ONLINE MEMBERSHIP DATABASE

The recent announcement about acquiring RealTennisOnline [www.realtennisonline.com] sets the scene for taking a large steps forwards in administering tennis and rackets. As well as being a global handicap system, RTO contains a global online database. It has long been our objective to merge the many databases that have proliferated in our sports. For example, UK tennis players may well at present be listed in at least 4 separate databases – RTO, their Club, the T&RA, and BookNowPlus. This is very inefficient and almost guarantees that information is out of date

One of our visions for RTO under the ownership of the National Associations is to expand its database to cover all clubs, players, social members of tennis and rackets worldwide, accessible under strict privacy controls. Why:

• It is rather more efficient than having your details held in multiple databases. You’ve got a new phone number? - Update it once, and it’s updated everywhere
• A secure, accurate database allows all sorts of programmes to be linked to it. For example, anyone organising a tournament can immediately link to a database of potential players
• Clubs can use it to maintain their membership lists. They don’t need their own list – just search ours by Club name
• It permits closer communication between everyone, and can save the National Associations, the Clubs, and tournament organisers a small fortune in postage and printing

We seek your cooperation in taking all the existing databases and merging them into one

EMAIL ADDRESSES

The main method of communication envisaged in future is a person’s email address. Currently, the T&RA have email addresses for about half its database. Starting this week, we are trying to collect a few key details for every UK person involved in tennis or rackets, be they player or social.

If you are willing to provide/confirm any other details, so much the better. Please contact the T&RA office

PRIVACY AND SECURITY

• Although our database will in future be online [RTO already is], it can only be accessed by logging in, and is invisible to search engines. Your details have in fact been online for several years, and we have had no ‘scares’ or complaints about it
• Your full details [ home address etc] will only be visible to you, to your Club administrator, and to the web ‘team’ [T&RA office, plus Tim Graham and myself]
• If you don’t want ANY details to appear, simply email us requesting it
• There will be no individual financial information  visible online

 

For the longer term we believe that this is a very valuable exercise, and encourage you to participate. Any questions please email james@jgwalton.com or members@tennis-rackets.net