Partial Scholarships to Evert, Macci, IMG, Saddlebrook etc?

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GNIHT

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This question is about USTA 12s, 14s, 16s players who train at an 'elite' academy in Florida. Specifically, I'm referring to the juniors who train 4-5 hours/day, typically homeschooled.

Who is paying FULL price at these elite academies? What does it take to earn a % discount off the crazy high price quoted on their websites? Also, who is attending for free?

How is all this determined? Do these top Florida academies offer % discounts to junior players based on ranking? (For example, USTA Florida Ranking, National Ranking, TRecruiting Ranking etc).
 
The answer can be all over the map. Ranking can be part of it, catching the eye of a scout is another. If they think a kid is a special talent, they will investigate the situation....how much does the family want the kid in tennis, how much they will pay of the costs.

It is totally situational and negotiable at a private academy. You will find kids paying full price, some on full scholarships, partials, some just get free instruction with no free room and board...and on and on. Each family has to make their own deal.
 
TennisCoachFLA, thanks for the insight and response.

If you don't mind hazarding a rough guess, would a TennisRecruiting ranking of 25 merit any kind of discount at places like Evert/IMG/Saddlebrook? Or, are there just too many other intangibles that go into evaluating a junior (for scholarship discounts)?

I'm lost, I've never made a deal with any academy anywhere. I need a baseline, somewhere to start when I walk in and admit that I can't afford their fees -- and I'm not really convinced that a TennisRecruiting ranking of only 25 really matters to anyone (especially in a state like Florida).
 
GNIHT said:
TennisCoachFLA, thanks for the insight and response.

If you don't mind hazarding a rough guess, would a TennisRecruiting ranking of 25 merit any kind of discount at places like Evert/IMG/Saddlebrook? Or, are there just too many other intangibles that go into evaluating a junior (for scholarship discounts)?

I'm lost, I've never made a deal with any academy anywhere. I need a baseline, somewhere to start when I walk in and admit that I can't afford their fees -- and I'm not really convinced that a TennisRecruiting ranking of only 25 really matters to anyone (especially in a state like Florida).
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You are correct in that they will not look at the ranking much. They will do a personal evaluation. They want to see the kid and look the kid in the eye and work them out.

At that point it will be game on. You can ask for a full ride, they will say no way, you negotiate.

In my experience if the kid has some baseline talent and most importantly hustles his/her tail off during the work out, you will come away with some discount on the fees. Whether that is 5% or 50% is the big question. At the very least you should be able to get an invite for a weeks camp in the summer so they can see if the child has improved.
 
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Dont forget that camp in texas that gives really good scholarships.
 
Are the academies hurting in this economy? I don't know to be honest. Are they offering discounted rates now anyway because of the economy?
 
chalkflewup said:
Are the academies hurting in this economy? I don't know to be honest. Are they offering discounted rates now anyway because of the economy?
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Many of the smaller ones are in trouble, as are many tennis pros. I know 2 ladies who were top pros at a very nice country club. They gave up their jobs 18 months ago to move. They changed their minds and are trying to find jobs again in FL. They say there are 200 applications for every pro job.

I do think most academies are going to negotiate lower rates than in past years as less parents have the coin to spend.
 
TennisCoachFLA said:
Many of the smaller ones are in trouble, as are many tennis pros. I know 2 ladies who were top pros at a very nice country club. They gave up their jobs 18 months ago to move. They changed their minds and are trying to find jobs again in FL. They say there are 200 applications for every pro job.

I do think most academies are going to negotiate lower rates than in past years as less parents have the coin to spend.
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Hate to hear that TCF. I wish there was a different financial model that made it more appealing, however; I understand the academy has to make money too.

Speaking of Academies... I heard Saviano moved to a new facility, yes? And Bill Clark opened up another academy in Saviano's old place. I ran into the director of Bill's new place. Great person and a very knowledgeable tennis mind with a lot of experience.
 
chalkflewup said:
Hate to hear that TCF. I wish there was a different financial model that made it more appealing, however; I understand the academy has to make money too.

Speaking of Academies... I heard Saviano moved to a new facility, yes? And Bill Clark opened up another academy in Saviano's old place. I ran into the director of Bill's new place. Great person and a very knowledgeable tennis mind with a lot of experience.
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Had not heard Saviano moved. We moved to northern Palm Beach County which sadly is a junior tennis waste land relative to other parts of the state. I am amazed by the lack of programs and junior talent in this area.

I need to get back down south where all the action is.
 
GNIHT said:
This question is about USTA 12s, 14s, 16s players who train at an 'elite' academy in Florida. Specifically, I'm referring to the juniors who train 4-5 hours/day, typically homeschooled.

Who is paying FULL price at these elite academies? What does it take to earn a % discount off the crazy high price quoted on their websites? Also, who is attending for free?

How is all this determined? Do these top Florida academies offer % discounts to junior players based on ranking? (For example, USTA Florida Ranking, National Ranking, TRecruiting Ranking etc).
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hey buddy im a top ranked junior who trains at an elite academy in lousiana and hit with people top 500 on atp and wta. I am not homeschooled and still play tennis 4-5 hrs a day plus and hour of workout and mange making staight A's. PLus i play big tourneys every weekend
 
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TennisCoachFLA said:
Had not heard Saviano moved. We moved to northern Palm Beach County which sadly is a junior tennis waste land relative to other parts of the state. I am amazed by the lack of programs and junior talent in this area.

I need to get back down south where all the action is.
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I agree about moving South. Did you pick northern PBC or did it pick you?
 
chalkflewup said:
I agree about moving South. Did you pick northern PBC or did it pick you?
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A little of both. We were looking for a rental house for a year in Boca as the real estate market in FL is all messed up. Prices keep dropping so would rather wait to buy.

The weird thing is all the people who are getting foreclosed on are grabbing all the rentals...and leaving their houses to the bank. So the competition for rentals is fierce.....especially ones that accept a big dog like we have.

We were running out of time at the town house next to Everts, needed a rental house that would accept a big dog and just could not find the right one down south in time. We had to get something before the snow birds returned.

So we grabbed one in northern Palm Beach County and after 6 weeks we are not happy campers. Just not much good tennis up here.

There is a nice public facility with har tru courts in Palm Beach Gardens. But the level of the players is lame, especially the juniors.

Considering the Williams sisters live around here that is pretty sad!
 
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Game-Set-MATCH!!! said:
hey buddy im a top ranked junior who trains at an elite academy in lousiana and hit with people top 500 on atp and wta. I am not homeschooled and still play tennis 4-5 hrs a day plus and hour of workout and mange making staight A's. PLus i play big tourneys every weekend
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How much does it cost? Also ralistickly how much of a discount can someone like me with no ranking get to a acadamy?
 
Where do u live? keep in mind that you don't have to go to a Tennis academy...Another option is to find out some place in Big cities such as Atlanta, Miami, LA...Search for a place to Rent, if you look hard you can probably find a good deal....and then pay guys who are ranked right to practice with you. IF your good, u might even find people to play with for free
 
cmb said:
Where do u live? keep in mind that you don't have to go to a Tennis academy...Another option is to find out some place in Big cities such as Atlanta, Miami, LA...Search for a place to Rent, if you look hard you can probably find a good deal....and then pay guys who are ranked right to practice with you. IF your good, u might even find people to play with for free
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LIve in eastern CT. Parent's are thinking of moving to St. Petersburgh,FL next to Tampa. Not because of me.
 
If you move down to the Tampa area, I would say that there is not much need to find an academy...Just try to get matches with kids in the area. And for coaching...try to find a college or futures player and pay him like 2 times a week for training/coaching sessions.

On the weekends u can play money tournaments in the area, then u dont lose a bunch of coin
 
cmb said:
If you move down to the Tampa area, I would say that there is not much need to find an academy...Just try to get matches with kids in the area. And for coaching...try to find a college or futures player and pay him like 2 times a week for training/coaching sessions.

On the weekends u can play money tournaments in the area, then u dont lose a bunch of coin
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i agree and now understand. also , if you dont mind , what type of player are you ?? college professianal etc.
 
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