Tennis Scotland player development
Introduction
Tennis Scotland’s Performance mission is 'A world class player Development pathway that allows players to progress and succeed'. Our U10 Development Programmes provide a positive learning environment for aspiring young players before they transition to the Scottish Player Development Centre (10-14). The GB National Academy offers an opportunity for players aged 14-18 to progress towards the pro tour pathway, while the National Player Programme supports our highest ranked and most promising 14+ junior and senior players to achieve their goals on the GB National and International stages.
Tennis Scotland U10 Development Programmes provide a positive, fun and engaging learning environment for aspiring young Scottish players who are beginning their tennis journeys
The programmes operate across Scotland to increase local opportunities and raise standards, with the underpinning purpose to develop competitive, focused athletes who understand the values of being unconditional competitors.
Players are supported to feel comfortable and skilled in all areas of the court with an emphasis placed on helping them to find and develop their gamestyle and to understand that they are investing in their future selves and tennis journey ahead.
The programmes are led by experienced and enthusiastic coaches who are ably supported by the U14 Pathway Coach, Joe Gill, who also oversees the wider U14 performance pathway.
Players who are progressing towards competing in national level events at U14 will also be invited to train at Stirling in conjunction with their local training and competition programmes.
The U10 Development Programmes also invest in coaches across the country to help forge a wider Scotland coaching team and network.
Based at Scotland’s National Tennis Centre, University of Stirling, the Scottish Player Development Centre (SPDC) programme aims to provide a high-quality environment for Scottish players to maximise their development as individuals and as tennis players.
The programme caters for players and their development needs from ages 10 to 14 as they progress from national to international level through a culture of developing mentally and physically robust athletes who are unconditional competitors.
Players who are part of the programme are typically competing in Tennis Europe and Grade 2/3 national level events and are demonstrating ambitions of playing in junior ITF and senior British Tour level competitions once they move out of U14.
Players will have their weekly schedule designed around their age and stage of development by the SPCD Head Coach, Brett McLennan, to help them to develop their own gamestyle that allows them to be competitive at an international level.
This includes a mixture of squad and individual tennis sessions, strength and conditioning, mental skills support, video analysis, match charting, nutrition support, tournament support, camps and tournament trips.
The aim of the National Player Programme (NPP) is to support Scotland’s highest ranked and most promising 14+ junior and senior players to achieve their goals on the GB National International stages.
Players who are part of the programme are typically competing at ATP, WTA, Challenger and ITF junior and senior level events, with some involved in junior and senior Grand Slams.
The programme underpins Tennis Scotland’s ambition of having more players competing at the very highest levels of the professional tour. The specificity of support offered to players through the programme is therefore tailored to their individual needs, age and goals.
An integrated structure with the International Sports Scholarship Programme at the University of Stirling exists to provide players with centralised training at Scotland National Centre based at the University of Stirling, which may include some or all of the following access to gym facilities, strength and conditioning programming and wider sports science and medicine support.
The programme is led by the 14+ National Pathway Coach, Euan McGinn, who helps the players with their individual training plans both on and off court and provides specific support at competitions throughout their seasons.