Taking Tennis to the World

Development Programme Annual Report 2012

Development Report_2012_v3.indd 1 18/03/2013 18:17 Contents

3 Message from ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti Cover image features Grand Slam champion Victoria Azarenka, who received support from 4 Funding Breakdown the ITF/GSDF at the beginning of her career

5 Grand Slam® Development Fund

6 ITF/GSDF Player Development Pathway

8 ITF Junior Tennis Initiative

10 Junior Circuits and Professional Tournaments

12 ITF Training Camps and Centres

13 ITF/GSDF Touring Teams

14 GSDF Travel and Facility Grants

15 ITF Coaches Education and Tennis Play & Stay Seminar

18 ITF Development Officers

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Development Report_2012_v3.indd 2 18/03/2013 18:17 Message from ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti

I am delighted to be able to introduce I would like to thank the Grand Slam nations Taking Tennis to the World, the ITF’s 2012 for their continued commitment to the report on the Development Programme Grand Slam Development Fund, the mission funded jointly by the ITF and the Grand of which is to increase competitive Slam® Development Fund. opportunities worldwide. This report looks at many of the competitive projects that the The Development Programme remains as Fund supports, including the junior touring important to us as ever and is at the core of team programme, the junior circuits and what we do. As the international governing the entry-level professional tournaments. body of tennis, we want to see the game It also covers other areas supported grow around the world, and the programme by the Development Programme, including helps the ITF’s member nations, particularly coaches education, training centres, the those from developing tennis regions, to Junior Tennis Initiative and the ten increase the number of people playing tennis Development Officers who work on our in their countries and to improve the behalf around the world. standard of the best players in those countries. Put simply, the objective of the One of the most exciting development programme is more, and better, players. projects is Tennis10s, and in 2012 an important, and historic, change was made to the Rules of Tennis to ensure that ten- “In 2012, more than $4.6 and-under competition can only be played with slower red, orange or green balls and million has been used on an appropriately sized court in to fund a variety of accordance with the initiative. The ITF’s Play and Stay Seminar at the end of 2012 development projects.” saw the launch of a corresponding programme for starter adult players, Tennis Xpress, which also uses slower balls. Our Many players who benefit from the mission is to ensure that tennis around the programme go on to represent their world is seen as easy, fun and healthy and countries in Davis Cup and Fed Cup we look forward to seeing how both by BNP Paribas, as well as at the Olympic programmes develop in the future. Games and Grand Slam tournaments. Our cover star Victoria Azarenka is the I also want to recognise the financial perfect example of this: a former beneficiary contribution made by Olympic Solidarity of the Development Programme, the in 2012 to various projects related to player Belarusian won her first Grand Slam training and coaches’ education, which this title at the Australian Open in 2012, rose report also covers. to No. 1 in the rankings, then won gold and bronze medals at the London Olympics. Lastly I would like to acknowledge the guidance given by the ITF Development Through the Development Programme Advisors, and the hard work of our the ITF and the Grand Slam tournaments Development Officers in the field and our have shown their commitment to those development team in London. They have put ITF member nations with fewer resources in place a programme which is highly at their disposal. In 2012, more than $4.6 regarded internationally both within tennis million was used to fund a variety of and the wider sporting world. It is an development projects from grassroots to important legacy for the ITF in its 100th year. the professional level.

DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME | Annual Report 2012 3

Development Report_2012_v3.indd 3 18/03/2013 18:17 Funding Breakdown

The Development Programme is jointly 2012 Development Programme funded by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and the Grand Slam® tournaments (via the Grand Slam® Funding ITF Development Fund). The Grand Slam $2.5m Development Fund (GSDF) was originally Grand Slam Development Fund established in 1986 after The Championships $1.62m at Wimbledon donated funds from their Olympic Solidarity / other income event to development and shortly $504,865 afterwards the other three Grand Slams joined in donating to the Fund. The purpose of the Fund is to encourage and increase competitive opportunities in less developed tennis regions.

In 2012, $4.62 million was spent on development projects throughout the Expenditure world, with $2.5 million being provided US$000 by the ITF and $1.62 million by the Junior Circuits 847 Grand Slam nations. In addition, income Junior Teams & Travel Grants 1,049 of $504,865 was also provided by Professional Tournament Grants 88 Olympic Solidarity and other sources for development projects. Facility Grants 70 Development Officers 751 Olympic Solidarity (OS) is the part of Training Centres & Camps 812 the International Olympic Committee that Coaches Education 492 distributes television income from the Olympic Games to National Olympic Equipment 317 Committees and since the reintroduction Junior Tennis Initiative 177 of tennis into the Olympic family in Seoul in General Expenditure 18 1988, the ITF, through the development department, has collaborated closely with OS on a variety of programmes designed to help tennis grow around the world. 2012 Development Programme expenditure by region

Africa

Asia

Central America & Caribbean

Europe

Pacific Oceania

South America

0 0% 1010% 20%20 30%30 40%40

ITF and GSDF spending 1986–2012 total US$83.6m

ITF $43.7m GSDF $39.9m

0 10000 20000 30000 40000 50000 60000 70000 80000 90000 0 10m 20m 30m 40m 50m 60m 70m 80m 90m

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Development Report_2012_v3.indd 4 18/03/2013 18:17 Grand Slam® Development Fund

“At the 2012 Australian Open “As a Grand Slam nation, “Wimbledon is very proud “The United States Tennis 47 countries were the French Tennis of its long association Association mission is represented amongst the Federation is more than with the Grand Slam to promote and develop 256 singles players. A large ever convinced of its Development Fund and the growth of tennis. part of the reason why mission towards the remains committed We are proud to continue so many countries are now development of the game to its future development. this important longstanding competitive in tennis is the worldwide. We are happy Talented young people commitment for almost great work of the Grand Slam and proud of our from many emerging 30 years contributing to Development Fund around commitment to the Grand economies have been the Grand Slam the world. Tennis Australia, Slam Development Fund given opportunities Development Fund. through its financial which contributes to to compete internationally We support its worldwide contributions to the Fund the efforts made by the through the Grand Slam efforts to increase for more than 25 years, is International Tennis Development Fund and competitive opportunities proud to have played a Federation through its we are delighted to have and create more and better part in this development long-term Development been able to play our part players, especially in of the game in emerging Programme.” in this important work.” developing tennis regions.” countries and assisting individual athletes with their development.”

Steve Jean Philip Dave Healy Gachassin Brook Haggerty Chairman, Chairman, Chairman, Chairman, Australian Roland Wimbledon US Open Open Garros

Opposite: Hassan Ndayishimiye (BDI) 2012 GSDF spending by project Below: Members of the European 14 & Under team to Europe

Junior Circuits 46%

Junior Teams 39%

Professional 5% Tournament Grants Facility Grants 4%

Travel Grants 6%

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Development Report_2012_v3.indd 5 18/03/2013 18:18 ITF/GSDF Player Development Pathway

The ITF/GSDF Player Development Pathway shown on the left illustrates, from the bottom to the top, how initiatives from Top 20 the Development Programme can ITF Juniors move a talented player from their first experience playing at school or in a club, ITF Junior through to the top levels of junior tennis, Circuit and on to the professional game and representing their countries in Davis Cup or Fed Cup by BNP Paribas. GSDF Travel Grants The model aims to ensure that tennis at the highest level involves as many nations ITF/GSDF Touring Teams as possible so that the top of the sport continues to be truly international. The Pathway operates at both national and ITF Training Centres international level. The national level helps nations to establish a 14 & under junior ITF/GSDF-funded 12 and 14 & under development programme through the circuits and training camps Junior Tennis Initiative (JTI). Nations are first Pyramid of Opportunity Pyramid International helped to set up training and competition for 10 & under players, using smaller courts and slower balls following the ITF Tennis10s Talent identification and national team selection programme in schools and clubs. The most talented 14 & under players from their respective age category are selected 14 & under high to receive performance-based training performance competition and access to national 12 and 14 & under 10-14 years competition. of age 14 & under high At the international level, performance training the Pyramid of Opportunity offers players progressing from their national Tennis10s programmes the chance competition up to 10 to gain valuable training years of age and competitive Tennis10s opportunities. training The Pyramid Initiative Junior Tennis National includes ITF/ GSDF-funded junior circuits, ITF/GSDF junior touring teams, ITF training centres and GSDF travel grants. All the initiatives in the ITF/ GSDF Player Development Pathway are covered in more detail in the pages that follow.

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Development Report_2012_v3.indd 6 18/03/2013 18:18 Bottom Left: Azarenka after winning the 2005 Wimbledon girls’ doubles title (pictured with International 18 & Under ITF/GSDF team); Below Middle: En route to her first Grand Slam title at 2011 Australian Open; Below Right: 2005 ITF Junior World Champion.

Pathway to the Top: Victoria Azarenka

Date of birth: 31 July 1989 2009 Place of birth: Minsk, Belarus • Captures first WTA title in Brisbane; ends year with three titles 2001 • Reaches first Grand Slam quarterfinal • Attends ITF North East European Regional Training at Roland Garros Camp for 14 & Under players 2010 2002 • Wins two titles • Competes in the ITF East European 14 & Under Development Championships 2011 • Reaches first Grand Slam semifinal at Wimbledon 2004 • Wins three titles • Selected for International 18 & Under ITF/GSDF teams to Europe and North 2012 America under the guidance of ITF/GSDF • Wins first Grand Slam title coach Bettina Fulco at Australian Open; has • Reaches semifinals of Wimbledon and 26-match winning streak in US Open junior tournaments first three months of season • Olympic bronze medallist 2005 in singles at London • Wins Australian Open and US Open junior titles 2012; gold medallist in • Wins three junior Grand Slam doubles titles mixed doubles • Makes her Fed Cup by BNP Paribas debut for Belarus • Reaches first US • Wins first ITF Pro Circuit title, a $50,000 event in Open final Petange, Luxembourg • Wins six titles • Makes WTA Tour debut • Rises to No. 1 in the ITF Junior Rankings and 2013 named 2005 ITF Junior World Champion • Successfully defends Australian Open title 2006 • Makes professional Grand Slam debut at the Australian Open as a qualifier • Wins first Grand Slam match at the US Open, advancing to third round

2008 • Makes Olympic debut in Beijing

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Development Report_2012_v3.indd 7 18/03/2013 18:18 ITF Junior Tennis Initiative

The Junior Tennis Initiative (JTI) is a participation in tennis, as well as identifying 14 & under junior development programme the most talented players for focused player funded by the ITF, which forms a key development in that nation. Competition is part of a National Association’s player an integral part of the programme, with development pathway. The JTI incorporates 26,330 children entering 1,333 Tennis10s three key elements: competitions and 14,164 children entering 1,116 14 & under competitions in schools and 1. Tennis10s (10 & under tennis) within clubs across the 63 countries in 2012. schools and clubs Tennis10s 2. Junior Performance Tennis for the most Tennis10s is tennis for players aged talented 10, 12 and 14 & under players 10 & under, played on smaller courts 3. Effective use of equipment provided with slower red, orange and green balls. by the ITF It is a fun way to start tennis and makes it easy for children to play the game, ITF assistance for the national JTI develop good technique and tactics and a programme can include a subsidy to help love for the sport. Tennis10s is a supporting a National Association hire a national programme of the Tennis Play and Stay coordinator, free equipment, educational campaign that continues to provide resources, regular visits from the ITF National Associations with programmes Development Officers who work with the and resources to increase the number national JTI coordinator to ensure that of players introduced to tennis worldwide. the programme is successful. Junior Performance Tennis In 2012 the JTI programme operated in 63 Junior Performance Tennis focuses on Above: JTI in Cambodia and Haiti, countries and the ITF invested US$488,644 players training in a performance Below: Tennis10s in Argentina, in their national programmes. The JTI environment. The programme provides Right: Tennis10s Clinic in Poland provides opportunities for increased a link from Tennis10s to the ITF/GSDF

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Development Report_2012_v3.indd 8 18/03/2013 18:18 regional circuits, encouraging National changed. The new rule states that 10 & Associations to focus on the training under competitions can no longer be played “The rule and competitive needs of the most talented using a regular yellow tennis ball, with the players within the 14 & under age group. use of slower red, orange or green balls change on the appropriate sized court becoming marked only Equipment mandatory instead. This was an important The ITF’s Equipment Distribution milestone in the development of the ITF’s the fifth Programme helps National Associations by Tennis10s programme, which promotes providing ITF branded equipment (rackets, the use of slower and lower bouncing balls, time in history balls and strings) free of charge. In 2012 shorter and lighter rackets, and smaller more than 111 National Associations courts to make it easier for children that the ITF benefited from the Programme, with 4,040 to take up the game. In November 2012 a rackets, 3,700 mini-tennis bats and 127,968 corresponding programme for starter Rules of balls being distributed throughout the year. adults, Tennis Xpress, was launched which aims to help starter adults to serve, rally and Tennis have 10 & under competition rule change score (play the game) from the first session. been changed.” Following unanimous support at the 2010 ITF AGM, a new rule for 10 & under competition came into effect on 1 January 2012, marking only the fifth time in history that the ITF Rules of Tennis have been

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Development Report_2012_v3.indd 9 18/03/2013 18:18 Junior Circuits and Professional Tournaments

Junior circuits Calendar of junior tournaments funded in 2012

A core aim of the Development Vietnam Turkey Programme is to increase competitive 6–15 January 13–24 March opportunities in developing tennis Asian 14 & Under Development European 14 & Under regions. These competitions provide Championships, Division 2 Development Championships opportunities for players from each Namibia South Africa country to test themselves against the 8–14 January 19–24 March best in their region, and give them Southern African Junior African 18 & Under Closed the chance to win selection for further Championships (12, 14 and 16 & under) Junior Championships assistance through travel grants or junior Burundi Egypt touring teams. In 2012, 25 regional 8–14 January 4–8 April junior events (12, 13, 14 15, 16 and 18 & East African Junior Championships African Junior Championships (12, 14 and 16 & under) Warm-up event (14 and 16 & under) under) across five continents took place with financial assistance from the ITF Kenya Egypt and Grand Slam Development Fund, 30 January – 4 February 10–14 April as well as technical assistance from the East African 18 & Under Circuit 35th African Junior Championships (14 and 16 & under) ITF Development Officers. Togo 6–12 February Mexico West & Central African Junior 30 April – 5 May Championships (12, 14 and 16 & under) JITIC, Central America & Caribbean Closed Championships (18 & under) Below: Komola Umarova (UZB), winner Philippines of both tournaments at the Central Asian 4–17 March Fiji 13 & Under Development Championships Asian 14 & Under Development 30 April – 11 May Championships, Division 1 West Pacific Qualifying event (12 and 15 & under) Guam 11–15 June North Pacific Qualifying event (12, 15 and 18 & under) Czech Republic 27 June – 1 July European 12 & Under Development Championships El Salvador 2–8 July Central American 13 & Under Development Championships

American Samoa 9–14 July East Pacific Qualifying event (12, 15 and 18 & under)

Professional tournaments and 11 weeks of women’s events on the ITF Pro Circuit. The Development Programme also provides grants to assist developing In addition to international world tennis nations in hosting entry-level ranking professional events, there professional events for men and were also six ITF/CAT Prize Money women. This gives players looking Circuit events funded in Africa in to make the transition from juniors 2012. These events have proved to professional tennis the chance to be very important for African to gain their first ranking points players, who are no longer juniors in their own country or region. but are often playing Davis Cup and In 2012 the GSDF provided grants Fed Cup for their respective nations, for eight weeks of men’s events to be able to play competitively.

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Development Report_2012_v3.indd 10 18/03/2013 18:18 Spotlight on… Regional junior circuits European 14 & Under Development The GSDF also supported Championships the following circuits that are organised and administered by the regional tennis associations concerned:

• Asian 14 & Under Series – Asian Tennis Federation (ATF)

El Salvador • COSAT 14 and 16 & Under 30 July – 4 August Circuit – Confederacion JITIC, Central America Sudamericana de Tenis & Caribbean Closed Championships (COSAT) (14 and 16 & Under) • African 12 and 14 & Under Zimbabwe Circuit – Confederation 30 July – 11 August of African Tennis (CAT) South/Central African 18 & Under Circuit These circuits provide Fiji 6–10 August invaluable competitive Pacific Oceania opportunities for the best Junior Championships young players. (12, 15 and 18 & under) Tobago 27 August – 1 September Caribbean 13 & Under Denys Klok (UKR), Development winner both boys titles Championships at the European 14 & Under Development Benin & Togo Championships 2012 4–15 September West/Central African 18 & Under Circuit Oman 23 September – 4 October West Asian 13 & Under The European 14 & Under Development Development Championships Championships were first introduced Kyrgyzstan in 1995, following the break-up of 27 September – 8 October the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia, Central Asian 13 & Under to give more competitive Development Championships opportunities to juniors from Eastern Namibia Europe in the 14 & under category. 29 October – 3 November The Championships are now open South/Central African to players from Armenia, Albania, 18 & Under Circuit Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia/ Kenya Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cyprus, 19 November – 8 December Estonia, Georgia, Iceland, Latvia, East African 18 & Under Circuit Lithuania, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Turkey and Ukraine.

The Championships comprise a Nations receiving grants two-day training camp, followed by to host Prize Money two tournaments. The tournaments Circuit events included: use a compass draw format, which ensures that each player has at • Mauritania: least one singles match each day. 29 April – 2 May The top performing players are then • Senegal: 4–7 May invited to join European ITF/GSDF junior touring teams. • Gabon: 25–27 June • Rwanda: A number of today’s top professionals, 24–28 September including Victoria Azarenka and • Mali: 14–17 November Top to bottom: Players and coaches at 2012 European Marcos Baghdatis, have benefitted from 12 & Under Development Championships; South Africa, • Togo: 12–15 December playing the event in the past. winners of the AJC team trophy (14 and 16 & under)

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Development Report_2012_v3.indd 11 18/03/2013 18:18 ITF Training Camps and Centres

Training camps Training centres While competition drives the sport, the training of the best players is also vital. The ITF continued to fund and The ITF also funds and organises training ITF/CAT Francophone operate four ITF training centres Training Centre in Dakar, camps on a regional basis, which enable in 2012: the best players in the region to practice Senegal together. It also helps to educate and Amadou Balde (SEN) • Lautoka, Fiji Abissoubie Batazi (TOG) update coaches from the region in • Pretoria, South Africa William Bushamuka (COD) high-level training methods. Three ITF • Dakar, Senegal Seydou Diallo (NIG) junior training camps took place in 2012: • Bujumbura, Burundi Seynabou Diop (SEN) Antoine Gbadoe (TOG) Forty-three players from Abdul Karim Ouattara (CIV) ITF/ATF 13 & Under Central 25 countries attended these Yacouba Maiga (MLI) four centres during the year. Hafed Said (MTN) Asia Training Camp Tunde Segodo (BEN) 16–29 June Those attending train at them Connor Yao (CIV) Tashkent, Uzbekistan on a full-time basis whilst continuing their education ITF/OTF Training Centre ITF/COTECC 13 & Under at nearby schools. Many of in Lautoka, Fiji Regional Training Camp the players who attend Tammy Ackerman (NMI) 6–14 October are benefiting from Olympic Lorraine Banimataku (VAN) Trinidad & Tobago Solidarity scholarships as Junior Benjamin (SOL) a result of their performances Christopher Hargrove (FIJ) ITF/ATF High Performance at regional competitions. Tarani Kamoe (FIJ) Training Camp Lorish Puluspene (PNG) Terry Rush (FSM) for Asian Male Players Class of 2012 Annie Shannon (FIJ) 4–15 November Vinda Teally (SOL) Bangkok, Thailand Marcia Tere-Apisah (PNG) ITF/SATA Training Centre Tebatibunga Tito (KIR) in Pretoria, South Africa Guy-Orly Iradukunda (BDI) ITF/FTB Training Centre Lesedi Jacobs (NAM) Elizabeth Kapari (GHA) in Bujumbura, Burundi Ernest Habiyambere (RWA) Lynn Kiro (RSA) Omary Hamisi Sulle (TAN) Courtney Lock (ZIM) Mariam Mujawimana (BDI) Chisomo Lumeta (MAW) Jules Ndibwami (RWA) Hassan Ndayishimiye (BDI) Emmanuel Nicodemas (TAN) Andriatokiana Ratsimandresy (MAD) Radjabu Ntamba (BDI) Zarah Razafimahatratra (MAD) Kassalo Omari (BDI) Tendai Tapfuma (ZIM) Abigail Tate-Harte (KEN) Innocent Tidimane (BOT) Joseph Ubon (NGR) Theresa Van Zyl (RSA)

Above: Asian players training in Paris as part of the 14 & Under team in Europe; Right: Players at the South African training centre

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Development Report_2012_v3.indd 12 18/03/2013 18:18 ITF/GSDF Touring Teams

The middle stage of the Pyramid of Opportunity detailed on page 6 is the junior touring team programme, jointly funded by the ITF/GSDF, where the best players from their region are invited to join the touring teams that compete in other parts of the world. The touring team programme is probably the ITF’s most well-known development initiative and is an effective one, with at least one junior Grand Slam title being won every year by a member of an ITF/GSDF touring team during the period 1999–2005. 25 teams toured in 2012 with 173 players, whose regional breakdown was as follows: In 2012 there were 25 touring teams involving 173 players. All of these Africa 42 players received the chance to travel to tournaments with an experienced Asia 49 ITF/GSDF touring team coach. Central America & Caribbean 14

Europe 23 The flagship team is the International 18 & Under ITF/GSDF team to Europe, which Pacific 27 plays a series of Grade 1 and Grade A South America 18 events every year including junior Roland Garros and junior Wimbledon. The team Total 173 had a successful tour in 2012 with two singles and two doubles titles being won Former ITF/GSDF touring team members as direct in Belgium and Germany. Other members entries into the 2012 Wimbledon main draw: of the team reached the semifinals or better in singles or doubles at Roland Women’s singles 14 Garros, Wimbledon and in Italy. Men’s singles 14 Above, left to right: Denys Klok (UKR), member of the Women’s European 14 & Under team to Europe; Hyeon Chung doubles 3 (KOR), member of the International 18 & Under team to Europe and winner of the 20th International Junior Men’s doubles 11 Tournament of Offenbach; Yun Seong Chung (KOR), member of the Asian 14 & Under team to Europe; 050 5 10 1515 Below: Members of the International 18 & Under team to Europe

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Development Report_2012_v3.indd 13 18/03/2013 18:18 GSDF Travel and Facility Grants

Facility grants Travel grants As many National Associations do not have In 2012, more than $100,000 was awarded their own national tennis centre at which by the GSDF to 38 players from 26 countries. to conduct player training or competitions, Two players who benefitted from GSDF travel the Grand Slam Development Fund helps grants in 2012 were: National Associations to build or refurbish their own centre. In 2012, the following National Associations received GSDF funding:

Barbados Name: Darian King Cape Verde Date of birth: 1992 Costa Rica Country: Barbados Gambia Grant awarded: February, Mauritania August and October 2012 Niger Paraguay King was awarded three grants in 2012 to play ITF Senegal Pro Circuit Futures and Syria ATP Challenger events in Zimbabwe Canada, Mexico and USA. Between April and Paraguay was awarded a GSDF facility November he showed grant to help towards the cost of impressive results, constructing three clay tennis courts with winning two Futures lighting at their national tennis centre. singles titles and four In June 2012 the work was completed doubles titles in Mexico and the facility is now being used to host and USA. In February 2012 King’s ATP ranking national and international events. was 728 and he ended the year at 490.

Name: Jelena Ostapenko

Date of birth: 1997 Country: Latvia Grant awarded: August 2012

In April 2012, Ostapenko was selected to be a member of the International 18 & Under ITF/GSDF team to Europe. She won the girls’ singles title at the 48th Astrid Bowl Charleroi, having secured her place in the main draw through qualifying, and also reached the girls’ doubles final of the 20th International Junior Tournament of Offenbach. Ostapenko was then awarded a GSDF travel grant to play the Canadian Open Junior Championships and the US Open Junior Championships, where she reached the quarterfinals. She finished 2012 with an ITF junior ranking of 47 and a WTA ranking of 725.

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Development Report_2012_v3.indd 14 18/03/2013 18:18 ITF Coaches Education and Tennis Play & Stay Seminar

Coaches education Regional Coaches Conferences ITF Central American & Caribbean Regional Since its inception in 1976, Coaches Conference by BNP Paribas the Development Five successful BNP Paribas Regional Coaches Leon, Mexico. 19–22 September Programme has continued Conferences and the European Coaches 222 coaches attended from 8 Central to grow in order to meet Symposium took place in 2012 across five American countries. the changing face of tennis continents. These showcased the latest and the area of coaches advances in tennis coaching, teaching ITF Southern African Regional Coaches methodology and tennis-specific sports education is a good example Conference by BNP Paribas science research, and were held in Bangkok Sun City Resort, South Africa. 20–23 September of this. (Thailand), Leon (Mexico), Santa Cruz (Bolivia), 88 coaches from 10 countries in the region Sun City (South Africa), Hammamet (Tunisia) participated in the event. Many National Associations and Helsinki (Finland). They were conducted do not have a coaches in partnership with Olympic Solidarity and ITF North African Regional Coaches education programme of the ITF’s Regional Associations (Asian Tennis Conference by BNP Paribas their own and the ITF tries Federation, Confederacion Sudamericana Hammamet, Tunisia. 10–13 October to help them develop de Tenis, Confederacion de Tenis de 83 coaches attended from a total of 9 countries. Centroamerica Caribe, Confederation of their programme and also ITF South American Regional Coaches to improve the level of African Tennis and Tennis Europe). Conference by BNP Paribas tennis coaching throughout Keynote speakers included Mark Kovacs (USA), Santa Cruz, Bolivia. 16–19 October the world. Max de Vylder (BEL), Andre de Beer (RSA), 150 coaches from 10 countries across the Jeff Coetzee (RSA), Gabriel Jaramillo (USA), region participated in the event. In 2012, 78 coaches courses Elizma Nortje (NAM), Bernard Pestre (FRA),

were organised by the ITF Kirsty Querl (RSA), Alex Cuellar (ESP), Paul European Coaches Symposium Helsinki, Finland. 24–28 October including 12 Level 1 courses, Dent (GBR), Marta Dominguez (CUB), Tom 115 delegates from 34 European countries Gullikson (USA), Larry Jurovich (CAN), 11 Level 2 courses and 14 Play participated in the biennial conference. Tennis courses. Thirty-two of Beni Linder (SUI), Louis Cayer (CAN), Mike Barrell (GBR), Diego Garcia (ARG), the 78 courses were funded ITF Asian Regional Coaches Conference Richard Gonzalez (URU), Cesar Kist by Olympic Solidarity. by BNP Paribas (BRA) and David Sanz (ESP). Bangkok, Thailand. 7–10 November 165 coaches from 23 countries participated in the four-day conference.

Right: Paul Dent presenting in Mexico; Far right: Mike Barrell presenting on court in Bolivia

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Development Report_2012_v3.indd 15 18/03/2013 18:18 Tennis Play and Stay Seminar

The 3rd Tennis Play and Stay Seminar took place on 27–30 November 2012. 150 delegates attended, representing over 50 National Associations, the four Grand Slam nations, the tennis industry and the ATP and WTA. The seminar was held in London and hosted by Britain’s LTA at their National Tennis Centre. It served as a platform for the sharing of best practice relating to all aspects of increasing tennis participation.

A total of 39 speakers presented throughout the three-and-a-half day seminar and during the event the ITF officially launched Tennis Xpress, a new supporting programme aimed at starter adults and recommended by the ITF as the best way to learn the game.

The Tennis Play and Stay campaign is a global initiative aimed at increasing tennis participation worldwide. Tennis Play and Stay centres around the slogan ‘Serve, Rally and Score’ and seeks to promote tennis as an easy, fun and healthy sport. The campaign is funded by the ITF Marketing the Game initiative which Left: Kirk Anderson, Director, Coaches Education USTA contributed US$157,000 in 2012. Above: Peter Bretherton, LTA President

Recognition of Coach Coaching publications Education Systems With more than 80 countries using In 2012, Tennis Ireland became the the ITF’s recommended Level 1 and latest National Association to have its Level 2 syllabi as part of their own coach education system recognised coaches education programme, the by the ITF. Recognition is based on production and translation of ITF the criteria and minimum standards recommended books is a vital for coaches education that were resource provided by Development. agreed by the ITF taskforce on The three bestselling books in coaches education and endorsed by 2012 were Biomechanics of Advanced the ITF Coaches Commission and ITF Tennis, Technique Development Board of Directors. in Tennis Stroke Production and the Coaches Commission Advanced Coaches Manual. The ITF Coaches Commission met Since the launch of the programme once in 2012, at Roland Garros on in 2011, 13 National Associations Sunday 3 June. The meeting was have had their Coach Education chaired by Ismail El Shafei (Egypt/ITF systems recognised by the ITF, Board of Directors). During the and nine National Associations meeting, the Commission covered are currently in the process a selection of issues, including the of being assessed. 2013 Worldwide Coaches Conference by BNP Paribas, a discussion of plans for regional conferences in 2012, and developments within the ITF Approval of Coach Education Systems. They also discussed a range of other issues including publications, online education, and junior and professional tennis matters.

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Development Report_2012_v3.indd 16 18/03/2013 18:18 Right: Jose Giraldo Olympic scholarships Tennis iCoach Martínez with TenisVal Coaches In addition to providing grants for coaches courses and Tennis iCoach 2.0 is the official video- athletes, Olympic Solidarity also provided Olympic based coaching website from the ITF scholarships for 11 coaches in 2012 to undergo an intensive which provides high quality educational course of high-level training, practical experience and resources for coaches, players and theoretical study in Valencia, Spain. parents. In 2012 following a strategic review of the existing site, work began on developing Tennis iCoach 3.0 which is set to be launched in 2013 and will include enhanced features including HD quality educational resources.

Tennis iCoach provides exclusive access to presentations from ITF Worldwide and Regional Coaches Conferences where members can learn about cutting-edge developments in the game from the world’s top coaches and coaches education experts.

Country Coach Course undertaken In 2012, seven conferences were Uzbekistan Igor Shelyakin Level 2 Coaches Course recorded across four continents, including the ITF Regional Coaches Vietnam Phong Quoc Tran Level 2 Coaches Course Conferences in Asia, South America Pakistan Kamran Khalil Level 3 Coaches Course and Central America. In addition, Egypt Hani Nasser Level 3 Coaches Course the Tennis Europe Symposium in Finland and two Spanish national Iran Akbar Taheri Level 3 Coaches Course coaching events were also recorded Dominican Republic Alberto Martinez Level 2 Coaches Course by the iCoach team. The presentations Panama Maria Elena Gittens Level 2 Coaches Course from these conferences were released throughout the latter part of 2012, and Puerto Rico Oderaiza Soto Level 2 Coaches Course new content will continue to be added Botswana Kagiso M Kelebeile Level 2 Coaches Course to the site in 2013. Paraguay Guillermo Guerreno Level 2 Coaches Course Cuba Jose Giraldo Martinez Level 3 Coaches Course

Development of a national coaching structure This Olympic Solidarity-funded programme is designed to allow National Olympic Committees (NOCs) to develop their national sports structures by implementing a medium to long-term action plan (three to six months) for a specific Olympic sport under the guidance of an international expert.

The stay of the foreign expert can be divided into several clearly defined periods and the expert focuses primarily on helping the National Association to develop a structure for coaches education and player development that can remain in place with national coaches once the expert leaves.

In 2012 Mali benefitted from this programme with Michel Rissani (GAB) as the expert.

DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME | Annual Report 2012 17

Development Report_2012_v3.indd 17 18/03/2013 18:18 ITF Development Officers 1 2 3 4 5 Anthony Cecilia Miguel Miranda Amine Ben Farah Dayoub Jeremiah Ancalmo South America Makhlouf West Asia Caribbean Central West/North/ America Central Africa The implementation of the ITF development initiatives would not be possible without the ongoing efforts of the ten full-time ITF Development Officers who advise and assist National Associations in every corner of the globe. In 2012 the ITF Development Officers each spent an average of 6 7 8 9 10 30 weeks on the road working with National Associations, players and Thierry Ntwali Riaan Kruger Hrovje Zmajic Suresh Menon Gene Ridway coaches, and monitoring development East Africa Southern Europe Asia Oceania projects in their respective regions. Africa

Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Montenegro, Slovak Republic, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Antigua & Barbuda, Anguilla, Slovenia, Turkey, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Ukraine China, Hong Kong, Chinese Jordan, Kuwait, Bermuda, Bonaire, British Virgin Taipei, DPR Korea, India, Lebanon, Oman, Islands, Cayman Islands, Curacao, 8 Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Korea, Palestine, Qatar, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Macau, Saudi Arabia, Haiti, Jamaica, St Lucia, St Kitts, Maldives, Malaysia, Mongolia, Syria, United Arab St Vincent, Surinam, Trinidad & Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Emirates, Yemen Tobago, Turks & Caicos Islands, Philippines, Singapore, US Virgin Islands Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand, 5 Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, 1 Vietnam 2 4 6 9 Algeria, Benin, Burundi, Chad, Comores, Cuba, Costa Rica, Burkina Faso, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Dominican Republic, Cameroon, Kenya, Rwanda, El Salvador, Cape Verde, Seychelles, Somalia, Guatemala, Central African Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda Honduras, Mexico, 3 Republic, Nicaragua, Panama, Congo, Cote 7 10 Puerto Rico Argentina, d’Ivoire, Bolivia, Angola, Botswana, American Samoa, Democratic Cook Islands, Fiji, Brazil, Republic of Lesotho, Chile, Madagascar, Guam, Kiribati, Congo, Equatorial Marshall Islands, Colombia, Guinea, Egypt, Malawi, Mauritius, Ecuador, Mozambique, Micronesia, Nauru, Gabon, Gambia, Norfolk Islands, Paraguay, Ghana, Guinea Namibia, South Peru, Africa, Swaziland, Northern Mariana Bissau, Guinea Islands, Palau, Papua Uruguay, Conakry, Liberia, Zambia, Zimbabwe Venezuela New Guinea, Samoa, Libya, Mali, Solomon Islands, Mauritania, Tahiti, Tonga, Morocco, Niger, Tuvalu, Vanuatu Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, Tunisia

18 DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME | Annual Report 2012

Development Report_2012_v3.indd 18 18/03/2013 18:18 Photography Corinne Dubreuil Hend El Sady Tommy Hindley Susan Mullane Paul Zimmer

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Development Report_2012_v3.indd 19 18/03/2013 18:18 International Tennis Federation

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