USTA High Performance changes course

[TCF]

Lots of us junior development parents and coaches have long said that the USTA having its own full academy in Boca was a waste of millions. I personally saw the waste of having a handful of hand picked kids at a huge cost.

We also said that there were already lots of good coaches and academies and the USTA should use the millions spent on Boca to support lots of kids.

Looks like Pat Mac has finally come to the same conclusion and did what we said all along.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324906304579038682358575194.html

"Next year, just three players will live in the academy's dormitory, down from a high of 18 in 2009," writes Perotta. "'Maybe they were too young, maybe they weren't ready for being away from home,' said Patrick McEnroe, the general manager of the USTA's player-development program who lobbied for the full-immersion approach. 'We're starting to pull back in that direction a bit.'

The USTA says the budget will remain the same and the academy will offer full-time training to players who live nearby, but the USTA will devote more of its resources to players who visit periodically and then return home to their own coaches."

 

[arche3]

This is a great move. Potentially more kids benefit this way

 

[barringer97]

Yes. Finally hit in the head with the 2x4.

 

[TCF]

So they now have this dorm there for 3 kids. Classic USTA junior development no return on investment.

 

[arche3]

Each of the 3 kids gets a personal chef?

 

[Lukhas]

I used to think USTA was doing a poor job. But now, it's beyond my deepest fears. I mean, it comes from a nice intention really, Australia does the same, but... heck, 18 students as an all-time high? And now 3 this year? Well I'm... speechless.

 

[Overdrive]

These articles give me a headache..

 

[RollTrackTake]

How long did it take Patty Mac to figure this out? Better yet how much $$$$ was spent on as many as 18 players?? This is mind-bottling.