Club Insider Articles – Fourth in a Series
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by Cheryl Kirk
Several years ago, a group called Future of Racquetball (the predecessor of the current Growing the Sport Advisory Group) created a series of six articles for publication in a long-standing newsletter produced by Justin Cates called Club Insider.
This series, written during the COVID time period, was a collaboration between the 20x40 Alliance entities (USA Racquetball and the U.S. Handball Association), two sport governing bodies with a common mission: to save courts. Club Insider content is positioned for facility owners and managers, so this was an approach to communicate with decision-makers who can keep courts intact for our sports as well as for perhaps other activities as well.
The 20x40 Alliance continues to partner to this very day. All six Club Insider articles can be found on usaracquetball.com under Save Courts.
Here’s the fourth one...for your reflection and action.
KEEPING COURTS BUSY FOR FUN AND FITNESS
Returning Members + New Members = Increased Profit = Keeping Courts = Win/Win!
Exactly that. This article brings USA Racquetball’s and US Handball’s collective efforts to brainstorm as many ways as possible that courts can be kept busy and profitable. These ideas are gathered loosely into categories, a veritable smorgasbord: pick and choose, start small or go with a full-course meal. The amount of effort and organization needed will be up to the approach taken by the club and the resources available, with the concept (please!) of keeping courts playable.
Low-Hanging Fruit
Work with your own members who would appreciate the court space and manage it themselves -- advertise ideas, encourage court reservations.
- Of course: Racquetball, Handball, Paddleball
- Classes: Zumba / Fitness / Yoga / Martial Arts
- Personal training (mats and hand weights)
- One-on-one lessons or group practice sessions: soccer, volleyball, tennis, badminton, tai kwon do, softball drills (cross training), dodge ball, spike ball, SocCourt, International Court Soccer, fencing.
Mid-Range Ideas
Might take a bit of organization and modest equipment investment by the club
- Wallyball
- Half-court basketball (hang a basket over the back wall from the gallery at the correct height)
- Corn hole (aka bags) -- how about a family tournament?
- Ping Pong (aka table tennis)
Full-Out Programming for Members/Guests
May require a paid or volunteer CPC (Court Programming Coordinator) to promote/manage
- For larger facilities with on-site staff and programming [small/private exercise classes; clinics and classes; challenge courts, etc.]
- Leagues/informal groups/clinics/camps for racquetball, handball, paddleball, wallyball, etc.
- Seasonal camps for junior and adult players; leverage local pros if available
- Source of revenue for outside groups -- see the lists above and turn your CPC loose on social media advertising and business calls. Be cognizant of and manage liability issues.
Thinking “Inside the Box”
Fun ideas way off the beaten path
- Parties -- Birthday, Graduation, Retirement
- A rented bounce house for kids’ parties will fit on a court!
- Rotate courts, have different challenges/activities on each: soft obstacle courses, cornhole, etc.
- Try sport-specific "Minute to Win It" challenges in each court (e.g., dropping and hitting a handball/racquetball to hit a ball can on the floor against the front wall or prizes taped to the front wall; hitting ceiling shots that drop into a box in the left back corner; or just crazy challenges for kids that don't have anything to do with a sport.
- 14 Games for racquetball court ideas | youth games, youth group games, group games (pinterest.com)
Conclusion
“Squickle Ball”?? Inspiration so often comes from the ideas of others. Mr. John Archer inspired us with this creative approach (pandemic Plan B) adapted by doubles squash players at Club Atwater in Montréal. Check out the video interview by Pierre Obendrauf of the MONTREAL GAZETTE:
https://youtu.be/XUQgfISVmB0?list=PLQi06po0r-tghVNz4-ACTDwMnA_ek5Ld5
Give us your ideas, too, please. We volunteer to grow and nurture the database!
Contributors: Matthew Krueger, LeaAnn Martin, Dan Jaskier, Cheryl Kirk, Kit Lawson, Geoff Peters
USA Racquetball Contacts
Karen Grisz – ktracquetball@gmail.com
Cheryl Kirk – cherylkkirk@aol.com
Please visit https://www.usaracquetball.com/about/strategies-for-saving-courts/saving-courts-navigation/programming for court programming resources and materials.
Also, contact Adam Manilla or Erika Manilla for more information about
Manilla Athletics’ Racquetball Program Coordinator Course.
