LTA’s new drive to grow competitive opportunities for players of all ages and abilities
• 2 MINUTE READ
As we reflect back on another nail-biting Wimbledon, the LTA has revealed an ambitious drive to grow competitive opportunities for players of all ages and abilities.
A new LTA Competition Plan has today been published for 2025-2029, which marks a key step change in the way we approach growing and developing the competitive structure in Great Britain.
We want to work with all those involved in delivering competition activity to embed a true culture of competition across tennis and padel in Great Britain, to ultimately grow the numbers of adults and children competing, and as a result playing more and staying in the sport for longer.
A culture of competition promotes a belief amongst the tennis and padel community in the value and importance of competitive play. It’s about ensuring that all players regardless of age or ability – can access appropriate competitions for their level that are welcoming, enjoyable and inspiring.
Many people are successfully doing this already but there is more that can be done to address the gaps and encourage juniors to move from recreational to formal competition and to link coaching programmes to children’s first experience of competition.
Jenny McAneny-Vincent, LTA Head of Competition, said: “The competition landscape is strong with the number of adults competing at an all-time high at more than 1.3m and there are over half a million children competing.
“The benefits of competition go beyond the court, it helps prepare you for life. It offers you a platform to develop problem solving, decision making, social skills, emotional resilience, and good sportsmanship - all valuable skills for life beyond sport. It doesn't matter where you compete, whether it's playing points with a friend at your local park, or entering and playing in an LTA sanctioned competition, we are committed to driving a culture of competition for everyone - competition opened up.”
To develop the Competition Plan, we looked at the current state of competitive play and undertook a comprehensive review involving player analysis, learning, consultation, competition visits, insight and analysing customer feedback.
To deliver the plan we will work closely with delivery partners including County and Island Associations, venues, officials, organisers and the wider workforce including coaches to support the provision of competition locally.
Five main objectives
- To grow the number of children competing
- To grow the number of adults competing
- To grow the number of venues delivering competition opportunities for their members and their local community
- To grow, diversify and support competition organisers and officials
- To improve the competition experience, so it's more welcoming, enjoyable and inspiring
Action plan
- Invest in the competition infrastructure, including its digital systems and venues, to improve the accessibility of competition
- Develop the competition offer to improve accessibility and provision and grow the number of competing players
- Grow, engage and support the competition workforce to increase provision and improve the experience for play
- Optimise the competition pathway to provide progressive and aspirational opportunities supporting player development
- Govern and support competition in Britain to the highest standards, ensuring it is safe, welcoming, enjoyable and inspiring
For more information - view the LTA Competition Plan
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