NATIONAL JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT AND PERFORMANCE
PROGRAMME: POLICY AND GUIDELINES
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................. 3
FUNDING: ...................................................................................................................................................... 4
TARGET GROUP: .......................................................................................................................................... 4
TECHNICAL COMMITTEE COMPOSITION, DUTIES AND GUIDELINES .......................................................... 4
Composition: ........................................................................................................................................... 4
Duties: ...................................................................................................................................................... 4
Guidelines: .............................................................................................................................................. 5
COORDINATORS’ FUNCTIONS: ..................................................................................................................... 5
COACHES’ ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: ............................................................................................................... 6
Coaches’ Guidelines .............................................................................................................................. 6
PLAYER’S SELECTION CRITERIA FOR THE NJDPP ................................................................................. 7
PLAYERS GUIDELINES: ................................................................................................................................. 7
PLAYER’S COMPETENCY ASSESSMENTS .................................................................................................... 7
Beep Test ................................................................................................................................................ 7
SELECTION PROCESS FOR NATIONAL TEAMS ............................................................................................ 9
PARENTS’ GUIDELINES (DO’S AND DON’T’S) .......................................................................................... 10
APPENDICES .............................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
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INTRODUCTION
As part of its mandate in being the governing body for tennis in Trinidad and Tobago,
the Tennis Association of Trinidad and Tobago (TennisTT) facilitates the development
of its junior players from beginner to elite level through various strategies as follows:
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Base Development – for kids 10 years old and under which incorporates the use of
smaller courts and the slower red balls, orange balls and green balls; which include
ITN and all other relevant testing under the JTI programme
Pre-Elite – for players who show potential at Base Development level and for those
who are at the tournament level that are on the verge of breaking into the top
ranking within their particular age groups in Trinidad and Tobago; talent identification
being the key focus;
Elite Programme – For graduates of the Pre-Elite level and for top ranked players
who are in line for selection to represent Trinidad & Tobago in International Team
Events.
In delivering top player and team performance objectives relevant to an Elite
Programme, some of TennisTT’s main strategic goals are to:
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Build an effective national team program that links all stages of development;
Deliver a comprehensive national team and camp program;
Provide high performance coaching and sports science; and
Develop an effective U14 National Squad program.
TennisTT also recognizes that to ensure the viability of an effective Elite Programme,
the role of the coaches who participate, is critical to its success.Consequently, in
developing high performance coaches and sports science programs, some of
TennisTT’s key goals are to:
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Collaborate with the coaches to build and deliver key development priorities;
Integrate Sport Science services into all national team programs to enhance oncourt performance and reduce injuries;
Improve the coaching and grading structure that will encourage coaches to elevate
themselves; and
Invest in coach education by way of (courses and workshop), realistic to the
challenges.
The National Junior Development and Performance Programme (NJDPP) was
introduced to accomplish some of TennisTT’s key strategic goals that were identified
above. With its commencement, the key objectives of the programme are to:
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Build a philosophy of Development and Performance;
Build a philosophy of performance on results; by creating progressive and adaptive
situations to competitions; and
Prepare national players for high-level competition
FUNDING:
The NJDPP will be partly supported through the generous contributions of parents who
contribute a maximum oftwo hundred dollars ($200.00) monthly to offset incidentals or
towards travel that would further improve performances.
TARGET GROUP:
The NJDPP is targeted towards the top five (5) to six (6) performing players in the
Under12, 14 and 16 age groups. However under 12’s may include larger numbers. All
under 10’s will fall under the Junior Tennis Initiative (JTI) initiative, whereas the JTI
coordinator will monitor their progress and make recommendations to the Technical
Committee where necessary.
TECHNICAL COMMITTEE COMPOSITION, DUTIES AND GUIDELINES
Composition:
The NJDPP is managed by aTechnicalcommittee that is appointed and reports directly
to the Executive. The Chairperson of the Technical committee is nominated and
supported by the majority amongst the members of the committee. The committee
comprises of not less than five (5) and no more than seven (7) members; which
includes (JTI Coordinator; Experience Certified coaches including one from Tobago and
the President of the Tennis Coaches Association of Trinidad and Tobago (TCATT).
Duties:
The Technicalcommittee is accountable for the following duties:
Drafting and updating the programme’s annual plans;
Nominates players for the programme subject to TennisTT’s approval;
Attend tournaments and training sessions to monitor players performance;
Oversee the operation of the programme in accordance with the policies and criteria
outlined in this document;
5. Submits quarterly reports to TennisTT including reports on attendance by coaches
and players;
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6. Attends to operational issues related to the well-being of the programme;
7. Conducts periodic meetings with coordinators and coaches;
8. Meets quarterly or as need be with the executive to update on the progress of the
programme
9. Coordinates the preparation of national teams prior to their departure on tour.
Guidelines:
All Members of the Technical committee are required to adhere to the following
standards:
a. Maintain the highest level of integrity in administering the functions of the
programme;
b. Maintain and foster healthy relationships with players; parents and fellow coaches;
c. Maintain a high level of professionalism both on and off the court; and
d. Adhere to the ITF’s Professional Code of Ethics for Coaches and TennisTT’s Code
of Conduct (see Appendix I).
COORDINATORS’ FUNCTIONS:
The role of the coordinator is to ensure that the programme functions smoothly and in
accordance with the holistic plan that was developed by the Technical committee. To
ensure the programme operates at a high level of consistency and in accordance with
the standards outlined, it is preferred that the coordinator possess experience in
coordinating similar type programmes and being adequately qualified such as Level 2
Coaching Certificate; however a combination of qualification and experience would be
considered.
The coordinator’s functions include the following:
 Execution of the objectives outlined in the annual plan;
 Enforcing the criteria and ethics amongst players and coaches;
 Drafting/monitoring of training plans;
 Preparing recommendations of the players identified for elevation subject to
approval by the committee; What does this mean?
 Maintain the highest level of integrity in administering the functions of the
programme;
 Maintain and foster healthy relationships with players, parents and coaches;
 Adhere to the ITF’s Professional Code of Ethics for Coaches and TennisTT’s Code
of Conduct.
 Maintaining an accurate and up-to-date attendance register of coaches and players
 Preparing and updating coaches roster
 Submitting quarterly reports to the Technical Committee
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Submitting monthly reports to the Executive (attendance and notating)
Regular attendance at committee meetings.
COACHES’ ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:
The coach plays the most important role in the development of the player and is
therefore required to be adequately equipped to carry out his/her function.The following
outlines the basic criteria for coaches to participate in the programme:
 Passed the relevant coaching courses (Level 1; 2; 3 or Equivalent) subject to
approval by TennisTT;
 Uncertified coaches may be eligible as assistant coaches as needed;
 Financial member of the Tennis Coaches Association of Trinidad and Tobago
(TCATT) will receive special considerations.
 A satisfactory Police Certificate of Character to be renewed annually;
 First Aid Certification;
 Signed a Coach’s declaration form;
 Read and understand the ITF Welfare Policy;
 Read and understand the ITF Guideline on Sexual Harassment to minors by people
working with young children in tennis; and
 Attend one Coaches’ Workshop locally, regionally or internationally, at least once
every three (3) years.
Coaches’ Guidelines
All coaches are required to adhere to the following guidelines:
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Be present and on time (1/2 hour prior),at all schedule training sessions and attend
respective tournaments when required.
Maintain the highest level of integrity in administering the functions of the
programme;
Maintain and foster healthy relationships with players; parents;andfellow coaches;
Communicate professionally when interacting with parents/players and fellow
coaches;
Maintain a high level of professionalism both on and off the court;
Maintain equality in coaching towards ALL players; and
Adhere to the ITF’s Professional Code of Ethics for Coaches and established
TennisTT’s Code of Conduct.
Attend meetings when required
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PLAYER’S SELECTION CRITERIA FOR THE NJDPP
The objective of the NJDPP is to ensure that the best players are given an opportunity
to train and improve their performance through various initiatives established by
TennisTT. To ensure that the NJDPP maintains a high quality of players, the following
criteria will be used to nominate players for the programme and for players to maintain
their status in the programme:
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Satisfactory performance and conduct at previous national tennis events;
Attendance at minimum 80% of training sessions;
Maintain a national ranking of at least #1 - #6;
Maintain a high level of discipline on and off the court;
Maintain the required level of fitness;
Submission of a qualified Doctor’s Medical Report indicating that the player can
participate in physical activities;
7. Liability insurance to cover the player’s participation in the programme.
PLAYERS GUIDELINES:
1. Players are required to train with red tops which may be provided by TennisTT
and black bottom
2. Large water coolers, with small amount of ice
3. Towel, change of clothing
4. Sun screen
5. For players with asthma, please ensure your pump is on you at all times
PLAYER’S COMPETENCY ASSESSMENTS
The programme conducts two key competency assessments to determine the player’s
level of fitness and skill level at the beginning of the programme; midway or when
required as directed by the annual plan to determine progress made. These two
assessments are MANDATORY and comprise of the Beep Test and the ITN On-Court
Assessment.
Beep Test
The beep test is a general test of fitness not specific to any sport, and is used as a
measure of the player’s aerobic capacity. It is not something that the player would
usually train for, as if he/she would usually train for tennis and use to determine if
he/she has reached their training goals. Therefore many people need to train
specifically for the test in order to reach a desired score.
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Players are required to be physically ready to perform the test. Players should have
recovered within at least 24 hours since their last heavy training session, and be free
from injury or illness. Players are required to hydrate well before hand and have a light
meal 1-2 hours before the test. Players must also ensure that they feel comfortable, by
wearing loose clothing and by having firm fitting footwear with a good grip. Players are
required to perform a light warm-up before the test.
Players 12 and under are not required to take the test but may do so voluntarily to
determine their own level of fitness. It is however mandatory for players 13 plus,
participating in the Under 14 and 16 age groups to take part in the test.
The targeted level of fitness for players in each age group is as follows:
 Boys U12 – N/A
 Girls U12 – N/A
 Boys U14 – Level 10
 Girls U14 – Level 8
 Boys U16 – Level 11.5
 Girls U16 – Level 9
International Tennis Number (ITN)On-Court Assessment
The International Tennis Number (ITN) is a tennis rating that represents a player’s
general level of play and is recognized internationally. In time it is hoped that every
tennis player worldwide will have an ITN.
The ITN is a system where players are rated on a scale of 10 levels; from ITN 1 to ITN
10. The ITN also includes 10.1 to 10.3; which is used to assess and promote 10 and
under players. ITN 1 represents a high level player (holding an ATP / WTA ranking or of
an equivalent playing standard). ITN 10 is a player who is new to the game and
beginning their competitive journey in tennis.10.1 is a player training with Green Ball;
10.2 is a player training and competing with Orange Balls and 10.3 is a player
training and competing with Red Balls.
It is recognized that the ITN On-Court Assessment is an excellent promotional tool for
players of all levels and it will allow players of all levels to measure their improvement
and development in specific areas related to their level of play. It can also provide a
form of accountability to coaches working with players of all levels.
The targeted level for players in each age group is as follows:
 Boys U12 – ITN 8
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Girls U12 – ITN 8
Boys U14 – ITN 7
Girls U14 – ITN 7
Boys U16 – ITN 6
Girls U16 – ITN 6
DISQUALIFICATION FROM THE NJDPP
Players can be disqualified from the programme based on the following:
1. Failure to meet the required standards and criteria at the commencement of the new
term; however players will be given a second opportunity; which will be scheduled by
the technical committee
2. Failure to maintain the required standards set out in the document
3. Failure to adhere to:
a. Player’s responsibilities outlined in this document
b. Player’s responsibility while representing Trinidad and Tobago
c. Code of conduct established by TennisTT
d. ITF Code of Conduct;
4. Severity of injuries sustained prior to or during the programme (subject to a medical
assessment); or
5. Poor attendance at sessions i.e. less than the minimum criteria, unless the
Coordinator has been provided with a valid excuse prior to commencement of
sessions, written or via email. This however should be the exception rather than the
norm.
6. Continuous poor performance: (Attitude; nutrition and intense training)
SELECTION PROCESS FOR NATIONAL TEAMS
 National team members are recommended by the Selection Committee in
accordance with the Selection Policy established by TennisTT.
 Performance in the NJDPP may be taken into consideration during the selection
process.
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PARENTS’ GUIDELINES (DO’S AND DON’T’S)
Parents’ involvement in their child’s participation is critical to the success of the
programme. Their encouragement not only motivates the player but provides the much
needed support for such a rigorous training programme. The objective therefore is to
ensure that parents and support teams conduct themselves in a professional manner
while at the venue, in order for players to perform in a safe and healthy environment
and to the best of their ability. It should be noted however that there are several DO’s
and DON’T’s for parents to be aware of.
DO’s
Parents are allowed to:
 Compliment their child’s performance after each session;
 Ensure that the child is at the venue on time and in attendance for most (at least
80%) sessions;
 Supply the player with all necessary equipment, water etc for use on the court
PRIOR to the commencement of the sessions; and
 Share any constructive observations from the sessions with the coaches AFTER the
sessions are completed.
DON’T’s
Parents are NOT allowed:
 Clap or cheer while sessions are in progress (this will alleviate pressures on the
child);
 Communicate disrespectfully with coaches, coordinators, players or other parents;
 Use obscene language or any form of discriminatory remarks to coaches, children or
other parents;
 Bring items to the courts when sessions are in progress (players must be supplied
with all their needs prior to the start of the sessions); and
 Administer any form of coaching during the sessions.
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APPENDIX -NATIONAL JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
PLAYER FEEDBACK FORM
Coach:
Player’s Name
Development Group:
Key Feedback
Area
Session Date:
Assessment/Area for
Improvement
Feedback Provided
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