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TRANSCRIPT
A PRESENTATION TO THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE OF SPORTS AND RECREATIONAUGUST 2012
THE FUTURE OF TENNIS
visuals“Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else can. Sport can awaken hope where there was previously only despair”
Nelson Mandela, Laureus World Sports Awards Ceremony: 2000
TRANSFORMATION
TRANSFORMATION IN SPORT IN SA
White Paper on Sports and Recreation (2010):
• SA‟s sporting potential needs to be tapped!
• The only way to „transform‟ sport is through TIME AND DEVELOPMENT FOCUS .
• Sport must be available to the WHOLE POPULATION and by encouraging sport across all schools the profile of our teams will CHANGE NATURALLY TO REFLECT THE POPULATION’S PROFILE .
• The White Paper on Sports and Recreation (2010) states: National teams should be SELECTED ON MERIT but transformation should be implemented at school/youth levels to prepare a BROAD BASIS OF ATHLETES for participation at higher levels in future.
• Transformation of teams should be from the bottom up- “CATCH UP STRATEGY”
• Transformation is also necessary IN ADMINISTRATION, COACHING, AND TECHNICAL OFFICIATING.
TRANSFORMATION IN SPORT IN SA
TRANSFORMATION IN TENNIS SAFully transformed Board at Tennis SA
Two of the nine provinces have Presidents of colour. TSA is trying to get all provinces to be 50/50 represented. Currently most are between 25-33%.
Junior Interprovincial Teams have 33.3% PDI representation
Under 18 Girls SA Champion is PDI player and in our National Fed Cup Team
Officiating division is almost fully representative: there are South African officials participating at three of the Grand Slams, including 3 PDI officials
SA has a world class junior tournament programme
40% of the 18,000 registered tennis players are from PDI backgrounds.
Lack of provision of tennis facilities in disadvantaged communities leads to slow progress in the creation and development of tennis administrators
Funding is a major factor.
Long distances often hinder people from joining committees
Talented PDI players could not progress to higher levels of development because of a lack of funding
“Talent drain” of coaches from disadvantaged areas
VISUAL
WHY TENNIS?
WHY TENNIS?
Need visuals
WHY TENNIS?
TENNIS INTERNATIONALLY
• Tennis has 203 MEMBER COUNTRIES
• Governed by THE INTERNATIONAL TENNIS FEDERATION (ITF) - South Africa is a founding member.
• Association Of Tennis Professionals (ATP) and the Women‟s Tennis Association (WTA) run all the professional tennis events.
• Tennis offers LIFELONG PARTICIPATION opportunities
• Tennis offers GENDER EQUALITY
• Tennis is the WORLD’S MOST POPULAR INDIVIDUAL SPORT
• Tennis and is the FOURTH MOST POPULAR SPORT and has ONE BILLION FANS WORLDWIDE
• The US Open is the BIGGEST ANNUAL SPORTING EVENT in the world
• The ATP World Tour is followed by a powerful fan base reaching a 4.5 BILLION CUMULATIVE TV AUDIENCE
TENNIS IN SOUTH AFRICA
• Tennis has 4.5 MILLION FANS in South Africa.
• Tennis SA has 18 000 REGISTERED MEMBERS, of which 7 000 are PDI players.
• BMI research show that there are OVER 800 000 TENNIS PLAYERS IN SA
• Need to grow our REGISTERED DATABASE but TSA must offer membership benefits
• Internationally South Africa is ranked 23rd in the world for men and 54th for women.
• RANKED NO 1 IN AFRICA in Women, Men, Juniors, and Vets.
• Over the past 2 years we have had 10 HUBS IN PDI AREAS coaching more than 7000 KIDS on a weekly basis: 3 in Western Cape, 2 in Eastern Cape, 2 in KZN, 3 in Gauteng
• Excellent DISABLED TENNIS STRUCTURES
• World class JUNIOR TENNIS PROGRAMME
• Participates in the AFRICAN ZONE 6 GAMES and ALL AFRICA GAMES with success.
• Tennis is PLAYED IN ALL NINE PROVINCES
• The spread of tennis players are: Gauteng 40%, Western Cape 21%, Eastern Cape 9%, KZN 9%, Mpumalanga 5%, North West Province 5%, Free State 6%, Northern Cape 3% and Limpopo 2%.
• LOST SA OPEN due to ATP lessoning number of events on international calendar
• City of Joburg discontinued support for the Soweto Open
• We have several junior and open international entry level tournaments: hosted AFRICA JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS IN 2012.
• The gender breakdown of Tennis is 40% FEMALE PLAYERS, 60% MALE PLAYERS; appealing to a far greater demographic than the MALE DOMINATED sports of Soccer, Rugby and Cricket.
CHALLENGES
and
STRATEGIC FOCAL POINTS
CHALLENGES: DEVELOPMENT
1. Lack of PARENTAL/ CLUB SUPPORT for
players
2. Difficulty in bringing the tennis to
DISADVANTAGED AREAS:
1. Underdeveloped tennis culture
2. Underdeveloped tennis infrastructure: limited and
poorly distributed facilities; lack of maintenance
3. No clubhouse facilities
3. COACHING DIFFICULTIES
4. Difficulty in accessing TOURNAMENTS
CHALLENGES: TOURNAMENTS
(DAVIS AND FED CUP)
1. Davis and Fed Cup RANKINGS
2. Lack of FUNDING
3. Stringent SPONSORSHIP
RESTRICTIONS by the ITF
4. Lack of INFRASTRUCTURE
5. Lack of MEDIA COVERAGE (TV) and
prohibitive COST of media coverage
STRATEGIC FOCUS : DEVELOPMENT
and TOURNAMENTS
CAPACITATE administrators, managers, coaches and technical officials
Train Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) and International Federation specific ACCREDITED FACILITATORS
Monitor the DEVELOPMENT OF THE HUMAN RESOURCE BASE
Ensure the DISTRIBUTION of research results
Constitute a NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE BODY to support South African coaches.
Pursue and advocate FOR IMPROVED FUNDING ALLOCATION
STRATEGIC FOCUS : DEVELOPMENT
and TOURNAMENTS
Reintroduce TAX CONCESSIONS to encourage
corporates to fund sports development, including
facility building especially in the rural areas.
Include sport and recreation facilities in TOWN
PLANNING
Ensure PLANNING to avoid the duplication of facilities
in the same areas
Facilitate effective FACILITY MANAGEMENT and
MAINTENANCE.
Audit available facilities to ensure proper planning and
the BEST USE OF EXISTING FACILITIES.
CHALLENGES: SCHOOLS
Lack of COMPETENT ADMINISTRATORS
Very few KNOWLEDGEABLE SPORTS TEACHERS at school
CREATING COACHES FROM TEACHERS who have never played the game is very difficult.
LIMITED SUCCESS in the partnership between SRSA and DoE
Tennis is NOT A PRIORITY SPORT in most schools
QUALITY COACHING confined to city areas due to affordability
Limited opportunities to PLAY AGAINST THE BEST IN THE REGION.
Limited opportunities to play LEAGUES in the townships
Lack of INFRASTRUCTURE
Lack of FUNDING
SCHOOLS FESTIVALS clash with national calendars
Difficulty in achieving TRANSFORMATION GOALS
STRATEGIC FOCUS : SCHOOLS
Ensure a clear demarcation of the RESPONSIBILITIES
between the stakeholders involved in sport in schools.
EMPOWER TEACHERS to deliver physical education and
sport in schools.
Establish and support a NATIONAL SPORT IN SCHOOL
GOVERNING STRUCTURE.
Upgrade existing FACILITIES and INFRASTRUCTURE.
Advocate and lobby for the reintroduction of STRUCTURED
PHYSICAL EDUCATION in all schools.
STRATEGIC FOCUS : SCHOOLS
ELEVATE SPORT IN SCHOOLS as a matter of priority and
urgency.
Support inter and intra-sports activities.
Organise national sport in SCHOOL COMPETITIONS and the
delivery of athletes.
PREPARE and DELIVER athletes participating in international
sport in school competitions.
Collaborate with SASCOC DIRECTIVES.
Action INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE PROGRAMMES
Establish sport and RECREATION HOLIDAY CAMPS in
the districts.
CHALLENGES: PERFORMANCE :
TRANSITION TO PROFESSIONAL
GAMES
COMPETITION with developed nations
Lack of FUNDING
Small tennis teams therefore SMALL OPPORTUNITY FOR DEVELOPING PLAYERS to gain experience
“TALENT DRAIN” to developed countries who can assist talented players in turning pro
SMALL PRIZE MONEY on tour- players cannot sustain themselves without help from the federation
Not enough LOWER LEVEL TOURNAMENTS staged in southern Africa- overseas tournaments are inaccessible to players due to prohibitive costs
Lack of NATIONAL ASSOCIATION SUPPORT due to funding issues.
STRATEGIC FOCUS: PERFORMANCE :
TRANSITION TO PROFESSIONAL
GAMES
Establish initiatives to RETAIN OUR ATHLETES IN SOUTH AFRICA.
Oversee the development of policy guidelines, coordination between all the role players and the standardisation of protocols and services to ENSURE THE SUCCESS OF THE ACADEMY SYSTEM.
Establish an integrated system for the IDENTIFICATION and DEVELOPMENT OF TALENTED ATHLETES in preparation for high performance.
Strengthen provincial academies to FAST TRACK SPORTS DEVELOPMENT AND EXCELLENCE. The provincial academies must ensure that talented athletes from less influential areas are supported to such an extent that they could reach a national level of participation.
STRATEGIC FOCUS: PERFORMANCE :
TRANSITION TO PROFESSIONAL
GAMES
Establish REGIONAL ACADEMIES or mobile satellite academies that can render basic support services to athletes at a local level to ensure that there is a CONSTANT FLOW OF TALENTED ATHLETES released to the provincial academies.
SCHOOLS in the area and LOCAL CLUBS should be the main source of introducing talented athletes to the academy system.
PRIORITISE TALENTED ATHLETES FROM DISADVANTAGED GROUPS to benefit from the support services offered by the academy system.
CHALLENGES: NATIONAL
GOVERNMENT FUNDING
1. LACK OF COMMUNICATION AND CONSULTATION between SRSA and sporting federations
2. Lack of CONSISTENCY and RELIABILITY OF GRANTS from SRSA
3. RELATIONSHIP/ INTERACTION with most Provincial Government‟s Sports Departments is poor
4. UNDERSTAFFED and VOLUNTEER DRIVENsporting federations
5. LOTTO FUNDING
• Timing of allocation
• Sustainability
• Reliability – 3 year allocations that are not fulfilled
STRATEGIC FOCUS: FUNDING
DISTRIBUTE FUNDING in an equitable and fair
manner
Establish a NATIONAL SPORTS FUNDING FORUM
to coordinate the allocation of financial resources
within the sporting sector.
Support identified and prioritised sport and recreation
organisations for jointly agreed items in support of
national policy directives.
SUPPORT SASCOC in the delivery of high
performance sport.
STRATEGIC FOCUS: FUNDING MAINTAIN existing tennis facilities.
Fund provincial and local/district sport and recreation federations and clubs.
Create a SPORTS DEVELOPMENT FUND
CREATE INCENTIVES FOR THE PRIVATE SECTOR to be more involved in the funding of sport and recreation.
Consider the re-introduction of TAX CONCESSIONS to attract corporate to increase their sport sponsorship. Explore ways to secure INTERNATIONAL DONOR FUNDING to resource worthy identified sport and recreation projects in South Africa.
CONCLUSION
Tennis is a truly global sport and has one of the HIGHEST
PARTICIPATION AND VIEWERSHIP RATES OF ALL SPORTS. (the
US Open/ Grand Slam is one of the world‟s largest sporting events.)
In South Africa Tennis is “overwhelmed” by two relatively minor sports
(rugby/ cricket) in terms of global reach... But like football, rugby and
cricket have viable business models of their own.
Tennis like all other „secondary‟ sports in SA is STRUGGLING TO
SUSTAIN ITSELF and this is exacerbated by the dynamics of a
developing economy whereby parents and schools cannot provide the
foundation funding.
In this situation tennis needs government funding but this has to be ON
A CONSISTENT BASIS to enable programmes to be continuous.
Regardless of the challenges South Africa still „boxes above its weight‟ in
terms of ITF Ranking, Davis Cup position and Africa rankings.
CONCLUSION Tennis in SA can become a MAJOR SPORTING CODE with consistent
continued funding and facilitation to match its OWN SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS PLAN.
It is important to emphasise that an increased and focused commitment at all levels of sport would be advantageous since this could REAP GREAT HEALTH, ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND INTERNATIONAL BENEFITS. This being the case, the South African Government must surely consider expenditure on sport and recreation as a worthwhile, indeed, necessary investment in the future of our country and its people.
Since democracy in 1994 we still have a sporting environment where there is a skewed picture of sporting facilities and opportunities. As a nation we have to correct this and ensure that our national teams are REPRESENTATIVE OF THE TOTAL SOUTH AFRICAN POPULATION.
FOR SPORT TO HAVE A REAL AND LASTING IMPACT ON OUR NATION WE CANNOT COMPETE WITH THE EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN PARTS OF OUR POPULATION. WITH TRUE TRANSFORMATION SOUTH AFRICA COULD BECOME AN EVEN GREATER FORCE IN WORLD SPORT AS MORE PEOPLE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMPETE AND EXCEL.
TENNIS- A PILOT FOR SPORT IN SA
THANK YOU
CASE STUDY:
MINI TENNIS: THE KEY TO
TRANSFORMATION IN TENNIS IN
SOUTH AFRICA
CASE STUDY:
MODIFIED SPORT: MINI TENNIS • The White Paper on Sport and Recreation (2010) defines Modified Sport as:
• The ITF (International Tennis Federation) have realised that tennis needs to
become more accessible to younger players, in order to grow the ranks of
players or all ages, and to get people interested in the game again. The ITF
found that children, especially those under the age of 10 were losing interest
in the game of tennis because it is difficult to rally and score as a beginner,
especially for children when using full size racquets, courts and nets.
• The USA‟s Let‟s Move campaign with Steffi Graaff, Andre Agassi and First
Lady Michelle Obama: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-
5NevflvbI&feature=player_detailpage
CASE STUDY:
MODIFIED SPORT: MINI TENNIS
• Mini Tennis aims to ATTRACT MORE CHILDREN AND
ADULTS TO THE SPORT by improving the way in
which coaches worldwide introduce tennis to young
players, ensuring their first experience is both
POSITIVE AND ENJOYABLE.
• Mini Tennis is aimed at young BEGINNERS (aged
between 3 and 10/12), moving through the ranks of red,
orange and green balls as their game improves. To
achieve the goal of serving, rallying and scoring, a
slower 'red', 'orange', or 'green' ball must be used with
the appropriate reduced sized court and racquets
according to the three age categories.
MINI TENNIS IS VITAL TO
TRANSFORMATION OF TENNIS
• In order for Tennis in South Africa to thrive again and to attain the “High Road”
Scenario that is vital for creating a sustainable and vibrant culture of tennis in South
Africa, the ESTABLISHMENT OF A STRONG CULTURE OF TENNIS WITHIN
SCHOOLS with particular emphasis on the development of „Mini Tennis‟ as an entry-
level school sport is vital.
• The emphasis on schools will also ensure the INEVITABLE TRANSFORMATION OF
THE SPORT TO BE MORE REFLECTIVE OF THE NATIONAL DEMOGRAPHIC
PROFILE.
• Mini Tennis can be BASED IN SCHOOLS the rules are easy to learn and to teach.
• Full courts are not needed- many players can be ACCOMMODATED ON ONE
COURT.
• Tennis courts are not needed- MAKESHIFT COURTS CAN BE SET UP ON ANY
HARD SURFACE... Parking lots, soccer fields etc- Infrastructure is not necessarily
needed in order to teach or participate in Mini Tennis.
• Expensive equipment is not needed- making the game accessible to children
from all demographics.
DEVELOPMENT: MINI TENNIS
DEVELOPMENT: TAKING MINI TENNIS
TO MARKET It is believed that it is vital to PILOT MINI TENNIS DURING THE FIRST YEAR
in one geographic area, but with a diverse user base, in order to iron out logistical challenges and to facilitate oversight and effective management of coaches and administrators.
The pilot would be assessed during the year, appropriate adjustments made and then THE PROJECT WOULD BE EXTENDED TO TWO OTHER GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS in Year 2, two further in Year 3 etc. on a roll-out basis.
It is intended to commence MINI TENNIS in the GAUTENG PROVINCE with a focus being on the Pretoria- Johannesburg East Rand axis. The support of the Gauteng Provincial departments of Sport and Education is vital in terms of facilitating the process.
It is vital to develop a compelling brand and marketing plan in order to position MINI TENNIS to all key stakeholders while creating a “COOL PERCEPTION”amongst potential players.
It is also vital to get media to support and promote MINI TENNIS
and in this regard Supersport with its Let‟s Play campaign could be an important partner.
MINI TENNIS REACH Whereas it is anticipated that „tennis orientated‟ schools will
comply voluntarily, it is to be expected that non-traditional tennis
playing schools will not readily participate. Accordingly TENNIS
SA‟s intervention will be orientated to the latter type of schools.
It is intended to develop a series of pilots in 2012 in terms of
clusters of 8 primary schools sharing a geographic location with
1 or 2 tennis clubs. Based on the assumption of the schools
having 2 courts and the clubs being self sufficient a cluster will
cost the following (assuming no court building or renovation
which would be a separate part of the overall budget):
COMPONENTS COST
8 SCHOOLS X 2 COURTS @ R22 000 EACH R176 000
COACHING CONTRIBUTION (ONGOING) R54 000
ACTIVATIONS/ ACTIVITIES R7 500
TENNIS SA ADMINISTRATION R12 500
TOTAL PER CLUSTER R250 000
MINI TENNIS REACHYEAR PROVINCES SCHOOLS REACH PARTICIPATION
1 1 160 115 000 57 500
2 3 480 345 000 172 500
3 5 800 576 000 288 000
4 7 1120 806 000 403 000
5 9 1440 1 036 000 518 000
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
GAUTENG
WESTERN CAPE
KZN
EASTERN CAPE
MPUMALANGA
FREE STATE
LIMPOPO
NORTH WEST
NORTHERN CAPE
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URBAN AREAS
COUNTRY TOWNS
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SCHOOLS
DEVELOPMENT HUBS
PUBLIC PARKS
CLUBS
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SCHOOLS CHAMPS
INTER SCHOOL
PROVINCIAL CHAMPS
NATIONAL CHAMPS
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STRATEGIC FOCUS: MODIFIED
SPORT (MINI TENNIS)
Increased participation and the development of sport
will not be possible if there is not a strong
foundation of grassroots sport structures in place.
Priorities:
Work in close cooperation with Tennis SA in ensuring a
VIBRANT MODIFIED SPORT SYSTEM (Mini Tennis)
Focus grassroots sports programmes predominately in
the RURAL AREAS.
Lend Ministerial (Sports and Education) support to
MINI TENNIS SCHOOL ROLL OUT PLAN