Canal Tenis chatted with the President of the IBP Circuit. Francisco Blanco was very happy after analyzing the results of the IBP circuit in 2022. He also talked about his beginnings, the necessary help, his relationship with the RFET or the dreams to come true.
In the middle of the final Master IBP Canal Tenis analyzed with its President Francisco Blanco another season full of successes for the IBP circuit. Francisco was very happy with the path taken and showed his expectations for a 2023 in which they want to continue growing. He also appreciated how his beginnings were and the solidarity work that the IBP circuit is doing and that helps both tennis and society.
First of all, congratulations on the IBP circuit. When and how did the idea of this tournament come about? What are the keys to being able to carry out so many tournaments at a national level?
The idea of this circuit arose after a meeting with Quino Muñoz, during the Colmenar Viejo Tournament, in which he conveyed to us the need to do something to coordinate and give more visibility to all the good things that are done in all the National Tournaments of our country. Quino knows them well, since he has played many of them and also won.
To be able to organize so many tournaments throughout Spain. How is the planning when scheduling a tournament schedule? How important are the aids from sponsors, public and private organizations?
The keys are to do so many tournaments is to have something that already exists, the national tournaments, you just had to group them into a circuit. In addition, we had to convey the credibility of what we wanted to do, hand in hand with someone they already knew perfectly, Quino Muñoz. Apart from credibility, our organizational capacity to carry it out, with a professional team that knows what tennis is on the court. Active players, former players and a perfect symbiosis between different generations.
How has the IBP circuit grown in recent years?
The planning for the organization of tournaments is not easy. It was easier the first year with ten tournaments, but this year with 104 tests it has been like a “sudoku”. The main thing is to adapt to the requests of the tournaments, since many of them are held during the local festivities. This is very important since the municipalities are very important sponsors of the same. In addition, apart from this, there are other considerations such as proximity to other tournaments that can limit the attendance of players and others, but always looking for the best for everyone. What I say, a “sudoku” almost nothing.
The help of the sponsors is essential and we try to convey the idea of the circuit so that they can use it with their sponsors. Circuit idea that enhances the image of the club, sponsors, town and its surroundings. It is important not only to talk about what is done on a tennis court, but where that club is and the most important aspects of its surroundings such as history, monuments, local commerce, etc. We will provide you with everything you need both in marketing and communication for this. This is something we want to promote for next year. “Live local, think global”.
Growth is being exponential, but we have to control that growth and cement it. Many times we have to coordinate heart and illusion with head. The IBP Tennis have continued every year, even in a pandemic, with the necessary anti-Covid protection measures. The Blanco Paris Foundation, the first sponsor of the Tournament, donated 200,000 masks to the Tournaments in that period.
How is the relationship with the RFET?
The IBP Tennis respects, how could it be otherwise, the RFET as an Institution that manages all tennis in our country, as well as the different regional federations. I also believe that we have a lot of space for relationship and collaboration to cover.
In addition, one of the main values is solidarity with the collection of food. What junction does the IBP circuit have with this value and how does a food pickup work?
One of the main points of the IBP Tennis are the values. Equal opportunities, solidarity, fair play, parity between women and men, transparency and honesty are part of the DNA of our Circuit. Emilio de Villota and the Legacy that bears the name of his daughter helps us a lot in this, forming a very important part of our Management Team. According to his words this is more than tennis. He transmits many experiences, ideas and advice to us, in addition to being his important critical auditor of everything we do both in the field of solidarity and in other fields.
For many years we have managed the donation of food from the Blanco París Foundation, with the collaboration of the María Villota Legacy, in all the tournaments that are part of the circuit. Food that was bought in stores in the tournament area and donated to a local NGO. Currently, it is the club that collects food from the public, members and supporters for this purpose.
The Master donated 3,000 kilos of food thanks to the sponsors, in addition to the donation from the Chamartín Tennis Club for its collection during the Master.
Just as we set ourselves the goal of 100 tests for this circuit, which we have already exceeded, we have the goal of 50,000 kilos of food per year, which we will achieve for sure.
Within the IBP circuit veterans meet youth, opportunities for different ages. How to have such a variety of players in all tournaments?
Despite being an absolute circuit, players of other ages are participating. With this, we open the possibility for players to compete with different players, which will help them improve their tennis and open up a horizon that can be a boost for their practice of tennis in other geographical environments. Any national circuit will allow them to test their talent and training before tackling bigger goals. In addition, since there are so many tests and in every week, your travel expenses are reduced to a minimum. Thanks to the collaboration with the RPT Marca circuit, the champions of this Circuit enter directly into the Master, as well as a wild card for the best sub18 and sub21 on the circuit. A circuit of all and for all.
Why is the IBP circuit important in Spain?
The IBP Tennis and the rest of the circuits are important, because they bring tennis closer to the base and facilitate and motivate their practice and competition in a comfortable and affordable way. They also bring all the tournaments and their people closer together, allowing them to share ideas, experiences and personal relationships. They all have the same objective, tennis in our country, success and the great figures of tennis in Spain are born in a national tennis club, let us never forget that.
The objectives for 2023
The objective is to consolidate, grow and communicate what we are doing. Also maintain the illusion of those who support us and continue fighting to convince those who still do not support us. We are convinced that this is good for tennis and for the Society and also for us as members of the above.
How far does the IBP circuit want to go?
As far as our resources, capacity and coherence allow us. If it were only for our dreams, to infinity.
