Research Highlights Industry Potential for 10 and Under Tennis

With a multi-million dollar investment from the USTA in 10 and Under Tennis, there is a huge potential for growth in our sport. Although overall participation declined slightly in 2010, due in part to the still-fragile economy, research indicators point toward the great opportunity that the youth market brings to the tennis industry. Here are some highlights from TIA research, including the Court Activity Monitor, Cost of Doing Business — Retailers, participation studies and census data:

A huge segment of the youth market has yet to be tapped. There are nearly 18 million kids ages 10 and under in the U.S., and only 3.2 million, or roughly 18%, participated in tennis in 2010.
Facilities perceive a great value from 10 and Under Tennis, which uses the QuickStart Tennis format. Facilities rate QST nearly a 4 out of 5 on a “benefit to your facility scale,” where 5 was “excellent.”
Youth racquets accounted for nearly 30% of total wholesale racquet shipments in 2010, and transition balls, a cornerstone of the QST play format, saw full-year shipments rise 33% in 2010 vs. 2009.
Junior frames also accounted for over 22% of the new racquet introductions by manufacturers in 2010.
Junior tennis equipment now accounts for over 4% of revenue generated at tennis specialty stores.

The TIA will continue to monitor the impact of the 10 and Under Tennis Initiative on the sport and the industry. Contact the TIA for more information on TIA research. For retailers looking to get involved in the 10 and Under Tennis effort, visit TennisRetailer.org.

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