Tennis in the U.K.: Change is afoot
By Liza Horan
The past few weeks of tennis news in the United Kingdom has been as bad as it has good—with Lawn Tennis Association Chief Executive Roger Draper appearing before Parliament to explain why millions of pounds in annual investments has produced only one Top 10 player in recent years, and the inaugural London Tennis Show booking the top industry stakeholders as exhibitors for a major consumer show happening this month.
Bottom line: The tennis scene across the pond is anything but complacent, and the future promises changes toward growth of fans and players.
Parliament's concern for the LTA's performance shows that the country's leadership cares about tennis—as well as its own investment of £26.8 million of public money to be spent between 2009 and 2013. It's a matter of national pride, and other sports came under the gun after the U.K. posted poor showings at The Olympic Games in February. It didn't help that the country recently lost to Lithuania in Davis Cup competition.
The bureaucracy of the LTA may be challenged as investigations continue.To catch up on this story, read "LTA criticised for lack of transparency by All Party Tennis Group" on Telegraph.co.uk or this story by BBC.co.uk.
Whatever comes of this continuing drama, it's likely that improved accountability will bring better results long-term.
On the bright side, the tennis buzz in the U.K. has been growing over the last few years—between Andy Murray's rise up the rankings (No. 4 now), Heather Watson's 2009 U.S. Open junior title, Laura Robson's 2008 Wimbledon junior title, and the addition of the Barclays ATP World Finals for 2009 to 2012. The senior championship, ATP AEGON Masters Tennis, has been staged in London for years, as have other Wimbledon warm-ups. In an effort to spur growth among players of all ages domestically and worldwide, the London-based International Tennis Federation launched a program, Tennis Play + Stay, a few years ago and reports that the promotion is increasing participation.
The most recent growth marker of tennis in the London Golf Show's decision to expand to tennis.
"The time is right for the launch of a tennis show," said Ken Schofield, chairman of the Golf Show Group Ltd. "It's hugely encouraging that the LTA and others from the tennis industry have joined with the England Golf Partnership and their associates in supporting the new show."
More than 30,000 tennis enthusiasts are expected to attend the consumer buying show at London's ExCeL Centre, April 30 to May 2. The country's leading sports retailer, FitCo, will be selling the latest gear from manufacturers including Wilson, Prince, HEAD/Penn, Babolat, Nike and Adidas. Many of these brands also are exhibiting separately.
This type of event can really get off the ground if there is cooperation among many industry players, and that's what's happened here, according to Barbara Wancke of the Tennis Industry Association U.K.
“Tennis desperately needs a good showcase for its wares in this country to help boost consumer confidence," says Wancke. "The London Tennis Show is a great opportunity for everyone involved with the recreational game to see the full range of products and services available, all under one roof in the spring. We hope the show will become the annual kick-off for the UK tennis season. It is sure to expand in future years.”
The work under way now in U.K. tennis may poise the country in winning stead—both in pro rankings and recreational participation—by William's title changes from "Prince" to "King." His engagement is reported as imminent so the pieces very well may fall into place for the hallowed land of Wimbledon.
The past few weeks of tennis news in the United Kingdom has been as bad as it has good—with Lawn Tennis Association Chief Executive Roger Draper appearing before Parliament to explain why millions of pounds in annual investments has produced only one Top 10 player in recent years, and the inaugural London Tennis Show booking the top industry stakeholders as exhibitors for a major consumer show happening this month.
Bottom line: The tennis scene across the pond is anything but complacent, and the future promises changes toward growth of fans and players.
Parliament's concern for the LTA's performance shows that the country's leadership cares about tennis—as well as its own investment of £26.8 million of public money to be spent between 2009 and 2013. It's a matter of national pride, and other sports came under the gun after the U.K. posted poor showings at The Olympic Games in February. It didn't help that the country recently lost to Lithuania in Davis Cup competition.
The bureaucracy of the LTA may be challenged as investigations continue.To catch up on this story, read "LTA criticised for lack of transparency by All Party Tennis Group" on Telegraph.co.uk or this story by BBC.co.uk.
Whatever comes of this continuing drama, it's likely that improved accountability will bring better results long-term.
On the bright side, the tennis buzz in the U.K. has been growing over the last few years—between Andy Murray's rise up the rankings (No. 4 now), Heather Watson's 2009 U.S. Open junior title, Laura Robson's 2008 Wimbledon junior title, and the addition of the Barclays ATP World Finals for 2009 to 2012. The senior championship, ATP AEGON Masters Tennis, has been staged in London for years, as have other Wimbledon warm-ups. In an effort to spur growth among players of all ages domestically and worldwide, the London-based International Tennis Federation launched a program, Tennis Play + Stay, a few years ago and reports that the promotion is increasing participation.
The most recent growth marker of tennis in the London Golf Show's decision to expand to tennis.
"The time is right for the launch of a tennis show," said Ken Schofield, chairman of the Golf Show Group Ltd. "It's hugely encouraging that the LTA and others from the tennis industry have joined with the England Golf Partnership and their associates in supporting the new show."
More than 30,000 tennis enthusiasts are expected to attend the consumer buying show at London's ExCeL Centre, April 30 to May 2. The country's leading sports retailer, FitCo, will be selling the latest gear from manufacturers including Wilson, Prince, HEAD/Penn, Babolat, Nike and Adidas. Many of these brands also are exhibiting separately.
This type of event can really get off the ground if there is cooperation among many industry players, and that's what's happened here, according to Barbara Wancke of the Tennis Industry Association U.K.
“Tennis desperately needs a good showcase for its wares in this country to help boost consumer confidence," says Wancke. "The London Tennis Show is a great opportunity for everyone involved with the recreational game to see the full range of products and services available, all under one roof in the spring. We hope the show will become the annual kick-off for the UK tennis season. It is sure to expand in future years.”
The work under way now in U.K. tennis may poise the country in winning stead—both in pro rankings and recreational participation—by William's title changes from "Prince" to "King." His engagement is reported as imminent so the pieces very well may fall into place for the hallowed land of Wimbledon.
Comments