Week 43 - ITF ($15K) - Wirral, UK Hard

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Week 43 - ITF ($15K) - Wirral, UK Hard

blob · All-time great

Never underestimate the power of general incompetence and indifference at the LTA.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

It all goes back to one of the main differences between the French and the UK set-up that I see - namely, there seems to be no communication and connection between the LTA and the clubs here. One president says they never set sight nor sound of them one year to the next. How can this work?

In France, the federation has an office in each county. This office has courts, a coach and admin secretary (both paid) and a staff of volunteer workers (a full board of about 15 people including president, vice, treasurer, head of juniors, head of seniors etc. etc.). There is constant and easy contact between the federation and the clubs, including official meetings every month or so, and unofficial drop-bys whenever. Things don't fall through the cracks.

Michael D · All-time great

And whilst France and the UK have similar populations, France has a much larger geography to cover... which makes even less excuse as to why the LTA cannot communicate better here.

paulisi · Tennis legend

Thanks Hilda.
I was talking to one of the juniors who played at the Wirral and her parents and it was clear that they didn't have a clue about wildcards, how to get them and applying for them.
I think it is imperative that the LTA improve the communication between the organisers and the players and parents.

The Optimist · ATP qualifying

Ah....but if you are one of the players selected under the Talent ID and assigned a 'manager' from the LTA, then they apply on your behalf or explain to you how to do it! Do they need any other kids to know??? cry

Edit... missed the final words out somehow

-- Edited by The Optimist on Monday 30th of October 2017 01:29:16 PM

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

paulisi wrote:
Thanks Hilda.
I was talking to one of the juniors who played at the Wirral and her parents and it was clear that they didn't have a clue about wildcards, how to get them and applying for them.
I think it is imperative that the LTA improve the communication between the organisers and the players and parents.

You're absolutely right - but they're not going to improve the communication. This is the federation who sends a coach over to Canada or South America, to coach their specific player, and then said coach refuses to even acknowledge or say 'hello' to the other GB players who are there, and on their own, and not on the 'chosen' list.

However, I still can't help feeling a little exasperated with the player and her parents. And even if the parents are completely outside tennis, does that player not have a coach? Does not take lessons? How can that coach/teacher not know about it or at least have a rough idea? There are so few opportunities within Britain, it's hardly as though they're swamped with possibilities, and understandably miss a couple - surely they've got to know about those that are there.

The Optimist · ATP qualifying

You'd be amazed CD. There are coaches who take an active role in working out and monitoring their players' tournament schedules but they are not as common as you seem to think and tend only to be those who coach an individual very regularly. I've come across plenty of coaches who train players on a squad basis and maybe take an interest in results but see tournament planning and advice as outside their remit.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

You're obviously right, The O, I would be.

After all, I'm not talking about planning a 12 month tournament schedule, or having some five-year progress plan (yes, as you say, all a bit specific and quite time-consuming, if done properly). But it really doesn't take much to say 'by the way, squad, there's a British Tour tier 2 event down the road next month. Here's the phone number if you're interested. And, don't forget, the winner gets a Q wildcard into an ITF event'.

After all, if I send my kid for violin lessons, I expect the teacher to at least know about the ABRSM grade system.

However, some of the worst tennis lessons I've ever seen have been at the NTC (group lessons for regular 8-10 year-olds). Ones at Sutton were pretty hideous too. ('Old-fashioned' does not begin to cover it). So I guess nothing should be surprising.....

steven · Tennis legend

A coach (who was presumably planning take a group of players out to a set of Futures in the Mediterranean/Adriatic region) direct messaged me to ask about the relative strength of entry lists in different countries at different times of year. I was able to shed some light (I seem to remember it coming down to the usual problem for Brits of the tournaments where players were more likely to be direct entrants being the ones played on clay) but I fear I wasn't able to give as comprehensive an answer as he was probably hoping for.

The point is though, there are at least some coaches (ok, at least one!

) who try to be proactive about this, much to the benefit of their players if they get it right.

Michael D · All-time great

It's a completely different philosophy in this country compared to that you outline in France CD, and there is nothing particularly nurturing or caring about the system here. Unless your are part of the squad at some of the top clubs, I think a great deal is left up to the parents who can't possibly be expected to know this type of information.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Michael D wrote:
It's a completely different philosophy in this country compared to that you outline in France CD, and there is nothing particularly nurturing or caring about the system here. Unless your are part of the squad at some of the top clubs, I think a great deal is left up to the parents who can't possibly be expected to know this type of information.

I'm not trying to claim that coaches are brilliant in France. There are plenty who are just turn up and take the money and have a lark hitting balls with the kids. But even the densest and laziest will know how the system works. I guess the point being that there IS a system, so even by osmosis it will sort of go in, and - of course - they will normally have come through the same system themselves so, again, they will know roughly how it works.

So I'm not pointing the finger in general (although I certainly am as regards those actual lessons I saw and mentioned above).

But, parents and players, ask the question, put the coach on the spot, call the LTA.

And if all that fails - come and look on this forum - there's a good chance someone will have the answer !

blob · All-time great

steven wrote:
A coach (who was presumably planning take a group of players out to a set of Futures in the Mediterranean/Adriatic region) direct messaged me to ask about the relative strength of entry lists in different countries at different times of year. I was able to shed some light (I seem to remember it coming down to the usual problem for Brits of the tournaments where players were more likely to be direct entrants being the ones played on clay) but I fear I wasn't able to give as comprehensive an answer as he was probably hoping for.

The point is though, there are at least some coaches (ok, at least one! ) who try to be proactive about this, much to the benefit of their players if they get it right.

I'm sure your information was more helpful, but the ITF does have a general itemised guide to draw strengths: http://www.itftennis.com/media/248128/248128.pdf

indiana · Tennis legend

Coup Droit wrote:
Michael D wrote:
It's a completely different philosophy in this country compared to that you outline in France CD, and there is nothing particularly nurturing or caring about the system here. Unless your are part of the squad at some of the top clubs, I think a great deal is left up to the parents who can't possibly be expected to know this type of information.
I'm not trying to claim that coaches are brilliant in France. There are plenty who are just turn up and take the money and have a lark hitting balls with the kids. But even the densest and laziest will know how the system works. I guess the point being that there IS a system, so even by osmosis it will sort of go in, and - of course - they will normally have come through the same system themselves so, again, they will know roughly how it works.
So I'm not pointing the finger in general (although I certainly am as regards those actual lessons I saw and mentioned above).
But, parents and players, ask the question, put the coach on the spot, call the LTA.
And if all that fails - come and look on this forum - there's a good chance someone will have the answer !

I guess the initial thing is that the parents SHOULD be able to expect the coach to keep on top of these things ( as per your violin lessons analogy ) but the more that they are aware that evidently many DON'T probably the better. So good advice, CD.

There is evidently such a huge indifference / not going that extra yard culture within so many in British tennis ( with also thankfully still a lot of exceptions if not enough ) that it will no doubt unfortunately be a huge task to turn around - "they don't bother so why should I?". You just hope generally more caring enthusiasts get involved and pull others along with them to help in the bigger picture but if it ever happens it will take time.