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Tennis Academies
Different Strokes for Different Folks By Joe Dinoffer ennis parents looking for a tennis academy for their child are faced with the daunting task of choosing the right program for their aspiring junior champion.
Why is that the case? It's because when choosing an academy you’re not always comparing apples and oranges. More and more families are relocating to academies along the Sunbelt of North America; specifically Florida, Texas, Arizona, and Southern California. This type of move calls for many questions to be asked. After all, considering whether or not to move an entire family, or to send a child on their own to board at an academy, are major decisions. Here are some observations I've made after visiting a number of prominent academies across the country.
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Research the location thoroughly It’s just a fact of life that the odds of any child “making it” on the pro tour are slim. Yet, far too many families relocate and then, after a year or two, realize that either the academy or the location wasn’t suitable for the entire family unit. The reasons may be financial or simply that the child’s needs may not match what a specific academy has to offer. My suggestion is to research a move thoroughly by speaking with parents of children who are currently at the academy and, even more importantly, talk with parents who were at the academy and left. Families also have to carefully consider how much pressure is placed on a child when an entire family moves based on their tennis dreams. The best relocation decisions appear to be made when they are not exclusively based on tennis. Otherwise, families could be venturing into a decision that could lead to an excessive amount of stress for everybody concerned.
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Is coaching by a famous name needed? Many academies feature a famous person attached to its name, such as Bollettieri, Newcombe, Evert, Solomon, Macci, Saviano or Brandi. Others like the International Tennis Academy in Delray Beach, Fla., or the Austin Tennis Academy in Austin, Tex., deliver big, but don’t have the name on the billboard. Our suggestion in considering whether that prominent name is essential for you and your child and ask the right questions. First and foremost, it is important to find out how much time that headliner will spend with your child on-court. The answer will vary dramatically from academy to academy. Some smaller academies in South Florida such as those directed by Rick Macci, Harold Solomon and Andy Brandi actually feature these very experienced coaches on-court daily, for at least some length of time, with all of the juniors in their programs. It is smart to also consider the coaching level of the staff – the truth is your child will be spending most of their time rotating from coach to coach during drills and
PHOTO COURTESY WINTERGREEN RESORT & TENNIS ACADEMY
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practice sessions. For example, does the academy hire coaches right out of college or do they staff with highly experienced, although lesser-known professionals. For example, Bollettieri’s academy in Bradenton, Fla., has a coaching staff comprised of both experienced and relatively inexperienced personnel. This is not a bad thing, but it's definitely something to be mindful of when making your academy decision. On the other hand, all the coaches at the International Tennis Academy have at least 10 years of high-level junior development experience.
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Standards and priorities Some academies offer a broad social atmosphere, more loosely structured and less regimented. Others are more “military” in environment, very serious and highly scheduled. A parent’s choice of academies will depend on your child’s goals and the philosophy of the parents. Some of the smaller programs actually interview the juniors and accept them based on attitude and motivation, along with playing potential. However, many of the larger programs are much less selective in their admittance policies. The result at larger academies is a wider range of motivation. If your child needs more external motivation, consider this point carefully since the cumulative attitude of the group has a big impact on each child. In addition to tennis, a child’s educational needs is a critical consideration for most families, considering that only a small percentage of those who think they can play pro tennis, actually make it. However, college scholarships for most academy participants are well within reach. Some academies like John Newcombe’s Tennis Ranch in New Braunfels, Tex., have a conveniently located public school for academy children to attend. Due to the size of Bollettieri's – chil-
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PHOTO COURTESY CHRIS EVERT TENNIS ACADEMY
dren train at that academy for other sports besides tennis – they have extension schools located right on the property and a high school right across the street. Places like the Evert Academy in Boca Raton, Fla., have nearby public schools as well as private schools for families to choose from for their children. In many of the smaller academies, you may find that most of the juniors are home-schooled or sign-up for web-based distance learning programs. Consider the needs of your own child while selecting your educational options carefully.
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Unique features
Once you answer the basic questions, there are many intangibles that can actually make it or break it for your child. Here are some to consider: 1. Character building environment – Some academies I visited make the extra effort to incorporate life-skills and character building on a daily basis. A good example is Jack Newman’s Austin Tennis Academy in Texas. 2. Female coaches – If your future champion is a girl, you will definitely want to ask if the academy has female coaches and make sure to have a conversation with them. While not essential for every girl competitor, some will make faster gains
with a female mentor nearby. 3. Off-court supervision – If your junior is boarding at an academy, off-court supervision, including during off-site tournament travel is an obvious concern. Be especially diligent when checking out this area. 4. Court surfaces – Most of the academies such as Nick Saviano’s program in Sunrise, Fla., offer both hard and clay courts. If at all possible, select an academy that features both surfaces. And, while most academies are in fair weather climates, indoor court options are a plus if available. 5. Video analysis – Regular use of video can speed up the improvement of any player. Make sure the academy you choose uses the most current technology. 6. Ball machines – Some academies use ball machines for regular drilling. Others don’t. If your child is younger and still developing the foundation of their games, ball machines can be helpful tools. 7. Cost and extras like private lessons – Our research shows that the cost of academies varies tremendously. In your own search and evaluation, be sure you are comparing apples and apples. In other words, some academies have a one-price structure that includes a certain number of private lessons per week. In other academies, there is an extra charge for all private instruction.
Since this can significantly increase the cost of academy, ask the right financial questions in advance. It’s a large financial investment and you don’t want any surprises after you make your move.
S Summary
After reading through these discussion points, there is one consideration that, although obvious to many, needs to be remembered. Life at a tennis academy is not for every child or every family. Since the vast majority of juniors will never earn a living on the pro tour, parents should be realistic in their expectations and certainly never place financial pressure on young children. To make the best decisions, think long term and be certain that short-term goals help your tennis-loving junior to be happy, secure, and safe in whatever tennis environment they choose. Joe Dinoffer is a Master Professional in both the PTR and USPTA, a distinction awarded to only a handful in the tennis industry. He has published numerous books and videotapes and is a frequent speaker at tennis conferences around the world. For more information, visit www.oncourtoffcourt.com.
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