Added: 12/02/2005 |
World's largest tennis federationsTennis development programs developed by world's forefront tennis federations and organizations, such as International Tennis Federation and US Tennis Association, have made an invaluable contribution to the development of tennis and Olympic solidarity worldwide, especially in the developing nations with less advanced infrastructure.
It is the International Tennis Federation (ITF) who governs the body of tennis and whose responsibility is to determine the Rules of Tennis and to support various tennis development programs in cooperation with other tennis federations.
The US Tennis Association (USTA) is the world's largest tennis organization, that embodies over 665,000 members, a professional staff devoted to growing the tennis, and thousands of volunteers. USTA is the renowned leader in developing and promoting the tennis' growth on all levels in the US.
Having the objective to raise the rank of tennis globally and increase the number of countries involved in the mainstream of international tennis, the development programs of various tennis federations include a wide range of activities in numerous countries. Initiatives include financial support for professional and junior tournaments, financial support for tennis facilities, travel opportunities for gifted players, coaches' education and training centers, tennis equipment supply and much more.
During the last 19 years over US $53 million has been put in tennis development programs in more than 140 countries in the whole world by International Tennis Federation. Only during 2004, US $3.47 million has been spent on the Development Programs with US$ 2.2 million invested by the ITF.
Special accent has been made on junior tennis where local tournament circuits have been devised. During 2004, 25 regional circuits have been maintained by the development programs, that made it possible for the most talented players in the 14&under age, 18, and 16 groups throughout the world to compete against each other.
ITF and other tennis federations also award travel grants to gifted players from developing countries for a particular program of tournaments. During 2004, 57 talented players of 27 nations have been awarded travel grants and thus received an opportunity to take part in events that were held outside their country. Additionally, tennis federations award prize-money grants to assist developing countries with the hosting of professional tennis events and to spread competitive opportunities all over the world.
First-rate coaches' education is one of the key priorities of major tennis federation. Every year, more than 60 countries from all around the world take part in ITF coachers' education program by arranging the course for national tennis coachers. The main goal of ITF coachers' education program is to assist National Associations with creating their own coachers' education programs and to develop the better level of tennis coaching all through the world. To achieve this goal, the ITF has abundant resources which can be accessed by coaches and Nation Associations.
The ITF program of equipment distribution provides educational materials and tennis equipment to approved national development programs. During 2004, more than 20,000 rackets, 200,000 balls plus tennis strings and nets have been distributed to over 100 national associations all through the world.
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