Road Tennis : Beyond Funding. Needs International Digital Blueprint

One Caribbean Nation.

Beyond funding

The digital blueprint for road tennis’ global rise

I don't usually do follow-ups, but last week's article sparked spirited feedback from the road tennis community. What truly prompted this part two, though, was one comment: "All road tennis needs is money."

Yes, money matters—but it's not everything. Plenty of well-funded projects still fail due to bad timing, poor planning, or weak management. Funding helps, but it doesn't fix systemic flaws.

One issue I raised last week was governance—what leadership does in managing the affairs of a sport or any organisation. Over the years, road tennis has had many passionate stakeholders who believed in its global potential. But they've leaned too heavily on government support for the sport's survival. That mindset edges dangerously close to nationalisation, not nationhood.

If road tennis is going to have its moment in the sun and earn the recognition it deserves, it can't rely on a local plan alone—it needs a local plan with a global strategy. That's the focus of today's article. Last week, we identified the problems. Today, I'll outline a possible pathway for global growth—because failing to do so could mean road tennis remains a stunted community pastime.

Digital governance and global identity

A key step in positioning road tennis as a credible global sport is establishing a central governing body with a strong digital identity. This means formally creating the World Road Tennis Federation (WRTF)—legally incorporated and backed by clear statutes.

Incorporating in Switzerland isn't inexpensive, but the credibility and access it brings are unmatched. It signals that road tennis is ready for international recognition and positions it within a respected global network. Just as importantly, it offers proximity to the Maison du Sport International, home to over 30 international sports federations and organisations. This kind of strategic location places road tennis alongside the world's major sporting bodies—not just in name, but in influence.

The WRTF should also secure a .sport domain—roadtennis.sport—as its official digital home. More than a brand, it's a signal of legitimacy. Reserved for recognised sports entities, a .sport domain affirms that road tennis is ready to step onto the world stage.

Tech-driven community building and outreach

Building a global sport isn't just about governance—it's about people. For road tennis to grow beyond Barbados, it must actively foster an international community. Technology offers the most scalable and cost-effective path to achieve that.

A mobile-friendly website, supported by consistent and engaging social media content, can extend the sport's reach well beyond our shores. High-quality match footage, tutorials, and player profiles—shared on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok—can do more than promote; they can recruit. These platforms are modern gateways for attracting new players, fans, and sponsors.

This is also where government support becomes crucial. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its consulates and overseas missions, should be mandated to promote road tennis internationally and support the formation of national road tennis associations. These national bodies aren't just symbolic—they are structural prerequisites.

Most global sports federations require at least 15 national associations across three continents to qualify for recognition by international bodies like SportAccord, which coordinates global sport governance, or AIMS (Alliance of Independent Recognised Members of Sport), which serves as a development platform for emerging and non-Olympic sports. Recognition by these entities is the first step towards legitimacy, inclusion in global events, and access to funding and partnerships.

Equally important to the sport's global push is the development of digital platforms for training and certification. I firmly believe Barbados—and by extension, the University of the West Indies—is leaving millions on the table by not formalising and globalising road tennis certification. There is a clear opportunity to position UWI as the academic and technical hub for the sport.

In addition, a well-designed website offering coaching modules, referee training, and athlete development programmes would make the sport accessible to individuals everywhere—from Bridgetown to Nairobi. Even simple features like event calendars, live match results, and fan interaction tools can help build community, drive engagement, and generate momentum—making road tennis feel less like a local tradition and more like a truly global movement.

Data-backed development and compliance tools

As road tennis endeavours to expand its reach, it must also mature in how it handles information, performance, and accountability. In today's world, data is no longer a luxury—it's a necessity, not just in sport, but across all industries. For road tennis, this means adopting digital infrastructure that supports structured growth—whether for athlete development, tournament management, or international credibility.

A centralised, cloud-based system could track player performance, manage international rankings, and streamline tournament registration across continents. These tools would not only bring professionalism but also open sponsorship, media, and commercial opportunities. If implemented properly, they could support everything from federation onboarding to athlete eligibility verification.

Just as importantly, any move toward global recognition will require alignment with international best practices—anti-doping policies, ethics guidelines, and independent dispute resolution processes. These aren't just formalities; they are foundational elements for acceptance into global sports governance. If road tennis is to stand alongside other internationally recognised sports, it must show that it plays by the same rules—even if the game itself is uniquely ours.

In the end, money alone won't take road tennis global. Yes, resources matter—but without structure, vision, and the right tools, even the best-funded efforts will stall. Government has a role to play, not as the sole driver, but as a facilitator—clearing pathways, forging connections, and helping establish the sport on the world stage. But the real shift must come from us—from how we think about road tennis, not just as a Barbadian pastime, but as a global sport with roots here and reach everywhere. To evolve, we must start thinking globally, acting strategically, and building intentionally. Only then will road tennis get the recognition it truly deserves.

Steven Williams is the executive director of Sunisle Technology Solutions and the principal consultant at Data Privacy and Management Advisory Services. He is a former IT advisor to the Government's Law Review Commission, focusing on the draft Cybercrime bill. He holds an MBA from the University of Durham and is certified as a chief information security officer by the EC Council and as a data protection officer by the Professional Evaluation and Certification Board (PECB).

From Barbados Today May 20th.,2025