ITF

In 2012, $4.56 million was spent on tennis development At the national level it helps nations establish a 14 & under junior development programme through the Junior Tennis Initiative (JTI). Now operating in 63 countries, the JTI incorporates three key elements of a national player development pathway: • • • Using the Tennis10s programme to develop 10 & under tennis within schools and clubs. Establishing performance training and competition for the most talented 10, 12 & 14 and under players. Effective use of equipment distributed by the ITF. Since the rule change came into effect in January 2012, the ITF has distributed 4,040 rackets, 3,700 mini-tennis bats and 127,968 tennis balls to national associations through the JTI programme. At the international level, the 'Pyramid of Opportunity' offers players progressing from the national JTI the chance to gain valuable training and competitive opportunities outside of their country. The Pyramid includes ITF/GSDF funded junior circuits, ITF/GSDF junior touring teams, ITF training centres and GSDF travel grants. In 2012, 25 regional junior events were supported by the Development Programme. One of the more established development projects on the junior calendar is the ITF/CAT African Junior Championships (AJC). The 35th Championships were held in Al Solaimaneyah City, Egypt on 10-14 April for players aged 14 and 16 & under. In a change from previous years, the 18 & under AJC were held as a separate event in Potchefstroom, South Africa on 19-24 March. Players from three of the four African zones (West & Central Africa, Southern Africa and East Africa) competed in zonal championships in January and February in order to qualify for the AJC. A total of 409 players from 34 African countries participated in the zonal and main events of the African Junior Championships. Each year, talented players from developing tennis nations are selected to join regional and international ITF/GSDF junior touring teams to play higher-level events under the guidance of an experienced ITF/GSDF coach. In 2012, there were 25 ITF/GSDF junior touring teams involving 173 players from 80 countries. (continued overleaf) DEVELOPMENT 19

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