IRT Event Hosting Guidelines for Men’s Professional Racquetball

Getting Started
• Contact the IRT Commissioner, Jason Mannino to establish tournament dates via e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
• A Relationship Agreement that establishes all policies and requirements will be delivered to you.
• The Relationship Agreement must be returned with the required deposit to secure your tournament date.
• You are on your way!

Locate Sponsors
• Contact members in the club that have their own businesses.
• Contact local business in the area.  Car dealers, restaurants, printers, builders and beverage distributors are usually good sources of revenue.
• Use merchandise or service trade outs when needed.
• Sponsor ideas: sell courts; sell draw sheets, title sponsors, supporting sponsors, and patrons. See attached sponsor package examples.
• If you don’t ask you won’t receive!

Sponsor Benefits
• Exposure thru court stickers, banners, name on t-shirts, name on entry, sponsor booths and flyers at the club.
• Exposure thru the newspaper, radio, local cable TV and online streaming by the www.IRTNetwork.com .
• Pro-am doubles event and VIP privileges.
• Exposure thru tournament players and guests. Racquetball players are, for the most part, loyal and will patronize the sponsors.

Pre-Tournament Info 1
• Pro Entry fees are $80 including IRT dues.  All pro entry revenue is retained by the IRT.
• All IRT sanctioned events use the PRO PENN HD ball.
• USA Racquetball sanctions all IRT events.  All players must be current USA Racquetball members.  No exceptions.
• Host club should accept pro division entries and then forward them to the IRT.
• IRT can take entries for both the amateur and pro divisions. IRT will contact the event director on Sunday and Monday to exchange entries. Deadline for pro entries is Monday at 6pm central.
• The commissioner will assist wherever possible to help the event director.
• The open draw should be done last and the commissioner will assist with seeding if necessary.
• Pro start times will be sent to the tournament direct on Wednesday by 6PM

Pre-Tournament Info 2

Ticket Sales
• All ticket sales go to the event; however, the IRT may require a few tickets for guests and potential sponsors.
• All pro players receive free entry to view the pro matches. At no time will a pro player take the seat of a ticket-bearing patron.
• Ticket prices vary from event to event. Some events include admission to all matches for tournament players and charge a higher entry fee, $50-$60. Some events charge for tickets in the range of $50-$75 for a full event package and some charge $5-$20 to view each match.  Try to make the entry fees a little less than the full package price to encourage people to play in the event.  Never turn away ticket money.

• Some events have pre-assigned seating and printed tickets, and some have first come, first seated seating. When possible, have someone collect tickets or check them so people are not admitted free of charge. Remember, viewing tickets are a great source of revenue.
• Remember to reserve seats for sponsors and V.I.P’s.

Match Requirements
• Two chairs, towels and water available for players on the main court(s).
• Towel boys or towel girls for the main matches (quarters, semis and finals) are a great amenity.
• A trophy for the winner is a nice touch. So is a large check made from poster board to present to the winner after the match.
• A separate area in the club for the players to relax and prepare for matches is well appreciated by the players where possible.
• Assistance with referees for first matches on Thursday.
• The IRT will require the main court forty-five minutes prior to starting time of the first pro match on the main court. This will allow time for the pro players to warm up and keep the matches on time.
• A microphone and sound system make the event more professional. The spectators can hear player introductions and interviews following each match. Music between matches always helps build crowd excitement.
• All pro players, qualifiers included, may not wear cotton t-shirts while playing. Please help remind players of this rule when they call for start times. All pro qualifiers should be prepared to play as early as 2pm on Thursday.
• Courts must be swept before each match to insure the safety of the players.
Post Event Information
• On Saturday, the IRT commissioner and tournament director will reconcile any monies owed. The IRT does not have a merchant number to process credit cards. If local players pay the club with credit card, a check must be issued to the IRT before completion of the event for all players who paid the club.
• Finalists will be available after the finals to take pictures with the sponsors and spectators.
• A contract for the next season should be signed with a deposit to place the event on the next season schedule.
• Provide a list of sponsors with addresses given to the IRT so we can send thank you letters out from the IRT.
Media Relations
• Every city is different when it comes to the media. Releases should be sent out on a daily basis 6 to 8 weeks in advance to receive attention.  Local papers and cable stations seem to be more interested than the majors in most cities. A sample release is included with this package. The IRT will assist with sending out the press releases.
• Tying in with a charity or using a player with special interest can help gain exposure.
• Check with local colleges and high schools for classes and students that can use the event as hands on school project.
• Find out who in your racquetball community has ties to the local media.
Special Functions

• Check with local schools and try and set up field trips to bring the kids to watch the Friday matches. A few events are very successful with this and help build a junior program at the club. The IRT will supply a pro to host a clinic for the kids.
• Autograph sessions can be offered after each match. A table will be needed so players can sit and sign.
• Some events host pre-tourney dinners for players and sponsors. Also, pre-tourney golf for players and sponsors has also been done.
• Feel free to contact the commissioner for any questions or ideas.
• All special functions must be arranged with the IRT before being posted.

IRT Sponsors
• The IRT has sponsors that support the tour financially. They hold “official status” rights at each event. The IRT requires each event to respect the commitment of these companies by not allowing competing companies to display product or sponsor the event without consent from the IRT commissioner. The event contract lists the IRT tour sponsors and there respective status.
• Each of these companies is allowed to display their product or services with a booth at each event with no charge. The IRT may ask for help with tables for each company when needed.
• Each of these companies will have a court decal displayed on the main viewing court for the length of the event.
• Each company should be allowed to hang banners in high traffic areas in the club.

IRT Requirements
• Prize money minimums for 2009-10 full ranking events (Tier One) are $17,500.00.
• Grand Slam events will require $30,000 or more. International events will require a minimum of $25,000 for a tier one event.The top 10 will be required to attend, barring unforeseen circumstances. All players will receive bonus points for Grand Slam Events.

• Lower tiered events will award points to all participating players
• Tier Two events require $10,000 to $17, 499,Tier Three events require $5,000 to $9,999 and Tier Four are $0 to $4,999.  A sanction fee is required for IRT points to be rewarded and to allow top ranked players to participate. Select professionals based upon ranking may require appearance fees.
• International events will require $25,000.00 minimum for a tier one event.
• The IRT requires two complimentary hotel rooms for the IRT staff per IRT contract.
• The IRT requires a deposit and signed contract to be added to the schedule. The signed contract is required for insurance purposes with USA Racquetball.
• USA Racquetball sanctions all IRT events and every player MUST be a current member of USA Racquetball.
• A table near the main exhibition court is required for the IRT for check-in and for product display.

Additional Services
• Each event will be posted on the IRT web site at www.irt-tour.com.  Where possible, the site will be updated daily during the event. All information about the event will be posted on the site. Hotel, entry blanks, sponsors and any other information provided to the IRT will be posted.
• All major sponsors and the host club may have their websites linked to the IRT website.
• Draw sheets and score cards will be provided at no charge to each event.
• IRT will assist with sending out press releases to all local media.