Hi Team Stony Tennis
Last week we had an amazing trip to Mallorca to train with Rafael Nadal's former coach, Jofre Porta. I don't know of any other coach in the world who has worked with two players from under the age of 10 right through to world number 1, but he has! This type of skill and knowledge is very rare in tennis as most coaches will work with players at certain stages and not all the way through.
So, what did we learn?
The four 12-year-old boys that were with me experienced what it's like to work in a world class Academy. They were in the presence of the current Spanish Number 1 Under 16 Boy and a 14 year old girl who recently got to the quarter finals of a women's 15K event.
To be a world class tennis player is the dream, but the reality is there are many things that are out of any players, parents and coaches control, but if the player is immersed within an environment that nurtures talent and rewards effort, then the possibilities are increased. The first thing the children noticed was the high bounce on the clay courts. It was really funny for me when I first saw them hitting as they looked like Bambi on ice, with all the balls going everywhere. But after a few hours they adapted and realized the best way to be more effective by judging the ball and the bounce better.
The next thing they were exposed to was the level of intensity. Now we work our kids very hard at the club and a lot harder than most places in the UK, but the environment which is set at the Global Tennis Team Academy is like a war zone. It's their belief that by having a turbulent and highly intensive environment where no one is comfortable will increase the player's capacity to perform when under pressure.
It was lovely to hear Jofre’s comments about the children and he made a big compliment by saying how well they fitted in within the Academy and that they worked to the same levels as his kids. This makes me very happy as all of the coaches at Team Stony Tennis put a lot of time and effort into being the best they can be for the players so everyone involved should be very proud.
After the trip, all of the players have said that they want to go back, with one even saying they want to go and live in Spain There are many tennis academies around the world but nothing quite like this one. When we talk about facilities, luxury etc. this place isn't the glitz and glamour of maybe other places but the heart and soul makes everyone feel involved and a part of a greater cause. Both Jofre and his wife Afiza live on the top floor of the Academy and everyone is part of one big family. The values and standards demanded is not for every player and for no money in the world will they accept anything less. Everyone who is a part of this appreciates what opportunity they are receiving and why this environment will help them to be the best they can be.
Can you imagine teenagers not having access to their telephones from first thing in the morning too late at night? This is just one of the many socially responsible rules that they have in place, and this causes less distractions and increased communication and play amongst everyone there. Jofre and Afiza are looking at the bigger picture by developing people to have independence and great decision making which will hopefully make them happier in their life as they become adults.
I'd like to say a huge congratulations to the four boys that came out with me, and their conduct was impeccable. We will continue to help support people develop the skills for life through tennis and I know that one day these kids will look back on their time with Team Stony Tennis as some of the fondest memories in their life.
Happy tennising!
John Cavill
Director of Tennis
Last week we had an amazing trip to Mallorca to train with Rafael Nadal's former coach, Jofre Porta. I don't know of any other coach in the world who has worked with two players from under the age of 10 right through to world number 1, but he has! This type of skill and knowledge is very rare in tennis as most coaches will work with players at certain stages and not all the way through.
So, what did we learn?
The four 12-year-old boys that were with me experienced what it's like to work in a world class Academy. They were in the presence of the current Spanish Number 1 Under 16 Boy and a 14 year old girl who recently got to the quarter finals of a women's 15K event.
To be a world class tennis player is the dream, but the reality is there are many things that are out of any players, parents and coaches control, but if the player is immersed within an environment that nurtures talent and rewards effort, then the possibilities are increased. The first thing the children noticed was the high bounce on the clay courts. It was really funny for me when I first saw them hitting as they looked like Bambi on ice, with all the balls going everywhere. But after a few hours they adapted and realized the best way to be more effective by judging the ball and the bounce better.
The next thing they were exposed to was the level of intensity. Now we work our kids very hard at the club and a lot harder than most places in the UK, but the environment which is set at the Global Tennis Team Academy is like a war zone. It's their belief that by having a turbulent and highly intensive environment where no one is comfortable will increase the player's capacity to perform when under pressure.
It was lovely to hear Jofre’s comments about the children and he made a big compliment by saying how well they fitted in within the Academy and that they worked to the same levels as his kids. This makes me very happy as all of the coaches at Team Stony Tennis put a lot of time and effort into being the best they can be for the players so everyone involved should be very proud.
After the trip, all of the players have said that they want to go back, with one even saying they want to go and live in Spain There are many tennis academies around the world but nothing quite like this one. When we talk about facilities, luxury etc. this place isn't the glitz and glamour of maybe other places but the heart and soul makes everyone feel involved and a part of a greater cause. Both Jofre and his wife Afiza live on the top floor of the Academy and everyone is part of one big family. The values and standards demanded is not for every player and for no money in the world will they accept anything less. Everyone who is a part of this appreciates what opportunity they are receiving and why this environment will help them to be the best they can be.
Can you imagine teenagers not having access to their telephones from first thing in the morning too late at night? This is just one of the many socially responsible rules that they have in place, and this causes less distractions and increased communication and play amongst everyone there. Jofre and Afiza are looking at the bigger picture by developing people to have independence and great decision making which will hopefully make them happier in their life as they become adults.
I'd like to say a huge congratulations to the four boys that came out with me, and their conduct was impeccable. We will continue to help support people develop the skills for life through tennis and I know that one day these kids will look back on their time with Team Stony Tennis as some of the fondest memories in their life.
Happy tennising!
John Cavill
Director of Tennis
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