USRA RACQUETBALL “SUMMIT IN THE ROCKIES” Cheyenne Mountain Resort Colorado Springs, CO

1. USRA RACQUETBALL “SUMMIT IN THE ROCKIES” Cheyenne Mountain Resort Colorado Springs, CO Friday, Sept. 5th

2. Founding Members • Doug Ganim - HEAD/Penn Racquet Sports • Ron Grimes - E-Force • Terri Graham - Wilson Racquet Sports • Mike Martinez - Pro Kennex • Scott Winters - Ektelon

3. Evolution of the RMC • During the mid to late 1990’s SGMA funded and • managed a Racquet Sports Committee made up of members • from the racquet sports industry • Funding was derived from SuperShow and distributed from • grants received for Racquetball, Squash, Badminton and • Table Tennis. • Our SGMA funding was terminated at the U.S. OPEN in 1998.

4. Evolution of the RMC(cont.) • Founding members met at the U.S. OPEN in 2000 to • form the RMA. A completely independent group of concerned • members of the racquetball industry. • The RMA was formed as a non-profit organization, • by the major racquetball companies with an interest in • growing the sport of racquetball. • We assessed ourselves an annual membership fee which • would allow us to realize an amount of funding similar • or greater than what we had received from the SGMA. • Assessments were made based on estimated market shares • for each company.

5. Mission Statement “Dedicated to growing the sport of racquetball”

6. Re-Organization • After one year of operation as the RMA, we realized that • the SGMA could provide valuable resources to our group. • In January 2001, we re-organized under the SGMA umbrella. • We re-named ourselves the Racquetball Manufacturers Council • and officially became a Committee of SGMA International. • Our finances are administered by the SGMA, American Sports • Education Institute (ASEI), with funds designated to the • “Grow Racquetball Fund” • The RMC operates under the By-Laws of SGMA International.

7. Membership Structure • Executive Committee (voting) - Consists of original • founding members carrying one vote each. Criteria includes - • Current member of SGMA International. • Required to pay an minimum annual assessment fee of $6,000. • Must develop and market racquetball racquets, bags and gloves. • Annual sales of racquetball products must exceed $1,000,000. • Must be in business a minimum of 3 years. Patron Member (non-voting)- Includes any company or organization receiving revenues from the sport of racquetball. An assessment fee determined by the Executive Committee, not to exceed $5,000. Contributor (non-voting) - Shall include any individual or organization that makes a contribution, minimum of $100 to the Grow Racquetball Fund.

8. Membership Campaign • The RMC will be mounting an extensive campaign to • solicit fees and contributions to the Grow Racquetball Fund • from prospective companies, organizations and individuals • especially including: • All manufacturers • Retailers • Vendors • All RMC members will be asked to join for a minimum • of two years.

9. What has been done so far? • International Racquetball Federation (IRF) $10,000 -Funds • were used to assist several countries to attend and upgrade the • tournament venue to attract and impress IOC officials. • AMPRO/IPRO $4,000 - Administrative cost funding. • 2002 Courses Held - 30 • 2002 Students - 160 • 2002 USRA Memberships - 600 • IHRSA $3,500+ - • Used to pay for booth space at the 2003 IHRSA Convention so • racquetball would have a presence in front of club owners.

10. What has been done so far? • Product support for 2003 St. Louis Juniors Program Grant • 2003 grant awarded to the the USRA to financially assist with • the hiring of a full time Director of Marketing -$10,000 • Approval of $1,250 grant to support the USRA Racquetball • “Summit in the Rockies”. • Formal industry grant program was established for the future • Support of quality “grow the game” initiatives. • STAY TUNED!!

11. What has been done so far? • RMC met for a strategic planning meeting in January of 2003 • to develop future RMC driven initiatives to help grow the game. • Dozens of potential projects were discussed at length with the • list narrowed to six programs. The RMC is currently • conducting feasibility studies on these programs to determine funding needs and likely benefits. Programs will then be ranked • in terms of a cost/benefit analysis and feasibility index. • The RMC will begin implementing the highest rated programs • in January, 2004.

12. Project List • List of projects currently being considered for execution are: -development of www.playracquetball.org website featuring complete database of all clubs in the U.S., opportunities for new players to receive free trial memberships, free racquetball lessons, and free electronic membership in the USRA. All other RMC initiatives will be promoted on this site as well.

13. Project List -Re-development of the Racquetball Programmer’s manual. Digital version (CD) will be distributed free of charge to all clubs in the U.S. Further, a website based version of the manual will be created so new programs can be added on a regular basis. Further, a live forum will be built in to the site for club owners to share ideas with each other on successful racquetball programs. -Commission a high level profitability study on the sport of racquetball at the club level. Aggressively promote the positive results to club owners throughout the U.S.

14. Project List -Conduct a test program with Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Colorado with a goal of introducing a minimum of 500 new kids to the sport of racquetball, as well as their mentors. -Execute a major media event in two different markets centered on the theme of PLAY RACQUETBALL AMERICA! Radio, TV, and newspaper advertising as well as a major PR campaign would be utilized to tout the benefits of playing racquetball. Free lessons, free loaner equipment, and free trial memberships at area clubs would be given away with a goal of bringing in a minimum of 1,000 new players in each market.

15. Project List -Form a partnership with a national television network with the goal of bringing an entire season of weekly racquetball shows (pro level competition) to the U.S general population. In addition, develop a corresponding TV ad campaign touting all the benefits of playing the sport of racquetball (easy to learn, great exercise, inexpensive, and TONS OF FUN!)

16. What has been done so far? RMC PROJECT COORDINATOR Position In recent months it became quite clear that our aggressive plans for the sport of racquetball would require some extensive administrative efforts from the RMC. The decision was made to fund a part-time RMC Project Coordinator position to assist the RMC with the development and implementation of all programs A national search was conducted by the RMC Executive Committee to identify the best potential candidates. In June of 2003 the RMC hired Dave George, from Daly City, CA, to fill the position of Project Coordinator.

17. What has been done so far? Meet Dave George • Earned a B.A. Physical Education from Cal. State Univ.,1977 • Over 20 years as a Club Manager and Racquetball Director • Former President of the California Racquetball Association • Former top ranked age division player (1992 IRF 40+ champ) • AmPRO Certified National Clinician • Returned to racquetball full time two years ago after • four years of teaching experience as a USPTA certified • tennis instructor. • Currently the Director of Operations and Racquetball • Director at What a Racquet Athletic Club in Daly City, CA.

18. What has been done so far? Meet Dave George • Dave George will serve as the primary liaison between the • RMC and the rest of industry. • Contact Information: • Dave George, RMC Project Coordinator • 2526 Sherwood Drive • San Bruno, CA 94066 • 1-888-559-0099

19. RMC Industry Grant Program • Outside Grant Requests - • Grant proposals will be considered from individuals and • organizations seeking funds to support programs to grow • the sport of racquetball. • Grant requests must be received by May 15th of each year, for • funding for the following season. All grants will be evaluated • at the RMC’s annual meeting in Houston (Nationals). • Total annual grant funding shall not exceed $10,000 or 20% • of the total annual RMC budget, whichever is higher.