Not sure if this article has been posted but its a good one from Neil Harman....appears that Rice and Broady won't be able to play tourneys for 2 months !
"The Australians call it their tough love policy and yesterday David Rice and Naomi Broady were having to come to terms with the startling discovery that British tenniss gravy train does not run indefinitely. The response of the Bebo Two, having had their funding cut over teenage pranks that went a little too far, will determine if they have a future in the sport.
As the LTA funds each player to the tune of £20,000 a year in coaching, travelling, fitness and nutritional support, one can see the point of its determination that Rice and Broady toe the line. Several other juniors have been warned as to their future conduct because the LTA, in return for such funding (which could be seen as extravagant), expects its elite young players to demonstrate that they have a professional attitude to a sport in which it is difficult to succeed.
Daniel Evans, the 17-year-old from Warwickshire who reached the quarter-finals of the US Open junior championship this month, and the doubles partner of Rice, insists that his friend is nothing like the person he has been painted in the past 24 hours.
David is so different, hes a really quiet lad who doesnt say much, Evans said. I know none of this happened during a tournament or in a training block because Im with him then. But hes not a kid, hes 18 and hes allowed to let his hair down a bit. Succeeding in tennis is hard enough as it is without having to deal with this.
Rice played in all four junior grand-slam tournaments this year but has not developed as quickly as someone of 6ft 2in who possesses his great physical attributes ought."
If it's true that both will be unable to compete again till December...basically missing the whole indoor season then that;s quite ridiculous....ok cut their funding and withdraw coaching...but prevent them from playing tournaments is going overboard. Both players have big games and Broady especially would have had a big chance of doing damage in the futures and challengers.
Would have given both an immediate chance to bounce back too
How can they prevent them from playing tournaments? Is it simply that without a coach or any funding it'll be extremely difficult to enter, or does the LTA have more of a role in it than I'd realised?
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Neil Harman's article seemed to suggest that they cant...I doubt the LTA can prevent them from competing abroad but maybe they can prevent them from playing in GB
The LTA can do absolutely nothing to stop them playing. But they'll have to pay for themselves and won't get wild cards even if they perform outstandingly.
Back in early 2005, when David Rice & Darren Walsh were swanning around South America (all expenses paid, remember), Tim Hewitt was finishing 3rd out of 4 in his round-robin box in the QUALIFIERS of a UK Under 16 Grand Prix event, probably in some godawful place like the Corby freezer.
I wonder how many LTA "talent-spotters" were there, LOL.
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"Where Ratty leads - the rest soon follow" (Professor Henry Brubaker - The Institute of Studies)
What's wrong with the Corby freezer LOL. I' live in Corby, tennis centre just a ten minute walk away
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Of all tyrannies a tyranny exercised for the good of its victim may be the most oppressive.... those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience