A short message to all coaches/tennis parents on here, I left the UK a long time ago and have since been working at academies and clubs in Spain and have no real idea how things work now in the UK, besides what I have heard from the players I've encountered (I'd like to be able say it was more positive than it was). I feel now a bit more motivation to take on a private player (14/16 years old ideally tennis europe level), naturally I thought to look to the UK first as my home. My idea would be to take a British player on (however I would not be opposed to the idea of bringing them here) my concerns would be; I'm guessing the player would be immediately blackbooked by the LTA due to not training either under an LTA coach/system or within a the whole "mandatory" performance centre scheme, county training etc etc (I remember when this happened to me as a kid) does this still happen?, also would sufficient training facilities would realistically be a possibility? During the day,courts, gym, fitness coach, tournament schedules, other academies for sparring with players etc etc? just some of my topics
Anyone up for a bit of discussion surrounding this or can shed some light?