Interim Chairman Report Sep 25
I want to share the progress our club has made since the last AGM. While my role as chairman has been shorter than originally planned, I'm pleased to report that Yzerfontein Social Tennis Club is in excellent health and ready for new leadership.
Strong Growth and Renewed Energy
Our club continues to grow, expanding from 66 to 74 members with around 20 new faces joining our tennis club. This growth reflects the welcoming atmosphere we've built and the impact of the newly resurfaced courts.
The new courts have transformed our playing experience and generated significant interest from both members and visitors. Thanks to the commitment from so many of you who helped with landscaping and maintenance, our courts look amazing and provide an excellent playing surface. Some of you may have noticed a few small cracks in the surface. These will be repaired as soon as the weather warms up in spring and early summer.
Furthermore, our Saturday Social Tennis has been quite successful. We've had several Saturdays where both courts were completely full, creating a lekker vibe. It's wonderful to see players of all levels enjoying the game together and building friendships on and off the court.
Financial Stability
Our financial position remains strong with around R35,000 in the bank. We expect to generate another R10,000 from non-membership bookings. While we still need to see whether our projections of ongoing costs hold true over the next 12 months, we’re in an excellent position given our size. This should allow us to end the year with a healthy surplus or invest in areas such as coaching, community outreach, and other initiatives, while continuing to set aside funds for future maintenance and long-term sustainability.
Planning for Sustainable Growth
Over the past few months, we’ve taken a step back to think carefully about what kind of club we want to be, how we make decisions, and how we can keep things running smoothly without burning anyone out. That’s where our new Vision and Strategy documents come in.
These aren’t corporate plans, and they’re not rules. They’re simple tools to help us make better decisions, stay focused, and involve more people. The vision sets out what kind of club we’re aiming to be: relaxed, welcoming, and sustainable. The strategy outlines how we’ll keep it that way-by making things easier to run, spreading the work, and staying in step with our members and partners.
They’ll be used by the committee to help decide what to prioritise, what to say no to, and how to stay on track. They’re also there for members-to understand where the club is going, and where they might want to help.
You can find these documents here, and they will be reviewed regularly as our club evolves. The more people who read and use them, the more helpful they’ll be.
Exciting New Initiatives
We'll soon be introducing online booking. For members, this means an easy way to reserve a court. You'll still be playing for free, but you don't run the risk that the courts are busy by the time you get there. It also allows us to reserve court usage for members during the busy season or during events such as social tennis. For non-members, it means the ability to reserve and pay online, making the process easier. For the club, it means much less admin, no handling of cash, and clear insight into our court usage.
Our entry into winter league tennis has added a new competitive element to our offerings. We're still looking for team members who want to experience the fun of playing with and against other clubs. Don't worry about skill level - our focus is on enjoying the game and building connections with other tennis communities.
Faan has been working diligently to establish coaching opportunities for both members and the broader Yzerfontein community. We've identified several qualified coaches and are currently working through the requirements to offer coaching safely and effectively as a club rather than simply providing court access.
Operational Improvements
The membership renewal process went smoothly for most members, though we're still waiting for some YSRC membership payments and YSTC forms. If you haven't completed your renewal, please respond to Faan as soon as possible. We're already looking at ways to streamline this process for next year.
Behind the scenes, we've implemented better processes, documentation, and communication tools. From improved account management to easier new member onboarding, and community communication through our WhatsApp group, these systems will make it much easier for future committees to manage the club effectively.
The Path Forward
Our club is in a solid position with strong membership, excellent facilities, healthy finances, and clear direction. However, like all sports clubs in Yzerfontein, we face the ongoing challenge of finding people willing to step up and take on committee responsibilities.
We need members who are prepared to help with club operations and, ideally, join the committee. The good news is that with our improved processes and documentation, you don't need previous experience in club management or finance to make a valuable contribution. The foundations are strong, and the systems are in place for new committee members to be effective from day one.
While I won't be directly involved in club leadership going forward, I remain committed to supporting the club and am always available to provide advice when needed.
Thank You
I'm excited about the season ahead. We have a wonderful mix of long-time members and fresh faces, fantastic courts, and that special community spirit that makes social tennis such a highlight of our week.
Thank you for your support over the past few months. I look forward to seeing you at the Special General Meeting and continuing to enjoy our club as a member.
See you on the court!
Stefan
Chairman (outgoing)