Cameron Norrie on the LTA Pro Scholarship Programme
• 4 MINUTE READ
As he returns to action in the Schroders Battle of the Brits at the National Tennis Centre, Cam Norrie has reflected on his graduation from the LTA Pro Scholarship Programme (PSP), the highest level of support offered to developing players by the national governing body.
The 24-year-old became the first player to successfully graduate from the PSP at the end of 2019 having reached the criteria for elite support from the LTA by fully establishing himself as a top 100 singles player.
Launched in 2016, the programme provides access to world class coaching, science and medicine support from the LTA Performance team, as well as financial support (up to £80,000) for players aged between 16 and 24 with genuine potential to reach the ATP/WTA top 100 within five years.
Speaking during the tournament, Norrie discussed how the PSP enabled him to set up his support team and develop his game during the often unpredictable early stages of his career.
I was lucky, coming out of college, to have that support; it’s great for the up and coming juniors as well.
He said: “It’s a phenomenal scheme and I was pretty grateful to be receiving that guidance and help from the LTA. They put me in touch with some good people and gave me some great advice. I was lucky, coming out of college, to have that support and have some financial support to help build a team around me and help get myself settled in so I’m not out there by myself. It was a great scheme and I used it to the best of my ability so I’m thankful for that.
“It’s great for the up and coming juniors as well. Hopefully they can utilise it as much as they can and realise that not every player – for example someone from South America – would have this kind of luxury so [current PSP players] should make the most of that.”
I’m proud that our Pro Scholarship Programme was there to help one of our best young players.
Leon Smith, LTA Head of Men’s Tennis, said: “The progress Cam has made over the last five years is testament to his own personal drive and determination as a well of that of his coaching team, and I’m proud that our Pro Scholarship Programme was there to help one of our best young players to move his career onto the next level. We have some exciting young players currently on the programme and at earlier stages of our player pathway who, along with our support, will hopefully be able to progress to the same level Cam has reached.”
Norrie and partner Liam Broady beat Jamie Murray and Neal Skupski in the first match of the Schroders Battle of the Brits on Tuesday at the National Tennis Centre, and he makes his debut in the singles event later today against Ryan Peniston.
'A key stage of support offered through the LTA Player Pathway'
The PSP is the key stage of support offered through the LTA Player Pathway before players become eligible for the LTA’s programme of elite support, offered to those who establish themselves in the ATP/WTA top 100 singles or top 30 doubles. Players currently on the PSP programme include the likes of Jay Clarke, Jack Draper and Harriet Dart.
Launched in 2018, the player pathway provides a clear route for high potential players to develop from playing local junior tournaments right through to major professional competition. It starts with affordable, high-quality local training for the youngest children aged 10 and under across a network of 48 Local Player Development Centres, then progresses to 12 Regional Player Development Centres for players aged 14 and under.
Two full-time residential National Academies were launched in 2019, providing world class coaching, science, medicine, and welfare support for those aged 13 to 18, alongside an excellent mainstream education up to at least GCSE-level.
For more information about the LTA Player Pathway and ten-year Performance Strategy, visit our Player Pathway section.
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