Welcome Message from the ITF President
It is my great pleasure to welcome you all to Valencia, Spain for the 16th ITF Worldwide Coaches Conference by BNP Paribas. Many of the world’s leading coaches and international sports science experts, as well as numerous national coaches and technical directors will present the most up-to-date information related to high-level tennis training. As usual, attendees will also have the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas with their counterparts from other nations.
As in the four previous Worldwide Coaches Conferences, the presentations at this year’s Conference will be devoted to a specific theme: ‘Developing Competencies for Elite Players and Coaches’. The variety of topics to be discussed and the various workshops that are being staged will help coaches gain a thorough knowledge of all the elements that combine to ensure optimal player preparation. This understanding is essential for coaches wishing to help promising young players break through to the top of the game.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff of the ITF Development department and the Real Federación Española de Tenis for all of the work that they do to make the week a success. I hope that everyone involved in the 16th ITF Worldwide Coaches Conference has an enjoyable and rewarding week.
Francesco Ricci Bitti
Welcome Message from the President of Tennis Europe
As President of Tennis Europe, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the 16th ITF Worldwide Coaches Conference. We are most grateful to the Real Federación Española de Tenis for hosting this year’s Conference in Valencia, Spain.
As you will see from the ATP Valencia 500 event that overlaps this conference, this is a region of Spain that has a rich tennis pedigree both in terms of players and coaches, and I can think of no better setting for this year’s gathering.
Coaching and coaching conferences have always been a priority for Tennis Europe and we are very happy to be involved in the worldwide conference again this year. The theme of this year’s Conference ‘Developing Competencies for Elite Players and Coaches’ highlights the importance of having good, qualified coaches from grass roots to international level. The most prestigious specialists from all over the world will make presentations and all delegates will receive much first hand information to take back home.
I would like to wish all participants a successful and enjoyable Conference.
Jacques Dupré
Welcome Message from the President of the Royal Spanish Tennis Federation
It is a great pleasure for me to invite you to participate in the Worldwide Coaches Conference organised by the International Tennis Federation in conjunction with Tennis Europe and the Real Federación Española de Tenis that will take place from October 30 to November 3 in the wonderful city that is Valencia.
Personally I think that coaches’ education is one of the great pillars on which the development of tennis in a country lies. In Spain we have understood this since we created the National Coaching School of the Real Federación Española de Tenis back in the 1970’s.
Many people speak about the success that Spanish tennis has at all levels. You may have heard about after “the miracle of Spanish tennis”, I believe in miracles and have lived and worked closely with Spanish tennis for many years, but when asked about the causes of this success, I always mention that there is one miracle which is the hard work and effort of many people and among them, the tennis coaches.
In order for a country to produce lots of players and very good players, it is crucial to have first class tennis coaches; and in order for coaches to be first class, they have to continuously educate themselves by attending tournaments, courses and seminars. I am sure that the attendants to this Conference will enjoy the presentations from the most prestigious world experts in tennis. Besides, this Conference is not only an educational event; it will have shows, computer areas, commercial areas and the best food from the region. We hope that it will be an unforgettable experience for all.
From the Real Federación Española de Tenis we only have words of acknowledgement to all those people that make it possible for so many coaches in the world to have the possibility of learning and sharing experiences. We hope that you will enjoy the event and the city of Valencia.
José Luis Escañuela
