TOTAL SPORTS EXPERIENCE
This year, USIndoor member Total Sports Experience in Rochester, New York, celebrated its 10th birthday. General Manager Jamie Hammond shared his thoughts on how the business has grown and changed during that time.
PROGRAMMING
"Regarding operations, we have continually adapted to what the market supports," says Jamie. "We adjust our programming each year."
"When we began, the ratio of soccer to lacrosse was probably 70:30. Over the past ten years, our lacrosse leagues have increased to the point where, this past season, our leagues were 60:40 in lacrosse's favor. We consistently adjust programming (league play vs. instructional programs vs. rentals) to ensure we maximize usage of the facility. During the indoor season (November to April), the facility is open until midnight with adult leagues on the fields until closing time each night. Our winter session this year was our busiest to date with over 300 teams.
"Our instructional programs have increased. Our Micro Programs (starting at age two) in soccer, basketball, lacrosse, baseball and TSE PE (a multi-sport option) have seen large increases over the past few years. We will put over 2200 kids through the program this year. Many of the participants participate year-round (six sessions are offered) and have been coming for years."
When kids begin playing at a facility as pre-schoolers, they are likely to continue through leagues. "We get kids in here when they're two years old, and they'll be here until they're 18." Once they graduate from high school, there is a good chance they will continue to play recreationally in one of the adult leagues. In other words, successful kids programming creates long- term business at the facility.
SPONSORSHIP
The facility has changed the way it solicits sponsorship. Total Sports Experience has done well with sponsorship, which Jamie sees as an ongoing process with lots of potential. Sponsorship has changed over the past ten years, in that TSE has targeted large companies.
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