All Work and No Play
Hi, I'm Dennis and this is my story of how Awtsyde[outside], came to be.
Growing up in Ghana, my parents had a very "study hard or go home" attitude. But I was a bit of a rebel and loved playing football with the kids in my neighbourhood. Even though I got punished for it, I just couldn't resist the temptation of the beautiful game. In fact, I was so determined to play that my parents ended up transferring me to a school that was further away, hoping that I'd be too tired to join in the games after class. But that didn't stop me!
Looking back, I can see that my parents just wanted me to focus on my studies and excel in that area, and I did, yet sports was where I found joy and passion. Who knows, maybe if they had let me play, I could have been the next big thing in Ghana national team or played alongside L. Messi at Barcelona.
At my new school, I fell in love with volleyball, basketball, and badminton, but my parents wouldn't take me to the club to practice. So, while I focused on school, my love for sports got pushed to the sidelines.
My dad sadly passed away when I was in University, leaving me to care for my mum and three younger siblings. It was more challenging than ever to find time to play while balancing work and studies. When I started work as a software engineer, the stress of the job and sitting all day took its toll. Without healthy leisure time, I struggled to stay focused.
King of Clubs or Court Jester?
I have always loved the feeling of getting into the “flow” of a game. So, I started playing tennis and joined a community of tennis players in my town. We used WhatsApp to schedule games, and when it worked out, I could tap into that flow, break a sweat, and let the stress of work dissolve.
I noticed that everyone came to the court for a reason. For some, it was as simple as loving the game or trying to stay healthy, but sometimes it was deeper than that. Especially among my stressed-out coworkers in the tech community, people played for relief. They came to the courts to let something go and take their minds off work. I have seen them sweat out their frustration, knowing they were going to sleep better that night and show up at work the next day feeling more refreshed.
Scheduling Sets Is a Racket
When my job sent me to a new city, I had a hard time finding a home court and getting in with a new community of players. I would show up to an empty court, or it was so crowded that all I could do was wait around. When it was finally my turn, my opponent could have been anyone from a total newbie to Venus & Serena’s long-lost brother!
Throughout my globetrotting adventures for both work and leisure, I’ve always made sure to take along my trusty racquet and tennis gear. Like a loyal companion, they’ve accompanied me across various borders and cultures. Yet, each time I landed in a new location, I was confronted with the same old challenges. In some countries, I grappled with the disheartening reality of being unable to gain access to a court or decipher the complex process of booking one. At other times, it felt like I was embarking on an exploratory expedition – trying to locate a court seemed more like a treasure hunt, with the court itself being the elusive prize.
When I moved to Germany, I discovered a vastly different tennis culture where people found their partners in Facebook groups or meetup groups, especially among expats and tourists. They showed up to play with one another in neat little one-hour blocks. I was frustrated because I wanted to play when I wanted to play, against a well-matched opponent. I knew I wasn’t alone.
Tennis players, whether they’re weekend warriors or hit the courts every day, don’t want to show up to an empty court or one that’s so full it’s going to take hours to get their serve. Calling friends means crossing your fingers that they’re free at the same time, and using WhatsApp groups is no better because if you’re not already in the group, you’re still left out.
To find a solution, I conducted a formal survey to ask what made people play more this year compared to last year. 45% said they played more because they found new people to play with, and 20% played more because they had more access to a court. The solution seemed simple! Not everyone has a reliable tennis community, but everybody has a smartphone.
A Doubles Partner in Your Pocket
I founded Awtsyde[outside] because I wanted a simpler way to spend more time playing the sports I loved. Through the app, players can schedule games and meet new opponents from their phone. It’s a platform for racquet sports players to connect with new opponents at their skill level, book courts, and track scores to boost their bragging rights. Awtsyde makes it easier for players of all levels and backgrounds to connect, play, and improve their skills.
Awtsyde[outside] is also a hit with club and facility managers because it’s not just about getting people together to play. The platform optimizes court utilization, promotes clubs to potential new members, and generates new business for coaches.
Game, Set, Match
Picture this: It’s April 2022 and I’m at a work BBQ, chatting with the director of HR, Nina. We’re both sports enthusiasts and share a passion for the mental and physical benefits of playing games. And that’s when the light bulb moment hits! I’m determined to make it easier for people to play the sports they love, whenever and wherever they want.
But I know I can’t do it alone. That’s where my awesome team comes in – Kofi, a tennis-loving Product Manager, Jackie, a coordination queen, and Phelim, a rugby-playing Software Engineer. Together, we’ve got all the skills we need to make it happen. Shoutouts to Alex, Ralph, Rex, and the rest of the team for their committed efforts.
And the best part? We’ve got two amazing board members who share our vision. One of them was so excited about the idea that he jumped on board after just a ten-minute chat. I mean, who wouldn’t want to be a part of something this awesome?
We call it Awtsyde – the ultimate app for racquet sports players. With Awtsyde, you can easily find opponents at your skill level, book courts, and track your scores for some serious bragging rights.
But it’s not just about the games. Awtsyde helps clubs and facilities maximize their court utilization and attract new members. And don’t even get me started on the mental health benefits of playing sports. As Nina pointed out, it’s all about meeting more people and playing more. And who wouldn’t want that?
Plus, with tennis becoming the fastest-growing sport in Africa, and technology making it more accessible than ever, Awtsyde[outside] is the perfect solution for racquet sports enthusiasts everywhere.
Don’t Wait to Play
About a year ago I was home in Ghana, hanging out at a random tennis court next to the sea. A few of us had gathered and began playing set after set, rotating opponents as matches were won and lost. After a while, a guy ran home and came back with a grill. Another guy left and returned with a cooler full of cold drinks. A leisurely Saturday afternoon became a free-for-all tennis party that lasted well into the evening.
I’ll never forget it. I think if my Dad could have been there that day, he finally would have understood why sports like tennis are so important. They give meaning to our work – and my vision for Awtsyde is to facilitate more memorable moments of healthy play, connection, and joy.
Don’t Wait to Play.
Get Awtsyde [outside].
We're getting a growing population of racquet sports players off the sidelines -- plus other sports where playing social is more fun than playing solo, in the countries where interest and access don't match up.