|Want to become a tennis champ?|
|Around the Academy:
Every time there's a big tournament, no matter what sport, watching the big stars surely makes you think.....that could be me one day.
You've got a sensational serve, a fabulous forehand and terrific topspin.
Now all you need is someone to sit up and take notice.
Most people start playing tennis for fun.
But if you reckon you've got what it takes to become the next Tim Henman or Elena Baltacha, there's now a path you can follow to help you make it to the top.
We asked LTA Academy chief Mike Walker to fill us in.
There are about 100 clubs across the country now providing special training for junior players through the LTA's Club Futures programme.
This is expected to increase to around 500 clubs over the next few years.
So get in touch with your county development officer to find out where your nearest club is.
As a Performance Player you will receive regular training sessions at your club with LTA qualified coaches.
You'll aslo get the opportunity to take part in matches and tournaments.
This is one of the best ways to measure your improvement as a player.
Some of the qualities of a performance player include:
The best young club players will progress to be part of the nationwide performance programme at county level.
Your county performance officer will be happy to direct you into an appropriate programme for your standard.