Academy Program

The Austin Tennis Academy (ATA) coaching staff continually strives to make our program the best competitive development program anywhere. One unique aspect is that our coaches meet regularly and freely exchange information concerning each player's development and training methods. We are excited to share our ideas with you about how the ATA program can better serve our players and help them reach their highest potential, now, next year and in the future. One overall element that we are very proud of is the overall development that our program offers. From group practice, fitness training, mental toughness training, private lessons, and our coaches traveling to tournaments with players, we provide a comprehensive development program for each player.

The ATA coaching staff works to ensure our players train the right quantity and quality necessary to reach their goals. We have studied both the USTA's and a combination of European National Federations' recommendations on the training and competition plans for high performance players (top 50 and higher U.S. National ranking.) Because our players want to compete at the highest level (top 50 and higher U.S. national ranking) they train more and better hours.

Summary of 2009-2010 ATA Academy Programs

ATA is very excited about how 2009-2010 is shaping up for the Austin Tennis Academy and are anxious to share our ideas for the 2009-2010 program as well.

Some exciting new elements for the Austin Tennis Academy include:

Certified USTA Regional Training Center
ATA has been selected as the third Certified USTA Regional Training Center (RTC) in the United States. Our first USTA Regional Training Camp was held August 20-23, 2009. ATA will be holding camps for players selected by the USTA Talent Identification Department. ATA will also be hosting selected players for complimentary weeks. These players will receive outstanding coaching at the Austin Tennis Academy and the ATA coaches and players will benefit from hosting other coaches from around the country and keeping up with the latest training ideas and techniques.

CATZ
We have signed an agreement with CATZ (Competitive Athlete Training Zone) Physical Therapy to have an onsite physical therapist specializing in orthopedic rehabilitation here at ATA starting in April, 20009. We are also in discussions with their group concerning their additional input and expertise into our fitness program.

Additional courts
ATA has acquired the use of Lakecliff Racquet Club courts for next Fall and have secured courts at a local high school.

Texas Cup
The ATA vs. St. Stephen’s Texas Cup match was a gigantic success! It allowed our players to have great competition with the kids from St. Stephen’s and it allowed our younger players and their parents a chance to see the accomplishment level of our older players. We will be planning more exchanges with other programs for the rest of 2009 and in 2010.

2009-2010 Training Program

As a staff, have been discussing for a few months our plans for the 2009-2010 year and how to improve our program. We feel comfortable that we have the right volume and intensity of training hours per week for students of various age groups and commitment levels. We would like to make some small tweaks to make the program even better for next year.

Here are the goals for 2009-2010 and some adjustments to our Academy programs:

• Goal 1: Bring all Academy Level 1 and 2 players and coaches together to facilitate team spirit
• Goal 2: Challenge our top Academy Level 1 high performance players more on a daily basis
• Goal 3: Offer our top Academy Level 1 players more opportunity for full match play in practice
• Goal 4: Offer bottom level of Academy Level 1 and top level of Academy Level 2 more cross play

All Academy level programs will begin at 4pm in the Fall of 2009. One of the issues we have struggled with is how to accommodate the varying times our Academy players get out of school. With a 4pm start, we will be able to have all of our players on site for the beginning of practice each day. Because we believe the afternoon Academy practice is the most important part of our players’ training each day, we will be reserving all coaches and courts for that 4-6pm court time part of our practice. Players will be able to take private lessons from 2:15-3:15pm, 3:15-4:15pm, 7-8pm, as well as weekend times.

The Academy program will be limited to 60 players. Current Level 1 players will have first priority and current Level 2 students (3 or 4 days) will have second priority for a slot in that group of 60. All Academy players will start at 4pm.

The following training program options will be available for 2009-2010:

Academy Level 1

Academy Level 1 for players 13 & older (6 day)

• Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs 4-7pm Regular Academy practice
• Fri 4-6:30pm Peer group/small group practice
• Tues, Thurs 6-7am Early morning workouts
• Approximately 2 Saturdays per month 11am-4pm intra-squad tournaments, compass draws of 8 players.
• Summer Academy practice (5 days) Average of 19 hours of group training per week.

This program is for committed athletes who have the minimum goal of playing college tennis.

Cost: $13,500

Academy Level 1 for players 13 & under (6 day)

• Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs 4-6pm Regular Academy practice
• Fri 4-6:30pm Peer group/small group practice
• Tues, Thurs 6-7am Early morning workouts
• Approximately 2 Saturdays per month 11am-4pm intra-squad tournaments, compass draws of 8 players.
• Summer Academy practice (5 days)
  
• Average of 15 hours of group training per week.

This program is for committed tennis athletes who are younger and who are not yet ready for the volume of training required in Academy L1. Only available to players 13 years old or younger.

Cost: $12,500

Academy Level 2

Academy Level 2 for players 13 & under (4 day)

• Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs 4-6pm Regular Academy practice
• Summer Academy practice (5 days)
• 8 hours of group training per week.

This program is for committed tennis athletes who are younger and who are not yet ready for the volume of training required in Academy Level 1.

Cost: $11,500

Academy Level 2 for players 13 & older (3 day)

• Mon, Wed 4-7 pm Regular Academy practice
• Approximately 2 Saturdays per month 11am-4pm intra-squad tournaments, compass draws of 8 players.
• Summer Academy practice (5 days)
• Average of 8.5 hours of group training per week.

This program is for players who are not as comitted and do not have college tennis plans in their future. Must be Champ or Superchamp qualified.

Cost: $11,500

Academy Level 2 for players 13 & under (3 day)

• Mon, Wed 4-6pm Regular Academy practice
• Approximately 2 Saturdays per month 11am-4pm intra-squad tournaments, compass draws of 8 players
• Summer Academy practice (3 days)
• Average of 6.5 hours of group training per week.

This program is for younger players who have to travel long distance to participate in the program.

Cost: $9,500

Education Program

ATA Education provides a personalized college preparatory curriculum and additional training to elite level ATA athletes using a flexible schedule to accommodate travel and enrichment activities. We employ a combination of accredited online, self-study, privately tutored, and dual credit courses to meet or exceed NCAA, high school graduation and college entrance course requirements. We offer enrichment activities to strengthen the learning process, and certified teachers are available on a daily basis to provide tutoring as needed. We encourage a proactive, self-disciplined approach to goal-setting, time-management. We provide opportunity for community leadership, service and participation.

For more information, visit our Education page. Carol Hagar, at +1 512.423.1105 can help address any questions you have.

Summer Training Program

ATA Academy practice in the summer will be in a camp environment each afternoon. These camps will run throughout the summer and will be held Monday-Friday 12:00-3:30. Academy Level 1, Academy Level 2 4-day, and Academy Level 2 3-day (13 & older) program players will be invited to train in the summer for all 5 days. The Academy Level 2 3-day program players will be invited for 3 days per week. Summer is a time that players can make impressive strides in their games. There is more training time available and less pulls on players time and energy. We recommend that players take advantage of the opportunity the summer offers and train as much as they can.

Academy Program Patron Benefits

The Academy Level 1 and Level 2 Academy Fee includes Patron membership at the top level for ATA parents. Separately, this would cost $1,000 for the initiation fee plus $80 per month. Players and Academy parents may make court reservations on a space-available basis as per the Patron Rules by calling the ATA pro shop. Parents are also considered “members” for USTA and WTTA league teams and team clinics. Parents may also use the ATA Fitness Center during specified time periods. Academy Level 1 players receive a 20% discount in the ATA Pro Shop. Level 2 players receive a 10% discount. Discounts apply to all regularly priced merchandise and stringing. Sale items and food and beverage items are not included.

Additions to 2009-2010 Program

ATA Coaches will cover Texas ITF qualifying and main draw events with no additional coaching fee to our customers.

All ATA coaches have received additional certification by the United States Professional Tennis Association.

As always, our coaching staff meets weekly at our staff meeting and discusses the progress of our Academy players. If a change is necessary in a player’s training schedule, we will make a recommendation after staff discussion.

Fitness

ATA's fitness program is yielding impressive results and is a key component to our comprehensive tennis training program. Coach Estevam Strecker has done a fantastic job with the ATA fitness program in 2008-2009. Coach Strecker is not only a talented tennis professional and former college coach, but Coach Strecker has a Masters Degree in Exercise Science with a focus in exercise physiology. The Level 1 program includes 4-6 hours per week of off-court tennis conditioning and strength training. The Level 2 program includes 2 hours per week off-court tennis conditioning, depending upon each player's player development plan and periodization, biological and physiological age. Our recent fitness testing results show tremendous progress in all areas by ATA players.

Private Lessons

Private lessons are not included in the Academy Fee. ATA encourages all players to choose a primary coach and undertake a regular schedule of lessons, if possible. We have a large number of highly-qualified coaches and we try to recommend a good match between player and coach. The number of private lessons will depend upon the goals, age, and stage of development of the player.

The primary coach is the parent's primary contact with respect to any questions regarding the players' development. We know that communication is key and we encourage the coach, player and parent to communicate frequently via phone, email and face-to-face meetings.

ATA encourages players to participate in semi-private as well as private lessons. This allows for a number positive improvements: stronger relationships with peers, greater competition between peers, maximization of coaches time and court time, and a possible reduction in private lesson costs to parents.

Tournament Competition

In order to increase the number of competitive experiences for our players, ATA hosts 6 sanctioned Open tournaments annually, giving our players additional tournament competition opportunities without traveling. Our players can play in the 12 Major Zones per year, plus six or more tournaments held right here at ATA. ATA also hosts the National Little Mo tournament for our younger players, as well as CATA Tour tournaments and Junior Team Tennis.

Our coaches will continue to take Academy players to tournaments. Tournament travel is one of the hallmarks of the ATA training program. Tournament travel with the team is beneficial in many ways, including fostering player independence, team camaraderie and time spent with the coaching staff. We are committed to having our coaches at tournaments to mentor our players and parents through the competitive process. Players act and react differently at tournaments than they do in practice. It is vital that our coaching staff see and help players in these crucial times.

As always, Academy Level 1 and 2 players will not be charged a "coaching fee" for the coach’s time, but will only be charged a percentage of the coaches travel expenses for "covered" tournaments.

These are the covered tournaments:

• ZAT tournaments - see ATA website for exact tournament
• Champ Major Zone tournaments - see ATA website for exact tournament
• Superchamp Major Zones - 12/14s and 16/18s
• Texas Excellence Invitationals
• USTA Super Nationals
• ITFs (new for 2009-2010)

Please email Coach Newman if you have questions about the coaching fee for a "non-covered" tournament, e.g. Opens, ITFs, etc.

Please note that players traveling with their parents will also be charged a percentage of the coaches travel expenses, but the parent will be responsible for reserving and paying for their hotel accommodations, as well as having responsibility for getting players to and from matches and to and from the tournament.

Academy coaches are at tournaments to watch and help guide Academy Level 1 and Level 2 players. They will also try to watch other ATA program players when possible and practical.

If you have any questions about these programs, please contact Deb Cahill at 512.680.8057 or deb.cahill@austintennisacademy.com.