Some of Wales’ most promising young tennis talent will be heading to a new coaching academy in Spain this summer.
Masia Tennis Academy in Valencia will welcome eight boys and girls from Wales for a five-day stay, as part of a new partnership with Tennis Wales, the governing body of tennis in Wales.
The academy was launched in 2010 and focuses on training elite-level players, thanks to some of the best facilities in Europe.
“This is a great opportunity for our best young players to experience the conditions in Spain – a country that currently boasts the highest number of men in the top 100 – a statistic often attributed to the academy structure,” said Ellinore Lightbody, Tennis Wales’ national talent performance manager.
“The young players will benefit from living and training in the academy on the red clay of Spain,” she added. “Our coaches too will learn the clay court game and the qualities needed to succeed at the highest level.”
The players will be selected through the Tennis Wales talent ID process and will be those showing commitment and desire to improve and achieve at a high level.
The 2012 package is made possible by Masia Tennis Academy in association with its UK agent Dunia Sports Development Ltd, who hope to repeat the offer in future.
Gonzalo Lopez, sports director, at the academy, said: "We are delighted, and thank Tennis Wales, for the opportunity to collaborate in the promotion of tennis and developing players in Wales. Masia Tennis Academy, Valencia, are pleased to provide a magnificent facility and opportunity where young Welsh juniors with passion and potential can experience our approach to supporting the building of tennis champions. With the weather sunny all year round, our academy members stay with us to achieve their tennis objectives and actualise their sporting potential.
“We would like those that are mastering their game of tennis in Wales, from now on to consider our academy as their home from home; and moving forward, through and with Feyi Ishola, managing director of Dunia Sports Development Ltd based in the UK as our official representative, and who has instigated this opportunity, we hope that our collaboration will be fruitful for us all."