LTA funding

Tennis Nut · Social player

RE: LTA funding

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

I don't think so.

It says 'aspiring to break into the top 200' for the first group - well that's absolutely everyone, surely. Right down to beginners.

And it says 'seeking to significantly improve their performance and ranking' for the second.

This is also subjective - they will all claim to be.

Even if you are right for the second group, (which you may well be) the key thing, for me, is the first group and this is most certainly not clear - there is no clear criteria except to be 'aspiring' to the top 200. I say that's the more important group because those in the top 200 (singles) have already, just about, managed to hack it, whether backed or not.

indiana · Tennis legend

"Aspirant" and "aspiring" are terribly inappropriate words unless they intend to fund a heck of a lot of players. I assume it's those who they in their wisdom judge to have clear top 200 potential.

And I doubt there are that many senior pros not "seeking to significantly improve their performance and ranking", as if many top 200ers couldn't really care about that. More daft wording, and yes, another subjective call.

I wonder who wrote and signed off such piffle, which read logically questions whether most players are really out to be all they can be. They no doubt wanted to try and dilute the fact that so much remained subjective, but could have still done a much better wording job.

-- Edited by indiana on Sunday 21st of February 2016 04:01:26 PM

Hoppy · Junior player

There is a limit on the money they are making available so it's going to be about 10 players from men, women (singles and doubles). A lot will depend on whether they have a team capable of helping them reach the target. I do wonder if the names of those given the grants will be made public

paulisi · Tennis legend

Slightly off topic, but which of the coaches are employed by the LTA now?

Judy Murray, Iain Bates, Jeremy Bates and Katie Swan's coach Julien must all be employed by the LTA.

People like Beechy and Lucie Ahl have been involved in DC and junior Fed Cup for the LTA, but seem to be working for JTC. How does that work?

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

It's not exactly LTA funding but Maia is obviously getting a big lot of financial help from Tennis Scotland and the Scottish sports scholarship programme for student athletes, Winning Students

www.winningstudents-scotland.ac.uk/news/2016/february/headline-121747-en.html

Good luck with the degree, too, Maia.

The Optimist · ATP qualifying

Great for Maia but compare and contrast with Johnny O'Mara. Same old same old, some get everything put in place to help them succeed and others sweet nothing. Maybe Maia is a vastly better prospect than Johnny. I couldn't say. I know Maia's game well but not Johnny's. But somehow I would imagine that any gulf in potential between them is not so great as the gulf in attitude and support would suggest.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Yes. Exactly. Although it does say that Maia seems happy to use the Stirling uni players as hitting partners and Jonny isn't.

And the Winning Students grant is obviously for elite sportspeople on academic courses, so Jonny wouldn't be entitled to that.

I completely agree, however, that the 'all or nothing' approach of the tennis authorities is daft and counter-productive in the big picture. And people like Jonny seem to be squeezed out, which is a real shame for the depth of our tennis.

Mind you, I will be interested to see of Jonny has chosen to play European team tennis this year. It seems harsh but I can't take anyone's complaints of lack of money too seriously if they don't.

NB I think the LTA are completely at fault in having a system where the players HAVE to play European team tennis.

But, from the players points of view, if you're committed and need the funds, take the simple choice and go where the funds are; if not, don't.

It can also tie in to be a perfect training block, with excellent hitting partners, and coaching. Most clubs would provide accommodation for the weeks of the league season (after all, they're paying airfares if not). Teams will get coaching throughout the period (and throughout the year). The other team members are automatic perfect level hitting partners. So, go there for a month, train, be coached, play competitive matches once a week (and be guaranteed paid for it).

Bob in Portugal · Social player

Coup Droit wrote:

Mind you, I will be interested to see of Jonny has chosen to play European team tennis this year. It seems harsh but I can't take anyone's complaints of lack of money too seriously if they don't.

Germany was mentioned in a conversation I had with Jonny a few days ago.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Good on him. It's not always easy but got to be done.....

Hope his cold hasn't left him TOO wiped out - all the best for an 'easy' day with 'just' the doubles after the efforts of yesterday...

paulisi · Tennis legend

Might be an interesting listen

Russell Fuller ‏@russellcfuller · 3m3 minutes ago

'The State of the Game' from 8pm @5liveSport has a cast list of Michael Downey, Leon Smith, Peter Keen, Bob Brett Alan Jones & Naomi Cavaday

insomniacfolder · Challenger level

paulisi wrote:
Might be an interesting listen

Russell Fuller ‏@russellcfuller · 3m3 minutes ago

'The State of the Game' from 8pm @5liveSport has a cast list of Michael Downey, Leon Smith, Peter Keen, Bob Brett Alan Jones & Naomi Cavaday

Yes, Mr. Fuller just added that discussion points will also include:

Is there a sense of entitlement in the British game?
Is the LTA fit to govern?

Russell is pretty good; I'd rather it was Jonathan Overend getting 'stuck in', but still, could be a spicy affair.

The link for listening, after broadcast, at your leisure will be: State of the British Game

indiana · Tennis legend

And does Mr Downey have any sort of vision ?

Good to have Naomi. Current active player might have added interest though probably easier for Naomi and she's pretty fresh from the coalface and has the ability to make a very good contribution.

Certainly will give it a listen, thanks.

Anyway look at the girls this week and the guys are beginning their Davis Cup defense. All's great

-- Edited by indiana on Thursday 3rd of March 2016 08:07:19 PM

Oakland2002 · All-time great

Maia does have the advantage that at Stirling she can hit with guys, Johnny does not have that luxury in that technically the boys at Stirling are unlikely to be of a standard to facilitate evolution through the ITF to challenger level.

kundalini · Specialist Reporter + Intermediate Club Player

Not sure there was that much difference between the visions of Downey/Keen and those of Jones/Cavaday. The use of language was different; one side full of MBA/Management consultancy jargon, the other at times getting close to a Monty Python sketch on difficult childhoods.

The bit that resonated for me, was Alan Jones' comment about tennis being an incredibly tough sport at the professional level.

-- Edited by kundalini on Thursday 3rd of March 2016 10:23:22 PM