10 & Under Tennis Facility Developer of the Year: Top-A-Court Tennis
Providing opportunities for children to learn tennis can be a game-changer for a contractor, says John Coll, president and owner of Top-A-Court Tennis of Hatfield, Pa. The company, which has been in business since 1988, is one of the most active proponents of youth tennis. And for its support of the initiative and involvement in the process, Top-A-Court is the 2012 winner of RSI’s 10 and Under Tennis Facility Developer of the Year award.
According to Coll, it has been a great ride. After setting up a meeting with the USTA, Top-A-Court learned the techniques and the new rules, and went to work. “To be able to provide new courts for kids by working with the USTA was just a terrific experience,” he says. But being a part of growing the next generation of tennis players isn’t the only reward. It has had the ancillary benefit of helping Top-A-Court grow financially as well.
“It absolutely is a business opportunity,” notes Coll. “If someone is getting their courts lined, we are able to introduce ourselves at the same time.” He estimates that approximately half his new business is gained through contacts made during 10U line installations.
Top-A-Court is a member of the American Sports Builders Association, and Coll is a Certified Tennis Court Builder. He and his company build tennis, basketball, bocce and multi-use courts in eastern Pennsylvania, Delaware and southern New Jersey.
Not surprisingly, Coll is a strong advocate for 10 and Under Tennis. “If you asked me if I thought this was a good thing for tennis, I’m going to say yes, absolutely. It’s great for the kids — they enjoy it now because it’s so much easier.”
Tips for Success
- “Take advantage of the early opportunity. We did, and it has been terrific,” Coll says.
- 10 and Under Tennis is something that works. It’s no different from baseball or any other sport that has been modified for kids.
- “Our mission statement has always been: Build it right with integrity and do business honestly, and make your work last as long as possible, for the customer as well as for our own pride.”
See all articles by Mary Helen Sprecher
About the Author
Mary Helen Sprecher 
is the managing editor of Sports Destinations Management Magazine, a niche business-to-business publication for planners of sports travel events, in addition to being an RSI Contributing Editor. She is the technical writer for the American Sports Builders Association and works as a newspaper reporter in Baltimore City.
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