Tennis Administration has changed, unfortunately not for the better. It
wasn’t that long ago Tennis was run by a couple of Administrators and a part
time Office Lady, who also made the tea!, it was more successful, there were
more people playing and we had a respected Davis Cup and Federation Cup Teams.
Just go on the NZ Tennis web site, we have the C.E.O Steve[ I know nothing]
Johns, Marcel Voss the National Coach, Voss, who must be very confused at the
moment, having been replaced BY Alistair Hunt, poor old Marcel must be wandering
around the flash new Office at NZ Tennis wondering what his actual role is, we
have a National Game Development Officer, whatever that is?, we have a Coach
Education Co –ordinator, Craig Bell who is rarely seen away from the Water
Cooler, there are other positions as well that I have no idea what these people
they actually do!, oh by the way they don’t have a ‘tea lady’, perhaps that's
where they are going wrong. We really have to ask what are these people being
paid?, what is it costing to run the operation, Salaries, Cars, Travel, Cocktail
Parties that sort of thing?. Are these people paid on performance?. What’s wrong
with the Coaches in NZ, why do they have similar opinions as to numerous
articles published at ‘The Eye Of The Tiger, but don’t have the ‘balls’, to
express them to NZ Tennis. It’s about time the peasants revolted!!. Lets take
the crazy situation with the Davis Cup Team, how come a player ranked 10 in NZ,
Mathew Simpson is chosen to join the Team, it’s ok to have a Top Junior, so that
he can gain some experience but this ,guy is just a Club Player who plays
a few tournaments occasionally, the big question did NZ Tennis pay for him to
return to NZ?. It’s obvious that there has to be some big changes for the sake
of Tennis in this Country, starting with Steve Johns, who really is out of his
depth, Regards Tony Osborne.
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Coudnt agree more steve johns is arrogant and treats our top players with no respect.he is full of his own importance and has no idea about tennis.woeful
ReplyDeletewho is this Tony Osborne guy?, who does he think he is?, unfortunately he is sooooooo correct!!
ReplyDeleteAppreciate your thoughts Tony, however running a national sports organisation is not as easy as most people would envisage and there is more than just high performance to take care of.
ReplyDeletePlacing an ex player at the helm is not always the solution either, most don't have the skill or patience to manage what can ofter be a difficult role with all sides wanting and asking for time, attention and money.
There are a number of areas in your comments which are lacking in research or correct facts, but obviously it is a tongue-in-cheek column, so that is okay.
You are correct in the correct in the fact that all is not well when it comes to TNZ and any sport can improve, but potshots at individuals that's perhaps a little lacking in tact and skill.
Regards from a keen spectator
Hi, I appreciate it is difficult running a National Sport like Tennis, but how difficult is it to listen?When was the last time any club or coach had any sort of communication with anyone from NZ Tennis? You are correct I have taken potshots at some individuals at NZ Tennis, this is because of my complete frustration in their performance, would you employ them? , Regards and stay tuned for some horror stories from some top Kiwi Tennis Coaches, Cheers Tony Osborne.
DeleteIf NZ wants to return to Group I in Davis Cup then beating Lebanon and Pakistan while necessary, is hardly the issue ... the NZ Juniors could have beaten Lebanon and the NZ 'B' team should be able to roll Pakistan despite Qureshi's presence. The real issue is Thailand. If NZ does not play the 'A' team for this tie then Group II will be NZ's destiny for yet another year. The 'A' team needs to be Statham, King-Turner, Venus and Sitak - and even then it won't be a walk in the park. Spot the problem! Unless there is a major overhaul of management at TNZ, starting with John's being replaced, if we are to believe the press then Statham won't make himself available for any future Davis Cup Ties. Another keen spectator
ReplyDeleteYes B team can beat Pakistan but whats the point? No chance Statham will play for NZ the way he has been treated, and remember when NZ won group 2 in 2010 he won 6 out of 6 matches for the 3 ties, NZ winning 3-2 each tie (including Thailand in the final), you do the math without him....the reward was glorifying Vos (first year DC coach) then being hired full time job at TNZ while Stathams funding and coaching removed.
Deleteagain it's not as easy as it seems. You have said Jones should be replaced. But with whom. And don't just say an ex player as that is a misguided statement and ex players don't make good administrators as they never realise the full scale of how to govern a sport and the full conitations of finance, people managment and planning. Before proposing someone be fired, prepare for a solution rather than a rash statement. Thailand may not actually make the final as Philippines could beat them in the semis.
ReplyDeleteRemember you can only beat who is put in front of you.
I agree ex players do not always make good administrators, and yes you can only beat who is in front of you ...however to get out of this current group NZ need the best team on the field.I do not think Tony advocated for an ex player to take charge.Debate and opinions are good for sport to evolve .
DeleteI view TNZ as a small business. Successful small businesses have a great 'can do' leader supported by a highly skilled team. In a small business a CEO must lead by example, be a solid multi tasker and not remain hidden behind a desk and a myriad of spreadsheets. IMHO, the most significant attribute the CEO of TNZ should have is the ability to sell the organisation in order to secure funding .. In particular funding from the private sector, funding that can be spent on all facets of the game from junior development through to supported the current crop of professionals. He or she should be on the phone making cold calls and talking to possible funding candidates every day. I don't see a lot of fund development activity being undertaken by Johns ... But please correct me if I am wrong ... BTW government handouts doesn't count in this exercise ... I'm talking about new sources of funding. As we all know in the business world existing customers are important but its new customers that is where growth comes from. Make the connection ... Join the dots.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of the management team, first cab off the rank must be National Coach who will be respected and taken seriously by regional coaches and top players alike. This is definitely where a CV with a combination of ATP tour experience and coaching experience must count ... This would have to be an ideal role for a past professional player I would have thought ... But again correct me if I am wrong.
At last some sense! In the last month has Johns called every CEO whose company had a corporate box at the ASB Classic and Heineken Open in order to try and secure up some private sponsorship?
DeleteBusiness 101 I wold have thought!
I believe Tony Osborne is pretty correct in his views on the management of NZ Tennis, but he fails to discuss the Board, they appointed the C.E.O,shouldn't they be accountable?One of the major problems is these people believe Auckland is the centre of everything tennis, they need to get out more, Regards Jeff in beautiful Tauranga!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't mind betting the board have already realised that they made a massive mistake in appointing Johns and Vos. Johns didn't appoint Vos ... He was already there when Johns signed on and while I am guessing i bet they had a say in the Vos appointment. I suspect the board is working behind the scenes to orchestrate a changing of the guard at the least possible cost to the organisation. You can bet your boots Johns and Vos have contracts that if broken will cost the organisation a lot of money ... Money TNZ apparently doesn't have.
DeleteStop all this stupid debate get the Canadians to run NZ Tennis!
ReplyDeleteNah ... Get the Australians to do it. In fact TNZ and TA should amalgamate ... Hmmmm, God only knows what TNZ would bring to the party... Stunning management skills?
DeleteSimple. Hire a CEO that knows something about his job-Tennis. not a surf life saver. A national/Davis Cup coach who has coached and/or developed professional players with a track record. Not a local coach of little kids in tauranga.
ReplyDeleteThe above find and hire a professional team to surround them and the top players and juniors to drive them to success. If the above have correct intensions and care about tennis and the players rather than just themselves, they will generate sponsorship to fund it, like other countries do.