—and your roster. Insightful analytics are a powerful way to establish the value of your program. Use Tennis Locker to automatically generate numbers, charts, and graphs that just don’t lie about how much little Ellie is growing in your academy.

4. Let data drive player development.

Your Gen Z players and their millennial parents love tracking data. Don’t believe us? Just look at how many are tracking their steps with Fitbits or Apple watches! If a little rubber bracelet can offer instant feedback, so can your program.

Tennis Locker is designed to make data-driven player development easy for you and your coaches. When you use our on-court app to log attendance, fitness tests, practice matches, and practice evals, we’ll automatically generate motivational leaderboards and easy-to-read charts and graphs that you can use to drive player development in a way that resonates with tech-savvy generations.

3. Connect with like-minded professionals.

Don’t face the unique challenges of running a junior tennis program alone. Instead, seek to build relationships with fellow tennis directors that can encourage and challenge you to reach your full potential.

Consider attending a coaching conference to stay up to date on your industry while connecting with coaches and fellow program directors. Travel not in the budget this year? Facebook groups and online forums are another great way to stay connected, share what you know, and learn from others along the way.

2. Equip your coaches to serve Gen Z and their millennial parents.

Gen Z players and their millennial parents have high expectations for your coaches and program. Meet and exceed those expectations by putting the right tools in your coaches’ hands.

Trade outdated clipboard methods for an on-court app that modernizes your operations and provides data-driven player development. Parents will appreciate the real-time look at what’s going on with their child’s training and be more likely to spread the word about your cutting-edge program.

1. Play tennis for fun!

Directing a tennis program for juniors is a great opportunity to build a career doing what you love. However, it can be easy to get so caught up in the day-to-day management of your program that you forget your first love for tennis! Make sure you spend time this year playing for fun to rekindle your passion for the sport and your career.

Setting any one of these goals can transform your training program—and daily routine—for the better. And while they may sound like a lot of extra work, they don’t have to be! If you’re working sunup to sundown to keep your program running, we can help.

Make 2019 your year to take back your free time while taking your program to new heights.

Click here to schedule your free demo and see how Tennis Locker can help you achieve your goals while working less in the new year.

Happy New Year, Tennis Directors! We’re cheering you on in 2019!