The Social Impact of Tennis on Society

The Social Impact of Tennis on Society

For many years, tennis was perceived only as a source of physical activity. Matches were played, there was a winner, a handshake, and players went home.

As the sport became more popular, industry leaders created teaching associations to educate and support individuals who spread the gospel of tennis. They developed and promoted tennis activities such as lessons, clinics, tournaments, and leagues for those who wanted more than unstructured play. In the process, unintended positive consequences, or social benefits, became part of the sport.

Organizations Offering Social Benefits

The following three organizations illustrate how sports-related social benefits add to the value of their mission.

At one end of the spectrum, The National Federation of High School Activities serves almost 20,000 high schools and more than 12 million students who participate in athletic and fine arts performing programs (click here). The NFHS mission follows:

The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) serves its members by providing leadership for the administration of education-based high school athletics and activities through the writing of playing rules that emphasize health and safety, educational programs that develop leaders, and administrative support to increase opportunities and promote sportsmanship.

The Boys and Girls Clubs of America organization has a network of more than 5,500 local Clubs that serve more than four million youth each year (click here). The organization provides evidence-informed programs to support academic success, character and leadership, health and well-being, and workforce readiness.

The Vail Valley Foundation (VVF) (click here) is a nonprofit organization that operates in the Vail Valley of Colorado. The purpose of VVF programs is to create life-enriching experiences and opportunities for the entire community, including those who visit. This includes world-class programming in four focus areas: the arts, athletics, education, and community enhancement. Activities range from World Cup Ski races to dance festivals, to community engagement opportunities such as soccer programs, and culinary classes for middle school children. The VVF works to “broaden perspectives, empower untapped potential, and fill the valley with vibrant possibilities, today and into the future.”

Developing the SROI/Possible Benefits

The process for creating a Social Return on Investment (SROI) is similar to processes for other research projects:

• Identify the metrics or indicators that will be evaluated and how they will be calculated and used.

• Collect the data.

• Calculate the SROI (analyze the inputs and benefits).

• Present the findings.

Within its Project Play program (click here), the Aspen Institute (click here) identified indicators that serve as benefits for most sports, including tennis:

• Health Benefits.

  ACSM Fitness Index (click here) and Aspen Institute Sports Index (click here).

• Education Benefits.

  The benefits extend to the workplace.

• Mental, Social, and Psychological Benefits.

  A correlation exists between regular exercise and mental health.

• Financial Benefits.

  Getting people to be active could save the global economy about $68 billion annually.

Each heading includes additional listings. Academic research supports most of the benefits discussed in these sections.

Academic Research

In addition to the links mentioned above, this sampling of academic publications addresses the relationship between sports and society.

• Dr. Larissa Davies is the principal author of Understanding the social return on investment of physical activity and sport: developing an international consensus. (click here). She and her team described how SROI is a credible framework for measuring the non-financial impact of sports programs and how the evaluation process can be improved.

• Dr. Phillip Veliz is the principal author of the report How Tennis Influences Youth Development (click here). It provides an overview of how tennis and other sports positively impact youth in society.

• Dr. Amanda Visek is the principal author of articles that address her Fun Integration Theory and the importance of fun in the learning process. She has written articles about having fun in soccer and tennis. Her research includes her mapping of “fun” (click here).

• Aspen Institute, The Theory of Change (click here). The organization presents a plan for change in sports organizations that calls for a youth-centered sports ecosystem that serves all youth. This is a big ask for the teaching organizations RSPA, PTR, and the USTA.

• Dr. Narelle Eather conducts research focused on the impact of sports participation on mental health and social outcomes in adults. She and her team published the following research, “The impact of sports participation on mental health and social outcomes in adults: a systematic review and the ‘Mental Health through Sport’ conceptual model.” (click here).

The list of research articles about sports and society includes researchers from around the world. 

In the Future

Looking ahead, the relationship between sports and society will be tested by policy, demographics, legal decisions, technology, investment dollars, and much more. It will affect sports at all levels, ranging from youth to professional sports. Without a doubt, the impact of sports on society will be different in the next decade. Hopefully, tennis and other sports will continue to impact people who enjoy them. With good fortune, the leaders in the tennis industry will play a key role in future changes.

In addition, Gary Horvath has conducted extensive business and economic research that has largely supported the state of Colorado's economic development efforts.