It's all under the 'Player Pathway' section on the LTA website.  I've tried to post a link but haven't been able to do so successfully.  Pick PLAY from the main menu bar on the front of the website and it's the last button on the drop down menu.

Great read thanks for posting Bob.

Nice to read a first hand account of the role of the LTA in Kyles development which I would interpret as not perfect but tried hard with generally good effect but some scope for improvement.

Steve Edmund made the point that it is offering flexibility and a bespoke process tailored to the individual needs of each player in development, Kyle frequently demonstrated through his attitude and commitment that he justified such input. The most cost effective method of coaching is a one size fits all process and as we know tennis players come in all shapes and sizes.

We know very little about how players commit day to day, how they respond to a group message, indeed working with a group and living in digs away from your parents doesnt suit most 13 year olds. Almost all teenagers face some chalkenges and require strong but sympathetic parenting. Parents who have invested immense amounts of money to fulfil the aspirations of their off spring and often their own are going to find negative feedback immensely challenging regardless of how its given.

All big challenges for the LTA and their coaches. As is the assumption that a player with the talent of Kyle should make it, there are others who have had more successful junior careers and not got close. Players with talent and focus do not come round that often but even when they do it is not a tap in, someone will always criticise something even your domicillary status, genuine Yorkshireness..... hes not really s Yorkie cos he dont eat black pudding or keep pidgeons and he wears his flat cap at the wrong angle. Credit where credits due. ie Kyle, his family and many of the coaches he has worked with who worked with him day to day genuinely trying to make him better.

Although it has by no means been a smooth course and indeed we presently find ourselves in a trough I think the LTA should also take some credit for Evos success. I dont know what order I would put things in with Evo mind

I think it depends obviously on the age of the child and also on the style of education which is 'normal' anyway.

i.e. if the child expects to go to boarding school, for instance, because that's what kids do at age 11/13 or so in their household, then it's not really any different if they're at a tennis academy or a regular boarding school.

There's also a slight North/South europe approach. The two you mention are Spanish. Djoko and Sharapova, to name but two, left home with no problem.

Similarly, most of the French elite centres are week only so they go back at weekends. And they're not all at Paris but dotted around the country so it's easy.

The trouble is that junior tennis needs group teaching. Both from a developmental tennis point of view. And from a financial point of view (individual lessons are not the right tool for the bulk of the teaching and are - obviously - very expensive). And that's difficult to find in GB.

Coup Droit wrote:

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This is Kyle Edmund's dad's blog on the LTA and the role they have played (the good mainly, but a bit of the bad) in Kyle's development:

www.kedders.co.uk/news/the-lta-did-they-help-kyle-edmund

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Scroll up CD

Very crafty, the LTA. One way of getting round pay equality law is not to employ any women.

www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/tennis/article-5359677/LTA-reveals-huge-gender-pay-gap.html

Gotta keep those £640,000 chief exec. pay levels up, old boy!

This is a repeat from another thread. I'm putting it here as well just in case - JUST in case - the LTA bods read this site but only look at this thread with their name on it

Dear LTA,

My opinion is that the LTA should offer plenty of one-week residential workshops for our players on the pro tour. At the NTC. Free, or with an absolute nominal contribution for food. These could be targetted at specific issues - service return workshops, mental issue workshops, whatever. Players who want to participate would get to be in a group of players and get several coaches so you'd get group benefits. Far cheaper than providing individual coaches. Gives perfect coach training opportunities too to those coaches who need to see the qualified good coaches in action and work with them, and top players, as part of their training. Spreads the LTA help wide. Uses the NTC. Gives a team building time to GB players. Allows players to see which coaches they get on with for the future. Follow-up work/helpline whatever could even be done remotely. I think it would be easy to implement quite effective. What's not to like?

Best regards,

CD