Cost versus Benefits:
Please weigh the factors when shopping for your tennis related expenses. Sometimes "money saving" programs equate to "time wasting" programs. Remember cheaper isn't always better. An organized plan will provide guidance and means to evaluate an individual's developmental process.
Fundraising:
A few ways to help with the costs of chasing the dream include:
- Solicit family and friends as sponsors.
- Seek out business or corporate sponsorships in exchange for positive press in the local paper.
- Contact your local USTA or ITF section for information regarding sectional grants or scholarship availability.
- Make a Facebook page and personal website. Include a PayPal "Donate" button. Post the travel schedule, achievements, rankings and results.
- Fundraising events at the local club. Encourage product donations to be raffled off. Seek out local celebrities and/or teaching professionals to participate in a social mixed doubles Pro-Am event. Charge a fee for members and guests to participate. Advertise in the local newspaper, at surrounding tennis clubs and through the Internet.
2010 Estimated Annual Expenses of Other National Level Sports
The bottom line is that to develop any world-class level athlete takes serious money. Be grateful, it could be worse. Here is a 2010 example of the estimated costs (found on Google) of individual national level junior sports and their estimated average annual price tag.
- Cycling and Paintball: $18,000 - $40,000
- Dance and Cheer: $50,000 - $70,000
- Golf and Tennis: $40,000 - $80,000
- Gymnastics and Figure Skating: $70,000 - $100,000
- Equestrian, Yachting and Motocross: $80,000 - $150,000
And you thought you had it bad...
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About the Author
Frank Giampaolo is a 25-year tennis industry veteran, founder of The Mental/Emotional Tennis Workshops, recipient of the USPTA Southern California Tennis Director of the Year and author of The Tennis Parent's Bible and Championship Tennis. To learn more from Frank or to order his books, visit tennisparentsolutions.com.
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