Welcome back..this post is about player production from start to finish.  It is not about the technical details required to produce players i.e good coaching knowledge and the ability to teach but more about structural requirements and where do we (the UK) seem to go wrong?

I would like to start with taking out the governing bodies.  In tennis we have the LTA but also we have smaller groups who essentially are trying to do the same things just on a smaller level.  There has been slating of the LTA by these groups yet weirdly where is the production from these groups?  Can the LTA be slated if the alternatives don’t work either?

Ok so assuming the governing bodies are NOT to blame (maybe they are maybe they are not) what else is preventing sports growth in terms of performers?  A lot would say facilities and this could be true in certain parts of the country as reducing indoor opportunities or not providing resources such as strength and conditioning areas will cause players to be disadvantaged.  Are the resources available in other countries simply better and more accessible?

Following on from this comes cost and commitment from both parents and players.  The parental support is fundamental both financially and emotionally.  Parents and coaches need to be on the same page in terms of programmes, hours, costs etc as to provide the opportunity for the player.  Without this then the player will never reach his/her potential.

Then we have the player, possible the most important aspect of the development.  The player is and will be heavily influenced by factors around them such as messages from school, other children, other parents, TV etc and must be clear with what the goals are.  For some reason players seem to lack the effort, motivation, determination, attitude to fully succeed and when the going gets tough are they willing to work hard enough to get there.  Just a random thought where is there?  Is the pathway clearly defined and understood by the player?  In the US it is the high school team..college scholarship…pro!  In the UK playing for the school team means nothing and the university sports are average at best (comparatively speaking).

Again a bit random but what would you do if you could change something?  Does anything need changing we just need to work harder?  Do governing bodies try to do to much?  Should school sport’s profile be raised to install some pride?  Can we learn from other countries.  Could talk for hours but post comments and discuss!