IPRO Director’s Message October 2021
The answer is YES. We did hold the 36th edition of the World Senior Racquetball Championships the week leading into Labor Day. With perseverance; we organized, operated, and now reflect. The dynamics were powerful; adjustments, compromises, consternation; followed by pride and smiles.
This event was set for one year earlier. When Covid realities intervened, we moved the dates to December of last year. Soon thereafter, things again moved ‘south’, and the reschedule for this year. Smart business acumen is to have mitigating strategies in place. We can control our policies and make common sense changes after a review of circumstances. Those outside our control may include: hotel rooms no longer available, a calendar filled with competing events, no airline refunds, garments and awards ordered and delivered months earlier, venue availability compromised, and government mandates for the wearing of masks indoors. We want our constituency to have a heart and put themselves in our shoes. We must listen and understand their concerns and requests as well.
Statements included, ‘we have always done it that way’; or, ‘she would postpone the tournament in a heartbeat.’ Well, things change and one must adapt for sanity and growth. Would SHE impose such action if thousands of dollars were already invested, no courts were available on which to host the event, or a significant few were asking for registration fees to be refunded? Probably not!
Many came, many stayed, and many played. They all enjoyed themselves. Number 37 is next year.
WELCOME & WELCOME BACK TO AMPRO/IPRO
Camila Arnez Mercado BOL
Ron Dehays OH
Iva Espinoza NM
Ignacio Sabate Lobo CRI
Donna Triemstra WA
UPCOMING
November 14-17 National Paddleball Championships & Rocky Mountain Doubles
Midtown Sports & Wellness, Albuquerque, NM R2sports.com
December tba IRF World Championships & Juniors; Guatemala City, Guatemala
Level 3 Officiating Seminar Instructor: Gustavo Farell
Quote of the Month
‘You get what you pay for’ John Arbuckle