A letter from David Watson, Tennis & Rackets Association Chairman
I am writing to you in the hope that I can persuade you to join the select but growing community of Real Tennis and Rackets
enthusiasts who have agreed to become Benefactors of the Tennis and Rackets Association. The T&RA Benefactor Scheme
was established in 2013 and since that time more than 85 T&RA members have agreed to become Benefactors and make additional
contributions in excess of the normal Annual Subscription to help us enhance and develop our games for future generations.
Need for Money
The T&RA finances are in a satisfactory state having been carefully managed so as to cover routine expenditure out of subscription
income with grants and tournament costs coming from individual donations and corporate sponsorship. Following the conclusion
of Neptune’s sponsorship of Tennis, we now face a period where keeping that balance is going to prove extremely challenging
and we need to ask donors to help us bridge the funding gap. In addition, I believe we face a real risk that we will not
have the resources to meet the frequent requests we receive to provide more structural support to our games.
Our key development priorities typically fall into three areas:
• Development of new, and restoration and repair of existing Courts
• Recruitment and training of Professionals
• Participation, and in particular attracting, inspiring and retaining youth.
• Participation, and in particular attracting, inspiring and retaining youth.
The generosity of historic donors and Benefactors has allowed the Association to make significant contributions to both new
build (Wellington/Tonbridge) and repair/improvement projects (too numerous to mention individually!) that have greatly
enhanced the playing opportunities and experience for our members across the country. We have also been able to support
LED lighting projects across much of the UK estate. In the past decade such payments total approximately £750,000. We have
recently awarded grants to Harrow, Moreton Morrell and Jesmond Dene for significant structural repairs. We fully expect
similar requests will continue to come in!
Equally importantly, it is critical that we enjoy the support and capabilities of a skilled and inspirational set of professionals
who are able to draw new players into our games and inspire both young and old to greater heights of play. Both games are
suffering from an ageing professional profile and a serious shortage of young professionals which, if not addressed urgently,
will leave many Clubs and Schools without a suitably equipped professional teams able to teach to a high level and to drive
the courts’ success. With your support, we are financing major programmes in both games to subsidise the training of young
professionals so that the next generation can be as fortunate as many of us have been, to be taught and inspired by great
coaches and players.
In both Tennis and Rackets we are actively encouraging youth participation through Tournaments, awards and tailored training
programmes. With the kind support of the Queen’s Club and the pro team there, we are seeing heightened activity from school
leavers particularly in Rackets. In Tennis though, only one of the top four Under 18’s is British and the Under 18 British
title was won by an American who beat a French boy. We need to do better at attracting top talent to our games.
Benefactor Benefits
The benefits of becoming a Benefactor include all the regular benefits of being a member of the T&RA together with recognition
in the Annual Report and on the website; priority booking of tickets for major events, an annual Benefactors’ Cocktail
Party. In addition, you will receive the Benefactor’s tie, or brooch for the ladies, on joining. Becoming a Benefactor is
a wonderful way to contribute to the future prosperity of our games that have given us so much pleasure over the years.
I very much hope that you will join me in supporting this initiative.
If you are a higher rate taxpayer, you will be able to claim gift aid on your payments other than in your first year as a Benefactor
where, due to the gift of a tie or brooch on joining the scheme, your benefits exceed the HMRC allowance.
If you are willing to become a Benefactor and contribute a minimum of £300 per annum (including your annual subscription),
please complete the attached forms, as appropriate, and return them to Andrina Webb, Membership Secretary, at the T&RA’s
office at Queen’s.
I do hope you will agree to become a Benefactor and join the select group who are pleased to give something back to the game
that has given us all so much pleasure.
