February
1) New Paid Teaching Pro Policy
2/11/21
Letter to Commissioner Nicole Banks:
At our Board meeting this week, FoNT approved our “Recommendations for New Paid Teaching Pro Policy and New Tennis Court Signage”. I have attached to this email for your review. We believe these two items go hand-in-hand, as the new tennis court signage will inform the public about the permit system.
FoNT would like to present its recommendations to the Parks and Recreation Commission at the monthly meeting, either February or March. Members of the Commission may have questions about FoNT's recommendations, and we would like to provide context so folks can better understand our reasoning.
Alternatively, if it's just as well for FoNT to present to you and PRC staff (rather than the Commission), we'd be happy to meet with you and Stephanie (and any other PRC staff) to discuss FoNT's recommendations. Should take less than 30 minutes.
Thanks for your time and consideration.
Sami O’Reilly
Executive Director
Friends of Newton Tennis, Inc.
A. Recommendation - Newton’s Paid Tennis Teaching Pro Policy
1) Year 1 of the Paid Tennis Teaching Pro Policy should be a “Soft Opening”
“Publicity” consisting of
a) Info provided on the new Court Signage (see details at end of this section)
b) Info provided on Newton PRC webpages
Year 2 should analyze data from Year 1 – use the data to adjust policy, with implementation to reflect a healthy balance of residents court usage, city permitted programming, and permits to private teaching pros
2021 is Year 1 of New Policy. Robust management system for implementing and monitoring new Teaching Pro policy is not yet in place.
Avoid jamming PRC in Year 1 with too much demand for Private Teaching.Year 1 will be an opportunity to collect data based upon use of the online Teaching Pro Court Reservation System, so that PRC can address any bottlenecks, concerns going into Year 2
2) Reduce the Hourly Fee for Paid Teaching Pro Court Reservations
Reduce current $25 fee to $10 per hour for Private Tennis Instruction; may even consider reducing fee to $5 per hour with the policy that there will be no refunds due to court conditions or inclement weather
Since most Teaching Pros charge $50 to $60 per hour, the current $25 permit fee is out of proportion. $25 added to hourly lesson rate will be a burdensome added tax to the Newton residents who are accustomed to paying between $50 and $60 per hour for lessons.
Moreover, it can be safely anticipated that 20% of online reservations will go unused due to inclement weather. PRC can avoid the admin burden of refunds by instituting a policy of “no refunds” made palatable by the low hourly fee of $5 (if this option is chosen)
$5 per hour fee will also encourage use of the system, which is what we’d like to see. These fees can of course be raised in Year 2 if data supports it.
3) Age exemption
It would be nice if PRC adopted an internal policy that required no fees and permits for Newton’s students who occasionally teach the neighborhood kids. This wouldn’t be a written policy, so much as an understanding that occasional youth “teaching” shouldn’t be hampered by undue costs or administrative burdens
The game of tennis is one that builds local community, & such community building happens when neighbors ask neighboring tennis kids to teach their kids. Often payment is involved, usually token amounts on par with youth babysitting rates. If ever youth teaching on the courts became problematic, FoNT would revise its position on the matter. As of this writing FoNT views youth use of courts in this manner as a net positive best left unregulated.
4) Increase the number of Reserve-able Court locations for Paid Tennis Instruction to 10 courts in Year 1
As of Feb 11, the MyRec system shows only 5 courts available for reservations: Court #10 at Newton North, Court #10 at Newton South, and the entire bank of 3 courts at Angier. Recommend separating the courts at Angier (right now, the system only allows renting all 3 at a time) adding courts #9 at both NN and NS, 1 court at Cold Spring, and 1 court at Weeks, 1 court at McGrath Park (on the older bank of courts to the left of the Warren House.
In order to collect enough data to demonstrate the viability, worthiness, desirability of the new Paid Tennis Teaching Pro Policy, a larger number of courts is needed to amass meaningful data. Hence the recommended increase from 5 courts to 10 courts for Year 1 of the implementation of this new policy.
5) Add “Tennis” tab to PRC webpages
A dedicated “Tennis” page with embedded tennis calendars for Newton North, Newton South, Angier showing all permitted and contracted programmed activities including team coaching, NEWTONTENNIS, Newton Community Ed Tennis, Newton Senior Tennis Programming, Athletes Unlimited Tennis, Paid Teaching Pro lessons, Tournaments, Pickleball Groups, etc.
This dedicated “Tennis” page could also contain links to all things tennis in Newton, such as: NewtonTennis.com, The Friends of Newton Tennis website, the Athletes Unlimited website, Newton Community Ed tennis programs, Pickleball Programs, Senior Tennis programs
Tennis playing public will appreciate advance knowledge of court availability.
PRC can keep better track as to what is happening on tennis courts, and deal better with any citizen complaints regarding use of courts.
A “Tennis” tab is a valuable tool that lends greater ease for the public wanting access to tennis programs throughout Newton.
If asked by PRC: FoNT will volunteer labor /coordinate with PRC to keep tennis calendars updated.
B. Proposed New Signage for Newton’s 62 Hard Surface Courts
1) “Master” Tennis Court Signage
Ideally, one “Master” Tennis Court sign should provide a set of rules for all 62 hard courts in Newton, containing language that will stand the test of time, and avoiding the cost of sign replacement due to outdated rules.
The language on the new signs should encourage court users to be good tennis citizens, with a positive message to “Have Fun!”
2) “Subset” Tennis Court Signage
Post signs at the entrances to Newton North and Newton South, showing a link to the City PRC Tennis Calendar
For example:
“Visit the Newton South HS Tennis Calendar” at www.newton.tenniscalendar/NSHS”
For courts located close to homes, post signs stating “No Tennis Before 9 am” “Courts Close at Dusk”
NN and NS are the 22 “Regional” courts with the most usage. Signage that directs the tennis community to an online calendar will better inform the public as to court availability
Angier is not considered a “Regional” court site, but since it is included in PRC’s Paid Teaching Pro system, an online calendar is recommended.
3) Proposed Signage Language for Newton’s 62 Hard Surface Courts
WHEN OTHERS ARE WAITING PLEASE LIMIT YOUR PLAY TO ONE HOUR
Tennis Courts are for racquet sports only
Please: NO DOGS
Please help keep these courts clean and free of litter
No rollerblades, skates, scooters, skateboards, or bikes are permitted on courts
Proper footwear only, no cleats
Report court damage or concerns to tennis@newton.ma.gov
City of Newton Permits are required for Paid Instruction, Team Coaching and Tournaments
Contact Newton Parks Recreation and Culture for Permit Information 617-796-1500
Or visit www.tennis@newton.ma.gov
Have Fun!
Separate Signs to be installed ONLY at sites where courts are located close to residential properties:
NO TENNIS BEFORE 9 AM
COURTS CLOSE AT DUSK
2) FoNT Fall Tennis Tournament Proposal
Email to Stephanie Lapham, Manager, Newton Parks, Recreation and Culture Department
2/11/21
Stephanie,
I have attached The Friends of Newton Tennis' proposal for a one-day
Fall Round Robin Doubles Tournament at Newton South High School
courts.
I look forward to hearing your comments about the proposal.
I also have sent out a Doodle Calendar announcement inviting you to
our next tournament committee meeting.
Best,
Tom Friedman
President
The Friends of Newton Tennis, Inc.
a 501 (c)(3) non-profit USTA Community Tennis Association
A. Proposal: City of Newton 1st Annual Tennis Doubles Round Robin
Who: 100 adult men and women players who play on city tennis courts (Newton residency not required)
What: A fundraiser Round Robin doubles tournament with multiple tiers of play – 3.0, 4.0, 4.5 and Senior (Over 60) divisions. Eight Game Pro Sets or best of two four-game sets with no-ad scoring with third set 7-point tie breaker
Why: To raise funds for City of Newton tennis court repair and maintenance
Where: Newton South High School hardcourts
When: Noon to 5 pm, Saturday October 2 (Rain Date, Saturday, October 9)
How: Organized by Friends of Newton Tennis, Inc. and City of Newton Parks, Recreation and Culture Dept.
Fees: $50 donation per player (including scheduled matches, balls, T-shirts and refreshments)
Sponsorships – 3 to 5 major cash or in-kind sponsors (local tennis store, bank and hospital)
Fundraising Goal - $5,000
Model: www.readingtennisopen.com
