Regional Training Centers (RTC's). The journey started with
a mission statement; to develop world-class American
competitive pathway; as well as through the implementation
of a comprehensive teaching & coaching philosophy. The
Player Identification and Development Department works
at the base of the Player Development Pathway structure to
most promising young players. The goal is to provide an
intersection of opportunity and commitment for as many
gifted athletes as possible. As we develop more and more
fundamentally sound 8-13 year old players, we will have a
base of elite juniors who train together, compete against
each other and make each other better.
Part of our structure was based around partnering with
high quality programs and coaches in this country to
facilitate training for players at a regional level. In 2009
USTA Player Development started with twelve 12 Regional
Center Camps in all 17 USTA Sections.
among our best coaches, and raising the level of training
for 8-13 year-old juniors. The partnerships also make
the transition of the very best juniors in the country into
our National Program more seamless. Currently, USTA
Player Development has partnered with 24 RTC programs
across the country. These programs help train hundreds
of junior players (ages 8-14) close to home and help
facilitate relationships between personal coaches and
our National Staff. USTAPD tracks the development
and performance of these juniors and builds strong
relationships with their coaches and parents. Regional
to give juniors in the USTA Sections an opportunity to
receive High Performance training near their homes as well
as competitive opportunities for talented juniors who might
not otherwise be able to afford the training.
Regional Training Center Camps were designed to enable
us to recruit and retain our most important resource:
to grow the player pool of junior players and create a new
wave of world-class tennis professionals in the years to
come. It all starts with building the base of players.
pathway; as well as through the
implementation of a comprehensive