Who says summer, says vacations. And given the current weather, it's no wonder that Belgians are looking for the sun elsewhere!

This is nothing new, summer impacts players' usual behaviors. As soon as the weather is nice, the Belgians rush to the North Sea. It is the season for festivals, nautical activities but also the time to take care of children.

As a result, the paddle clubs are taking a hit. The usual pairs are disturbed, it's a hassle to find someone to play with. And even more so to find someone of the same level.

Summer is impacting paddle clubs

• The weather is fickle and has an influence on bookings, players no longer dare to book in advance
• demands are highly variable, with busy periods followed by quieter periods; difficult to plan and manage staff resources
• The usual players are on vacation, the fields are less busy
• Club attendance is decreasing
• the center's revenues are unstable or even falling

So, how do you boost your club during the summer period?

Here are 5 concrete ways to keep a constant activity

1. Facebook, WhatsApp; that's where it's happening

Groups, channels, page, or private chat: this is often where players exchange availability, find partners, or seek to join existing games.

💡 Encourage the creation and animation of groups on social networks. And if you have digital fiber, create your own group! Publish the availability of your land and take the opportunity to make your own announcements.

Our guide to creating a group

2. Organize flexible tournaments

Do you know about “Americano” tournaments? These tournaments are perfect for summer because they don't require fixed groups. Each player can therefore play with and against different partners.

Another format is also interesting: the “King of the Court” tournaments. They allow players to participate individually, teams can be formed randomly or changed regularly!

💡 Tournaments are the perfect opportunity to attract participants and spectators, increasing field occupancy and drawing attention to your center. Learn more

3. Offer attractive and adapted offers

During school vacations, parents often look for something to keep their children busy. What could be better than a paddle tennis course?

💡 Offer internships and make “special summer” offers in the form of packages, this will help diversify your income and stabilize the occupancy of your land.

🎁 Bonus action! This can have long term effects. Children and adults in camps and courses often become regular members.

Adapt the booking rules to reduce the rental rate.

4. Group training sessions

It's more fun together! Suggest that players get together to practice, without a formal game structure. You can even suggest that players take the services of a coach to progress together (and divide the costs).

💡 It's an opportunity to meet new players and motivate each other! And for you, fill your land;)
Learn more

5. Help your players find partners

The problem for paddle players is to find someone of his level. Luckily, there are online services that connect players. On SportFinder, for example, players can reserve a field, publish their match, indicate the number of players they are looking for and the level required. A few clicks later and they meet again for the match! For us, that's true sportsmanship.

Our guide to helping your players find partners.

💡 The center can also organize matches to encourage exchanges. Publish your matches on SportFinder to increase your visibility and delight players! Contact us to find out the procedure, it's quick and easy.

Thanks to these tips, you will be able to maintain constant activity in your center and even take advantage of it to attract new members! Adapt your strategies and see summer as an opportunity for growth and dynamism for your club
This content is brought to you by SportFinder, the all-in-one software for paddle clubs. We are already helping over 35 clubs in Belgium.

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