Tennis Court Construction Report
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NCAA recently released its Sports Sponsorship and Participation Rates Report, detailing growth in student-athlete activity. But tennis results are a mixed bag....
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You've already heard that high school sports participation continues to climb, with tennis in the top 10 for yet another year for both boys and girls, according to the National Federation for State High School Associations (NFHS).
Here's some other good news: NCAA is also seeing record numbers of participation. For the ninth consecutive year, data from the NCAA Sports Sponsorship and Participation Rates Report shows a marked increase in athletics opportunities in sports for which the NCAA sponsors championships, with more than 444,000 student-athletes competing on more than 18,000 teams.
That’s almost 15,000 more student-athletes than in the 2009-10 report (the largest single-year jump since 1984-85) and about 1,200 additional teams. In the last decade, the number of student-athletes has more than doubled (from 209,890 to 444,077), and the number of teams (men and women) in championship sports has grown from 16,829 to 18,314.
For the ninth consecutive year, data from the NCAA Sports Sponsorship and Participation Rates Report show a marked increase in athletics opportunities in sports for which the NCAA sponsors championships, with more than 444,000 student-athletes competing on more than 18,000 teams.
That’s almost 15,000 more student-athletes than in the 2009-10 report (the largest single-year jump since 1984-85) and about 1,200 additional teams. In the last decade, the number of student-athletes has more than doubled (from 209,890 to 444,077), and the number of teams (men and women) in championship sports has grown from 16,829 to 18,314.
According to the most recent reports, basketball is the most frequently sponsored women’s sport, followed by volleyball, cross country, soccer, softball, tennis, and track and field. Basketball also leads the way in men’s sport sponsorship, followed by cross country, baseball, golf, soccer, tennis, track and field, and football.
While tennis does not rank highly in population of college men participating (football took top honors, followed by track and field, soccer basketball and cross country), it is popular with woman (along with outdoor track and field, soccer, indoor track and field, softball, basketball, volleyball, cross country, swimming and diving).
The academic year 2010-2011 brought notable gains in women's tennis programs, with a number of teams added.
But there's bad news too. With so many colleges desperately looking for ways to keep their budgets in the black, it's not surprising that sports programs are being sliced, or that tennis isn't being protected.
According to the report, for example, one men's sports with a notable loss of teams since the academic year 1988-1989 was tennis, posting a net team loss of 69. And in the academic year 2010-2011, women's tennis had the second highest number of teams dropped.
Source: http://www.ncaa.org/
Posted to Tennis Court Construction Report by
Mary Helen Sprecher on 11/10/2011 3:37:36 PM | with 0 comments
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Looking into the crystal ball for 2012 -- what does it say about tennis?
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Let the second-guessing begin.
The American College of Sports Medicine has released its survey in which 2,600 fitness professionals were asked what they thought were going tob e the hot trends in exercise for the coming year. And while tennis isn't mentined specifically, the signs are good for our great sport.
Sports-specific training (one prime example is Cardio Tennis) continues to be int eh top 20, as are fitness programs for older adults. Tennis, as a life sport, certainly fits the bill. Something else making an entry into the top 20 this year is outdoor exercise. Hello, public tennis facilities. Sounds like people who are seeking inexpensive options for working out, or who travel on business, might be headed your way.
A few programs also debuted on the top 20. Zumba and dance workout programs were big. What does that tell us? That people are looking for fun ways to exercise. Cardio Tennis, with its catchy and music and fun games, might just be able to latch onto this as well.
In almost all cases, correctly using a survey has to do with analyzing trends in it, and seeing how we can make them work for ourselves. Tennis industry officials can look at the survey and take from it what is relevant -- quite a lot, it seems.
Further information can be found at http://www.acsm.org/
Posted to Tennis Court Construction Report by
Mary Helen Sprecher on 10/31/2011 8:56:40 PM | with 0 comments
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Tennis remains a favorite among teens, according to the National Federation of State High School Associations, which recently released its 2010-2011 High School Sports Participation Survey
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Tennis is still in the top 10 most popular sports for teens, according to a survey by the National Federation of State High School Associations
Sports participation overall remains strong at the high school level, meaning builders of athletic fields, indoor facilities and more also have reason to be optimistic).
According to the National Federation for State High School Associations (NFHS) 2010-2011 High School Athletics Participation Summary, the number of students participating in sports continues to grow. In the academic year 2010-2011, a total of 7,667,955 students participated in at least one sport. (This is up by 39,578 from last year’s total which, in turn, was up 91,624 from the year before.)
In the academic year 2010-2011, a total of 7,667,955 students (4,494,406 boys and 3,173,549 girls) participated in high school sports. The 2009-2010 figures showed 7,628,377 students (4,455,740 boys and 3,172,637 girls). In 2008-2009, the numbers were 7,536,753 total students (4,422,662 boys and 3,114,091 girls).
The top 10 most popular sports for boys (in terms of numbers of athletes participating) are football, outdoor track and field, basketball, baseball, soccer, wrestling, cross-country, tennis (at number 8), golf and swimming/diving. For girls, the top 10 are outdoor track and field, basketball, volleyball, softball (fast-pitch), soccer, cross-country, tennis (at number 7), swimming/diving, competitive spirit squads and lacrosse. (Lacrosse is new to the top 10 this year).
Overall, the number of tennis programs in schools fell slightly (this year’s total was 19,570 schools, compared to last year’s total of 20,082 schools).
The numbers of students participating in team tennis also experienced a corresponding drop (58,725 boys and girls in academic year 2010-2011 as compared to 59,722 boys and girls in academic year 2009-2010). The overall number of girls participating in sports generally remained strong, particularly in tennis (where girls outnumbered boys 182,074 to 161,367).
NFHS also recognizes and reports on data collected on adapted sports (basketball, bowling, floor hockey, softball, soccer and track); these numbers reported gains in every discipline except floor hockey, where participation fell slightly. (Those who want to know why wheelchair tennis isn't included in those figures should note that according to the rules of wheelchair tennis, a player in a wheelchair can compete with an able-bodied player; the player in a wheelchair is allowed to have the ball bounce twice but otherwise the game is largely unchanged).
The survey breaks down data by states (and by sports within states), and also shows year by year changes in total participation numbers. The pdf of the NFHS report can be downloaded free of charge from www.nfhs.org (choose "participation data" from the menu on the left-hand side of the home page).
Source: National Federation of State High School Associations
Posted to Tennis Court Construction Report by
Mary Helen Sprecher on 8/23/2011 10:57:13 AM | with 0 comments
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Don't look now, but fall is only a calendar page away. Here's what you need to get your courts ready for the winter -- or to make it through the playing season that is about to start (if you're below the Mason-Dixon LIne).
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In some areas of the country, tennis courts are getting ready to go into hibernation. In some, weather conditions all the field to see foot traffic all year long. And it's right now that many tennis court pros, coaches and facility managers are looking at their courts and wondering: should they be updated? Upgraded? Winterized? What should be done about that big crack? What about the areas where water collects?
Whatever your questions, information is available in the book, Tennis Courts: A Construction and Maintenance Manual, published by the American Sports Builders Association. Go to www.sportsbuilders.org, and click on the word, “Publications” from the top toolbar. The book can be ordered for $44.95, or you can save shipping costs and avoid delays by ordering it as a download.
For those who want to find someone in their area to do tennis court work: Go to www.sportsbuilders.org, and click on the box that says “Find a Builder/Designer/Supplier.” You can search ASBA’s membership database using keywords, state names, product or company names and more, in order to find someone with the skills you need. The search feature is also a great way to locate suppliers of supplies such as goals, maintenance equipment and more.
For those who want an expert opinion: ASBA offers a voluntary certification program which allows builders of specific athletic facilities (including tennis courts) to demonstrate proof of their experience and knowledge. The certification offered to those with expertise in tennis courts is the Certified Tennis Court Builder (CTCB) designation. To get a list of CTCBs or to find out more about the program, go to www.sportsbuilders.org, then use the toolbar at the top of the page to select “Certification.” Choose “Certified Tennis Court Builders from the drop-down menu
The clock is ticking and the calendar pages are turning. Get busy now and you won’t find yourself out in the cold when winter starts.
Posted to Tennis Court Construction Report by
Mary Helen Sprecher on 8/21/2011 12:39:57 PM | with 0 comments
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Heading for New York for the U.S. Open? Don't miss The Tennis Show...
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The Tennis Show will debut Aug. 27 in New York City at the 2011 USTA Tennis Teachers Conference, and will feature exhibitors, a cocktail reception, prizes, a DJ and more. The Tennis Show will kick off at 2 p.m. at the Grand Hyatt New York at Lexington and 42nd Street.
The Tennis Show will include the 5th Annual TIA Tennis Forum and the 4th Annual Tennis Industry Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Those events will be followed immediately by the Opening Session of the 41st Annual USTA Tennis Teachers Conference. All events for this one-day celebration of tennis will be held in the Grand Ballroom of the Grand Hyatt.
Companies currently registered to exhibit at The Tennis Show include:
• 10-S Tennis Supply/Fast Dry Courts
• Babolat USA
• Connor Sport Court International
• Copeland Coating Co.
• Courtside Market LLC
• Dartfish USA
• Donnay USA
• Dunlop Sports Group
• Foerster Bhupathi Sports International
• Gamma Racquet Sports
• HEAD Penn Racquet Sports
• Hybrid Tennis International, LLC
• Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA)
• NGI Sports
• Perfect Pick Up / Tenn Tube
• Prince Sports
• Professional Tennis Registry
• Quick Lining System
• Rebounces
• RiteWay Tennis Court Crack Repair
• Rocky Mountain Sports
• Skillastics
• TenCap
• Tennis Industry Association
• TennisConnect
• The Active Network
• TRX
• United States Professional Tennis Association
• Wilson Sporting Goods Co.
• World Class Athletic Surfaces
Following the first three hours of The Tennis Show, the exhibitor booths will close at 5 p.m. for the TIA Tennis Forum with TIA President Jon Muir (beginning at 5:30 pm), the Hall of Fame Award Ceremony, and the USTA TTC Opening Session. At 7 p.m. the Tennis Show will reopen and remain open until 9.
The USTA Tennis Teachers Conference is scheduled to run from Aug. 27 to 30 and will feature keynote speakers Rick Macci, Nick Bollettieri and Jim Courier. (The US Open tennis tournament, the last Grand Slam event of the year, begins Aug. 29 in nearby Queens, N.Y.)
For more information on The Tennis Show visit TennisShow.com. Visit USTA.com/ttc for additional information regarding the USTA Tennis Teacher’s Conference. For any additional questions regarding The Tennis Show attendance and information, contact the TIA at (843) 686-3036 x.223.
Posted to Tennis Court Construction Report by
Mary Helen Sprecher on 8/7/2011 8:58:16 PM | with 0 comments
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Want to know how many courts are out there? Indoor/Outdoor? Hard/Soft? Check out this research from TIA.
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It’s not a question that comes up as often as “How do I score tickets to the women’s final at the U.S. Open?” — but it’s a popular one anyway. And until recently, there weren’t many answers.
For those who are trying to get statistical information on how many courts are out there, and what types they are, the Tennis Industry Association (http://TennisIndustry.org) has its TIA National Database Court Report.
According to the data compiled from a survey of 13,598 facilities in the U.S., the following data was compiled:
The total number of tennis courts in the U.S. is estimated at 270,000. Approximately 14,000 facilities that are offering programming and instruction on nearly 92,000 courts were surveyed. It was estimated there were an additional 25,000 courts at facilities that offer programming, and another 150,000 tennis courts at residential, apartment complex, condos, hotels and community areas.
A few other pieces of information:
Outdoor Courts
Total Outdoor Hard Courts - 68,201
Total Outdoor Clay Courts - 13,824
Total Outdoor Grass Courts - 269
Total Outdoor Other Courts - 827
Total Outdoor Lighted Courts - 31,540
Indoor Courts
Total Indoor Hard Courts - 9,271
Total Indoor Clay Courts - 1,088
Total Indoor Other Courts - 476
Facilities are also broken down into facility types, number of courts per facility, and more.
Those who want to see the information should go to the website, (http://TennisIndustry.org, clicking on the “Research” item in the menu bar, then clicking on the pulldown menu and selecting “TIA National Database Court Report”) . Some information (though not as updated) is also available on the FAQ section of the American Sports Builders Association (http://www.sportsbuilders.org)
Information about various court surface types, their maintenance and more, is available in the book, “Tennis Courts: A Construction and Maintenance Manual,” available through the ASBA’s website.
Posted to Tennis Court Construction Report by
Mary Helen Sprecher on 7/26/2011 11:48:46 AM | with 0 comments
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Two surveys should make high school tennis coaches (and parents) optimistic. Get those facilities ready for the new players!
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Schools are out right now, which means that while high school coaches may be relaxing, they're also thinking ahead to September, and to recruitment efforts for the coming academic year.
The good news? If last year is anything to go by, participation in sports will be strong. Last year's National Federation for State High School Associations (NFHS) 2009-2010 High School Athletics Participation Summary, showed that a total of 7,628,377 students (4,455,740 boys and 3,172,637 girls) participated in high school sports. The 2008-2009 figures showed 7,536,753 total students (4,422,662 boys and 3,114,091 girls).
Some more good news? Tennis consistently ranks in the top 10 most popular sports for boys (at number 8), and for girls (at number 7). An increasing number of schools were also offering tennis programs, and some of the biggest gains of any sport were shown in tennis. (Complete data for this study is available at http://www.nfhs.org/).
Even better news, and something that will play well to parents, are some facts that were recently announced by the American College of Sports Medicine and by Exercise Is Medicine: Preteens in Portugal with higher levels of fitness and sports participation performed better in the classroom. The association was stronger for students who played more sports or who participated over a longer period of time, particularly girls.
Students were measured for physical fitness, aerobic capacity and percent body fat. They answered questionnaires about their participation in school sports or youth sports leagues and clubs over the past three years. Academic achievement was measured by averaging the final year grades in compulsory classes. Researchers found that boys reported significantly higher levels of sports participation, and for a longer period, than girls. (Information on this study is available at http://www.acsm.org/)
Of course, the combination of more positive publicity for sports, and an ever-increasing participation trend only drives home the need to keep tennis facilities in shape for the coming year. The American Sports Builders Association (ASBA) has copies of its book, Tennis Courts: A Construction and Maintenance Manual, available for $44.95 at the website, http://www.sportsbuilders.org/. The book is available in hard copy, or it can be ordered electronically to save on shipping costs.
Posted to Tennis Court Construction Report by
Mary Helen Sprecher on 7/4/2011 3:44:02 PM | with 0 comments
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ASBA hit an all-time high in the number of awards entries received this year. As of the June 1 deadline, a total of 126 entries were received -- an increase of 89%
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While ASBA’s facility design and construction award winners won’t be announced until fall, the association has already seen a record number of entrants. The deadline to enter was June 1, and with all entries received, the Association has released the following statistics:
This year, members entered a total of 126 projects to the awards program, an increase from the previous high of 87.
The breakdown on this year’s projects includes (by category):
Tennis Courts:
Outdoor tennis facilities (municipal, club, etc.): 21
Residential tennis facilities (defined as projects for private homes): 16
Indoor tennis courts: 3
Running Tracks:
Outdoor track (school facilities, municipal facilities, etc.): 27
Indoor track: 2
Indoor Multi-Purpose Facilities: (school facilities, community centers, sports arenas, wellness centers, etc.): 4
Sports Fields:
Multi-field (natural or synthetic turf, defined as a group of fields submitted as one project): 21
Single field (natural or synthetic turf):32
Award winners will be notified in August, and formal announcement of winning projects will be made at the Technical Meeting in December.
Awards are given in each category to recognize facilities that exemplify excellence in design and construction. In addition, there are honors in the 'Green' competition, for athletic facilities that used the most eco-friendly design, construction and operating techniques.
In order to be eligible for an award, it must have been entered into the program by the ASBA member who designed or built the facility; facility owners were encouraged to be in touch with their builder or designer to urge them to enter. Also in order to be eligible for this round of awards, projects submitted must have been completed within the current year or within the previous two calendar years (ending Dec. 31). The deadline for entry is June 1, 2011.
For the first time, ASBA allowed entries to be submitted electronically. They will be judged electronically as well by those who are members of the Awards Committee. The judging is done by a panel of ASBA members. Presentation of award plaques is made at the Technical Meeting, to take place next December in Palm Desert, California. Winning facilities receive an award certificate or plaque and are recognized in association announcements and in articles written in various industry magazines. ASBA member companies whose projects win awards are further urged to publicize the award to their local newspapers and others.
Projects are scored individually based on considerations such as layout and design, site work, drainage, base construction, surface, amenities, innovation and overall impression. Winning entries are those whose cumulative scores meet or exceed the standard.
A list of award winners will be posted on this blog after the Technical Meeting in December, or those interested may go to www.sportsbuilders.org to receive complete information once all presentations have been made.
Information about ASBA or its awards program, including lists of previous award winners, can be obtained by going to www.sportsbuilders.org, and from the toolbar at the top of the page, select "About Us" and then, using the drop-down menu, choose "Awards."
Posted to Tennis Court Construction Report by
Mary Helen Sprecher on 6/11/2011 11:58:32 AM | with 0 comments
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If you've been waiting to have that great tennis court nominated for an award in the ASBA's awards program, wait no more. The deadline is Wednesday, June 1!
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Know a good tennis court or facility? Maybe the whole athletic industry should know, too. The American Sports Builders Association (ASBA)'s awards program, recognizing outstanding athletic facilities, is now open. But HURRY -- DEADLINE IS JUNE 1!
Awards are presented in various categories: Tennis Courts, Sports Fields, Running Tracks and Indoor Multi-Purpose Facilities. Within each category there are subdivisions; for example, the Tennis Court category recognizes Residential Courts, Outdoor Courts and Indoor Courts. In addition, there are honors in the 'Green' competition, for athletic facilities that used the most eco-friendly design, construction and operating techniques.
Note: Tennis facilities may be hard or soft, public or private. All types are eligible; in previous years, awards have gone to courts at homes, in clubs, at parks departments, at schools and more.
To be eligible for entry into the awards program, a facility must have been designed by, or built by, an ASBA member company. (To look up whether a company is a member, go to www.sportsbuilders.org, and use the "Find A Builder/Designer/Supplier" search feature on the right-hand side of the page).
The ASBA member who designed or built the facility must be the one to enter it in the awards program; facility owners who are interested should get in touch with their builder or designer to urge them to enter. Also in order to be eligible for this round of awards, projects submitted must have been completed within the current year or within the previous two calendar years (ending Dec. 31). The deadline for entry is June 1, 2011.
The judging of awards entries is done anonymously by a panel of ASBA members. Presentation of award plaques is made at the Technical Meeting, to take place next December in Palm Springs, California. Winning facilities receive a plaque and are recognized in associations announcements and in articles written in various industry magazines. ASBA member companies whose projects win awards are further urged to publicize the award to their local newspapers and others.
Projects are scored individually based on considerations such as layout and design, site work, drainage, base construction, surface, amenities, innovation and overall impression. Winning entries are those whose cumulative scores meet or exceed the standard.
A list of award winners will be posted on this blog after the Technical Meeting, or those interested may go to www.sportsbuilders.org to receive complete information once all presentations have been made.
Want more information about ASBA or its awards program, including lists of previous award winners? Go to www.sportsbuilders.org, and from the toolbar at the top of the page, select "About Us" and then, using the drop-down menu, choose "Awards."
Posted to Tennis Court Construction Report by
Mary Helen Sprecher on 5/28/2011 9:05:43 AM | with 0 comments
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Get ready to put it in park in July, when NRPA celebrates National Park Month. Flash mob, anyone?
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Sure, private tennis clubs host clinics, lessons and leagues, and yes, they're the site of pro-am tournaments. But hour after hour and year after year, very few facilities get the mileage that public courts receive. They're where a lot of players get their start, and where a lot of rec programs give kids their first taste of the sports. It's also where plenty of people play on a regular basis, and do quite well for themselves.
The National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) is encouraging people everywhere to make sure kids get out into the parks this summer for some good old-fashioned recreation, and that includes tennis. Particularly at a time when people are still being cautious with their money and perhaps not taking a long or expensive vacation, park and rec programs are looking better than ever.
The Rock Your Park initiative will be held this July, which since 1985 has been celebrated as Parks and Recreation Month. This year, July will have five weekends, and NRPA is encouraging families, singles and everyone in between to pledge to “Take the Five,” and spend each weekend exploring various aspects of their local parks: nature trails, ball fields, playgrounds, swimming pools and more including, naturally, tennis courts.
Just to prove they’re dialed in with the younger generation, NRPA has also instituted the 2011 Rock Your Park Flash Mob Contest. Contestants can use YouTube to capture a flash mob performance that demonstrates the power of parks and rec. One municipal agency and one citizens’ group will be chosen as winners. Ever thought of some kind of tennis flash mob, perhaps using beginner equipment?
With the end of school only a few weeks away, it’s important to build the excitement now for the programs that can help coax kids outside, and away from TVs, computers, game systems and other sedentary pursuits. The good news? Like parks themselves, the tools are free, and readily available.
The website for the initiative, www.NRPA.org/July, has information on the contest, pledge and more. A marketing tool kit is also available for download. Bonus points to NRPA for including an official “Rock Your Park” social media poster. The message being sent is clear: Parks are more than places to sit on benches and feed pigeons; they’re outdoor fitness facilities with endless possibilities. Take a moment to plan a game in a public court or to go one step further and do a clean-up of the area. Leave it better than you found it. The next person to enter that court might be doing it for the first time. Don't you want them to have a positive experience?
Posted to Tennis Court Construction Report by
Mary Helen Sprecher on 5/24/2011 8:24:27 PM | with 0 comments
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