Seven USTA/Mid-Atlantic Competitive Training Centers (CTCs) are rocking with activity! Three established CTCs at Green Spring Racquet Club (MD), Southeast Tennis and Learning Center (DC), Raintree (VA) have been joined by four new sites: Newport News/VA Beach; Charlottesville, VA; Mount Vernon Racquet Club in Alexandria; and Blacksburg/Lynchburg/Roanoke.

 

The goal of the CTC is to bring together the top players in a geographical region for competitive drills and match play. It supplements, but does not replace, a player's regular training. Personal coaches are invited to participate in this low-cost, monthly program.  The other advantage to a CTC is that it can be adapted to fit the needs and capabilities of a given region - frequency, day of the week, and number of hours per camp can all be adjusted depending on the number/level of players, coaches and courts.

 

On December 4, Coaches Jeri Ingram and Malcolm Greene and an SETLC van departed for Green Spring Racquet Club in Baltimore, MD, where Janet Paulsen and the Green Spring RC Coaches hosted  a day of drilling, match play, fitness, guest speakers, and networking. Thirty-two players ranging in ages eight to fifteen participated. They enjoyed several hours of competitive play, along with a pizza lunch and an informative presentation on the competitive pathway.

 

Coach Ingram said, "It was an excellent experience, enjoyed by all. We (DC and MD) are all looking forward to including Virginia and West Virginia as we come together to train again very soon.  This will be the first of many more to come."

 

Also in December, all of the Virginia sites hosted try-outs to find new players to add to their programs. USTA/MAS Competitive Manager Bonnie Vona visited the Norfolk/ Newport news/Virginia Beach area coaches and found great support for the program and  a willingness to work together to make this a success for the players in that region. Coaches John Fraser and Ryan Davidson agreed that, "getting the best players together for competitive match play is key to player development."

 

For the future, more inter-squad rallies, a team tournament and a Section rally are planned. Coaching Education is also a goal of the CTC and USTA/Mid-Atlantic is reaching out to National Player Development to help organize a Competitive Play Summit.

 

Tournament and Rankings Administrator Rob Issem of the Virginia District has been crucial in getting the new CTCs 'off the ground'.  He is working closely with them to organize try-outs, schedules and rallies. With districts, coaches and clubs working together for player development, Mid-Atlantic will rock the competitive arena.