In response to various threads where the topic of the LTA instruction to go abroad and play I posted this thread in the Turkey F3 thread....
I understand where you guys are coming from but I do really think that surely the testing ground for these young guys is abroad. I agree that the LTA should be funding the foreign events.
All the direct LTA funded guys will go where the LTA want them to. The LTA pay for that.
The guys who are not LTA funded should be given grants dependant on age, talent and ambition.
International Events Player Funded Program (NON-LTA funded players)
To qualify for this program you would have to have at least 1 WR point.
I would set the age limit in conjunction with WR points.
What I am trying to show here is that as the young player rises up through the rankings the number of events rises and change. As their ability to fund themselves increases so the contirubtion from the LTA decreases.
I also think that you have to apply to join this program and during the application process you must demonstrate ambition and set goals. Each player should be reviewed at the end of the year and depending on how they have progressed would depend if they got a second year.
As the player rises up the rankings during the year he moves up the ladder within the Tier. The number of events does not re-start from his new position it is just the number of events he is allowed increases.
So if you were accepted to Tier 1 and had a WRof 1000 you would start of with getting 3 events at 100% grant. If you had managed to rise to WR750 you would a further event (Assuming you had used up your 3).
So sucess during the year has the potential of additional events.
This could cost a few hundred thousand pounds per year...but are we serious about getting 5 players in the top 100 in 4 years time ?
I have just taken best guesses at number of events and grant % but hopefully you will get this.....100% certain that something like this will never happen but if I were in charge....
The LTA do not want to make it easy for players...they want them to work hard and earn what they get. Agree with that. But basically cutting down the opportunities for our players to play and make a living at home but yet do nothing to help with expenses does seem short sighted.
I do think that the NTC is a good thing...and excellent place which I hope to go and see in June. But lets get the players out there on varied surfaces and varied conditions to toughen them up and see what cream rises to the top.
