Although we advocated for Nevada the decision was ultimately with the national staff and thanks to the efforts of our local applicants, and ultimately Darling Center who won the application process, we now have an RTC which is a very big value to our community.

 

WHO CHOOSES THE ADDITIONAL COACHES:USTA-Nevada has no role or say in who is chosen as an additional coach. The Regional training center will have countless coaches for each of the 6 camps planned annually. The additional coaches are recommended, reviewed and selected by the Intermountain Section Coaches Commission which is made up of representatives from each state, the Intermountain section junior competition coordinator and the USTA National staff. USTA-Nevada has no say in who gets selected to be a coach. If you would like to be considered you should reach out to the sections junior competition coordinator. Each camp there will be different coaches attending from throughout the west coast. This formula of rotating coaches was created to cross train coaches from all over the country. The goal is to not only train the young children but for all the coaches to share ideas as well.

 

WHAT WILL THE REGIONAL TRAINING CENTER DO: USTA-Nevada will have nothing to do with running the Regional training Center. The Regional Training Center will train children ages 8 to 12 from all over the west coast at 6 camps a year for free. At each camp the children will be evaluated and trained. While only some of the kids will attend just one camp, some of them may be invited back to attend more camps. Some may be chosen to come to the west coast or east coast national training centers.

 

HOW ARE THE CHILDREN CHOSEN:USTA-Nevada has no say in how the children are chosen. Rob Merriman is contacted by Tiffany Clifford the ITA Jr Competition Coordinator to get information on who the up and coming players are based on ranking and other criteria. Rankings from our "Futures" , "Challenger", "Grand Slam" tournaments play a part in this. This list is considered by the group that chooses who gets to attend. Participants are selected in conjunction with the USTA National coaching staff and their respective USTA Section Coaching Commission.

 

HOW CAN YOUR CHILD BE CHOSEN:  Ken Shioi and Tim Blenkiron and Saad Ashraf represent the Nevada District on the Sections coaches commission and will work with Nevada District pros to help identify talent in players as young as 7 years old. Children wanting to be selected can play a lot of local tournaments and these results will get you on the radar. Also talk to your coach who can then call the District coaches commission representatives, Ken Shioi and Tim Blenkiron and Saad Ashraf. Tim and Ken and Saad do not have the decision power to select your child but they can submit your name to the coaches commission for consideration.

 

HOW MANY NEVADA CHILDREN GET CHOSEN: Each camp can be as small at 16 to 32 players. Of that amount Nevada only gets a few players that can attend. The Regional Training Center facility gets 2 wild card choice that they get to use for any player they choose. Other then that all players are chosen by the coaches commission and the USTA National staff.

 

IF MY CHILD IS NOT CHOSEN HOW DO I BENEFIT:  This is great exposure for Las Vegas and could result in more people seeing how great our jr tennis community is. Perhaps they will come more, even move here. Every addition to our junior community will effect your child in a positive way. It is a snowball effect. As Asia continues to do well as a pro, Evan Song becomes top 12 in the US, Patrick Kawka top 20 (going to BYU), Kimberly Yee #1, and Gabrielle Smith top 5, that inspires other children to strive for the same. They can see up close they are not that far behind. Soon enough everyone is made better through the experiences and opportunities of our fellow players. This will also increase tournament play and match play is a major role in helping a child learn the game of tennis, how to compete and handle pressure. This ultimately will help your child because tournaments will be larger, more competitive which ultimately pushes them further.

 

The National Coaching Staff and by extension those affiliated with coaching at the DTC Regional Training Center place significant important on working with personal coaches. Personal coaches are defined as the primary coach of an invited player where the coach derives his income from teaching/coaching tennis. (By that definition the dad who is a banker and coaches his own child would not qualify as a personal coach) personal coaches are always invited to the camp when one of the players for whom the are the personal coach is invited. The personal coach is responsible for his/her own expenses. They will have opportunity to spend some time on court Friday afternoon and will be invited to some of the coaches? meetings conducted by the National Coach. They will be introduced to the coaching philosophy of USTA Player Development and have some time for interaction with the National and Regional training Center Coaches in attendance.
 
Outside of current members of the coaches commission priority will be given to coaches who currently are primary coaches of players ranked in the top 50 nationally (if second year players in their age group) or top 100 nationally. Invited coaches are expected to promote the National Coaching Philosophy and everything they learn during the weekend and share it with their district?s top coaches and their own facility coaching staff.