Racquetball: 2002 Industry/RMC

The Racquetball Manufacturers Council (RMC) is a non-profit industry organization that was formed in 1999 by major sporting goods companies with an interest in growing the sport of racquetball. At an historic meeting in Memphis, TN in November of 2000 at the U.S. OPEN Racquetball Championships, industry leaders throughout the sport came together to formally announce the goals of the newly formed RMC. The group’s primary objective is to raise funds, designated as the “Grow Racquetball Fund”, to support RMC’s mission statement of “Dedicated to Growing the Sport of Racquetball”.

Funding for the group is primarily derived from annual membership dues required from Executive Council members of the RMC. These annual contributions will proportionally reflect the racquetball category sales level of each executive council member. (i.e. larger manufacturers will contribute more). All organizations who receive profit from the sport will be encouraged to contribute, including major equipment and accessory manufacturers, retailers and court builders.

Additional funding is received from contributions by patrons and donors. Patrons are primarily companies that receive profit from the sport, and will be asked pay an annual assessment determined by the executive council, not to exceed $5,000. As a Patron, companies are entitled to the same member benefits as the Executive Council and they may attend up to two annual meetings per year as designated by the Executive Council. Donations are received from anyone interested in supporting the RMC Grow Racquetball Fund. Contributions from Donors will be accepted in any amount exceeding $100 and those individuals or companies will be recognized by the RMC as a Donor to the RMC Grow Racquetball Fund.

The RMC is a recognized committee of the Sporting Good Manufacturers Association (SGMA). The SGMA provides financial and legal supervision to the RMC. Management of the RMC will be conducted through an Executive Committee with support from one representative of the SGMA. The Executive Council of the RMC will meet five times annually, two of these meetings (US OPEN & Super Show) will be open to all Patron members.

Using combined strengths from the key manufacturers in the sport, the Racquetball Manufacturer's Council [RMC] has a unique ability to support important programs across all avenues, and has already developed several key initiatives in 2002 to help grow the game and support its players.

The RMC supported the 2002 World Racquetball Championships in Puerto Rico with an IRF grant designed to strengthen international programs and initiatives, and help realize the Olympic Dream for racquetball. The RMC also funded a two-year grant to the USRA's Junior Council, to support the administration of national junior and high school programs. A third, ongoing project is to provide support to the American Professional Racquetball Organization (AmPro). Through camps and classes to certify programmers and instructors, AmPro is a vital program, and the RMC hopes to aid in doubling its membership.

"We are very excited about these initiatives and hope to further support and grow the sport of racquetball across the world. The RMC is dedicated to its efforts and has an intense focus on both the players and the sport as a whole. If we can accomplish just a portion of what we have set out to do, racquetball as a whole will benefit greatly," stated Scott Winters, RMC Chairman. Winters continues that, "in addition to granting funds to current programs, we are especially excited about the opportunities we have to develop and grow the sport’s programs and initiatives as a group. The RMC plans to appropriate a significant portion of our funds to our own initiatives, which we consider to be new and outside of the box."

The RMC is a non-profit industry organization that was formed in 2000 at the U.S. OPEN Racquetball Championships under the umbrella of the Sports Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA). The union between the world's leading racquetball manufacturers — including E-Force, Ektelon, Head/Penn Racquet Sports, Pro Kennex and Wilson — was formed with the objective of increasing the market through a joint effort of supporting programs and projects that will bring new players to the sport as well as maintaining those that are playing now.

For more information on the RMC, or to receive membership details, please email chairman Scott Winters, or reach him by phone at (480) 460-9019.