STRONG EUROPE AND STRONG LEADERSHIP IN LINE WITH THE INTERNATIONAL TENNIS FEDERATION (ITF) STRATEGY UNITED EUROPE = STRONG EUROPE
1. Tennis Europe (TE) must be united and become more efficient
Tennis Europe must be united to become an influential leader in world tennis. However, it needs a good leader, with international and multicultural background who could reunite all 50 member nations, not only formally but in real terms as well. The benefits of a united TE can be enormous.
Chart – Regional Associations – shares:
The chart above shows that Europe has 44,03% of shares in the ITF, so consequently, a united Europe should be a key leader in the ITF:
– Helping in creating policy and strategy with the ITF
– Partnership in changes of the ITF constitution if it will be required
1.1. Current and past situation
In the past, a disintegrated TE and lack of coordination and leadership often led to an unfavorable outcome for TE.
1.2. What should be done in the future?
Participation and work with the ITF
Future internal European elections for the candidates which will represent TE at the ITF elections for the President and Board members should be conducted at the TE AGM prior to the ITF AGM electoral year. This will give the best European candidate a chance to become the ITF Board member or President. Equally, if TE wants to support a candidate for the president of ITF who is not from a TE member country, the TE should have a joint approach whom to support.
Work with the ITF is very important for both organizations as a strong and united European Tennis Federation also means a strong International Tennis Federation. However, TE must have a more proactive role.
As well as developing a more positive relationship with ITF there is a need to develop a good relationship with ATP and WTA as well. The TE together with ITF needs to negotiate with ATP and WTA better terms for players when playing Davis Cup and Olympic Games. The TE can ensure the support of the top European tennis players to start this engagement.
Support for less tennis-developed countries
Inside the united TE, more tennis- developed countries should take more responsibilities and help less developed countries to achieve equal opportunities for development. The goal is to develop and promote tennis at all levels, starting with juniors, seniors, amateur tennis as well as professional tennis.
Europe has always been a nursery with good soil and good seeds and now it needs addition of a good fertilizer to nurture and grow new generations of professional tennis players to an even higher level.
TE should make even bigger contribution to tennis by helping more national tennis federations and associations organizing tournaments as well as supporting existing ITF futures. This will show that TE has become a transparent, dynamic, open and modern organization.
2. Key focus areas
2.1. Innovate and improve communications
With 50 national associations, Tennis Europe is a big and strong family. Better communication is vital for the development of tennis in Europe and worldwide, so we need to provide a new solid foundation for communication. My original idea is to connect tennis world (professional and amateur). We will do this in Europe first and, once the system is proven to be successful, it could be offered to the ITF for worldwide implementation.
Don’t just wait, start to create!
TE, as the strongest regional association, should be a key leader in world tennis and should start developing projects on regional level which will help to generate new revenue. For the global level projects, TE should invite ITF and other regional tennis associations as partners to help delivery of such big projects worldwide. An example of such a project is “Aces for Aces”.
We will be able to make extra revenue offering our projects, expertise and know- how to others. It could be done through the ITF (but not necessarily) or by bilateral arrangements with end- users directly. We are not a profit-making organization and we will not turn into a business orientated entity. However, we need to consider and be open to new revenue streams by selling our products and reinvesting the profit into development for the benefit of tennis in Europe.
2.2. Digital transformation
In the line with the ITF Strategy Digitalization 2024, I have a clear picture as to what needs to be done. In the past 12 months, I have worked and developed with my IT team a solution for the TE Digital Transformation 2017-2020. The implementation of the project can start immediately following the approval by the new Board.
This Digital Transformation will bring benefit to the TE, but can also be sold as new digital solution to others and bring revenue to TE. The new digital transformation will also help ITF to maximize efficiency and make a stronger regional input.
The platform that I have ready to bring to TE will increase partnership, cooperation and collaboration between all partners as it will connect the world of tennis from amateur to professional tennis players and from the smallest club to the ITF. This will be a communication tool to engage, listen, understand and work more closely with all National Associations.
2.3. Strengthen Tennis Europe’s financial position
The aim is to increase revenue and utilize the existing budget from the ITF and member nations in order to accelerate the development of tennis in Europe.
As I have not had access to the full details of the accounts, I cannot judge what options are available in terms of budgetary efficiencies until a proper due diligence is conducted. I can promise that I will carefully look into the existing expenses and I will consider savings in areas where this is possible so that the realized savings could be utilized for development.
I feel that my experience in acquisitions and restructuring of different companies has armed me with the required skills and competencies to do it in a professional manner that will reassure the shareholders and the nation members will benefit from this. This will be one of my priorities and I will do it in a very short period of time.
2.4. Transparency
The aim is a full operational transparency for all members with full access to accounts, including detailed break- down of all costs and expenditures. All commercial contracts should be shown to the member states on their request.
2.5. Listen to the needs of the National Associations
I am committed to increasing the voice of national associations by working to understand their needs and aspirations. This collaborative approach will help Tennis Europe to provide better and more tailored resources to support national associations and development of tennis in their countries.
I shall start the communication with all members immediately, organizing more meetings on all levels, more cooperation, more sense for all the countries and their needs.
I promise that my mission will be to communicate with all member nations so we can create together the strategy of TE that will fulfil their needs and make each one of them more successful.
3. Why I am suitable for the post of the President of the Tennis Europe
My educational background, my knowledge and experience has armed me with the required skills and competencies to fulfill this role.
In my professional career, I used to work for large international companies having different roles like company secretary, MD, CFO, CEO and President as well as for my own companies. This provides me with the necessary knowledge and understanding of every step in running and governing business.
In sports and tennis business I have volunteered for 25 years with a lot of enthusiasm, and passion for sport. I have been working for the National Olympic Committee and National Tennis Association.
I am a truly international person, I have conducted my business and lived in different countries throughout my life. Currently, I spend my time between Croatia, England and Switzerland so I know and understand different European countries and cultures very well.
4. Conclusion
In conclusion, I feel eminently suitable for the post of the President of the European Tennis Federation and, if elected, I shall serve all member nations to advance tennis in Europe by focusing on the five key areas:
• Innovation
• Communication
• Digital transformation
• Financial strength
• Transparency
I hope that we will have the opportunity to work together and build a better Tennis Europe!
Yours,
Predrag Pegi Stojcevic
