Issue link: http://itf.uberflip.com/i/867059
ITFWORLD SUMMER 2017 5 www.itftennis.com young players from the Tennis10s programme to the ITF junior team competitions. Santilli confirmed the launch in February of the ITF National Training Centre Network Programme, a pilot project that supports national associations in developing their existing national training centres, and the launch of the new Grand Slam Development Fund- backed initiative, International Player Grand Slam Grants, covered in more detail on page 8 of ITFWorld. He added, "The continued increase of the development budget in 2018 and beyond remains our goal and underlines the ITF's commitment to tennis development." Executive Director of ITF Circuits Jackie Nesbitt presented to the assembly on the three-year ITF Player Pathway Review which led to the decision to introduce an ITF transition tour in 2019, and plans to better align the ITF Junior Circuit with the professional game going forward. She also provided an overview of wheelchair tennis and ongoing work to develop a new strategic plan for this area. In the Conference's financial review, Finance and Audit Committee chairman Rene Stammbach and ITF Executive Director of Finance Dominic Anghileri explained how revenue growth, controlled costs and healthy reserves were making it possible to increase the amount of money going to nations for investment in the future of tennis and also to support the ITF's strategy. The ITF's like-for-like operating income has grown from $53.8 million in 2015 to a projected $70.2 million in 2017, a $16.4 million increase, with the ITF's major commercial contracts providing long-term guaranteed income. This means that the ITF is budgeted to distribute $41.8 million to its member nations in 2017, an increase of almost 40 percent on 2015. International Relations Manager James McGurran introduced his new department and outlined its objectives during a presentation on Thursday. "Our goal is to engage with, listen to, and understand our national associations better," McGurran said. "What we intend to do is communicate more to understand the strengths and weaknesses of our members and the unique challenges that they face." Information was provided about ITF engagement programmes designed to increase interaction and collaboration with member nations. ITF President David Haggerty speaking in Ho Chi Minh City