Support for GB NCAA players
The NCAA Support Programme is aimed at our best international juniors entering the NCAA system and those who make relevant progress with their ATP/WTA and NCAA ranking (as well as their UTR) during their time in the NCAA collegiate system (in line with the shortlisting selection standards for the Pro Scholarship and Men's and Women's support programmes).
Historically the NCAA has been successful for British players - especially on the men’s side. The NCAA is a pathway that we value for men and women, as it prepares players for the transition on to the pro tour.
Recent graduates from the collegiate system are listed below.
Find below a list of current and former British NCAA graduates and where they attended:
- Cameron Norrie - TCU
- Joe Salisbury - Memphis
- Neal Skupski - LSU
- Lloyd Glasspool - Texas
- Ryan Peniston - Memphis
- Paul Jubb - South Carolina
- Alastair Gray - TCU
- Henry Patten - UNC Asheville
- Julian Cash - Oklahoma State
- Dom Inglot - UVA
- Ken Skupski - LSU
- Alicia Barnett - Northwestern
- Yuriko Lily Miyazaki - University of Oklahoma
- Arthur Fery - Stanford University
- To support players who are prepared and most likely to transition on to the Pro Tour
- To increase the likelihood of more players reaching shortlisting criteria for PSP and MWP
- To build relationships, trust, and knowledge across our players involved in NCAA
- Throughout the NCAA pathway there will be dedicated LTA men’s & women’s team national coaches tracking and monitoring players
- There are specific NCAA shortlisting criteria in the PSP and MWP selection policies. This allows for those players on track to be considered for further support after they have left the NCAA, taking into account that they wouldn’t have played full time so may not meet the standard ranking criteria
- There are extended eligibility criteria for players in the Tournament Bonus Scheme for those graduating US College
- There are wild card feed up opportunities into domestic ITF World Tennis Tour events
Enhanced men's support programme
Due to the importance of and the success of the NCAA for men’s tennis, the LTA men’s team offer enhanced support to targeted players at college in the US:
Before
- Assistance and advice on NCAA college programmes
- Direct and support aspiring players to NCAA eligibility expertise
- Support and educate players on criteria to consider during college recruitment process
During
- NCAA visits by the men’s tennis team
- Communicate domestic opportunities to compete whilst back in the UK – ITF Pro Tour, UK Pro League, British Tour and Progress Tour
- Communicate wild card feed up opportunities linked to our domestic competition calendar
- Communicate structured UK based training opportunities when back in the UK
Post
- Communicate and advise on UK performance competition, and training programmes
"The enhanced support that the LTA will be providing players based in NCAA programmes is great to see. The NCAA college system is one route into professional tennis and it's great to see the LTA are supporting this journey and creating opportunities for support. It really helped my own path onto the ATP Tour and it's an important time in a player’s career to develop their game and work towards being a professional player. There's a large group of talented British players who are following in mine and others’ footsteps taking this route. The players will find it beneficial having the LTA's support in addition to the support from their schools to give them the best chance to gain success on the ATP Tour." Cameron Norrie, British No.1
"It's great to see the LTA offering support to players who have committed to go to US college. Creating competitive opportunities and training options when back in the UK is a great way to support the players. The combination of fantastic college programmes and LTA support allows players to take this route into pro tennis." Paul Jubb, NCAA Singles Champion 2019
Please email playerpathway@lta.org.uk if you have any questions about the NCAA Support Programme.