E.P.I.CE.P.I.CEssex Pathway to International Essex Pathway to International

CompetitionCompetition

Mark Hayden – Talent & Performance Mark Hayden – Talent & Performance Coordinator - EssexCoordinator - Essex

Rob Ellis – Tennis Development Manager - Rob Ellis – Tennis Development Manager - EssexEssex

Background Background What is performance level tennis – what are What is performance level tennis – what are

we aspiring to? we aspiring to? Need for a performance pathway for Need for a performance pathway for

talented players to progresstalented players to progress Tennis is an early start sport ( but not Tennis is an early start sport ( but not

necessarily early specialisation)necessarily early specialisation) Benefits of getting the better players Benefits of getting the better players

togethertogether Working with local club coachesWorking with local club coaches Producing more performance players in Producing more performance players in

EssexEssex

The EPIC ProgrammeThe EPIC Programme 2 group sessions per week during term time2 group sessions per week during term time 1 individual session at this club or if already 1 individual session at this club or if already

at a club with own individual coachat a club with own individual coach Quality indoor facilities Quality indoor facilities Quality coaches with low coach to player Quality coaches with low coach to player

ratioratio Physical training included Physical training included Internal Competition every half termInternal Competition every half term Most talented children will be invited to join Most talented children will be invited to join

this programmethis programme

Purpose of today’s Purpose of today’s activitiesactivities

To identify potential players for the To identify potential players for the EPIC programmeEPIC programme

To carry out a series of objective To carry out a series of objective assessment exercisesassessment exercises

To select players for entry into the To select players for entry into the programmeprogramme

Provide information on alternative Provide information on alternative programmes programmes

Testing criteria – what are Testing criteria – what are we looking for?we looking for?

Speed – Straight line sprintSpeed – Straight line sprint Footwork/Agility/Coordination – around Footwork/Agility/Coordination – around

conescones Eye-hand coordination - ball skills Eye-hand coordination - ball skills

(throw & catch)(throw & catch) Competitiveness – will to win Competitiveness – will to win Listening skills – ability to learn quicklyListening skills – ability to learn quickly Focus – concentration and commitment Focus – concentration and commitment Attitude – determination & desireAttitude – determination & desire

Long Term Player Long Term Player Development – what is Development – what is

required?required? 6 Hours of Sport for a 6 year old per week6 Hours of Sport for a 6 year old per week EPIC programmeEPIC programme

2 x 1.5 hours structured group coaching (inc. 30mins 2 x 1.5 hours structured group coaching (inc. 30mins ABCs)ABCs)

30-60 mins individual coaching at local club 30-60 mins individual coaching at local club In-house competition organised every 6 weeksIn-house competition organised every 6 weeks

For elite performance – 10,000 hours over 10 For elite performance – 10,000 hours over 10 yearsyears

Windows of opportunity to learn specific skills at Windows of opportunity to learn specific skills at certain ages.certain ages.

Other sports are still important – foundation Other sports are still important – foundation skillsskills

National Competition National Competition FrameworkFramework

7 & under mini tennis red7 & under mini tennis red 8 & under mini tennis orange/red8 & under mini tennis orange/red

9 & under mini tennis orange9 & under mini tennis orange 10 & under full court with green ball10 & under full court with green ball

Low compression balls (Sponge indoor/Felt Low compression balls (Sponge indoor/Felt outdoor)outdoor)

Low netLow net Court appropriate to size, strength and abilityCourt appropriate to size, strength and ability Competition - compete only on mini red courtCompetition - compete only on mini red court Advise on competition format for selected Advise on competition format for selected

playersplayers

Mini Tennis RatingsMini Tennis Ratings

Selected players need to register for Selected players need to register for free British Tennis Membershipfree British Tennis Membership

All 7 & under players with BTM All 7 & under players with BTM given red 4 rating (starter rating) given red 4 rating (starter rating)

Smaller Kids Smaller Smaller Kids Smaller CourtsCourts

Funding & CostsFunding & Costs

LTA Satellite Club FundingLTA Satellite Club Funding Costs to parents - heavily subsidised £8 per Costs to parents - heavily subsidised £8 per

sessionsession Other costs for parents on the tennis journeyOther costs for parents on the tennis journey Individual lessons essentialIndividual lessons essential Equipment – Rackets/shoes/clothingEquipment – Rackets/shoes/clothing Entry fees from £6-£10 per tournamentEntry fees from £6-£10 per tournament Travel costs to tournamentsTravel costs to tournaments

The British Tennis Parents Website

www.britishtennisparents.com

Created by experienced tennis parents Judy Murray and Dan Thorpe, this site offers up a wide range of advice for parents.

• Appropriate for parents of high performance players and new players

• Information on how you can best support your child

• Finance advice

• Equipment choices

• Nutrition: Before and during matches

• Specific help via the Ask Judy Q&A Section

Go online to get information and advice to help you make the best decisions for your children

What’s happens now?What’s happens now? Players selected for EPIC contacted by emailPlayers selected for EPIC contacted by email Exit routes for players not selected at this stageExit routes for players not selected at this stage EPIC programme Jan 2010EPIC programme Jan 2010 Mark Hayden – Talent & Performance Mark Hayden – Talent & Performance

Coordinator 07958252103 email: Coordinator 07958252103 email: mark.hayden@lta.org.ukmark.hayden@lta.org.uk

Rob Ellis– Tennis Development Manager Rob Ellis– Tennis Development Manager 07939016617 email: rob.ellis@lta.org.uk07939016617 email: rob.ellis@lta.org.uk

Essex LTA Office: Amanda Michelow 0208 502 Essex LTA Office: Amanda Michelow 0208 502 6364 email: amanda.michelow@lta.org.uk6364 email: amanda.michelow@lta.org.uk

Contact DetailsContact Details

Mark Hayden – Talent & Performance Mark Hayden – Talent & Performance Coordinator 07958252103 email Coordinator 07958252103 email mark.hayden@lta.org.ukmark.hayden@lta.org.uk

Rob Ellis – Tennis Development Rob Ellis – Tennis Development Manager 07939016617 email: Manager 07939016617 email: rob.ellis@lta.org.ukrob.ellis@lta.org.uk

Essex LTA Office: Amanda Michelow Essex LTA Office: Amanda Michelow 0208 502 6364 email: 0208 502 6364 email: amanda.michelow@lta.org.ukamanda.michelow@lta.org.uk

Club ContactsClub Contacts David Lloyd Club – Basildon. Jamie Walker (Tennis & David Lloyd Club – Basildon. Jamie Walker (Tennis &

Racquets Manager) 01268 662100 email: Racquets Manager) 01268 662100 email: sport.basildon@davidlloyd.co.uk

Clearview Esporta Health & Racquets Club. Kingsley Clearview Esporta Health & Racquets Club. Kingsley Harris – Tennis Manager/Head Coach 01277 815640 email: Harris – Tennis Manager/Head Coach 01277 815640 email: kingsley.harris@esporta.com

Compete programme HPC-Tom Higgins Tennis ManagerCompete programme HPC-Tom Higgins Tennis ManagerRedbridge Sports Centre-07885968237 email Redbridge Sports Centre-07885968237 email competetennis@gmail.comcompetetennis@gmail.com

Any Any questions?questions?