VISION STATEMENT
To ensure the revitalization and continued progression of the sport of
One-Wall Paddleball, for today’s paddleball community and for
generations to come, by acknowledging both its roots and
conscientiously charting its future.
MISSION STATEMENT
To create and sustain the highest level of integrity in the sport of
Paddleball locally, nationally and globally via the use of consistent
rule and tournament structure, centralized governing practices and
successfully demonstrated Outreach programs.
Key Objectives:
-
Regroup the sport of Paddleball via the creation of the new USPA to
restore the sport’s credibility, ensure its sustained respect, and
support its longevity.
-
Structure and promote the USPA as the official governing body for
one-wall Paddleball.
-
Create Outreach programs and opportunities in the community and
beyond.
-
Effectively build ongoing USPA membership and organizational
participation.
-
Acknowledge, chronicle and, thus, preserve the history of the sport
of Paddleball for generations to come.
Objective
#1:
Regroup the sport of Paddleball via the creation of the new USPA to
restore the sport’s credibility, ensure its sustained respect, and
support its longevity.
Supporting
Strategies:
a)
Attract and appoint a dynamic Board of Directors who will serve as
community liaisons and ambassadors for Paddleball, guide Outreach
programs for the community’s youth, act as mentors and advisors for
members and who will head committees created to execute strategies
supporting each key objective of the USPA organizational plan.
b)
Board led committees will be populated from the USPA membership base
which will utilize the skills and talents of said membership to
execute the supporting strategies of all objectives.
c)
Create an effective communication plan to showcase the introduction of
the new, revitalized organization to the Paddleball public at large.
This would include website development, rulebook creation and
distribution, on-line communication, key officer contact information,
etc. Ensure that the rationale for the development of the
organization is clearly communicated via publication of the vision
and/or mission statement(s) on the website and in any supporting
materials and collateral.
d)
Set up a networking group inviting representatives of other Paddleball
organizations to participate. This will assist in the establishment
of the USPA as central core of the sport and encourage a formal
acknowledgement of same.
e)
Ultimately, petition the United States Olympic Committee to consider
Paddleball as a viable candidate for consideration as an acknowledged
Olympic sport.
Objective
#2:
Structure and promote the USPA as the official governing body for
One-Wall Paddleball nationally.
Supporting
Strategies:
a)
Publish and broadly promote the utilization of the original,
established, one-wall Paddleball rules upon which the sport was built,
in all affiliated tournaments, events and Outreach programs.
b)
Conduct a comparative study of USPA rules against all other existing
rules/guidelines for one-wall Paddleball.
c)
Commit the organization to a lifelong investment in building and
maintaining a reputation above reproach through integrity-based
procedures and practices and via USPA tournaments that are fairly
negotiated, produced, advertised, publicized, sponsored, refereed,
governed and compensated.
Objective #3:
Create Outreach programs and promotional opportunities in the
community and beyond.
Supporting
Strategies:
a)
Work in conjunction with local parks departments, schools/community
colleges, correctional facilities and YMCA/YWCA’s to introduce
Paddleball training programs and events into the community structure.
b)
Work with the parks department toward the development of a Paddleball
summer day ‘camp’ for youth.
c)
Solicit sponsors for youth camp/training program scholarships.
d)
Create a Paddleball ‘Fantasy Camp’ similar to that offered by baseball
and football, where today’s players in attendance can hear lectures,
attend hands on workshops and learn from the sport’s elders and Hall
of Famer’s in a collegial environment. A Hall of Fame awards banquet
could be tied to this event.
e)
Attract attention to the organization by soliciting previous or
current players in high standing to conduct on-line or live workshops
or interactive discussions on pre-determined subjects of interest.
f)
Develop a USPA Speaker’s Bureau so that the message of Paddleball, its
rich history, structure and current events can make its way out into
the community.
g)
Create communication plan so that the local and national media, et al,
are kept apprised of the activities of the organization.
h)
Create a plan to attract, sustain and showcase honorary and other
sponsors for tournaments, Outreach programs and even products.
Consider creating sponsor ‘levels’ to entice participation i.e., Our
GOLD level sponsor is: XYZ Inc., etc.
Objective #4:
Effectively build ongoing USPA membership and organizational
participation.
Supporting
Strategies:
a)
Develop a plan to encourage local membership enrollment i.e.,
discounts for multiple player sign-ups or multiple year memberships,
offer a ‘free’ paddle/balls/rulebook, etc. to new members, create a
membership ‘package’ that includes some/all aforementioned items and a
discounted fee for the next tournament, etc.
b)
Create a USPA referral/incentive program. Offer incentives to players
who get a friend to join with a discounted tournament fee or some
other incentive to promote both membership and tournament
participation.
c)
After securing a sponsor, stage a contest for a round-trip ticket
to/from the next tournament for any ‘new member’ sign-ups between x
and x date.
d)
Strategize the creation of USPA chapters first, in surrounding and
then in satellite, local cities with the objective of mobilizing the
entire state under one, consistent Paddleball ‘canopy’ with regard to
governing, rules, tournament practices, etc.
e)
Continue this effort by supporting the seeding and growth of USPA
chapters in other states with the objective of building a national
membership. This will enable the foundation of rules and best
practices for Paddleball to be consistent across the country and
create the true paradigm shift for the sport.
f)
Actively solicit and encourage membership involvement in running for
the Board or in participating in Board driven committees, Outreach
programs and tournament and community events.
g)
Create opportunities for the membership to provide input to rule
changes and other organizational activities. Suggestion Box or
Letters to the President formats are all effective vehicles to promote
a spirit of participation among members.
h)
Set up an internal membership network so that players can converse
with players in adjoining (or other) cities. This might prompt the
ability for players from one location to have a place to stay at
another location, thus increasing tournament enrollment numbers.
i)
Encourage cross-training among (but not limited to) Paddleball,
Racquetball and Paddle Tennis players, sharing best practices among
these similar sports in an effort to build player depth and
proficiency and inter-sport camaraderie.
