Struggle with getting club members to sign up for league play

[AR15]

At my (private) club, we seem to have a major issue getting our members to sign up for league teams. We have sign-up sheets in our clubhouse and we have them posted online. We send out numerous emails reminding members of league sign-up deadlines. Every season, we have a poor response to the emails, and many members have to be called on the phone to find out if they are going to play or not. The response is usually, "oh, I was gonna sign up, but I haven't gotten around to it." or "I haven't checked my email in a while." We end up fielding teams for just about every rating, but the process of getting the players to sign up is like pulling teeth.

Now, I know we are talking about adults who have families and jobs that are a priority over tennis. BUTTTTTT: This is so frustrating to the people trying to organize tennis at the club (tennis director, team captains, etc.)

I am open to suggestions on how we might improve the process.:?

 

[Cindysphinx]

IME as a captain, folks can be very reluctant to sign up for a tennis team out of the blue. They don't know if the other people will be awful or unpleasant. They don't know if the captain will be insane. They don't know if they will measure up.

I've seen two things work pretty well.

Toward the end of a clinic, have someone make a quick presentation to the students to encourage them to join up. I used to recruit by going to clinics I didn't even participate in and talking to the students. Maybe the students felt like there was safety in numbers, but it was easy to get people that way.

The other thing that works is hosting a social (at a reduced price or free if possible). Again, when folks don't feel like they are in it all alone, they might take a chance on joining a team.

 

[Caesar]

Captains and tennis directors usually have difficulty understanding that people are not so obsessed with the game as they are. It's all very well to say "I understand people have families and jobs" but most of them don't understand what exactly it means for someone to commit every single Saturday for the next X months. Not only are you giving up a significant portion of your weekend, but you are also committing to being in town - not going away AT ALL for the entire season.

I am not sure what your league rules are regarding number of reserves, but my club had the same problems fielding teams. Then one season, they made the decision that they would field less teams with the same number of players and institute a rotation policy for 90% of the teams.

When people were only locked into playing 2 or 3 out of every 4 weekends, they were suddenly a lot more keen to sign up. Now our club has more players (and more teams) than ever.

Sure, the teams that have a rotation policy are less competitive. But more people are involved - and isn't that what's most important?

 

[dizzlmcwizzl]

A long time ago someone said to me ... "the only way to start meetings on time is to start every meeting on time." As soon as you start waiting for the stragglers to show up ... more folks will straggle.

Unless it is your job at this club to get club members playing on league teams maybe, just maybe the answer is to have a deadline and stick to it. Once word gets out that you could have had more teams if only a couple folks got off their collective a$$e$ then more folks will get off their a$$e$ next year.

If you are a team captain then that is just an unfortunate part of the job. Every team captain I know, has complained that getting the names into tennis link is one of the worst parts of the job.

 

[AR15]

A long time ago someone said to me ... "the only way to start meetings on time is to start every meeting on time." As soon as you start waiting for the stragglers to show up ... more folks will straggle.

Unless it is your job at this club to get club members playing on league teams maybe, just maybe the answer is to have a deadline and stick to it. Once word gets out that you could have had more teams if only a couple folks got off their collective a$$e$ then more folks will get off their a$$e$ next year.

If you are a team captain then that is just an unfortunate part of the job. Every team captain I know, has complained that getting the names into tennis link is one of the worst parts of the job.

Very good point. But what happens is not enough sign up by deadline, then captains get on phone to complete rosters.

 

[Mike Hodge]

I've captained at a private club. Same problem. What I've learned: If you have to hound people into signing up, they're probably not committed enough to play on a team. In general, the people committed enough to play are committed enough to sign up without a whole lot of hand holding.

 

[asked_answered]

For my club's men's 3.5 team, we barely have enough players to meet the team minimum, so I've had to seek out non-member players to fill the roster to avoid defaulting lines on a continual basis. (Our league coordinator sends out "players looking for a team!" emails that provide me with names and contact information for potential players.) Non-members have to pay a fee to my club to play on the club team, so I have to convince prospective players that the fee is worth it. Fun.

 

[OrangePower]

The other thing that works is hosting a social (at a reduced price or free if possible). Again, when folks don't feel like they are in it all alone, they might take a chance on joining a team.

That's a good suggestion. I do something similar on teams I captain. I arrange a few 'open' team practices - I make sure I have a core of players (eg from the previous year's team) that will show up at a minimum, and then send emails to others of the appropriate level to invite them. I have been known to sweeten the pot by promising beer and pizza afterwards (for female teams, this may need some fine-tuning; perhaps wine and cute little sandwiches?)

Once prospective players have made a personal connection with others on the team, they are much more likely to commit. Also this way you get to see them in action.

 

[Devilito]

When I came back to tennis after 10 years I decided to play on my clubs 5.0 league to get some match play experience before getting back into tournaments. Didn’t know what to expect but I went once and never went again. I was there about 5 hours and played about 30 minutes of tennis. It was more of a social event than an actually tennis competition. I know lots of people just want to go and play not go, sit, wait, play 1 set, wait, wait, drink some bear and eat some pizza. It was the biggest waste of time ever.

 

[OrangePower]

When I came back to tennis after 10 years I decided to play on my clubs 5.0 league to get some match play experience before getting back into tournaments. Didn’t know what to expect but I went once and never went again. I was there about 5 hours and played about 30 minutes of tennis. It was more of a social event than an actually tennis competition. I know lots of people just want to go and play not go, sit, wait, play 1 set, wait, wait, drink some bear and eat some pizza. It was the biggest waste of time ever.

If you're at the level where after taking 10 years off you're still able to jump right into playing 5.0, then none of the stuff in this thread applies to you

 

[Devilito]

If you're at the level where after taking 10 years off you're still able to jump right into playing 5.0, then none of the stuff in this thread applies to you

people are competitive at any level. Even 3.0s can be ultra competitive. Some people want to go and play and go home. Not socialize. I can guarantee you the wasted time is a huge reason a lot of people don’t bother joining leagues.

 

[Spokewench]

I hear you! you are preaching to the choir! I am the new League Coordinator in a very small District. It is very difficult to get teams to sign up and the hardest part is getting anyone to captain. This is my first full year as Coordinator so I approached all the pros in the region (yes region, some of our towns are two and a half hours away from the other); and convinced them that by supporting league tennis, they will help their income levels since league players take lessons. So, most of my teams in the Sr. League are all pros and are taking the responsiblity of forming and organizing these teams.

Leaving signup sheets will not work; you need to beg these people to play. Trust me, this is experience talking! I've also been a captain ever since I have been playing tennis and begging is my forte!

We have a pretty decent turnout right now and start the Sr. league this coming weekend.

 

[JRstriker12]

At my (private) club, we seem to have a major issue getting our members to sign up for league teams. We have sign-up sheets in our clubhouse and we have them posted online. We send out numerous emails reminding members of league sign-up deadlines. Every season, we have a poor response to the emails, and many members have to be called on the phone to find out if they are going to play or not. The response is usually, "oh, I was gonna sign up, but I haven't gotten around to it." or "I haven't checked my email in a while." We end up fielding teams for just about every rating, but the process of getting the players to sign up is like pulling teeth.

Now, I know we are talking about adults who have families and jobs that are a priority over tennis. BUTTTTTT: This is so frustrating to the people trying to organize tennis at the club (tennis director, team captains, etc.)

I am open to suggestions on how we might improve the process.:?

Welcome to managing adult recreational sports.

I used to have the same struggle to get my players to sign up for a adult, co-ed recreational team I used to run. They all wanted to play and 99% were good, honest people, but getting everyone to pay on time to cover the $2000 fee for the season was no fun.

I think you have one advantage over me though. Since you are at the club, odds are you will see these people instead of just emailing or calling them and begging.

Maybe drop the sign up sheets hanging on the wall and actively engage the players while they are at the club. Maybe ask them to sign up when come in to play and then try to make it as fast and easy as possible to sign them up on the spot?

Just wondering, are these usta leagues or internal club leagues? If it's internal , is they any way you could leverage a verbal okay or information from the sign up form from the previous season to make it easier to sign up? Can you email them or post on online sign up form? Maybe offer some sort of reward or contest for signing up before a certain date?

 

[OrangePower]

people are competitive at any level. Even 3.0s can be ultra competitive. Some people want to go and play and go home. Not socialize. I can guarantee you the wasted time is a huge reason a lot of people don’t bother joining leagues.

Of course, you're right - people are competetive at any level. However, one can be competitive and yet not anti-social. For the most part, players at <5.0 level are playing for a mix of competitiveness/exercise/fun/socialization, and not just purely for competition. At 5.0+, players are more serious about their tennis and tend to be more focused on the competition part.

And as you say, for those that just want to play and then go home, and who don't care for any of the social aspects, then team tennis (league) is not the best venue. Those people are better off sticking to tournaments and arranged matches.

As far as what constitutes wasted time, that's a very personal thing. One could argue that unless you are a pro, or trying to become a pro, any time you spend on tennis-related activity is "wasted" time. It is "recreational" tennis after all. I personally view the team/social aspects as part of my recreation.

P.S. Interesting that you find the social aspects of team tennis to be "wasted time", and yet you view the time you've taken to make 2,700 posts (plus read who knows how many more) as ok. Just something to think about...

 

[Cindysphinx]

people are competitive at any level. Even 3.0s can be ultra competitive. Some people want to go and play and go home. Not socialize. I can guarantee you the wasted time is a huge reason a lot of people don’t bother joining leagues.

I don't understand the complaint about wasted time.

Show up for your match. Play. Go home. Where is the waste?

If you have a league where everyone has food and socializes afterward, this too is optional. You can always pack your things and head out.

Anyway, in addition to what has been stated, another obstacle is commitment. When you join a USTA team, you make a commitment. To stay on top of the schedule, to be where you are supposed to be on time, to try your best.

There have been threads here complaining about things like flex leagues because people set up matches and then cancel or no-show. That's the lack of commitment I am talking about.

OP, you might also try to give new prospects some idea of what commitment is required. I find that people who are entirely new to league tennis take great comfort in knowing that I will only ask them to play X matches and I won't ask them to drive too far.

 

[roman40]

Most people have a problem with commitment. Also, some don't want to buy USTA membership and pay to join a team, especially if they are already getting to play as much tennis as they want. While others aren't very interested in competition.

Lots of excuses really. You have to find ways to motivate people. Some people are motivated by the social activities that happen after matches (BBQ, group events, etc.). Others are motivated if you promise them that they'll actually get to play matches on a regular basis. You really have to figure out what each individual wants and try to sell them the idea of playing on a team, without lying of course

 

[Cindysphinx]

Most people have a problem with commitment. Also, some don't want to buy USTA membership and pay to join a team, especially if they are already getting to play as much tennis as they want. While others aren't very interested in competition.

Lots of excuses really. You have to find ways to motivate people. Some people are motivated by the social activities that happen after matches (BBQ, group events, etc.). Others are motivated if you promise them that they'll actually get to play matches on a regular basis. You really have to figure out what each individual wants and try to sell them the idea of playing on a team, without lying of course

I have found with women that some really dislike competition and so will not play USTA for that reason.

What has worked in turning those women around is to approach them as partners. Once they know that they and their BFF will be in it together, they are willing.

One fear that has been expressed to me repeatedly is that the new player fears she will drag down a new partner or have a partner blame her for a loss. Once I have a new player, I am crazy careful about who is allowed to be her partner until she settles in. Can't have anyone getting traumatized by a priickly partner in her USTA debut. . . .

 

[sureshs]

Provide free grub and beer. The men will show up. Make sure bathrooms are fully functional.

 

[AR15]

To clarify, we can get people to play and field teams. The issue is they don't respond to emails to let you know they're interested, and it usually takes captains calling, shortly before deadlines, to see if they are going to play. 85% of the emails sent just go into a black hole somewhere despite subject lines like "URGENT, YOUR REPLY NEEDED" or "3.5 USTA SIGNUP DEADLINE TOMORROW". Here's one that gets zero response: "Need captain for 3.0 and 4.0 teams."

 

[user92626]

Most people have a problem with commitment. Also, some don't want to buy USTA membership and pay to join a team, especially if they are already getting to play as much tennis as they want. While others aren't very interested in competition.

Lots of excuses really. You have to find ways to motivate people. Some people are motivated by the social activities that happen after matches (BBQ, group events, etc.). Others are motivated if you promise them that they'll actually get to play matches on a regular basis. You really have to figure out what each individual wants and try to sell them the idea of playing on a team, without lying of course

I like roman's insights and I think it's right on. I was asked out of the blue by a captain to sign up for USTA and then play league tennis, but I have no idea how it will play out and the captain didn't explain much at all or as much as invite me to one of their league sessions, whatever, and observe to get some idea. It's not in an enclosed space with entry admission only, right?

Yeah that's right. Here's an idea: if you run the show and in need of players, invite potential folks to your sessions, and make them feel welcome. Everyone likes a hassle free, friendly social event/group.

 

[mahgeetah]

I've learned that if someone doesn't immediately say yes to league tennis they are very unlikely to play. If someone gives a maybe they are not usually worth the time unless you know they are worried about how good the competition is.

The player who has to be asked repeatedly to join is going to turn into the player who can't make any practices and always needs a sub every week.

 

[goober]

I've learned that if someone doesn't immediately say yes to league tennis they are very unlikely to play. If someone gives a maybe they are not usually worth the time unless you know they are worried about how good the competition is.

The player who has to be asked repeatedly to join is going to turn into the player who can't make any practices and always needs a sub every week.

Pretty much my experience too. If someone is not immediately interested (or better yet comes to me), I have found that it is not worth chasing after them. I use to make exceptions for really good players, but I have found they are not worth it either.

 

[tennismonkey]

i'm in a tennis group at a club and 4 of us play leagues. the remaining 15 or so don't. i've asked and none of them really seem to want to or have any interest in joining a team.

 

[VaththalKuzhambu]

The league at my club had just 8 players last season and they were about to cancel the league for the current season. That is when the 8 of us from past season went on a recruiting mode. We hyped and praised the game game of other players that we played with in non-league settings. We told them they would easily win or be in the top 4 if they joined the league. We have 21 players in our current league. One has won only one set in 7 matches of doubles play!!

 

[user92626]

The league at my club had just 8 players last season and they were about to cancel the league for the current season. That is when the 8 of us from past season went on a recruiting mode. We hyped and praised the game game of other players that we played with in non-league settings. We told them they would easily win or be in the top 4 if they joined the league. We have 21 players in our current league. One has won only one set in 7 matches of doubles play!!

Awesome!

You guys may appear like a league of losers but everyone wins, ie getting what they want, and not least is the economy.

 

[Cruzer]

It is not surprising there is difficulty getting players to join USTA teams. The level of motivation of recreational tennis players to join a USTA team is all over the map. There are a lot of posters on these boards that live for USTA tennis and sign up for as many teams as they can handle but not everyone shares that same level of interest. I have played USTA league and tournament tennis for about 15 years and have captained several times. When you are in the USTA mode you try to convince whoever you can that USTA tennis is great and lots of fun. Well yeah it can be a lot of fun but a couple of bad experiences can turn people off very quickly whether it be playing opponents that are total jerks, a captain that doesn't do what he/she said they would do before the start of the season or it isn't that much fun. After all this is recreational tennis that should be fun. Playing on a USTA team costs money and time and not everyone sees the value of doing it. I have gotten enjoyment from USTA tennis but I completely understand why players are reluctant to sign up.

 

[VaththalKuzhambu]

Yeah, with such high recruitment we even got the club to reduce the 14-week league fee from $180 to $140. No prize money though.

Awesome!

You guys may appear like a league of losers but everyone wins, ie getting what they want, and not least is the economy.

 

[texacali]

Opposite Side...where's the league?

I am relatively new to my area and getting back into tennis after intermittent (unstructured play) over a long period of time. I don't know any tennis players here. I figured the best way to get back in was through league tennis in my city. I joined the USTA, got my NTRP rating and expressed interest in league when I joined. Since then I have emailed the local coordinator twice and reiterated my interest via the USTA page three times. No response. I believe many of the league players here are based out of one of the tennis clubs (there are no real public courts here) so you almost have to know someone at these clubs to get onto a team. I can't afford to join a club.

As an alternate, I decided to work out on my own and try a local tournament, just to get some tennis in my life. We'll see...maybe I have an email now.

 

[goober]

I am relatively new to my area and getting back into tennis after intermittent (unstructured play) over a long period of time. I don't know any tennis players here. I figured the best way to get back in was through league tennis in my city. I joined the USTA, got my NTRP rating and expressed interest in league when I joined. Since then I have emailed the local coordinator twice and reiterated my interest via the USTA page three times. No response. I believe many of the league players here are based out of one of the tennis clubs (there are no real public courts here) so you almost have to know someone at these clubs to get onto a team. I can't afford to join a club.

As an alternate, I decided to work out on my own and try a local tournament, just to get some tennis in my life. We'll see...maybe I have an email now.

Your local league cordinator is not doing his or her job. Part of their job is to grow the league and not responding to a new player looking to join is unacceptable. I would email someone higher up in the local office.

As an alternative I would try tennis social websites such as tennopolis/tennis meetup groups or even craigslist. Check out to see if there any nonUSTA flex leagues in you area. When you go to that local tourney get contact info of everybody there that is interested in hitting and practicing after the tourney is over. It doesn't matter if they are below your level as hitting with this person may lead to other tennis contacts.

 

[OrangePower]

I am relatively new to my area and getting back into tennis after intermittent (unstructured play) over a long period of time. I don't know any tennis players here. I figured the best way to get back in was through league tennis in my city. I joined the USTA, got my NTRP rating and expressed interest in league when I joined. Since then I have emailed the local coordinator twice and reiterated my interest via the USTA page three times. No response. I believe many of the league players here are based out of one of the tennis clubs (there are no real public courts here) so you almost have to know someone at these clubs to get onto a team. I can't afford to join a club.

As an alternate, I decided to work out on my own and try a local tournament, just to get some tennis in my life. We'll see...maybe I have an email now.

Sucks that USTA won't help you. You'd think that you're exactly the kind of person they would want to bring back into the fold. And you're right that league is a great way to meet players and build a network.

Have you tried contacting the clubs directly; more specifically, the captains of the league teams? In my area, many of the private clubs are not able to fill all their team rosters using only members, and so they have arrangements that allow non-members to play on their teams.

 

[samarai]

I joined league play for the first time last year. What occurred to me after playing was the the captain just needed to fill the roster. They had there "A" and "B" team which won all the matches, everyone else fit into the "C" pair which were necessary to fill out the 3 team play each week. My experience wasn't very fun at all. I wondered why would I endure all the expenses for 2 matches per season, when my local court readily has players of all levels I can play with on a daily basis.

 

[Orange]

texacali wrote:

I believe many of the league players here are based out of one of the tennis clubs (there are no real public courts here) so you almost have to know someone at these clubs to get onto a team.

You might also want to be aware that some clubs prohibit non-members from playing on their teams (except in rare circumstances), so that could be part of the problem you're finding.

***
It is interesting that league fees are over $100 in some places, as someone previously noted. League fees in my area are $22 for the spring season.

 

[Fuji]

people are competitive at any level. Even 3.0s can be ultra competitive. Some people want to go and play and go home. Not socialize. I can guarantee you the wasted time is a huge reason a lot of people don’t bother joining leagues.

I'm actually with you on this. I go to my club to play tennis, and then go on with my day. Tennis matches and practice are enough fun for me, socializing after isn't really my cup of tea. Of course I've never put myself in the situation for where we have teams, as I have absolutely no interest in playing team tennis. I play tennis because I got sick of team sports LOL!

-Fuji

 

[OrangePower]

I'm actually with you on this. I go to my club to play tennis, and then go on with my day. Tennis matches and practice are enough fun for me, socializing after isn't really my cup of tea. Of course I've never put myself in the situation for where we have teams, as I have absolutely no interest in playing team tennis. I play tennis because I got sick of team sports LOL!

-Fuji

You seem like a pretty social guy, from your nice posts on this board at least... so one way to view the socializing with the team is that you have pretty much the same kinds of tennis related discussions as we have on this board, except you're doing it in person rather than over the internet, and there is beer involved What's not to like?

 

[Fuji]

You seem like a pretty social guy, from your nice posts on this board at least... so one way to view the socializing with the team is that you have pretty much the same kinds of tennis related discussions as we have on this board, except you're doing it in person rather than over the internet, and there is beer involved What's not to like?

See, I wish that's how it was! It might be a bit better once I'm playing in "adult" leagues, (I'm still a minor so no beer leagues for me!) The people I've attempted to play leagues with have been in a much different mind set from me, which is totally fine of course. Last year I played a singles league where we just played singles matches through correspondence with one another and that was great. We had a nice little year end shin dig and it was a lot of fun.

Teams just don't interest me however at this point in time, probably from the lack of time and involvement in my area. We don't really offer a lot of team events, it's mostly like the singles ladder style and box style events that are social play here, and I enjoy it a lot.

-Fuji

 

[cak]

The thing is, people kind of know when the season starts. So they aren't in any hurry to sign up before the first match. Heck, they told you they would, they will. And sure enough, if I put them in a lineup, they sign up. Magic.

What has happened at our private club is for years people assumed the above. And then we got an overzealous woman captaining with lots of non-member friends. She would then post the team, and a week later start signing up non-members in droves because "the members didn't sign up." I no longer sign up to play on her team, or any team she co-captains. It's just not worth it. So in her case, she does have to plead to get the minimum number of club players.

 

[OrangePower]

See, I wish that's how it was! It might be a bit better once I'm playing in "adult" leagues, (I'm still a minor so no beer leagues for me!) The people I've attempted to play leagues with have been in a much different mind set from me, which is totally fine of course. Last year I played a singles league where we just played singles matches through correspondence with one another and that was great. We had a nice little year end shin dig and it was a lot of fun.

Teams just don't interest me however at this point in time, probably from the lack of time and involvement in my area. We don't really offer a lot of team events, it's mostly like the singles ladder style and box style events that are social play here, and I enjoy it a lot.

-Fuji

Sorry, didn't mean to be corrupting a minor BEER IS BAD!

 

[Fuji]

Sorry, didn't mean to be corrupting a minor BEER IS BAD!

LOL!!! No worries at all!

-Fuji