ITF

ITF DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME T he ITF's Development Programme, which has been running for more than three decades, aims to help raise the level of tennis worldwide and increase the number of countries competing in mainstream international tennis. The ITF Development department works with more than 100 national associations from developing tennis nations on a range of initiatives from grass roots to high level player development. In 2012, $4.56 million was spent on tennis development, with $2.49 million being provided by the ITF, $1.63 million by the Grand Slam nations (via the Grand Slam Development Fund (GSDF)) and $438,000 by Olympic Solidarity (OS). The successful implementation of ITF development initiatives relies on the work of the ten ITF development officers who are the 'eyes and ears' of the ITF development programme. The ITF development officers each spend an average of 25 weeks per year on the road working with national associations, regional associations, players and coaches. In 2012 Gene Ridgway was appointed development officer for the Pacific Oceania region following the retirement of Dan O'Connell. 18 DEVELOPMENT Following the ITF's significant 10 & under rule change, which eliminates the use of the standard yellow ball in 10 & under competition and came into effect in January 2012, the development officers have been working with national associations to implement changes to their 10 & under competition structures. The rule amendment enforces the use of slower red, orange or green balls on an appropriate size court in 10 & under competition. This Tennis10s rule change is part of the ITF's Play and Stay Campaign which also incorporates the International Tennis Number and the recently launched Tennis Xpress. The primary objective of the Play and Stay Campaign is to attract more people of all levels to play tennis. Although it is important to attract people of all ages and nationalities to tennis, the ITF Development department also realises that it is equally vital to set in place a structure that makes it possible for the most naturally gifted young players to pursue their dreams to the highest level. With this in mind, the ITF/GSDF Player Development Pathway includes a number of development initiatives that can help a talented player to breakthrough into the top levels of junior and professional tennis. The player pathway operates at both national and international levels.

• Cover