Raise Over £700 in Just 2 Hours with an Inclusive Tennis Event

By Liam Rabbitte

Running a Successful Inclusive Family Cup: A Guide for Tennis Clubs and Coaches

Organising a successful Family Cup can be a rewarding experience, especially when it emphasises inclusivity and community engagement. Recently, I hosted a one-day Family Cup event that not only brought 24 families together for some friendly competition but also raised over £700. Here’s how I did it, and how you can too…

Planning the Event

Duration and Schedule:
The event was designed to last 2-3 hours, which was perfect for maintaining energy levels and enthusiasm. It was a single-day event, making it accessible for families with busy schedules.

Inclusive Tennis Format:
Mini tennis with red balls to ensure the game was inclusive for all skill levels and ages. This format, with its slower pace and smaller court, made it easy for everyone, from young children to grandparents, to participate and enjoy. Rackets were provided for those who needed.

Tournament format
With 24 families participating, I had up to 48 players on the courts, along with additional friends and family who swapped in and out or simply watched. My philosophy for tennis coaching is rooted in keeping it fun, active, and engaging, with minimal waiting time. I had three full size tennis courts turned into 12 mini red tennis courts. Running four groups of six teams in a round-robin format, each match was played to 10 points and lasted no more than 10 minutes. After the group stages, we moved on to knockout rounds, including quarter-finals, semi-finals, and finals, along with a consolation round. Matches were brief and dynamic, ensuring every family played at least five matches.

Community and Club Collaboration

Engaging Club Members and the Community:
The success of our Family Cup was largely due to the collaborative effort between club members and the community. I reached out to members and local businesses who have expressed an interest in helping with these events. Our sponsor agreed to match what we made with food sales. It’s not easy finding people who are willing to sponsor events, the best way to try and achieve this is to have a clear vision and starting conversations with people who you know: club members, parents, friends. It’s all about trust, when people trust you and you have a vision, they’ll back you.

Volunteers and Staff:
Working with volunteers from the club was essential. The idea for this event came from the parents of the juniors on our inclusive programme. We had members help with registration, organising matches, and setting up the BBQ. Their involvement not only lightened the workload but also fostered a sense of community spirit.

Making It Fun and Social

Creating a Festive Atmosphere:
To ensure the event was fun and social, we focused on creating a festive atmosphere. Music played in the background, and we set up a BBQ to keep everyone fuelled and happy. The smell of the BBQ was an instant crowd-pleaser and encouraged families to stick around and socialise even after their matches.

Activities for everyone
We included activities for all ages, table tennis for kids and a raffle for adults. These additional touches kept everyone engaged and entertained, even when they weren’t on the court.

Fundraising Success

Raising Over £700
The event was not only fun but also financially successful. We charged a modest entry fee and organised a raffle with prizes organised by parents and members. The BBQ also helped raise funds, our sponsor matched the money spent on the BBQ, which goes towards the purchase of new equipment.

Tips for Hosting Your Own Inclusive Family Cup

Choose an Inclusive Format: Mini tennis with red balls is ideal for all ages and skill levels.
Choose an engaging tournament format: Players want to play and have fun! Find a way to get as many people on court as possible (safely), giving them as many matches as you can.
Engage Your Community: Start conversations with local businesses, members and volunteers to enhance the event.
Create a Social Atmosphere: Ensure the event is fun and loaded with activities, music, and food.
Plan Efficiently: Keep the event duration manageable to maintain enthusiasm and energy.
Fundraising Opportunities: Use entry fees, raffles, and food sales to raise funds for your club or programme.