Starting a club is less about paperwork and more about removing friction: a court people can get to, a time they can remember, and a session that runs without anyone arguing about who plays next. Here is the order to do it in.
Lock a recurring court slot. Recruit 15–20 players. Run open play with rotating partners at the same time every week. Charge only what covers the court. Everything else — a name, a logo, dues, a committee — can wait three months.
The word covers three very different things, and picking the wrong one early is the most common way new clubs stall.
Aim for the second tier. It is the level where a club becomes self-sustaining, and it is achievable in a single season.
Players will follow a court. A court will not follow players. Secure the venue first, even if you only have four people.
When you approach a venue, bring a specific ask: a day, a start and end time, the number of courts, and how many weeks you want. Vague enquiries get vague answers.