Tennis Club Activities for Open Days, New Members & More

If your venue is looking for new ways to engage the community, increase membership numbers, and move onto the radar, we have a selection of tennis club activities you can run on your next open day or event to attract newcomers and the wider community.

Spending time, effort, and resources on organising, advertising, and carrying out these activities will give your club the opportunity to engage with the local community and raise awareness of everything your club has to offer.

It'll also give you the chance to encourage new sign-ups while taking action to retain your current members — something many tennis clubs struggle with.

We have a selection of recommended tennis games and activities suited for kids, families, single tennis players, and those interested in starting their tennis journey. So, whoever your club is looking to target, we have some excellent recommendations for you.

To help your club continuously grow, let's talk activities.

Tennis Club Activities for Kids

Whether you're planning an open day for the community or inviting local schools to visit the club in hopes of a partnership, your itinerary should include some activities for kids.

It's essential to make tennis fun and engaging, while also introducing young children to the sport's fundamentals.

According to Riiroo, tennis can "play a pivotal role in a child's physical, social, and mental development".

With more and more children looking into starting tennis (according to the LTA, 3.63 million children played tennis in 2023 as opposed to 418,000 in 2023), your club would be smart to prioritise children's members and school partnerships.

So, with all that in mind, here are some activities you can do to get children excited about joining your club!

Mini Tennis Festivals

Mini tennis is the perfect sport to introduce kids to tennis. If you don't know what mini tennis is, you can read all about it in our blog post.

Read More: Mini Tennis 101

It's essentially a scaled-down version of regular tennis, making it easier and more fun for kids to learn.

So, why not host a mini tennis festival at your club, inviting local schools and families to come and try out mini tennis?

This gives children the chance to experience the sport in a fun and informal setting, without the pressure of joining a club right away.

During the day, you can organise fun, short-format events with prizes for participation to keep the motivation high.

Play some music, provide some food and drink, and ensure the coaches are on top form so they can interact with the children with high energy and positivity!

If you need some mini tennis equipment, you can check out our professional range below.

Junior Round Robin Tennis

We're sure you know what a tennis round robin is, but if you don't, it's basically a tournament where every participant plays a game against every other participant.

This isn't a knockout tournament, and there won't be any eliminations, but the person who won the most games or accumulated the most points will win the entire tournament.

This format works brilliantly for children, as it allows them to experience playing against various opponents and helps them improve their skills without the pressure of getting eliminated.

A round robin would be perfect for open days or when schools come to visit. It would give everyone the chance to get some game time while engaging in some healthy competition!

Don't Crack the Egg Game

You don't always have to organise a full tennis match to get children excited about tennis at your club, and the crack the egg game is the perfect example.

This game is a great way to introduce children to the basics of tennis, such as hand-eye coordination and footwork, while also having fun.

It's very simple to play. Each child will have their own racket with a ball placed on top, and they basically have to stop the ball from falling off while walking around in a circuit. See, easy!

Tennis games like this are fun, quick, and easy to organise and set up during an open day. It can also be pretty effective among the children, especially if you introduce some kind of prize for the winner.

Tennis Club Activities for Families

Involving your club in the community is extremely important for building up a friendly, warm, and open brand for your venue, and family open days can do exactly that.

They allow club members to bond and get to know each other, and they also strengthen the relationship between the club and nearby families.

It can also be a great way to attract new tennis members, especially young families, who are looking for an inclusive and family-friendly environment for their children.

Tennis can often be associated with the upper class and exclusivity, but these open days help create an exciting, low-pressure environment where people can experience tennis for the first time, no matter their background.

So, what kind of activities should you be planning fit for families? Let's get into it.

Family Social Tennis BBQ

A Family Social Tennis BBQ is the perfect way to bring people together in a relaxed and engaging setting. Start by organising a few casual tennis matches that cater to all ages and skill levels.

Mini-games, doubles matches, and fun challenges like ‘hit the target’ can keep everyone entertained and involved. To ensure inclusivity and make the experience enjoyable, provide smaller rackets and low-compression balls for younger children.

Once the games are underway, fire up the BBQ and serve a variety of BBQ food for all manner of taste buds and requirements.

Think burgers, veggie skewers, and refreshing summer drinks. To create an even warmer atmosphere, consider incorporating music or even a small prize giveaway for participants.

This combination of social tennis games, food, and bonding is a fantastic way to leave a lasting impression and encourage families to come back for more.

Parent & Child Competitions

Organise fun and engaging competitions that involve both parents and children working together as a team. This could include activities like sack races, egg-and-spoon challenges, or simple obstacle courses that test collaboration and communication.

We know what you're going to say — those aren't tennis activities, and while you're right, that doesn't totally matter. What matters is showcasing your club as a fun sporting environment for all ages that's willing to make adjustments to benefit the wider community.

To add an extra layer of excitement, offer small awards or certificates for participation, ensuring that everyone walks away with a sense of accomplishment.

A well-structured schedule with a mix of games will keep energy levels high and ensure everyone feels included, wanting to come back soon.

Seasonal Celebration Days

Combine tennis with themed activities, like Easter egg hunts or Christmas-themed tournaments. This not only adds a sense of novelty and fun to regular tennis matches, but also attracts families looking for unique ways to celebrate the holidays.

Additionally, these types of events can generate buzz and positive word-of-mouth marketing for your tennis program. Not everything has to be strictly about tennis to make it work for your club.

By offering fun, family-friendly events like Halloween games, bonfire night, and more, your club will be known as the go-to spot for community activities. That's one of the best ways to get your name out there and spotted by potential new members.

Tennis Club Activities for Singles

People don't always have someone to play tennis with, so it's important for clubs to recognise this, because without giving singles the opportunity to play, you could be missing out on a huge amount of members.

Hosting singles-specific events can attract new members and keep existing ones engaged, while promoting inclusivity and providing an opportunity for players to meet and connect with others who share their passion for tennis.

Offering lessons or clinics specifically designed for single players can also be a great way to cater to this demographic.

But to get clients to learn about your offerings, you need to spread the word. A great way to do that is through open days and hosting different community activities. Here are some examples.

Shop Our Professional Singles Tennis Nets

Organised Singles Leagues

Organised singles leagues are a fantastic way to attract and retain players who prefer one-on-one matches.

These leagues can be structured to suit different skill levels, ensuring that all participants feel comfortable and challenged.

Scheduling matches regularly provides consistency and helps players develop a routine, which is beneficial for building long-term engagement.

Offering incentives such as trophies, medals, or small prizes for league winners can also create excitement and encourage participation at your club. 

Be sure to promote your club singles leagues through social media, email newsletters, and community bulletin boards to maximise visibility and attract a diverse group of players.

Once you've built up good numbers with your league, you'll start to see the new members rolling in.

Post-Match Tennis Socials

Post-match socials are the best way to build a sense of community among the tennis community already at your venue.

Hosting informal gatherings, such as drinks at a local pub or a group meal, can help players connect off the court and strengthen their commitment to the club.

Consider organising themed events, quiz nights, or even awards ceremonies to celebrate the season’s successes and keep things lively.

By encouraging social interaction, you’ll enhance the experience at your club and create an environment where players feel valued and eager to return, possibly even bringing their friends with them.

Singles Round Robin

A singles round robin is a fantastic way to ensure everyone gets the chance to test their tennis skills against various opponents.

The format can be tailored to suit the number of participants and the time available, ensuring an efficient and enjoyable experience for everyone.

Players can rotate opponents after each match, accumulating points based on wins or specific performance criteria, which keeps the competition fresh.

Small tennis tournaments like this are the perfect activity for an open day. It shows that you accommodate all kinds of players, really helping your club hone in on inclusivity.

It's not just a favourite among kids — who can resist a good old round robin?

Tennis Club Activities for Newbies

Newcomers to tennis as a whole might need a little more convincing that this is the sport for them. So, not only do you need to show them that it is — according to Better Health, tennis actually has various social and psychological benefits, as well as physical — you also need to show them your club is the best fit for them.

It's important not to scare these potential players off by offering high-intensity, competitive tournaments, matches, or open days. Instead, you should keep things light-hearted, friendly, and engaging.

In addition to creating a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere, it's also important to showcase your variety of programs and services that cater to different interests and skill levels.

Here are some tennis activities you can offer for newcomers, so you can hopefully get them through the doors of your venue.

Drop-In Drill Sessions

Drop-in drill sessions are a fantastic way to attract beginners, while also appealing to more experienced players. 

These sessions allow participants to practice various aspects of their game, such as volleys, serves, and footwork, in a relaxed, low-pressure environment.

By offering these on a flexible, pay-as-you-go basis, potential members can experience the thrill of improving their skills without committing to a full program immediately.

Ensure these sessions are led by experienced coaches who can provide personalised feedback and tips for improvement.

Read More: 10 Quotes from Top Players on What It Takes to Succeed

Drop-in drill sessions also serve as a great way to showcase the club's coaching expertise to potential members. If they create a professional bond with one of your coaches, it might just make them want to sign up.

Buddy Tennis

Buddy tennis can significantly enhance the experience for new members, making them feel welcome and supported from the very beginning, without making them feel like they can’t be included in matches.

Pairing a potential member with a seasoned club member allows for guidance, tip sharing, and smoother integration into the community.

This system not only fosters friendships but also helps new members quickly adapt to the club's culture and routines.

Experienced members can also provide insights into training techniques, upcoming events, and even encouragement during challenging sessions.

Plus, this mentor-like approach strengthens the community relationship within the club, creating a more inclusive and friendly environment for everyone involved.

Intro-to-Tennis Sessions

Last but not least, introductory tennis sessions are an absolute must for any club hoping to grow its numbers.

These sessions should be open to non-members and beginners, providing a welcoming environment for those interested in learning the sport. They can also help potential new members get a feel for the club's culture, facilities, and overall vibe.

During these introductory sessions, it's important to focus on basic skill activities that teach proper grip, footwork, and swing technique.

This will not only give participants a solid foundation to build upon, but also ensure their safety while on the court.

You can also incorporate these sessions with a tour of the club, so potential members can really get to know your venue and all it has to offer.

Conclusion: Boosting Engagement at Your Tennis Club

By offering a selection of activities for members, newcomers, and the wider community, you will not only achieve increased membership numbers but also have the opportunity to work on retaining your current members.

Whether you're planning an open day, a weekly event, or starting up a new league, we hope we've inspired you to incorporate some of these activities into the itinerary — they might just get you some valuable new members and exposure!

Remember, to boost sign-ups, engage with the wider community, and get your club on the map, it's important to be proactive and think outside the box.

Don't hesitate to try new things, collaborate with other clubs or organisations, and continuously seek feedback from your members and potential members.

We wish you the best of luck in growing your club and creating a welcoming and dynamic community for all!

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