I don't think that all the categories have to play at the same time - there are two sessions in France, although this is mainly because they also have all the individual national championships to do - juniors by age, adults by ranking category, veterans by age category (every 5 year slot, from 35 up to 80).

The US Open only really affects the 17-18 year olds (Katie Swan is a real exception, and you can always make allowances for one-off exceptions).

So, if it were me, I think I'd have the GB U12, U14 and U16 now. And players would be expected/obliged to play if they wanted to be part of the LTA group.

And I would hold the U18 at mid/end-September, or whenever, in fact.

Most of our serious 17-18 year-olds will (unfortunately) either not be in school any more, or following studies by correspondence or special arranged hours. And most can take a week off for a national championship.

And I would hold it at the same time as the adults/veterans (and if there aren't national championships for adults/veterans in the Uk, there bloomin' well ought to be)

I would love to see all players currently funded via the LTA having to play the national junior championships unless they can prove they are injured or have permission from the LTA to miss the tournament. If you don't wish to play and are funded then you should not be funded to play any further junior tournaments for a specified time period. This would give the likes of Harriet and Eleanor who don't play juniors anymore an opt out.

No doubling up of players playing two age groups.

U-12 & U-14 - play in current week

U-16 & U-18 scheduled away from US Open/Maureen Connolly Trophy and any major junior competition or domestic ITF tournament. There must be a suitable date in the calendar

U18

Final

(1) Jasmine Asghar def. (2) Eden Richardson 6-1 6-2

 

U16 SF

(1) Eden Richardson  def.  (6) Louie McClelland  6-4 6-3
(3) Emily Appleton  def.  Camille Verden-Anderson  6-2 6-3

 

Final : (1) Eden Richardson v (3) Emily Appleton

-- Edited by Coup Droit on Thursday 21st of August 2014 06:06:43 PM

Well done to all the winners.  However, I suspect most of them, as elite players, have only played because they have been told to by their LTA tennis manager.  Those that most of us consider to be elite juniors have to have their competition schedules approved by the manager in charge of their age group/region in order for general funding/travel assistance to be approved.  The sad fact is, most of the elite players see the Nationals as an annoying irrelevance and, in general, only play if made to do so.  The highest levels of funding in the older age groups is based upon ITF and WTA rankings so better to be playing one of those rather than a domestic tourney.  Most hardly play any UK junior tennis at all.  This is a shame as it stops the group underneath testing themselves against 'the stars' and improving their own game in the process.

As regards playing 2 age groups, they restricted it to one for a couple of years recently but it badly affected entries.  If you are not a top player it is better not to try your hand at nationals where you'll probably only get one match but play a local G3 where you will get several matches in 2 age groups.

This year is also complicated by entry being on age group ranking only with no account taken of rating. ITF and WTA rankings are taken into account but the many older juniors who play BT rather than junior events as the competition is generally tougher have struggled to get in to Nationals this year, although some of them you might have expected to be seeded.