Tennis - Make It Happen! Guidance for Advocacy
Designed by the USTA Southern Advocacy Task Force to inform and promote tennis advocacy in local communities, the resources provided below have action in mind. For more information on the meaning of tennis advocacy, visit our page called "What is Tennis Advocacy?"
PICKLEBALL PRESSURE
Tennis has gained 5.9 million players since 2019, for a total of 23.6 million players in 2022. However, while tennis participation is growing and tennis remains the most popular racquet sport in the United States, pickleball has also experienced a significant increase in participation, ultimately driving the demand for adequate tennis and pickleball courts across the country.
If you are experiencing pressure from pickleball, then the materials below are designed to engage that pressure, inform decision-makers and promote tennis. The first document, What to Do Now: Action Items, offers important things to consider and pursue. Documents two and three, What to Say Now: Talking Points and What to Present Now: Working Template, are aimed at framing communication and providing support for successful tennis advocacy. The fourth document, What to Use Now: Essential Resources, cites useful resources. The documents are listed below with brief descriptions.
WHAT TO DO NOW: ACTION ITEMS
This document provides action items and lays out practical steps to preempt conflicts over courts or to protect courts where conflicts are occurring. It focuses on building relationships with local decision-makers, mobilizing support, documenting court utilization and economic impact, and using media and social media to promote the continued growth and benefits of tennis. Go to website page. Download pdf.
WHAT TO SAY NOW: TALKING POINTS
This document provides detailed talking points to make the case for tennis, outlining its community and personal benefits, and explaining the USTA position. It focuses on how to present an argument to a general audience and can easily be adapted to meet local needs. Go to website page. Download pdf.
WHAT TO PRESENT NOW: WORKING TEMPLATE
This PowerPoint template reflects the action items and talking points above, providing a model for delivering a persuasive argument in local terms, supported by evidence and information, presented in a visually compelling way. It can be used to develop presentations for various audiences, including government entities, volunteers, and allies. Download editable Powerpoint presentation.
WHAT TO USE NOW: ESSENTIAL RESOURCES
This document provides an annotated list of essential resources to assist local groups with advocating for tennis and addressing pickleball pressure. The resources should be used to inform and promote, and are intended to be relevant, user-friendly, and action-oriented. Go to website page. Download pdf.
South Carolina advocacy
USTA South Carolina has provided a wide variety of advocacy information and assets on its website. Click here to access the page.
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