|
COMMENT
|
||
|
|
||
|
What does the LTA stand for? There was so much hope when Roger Draper took over as Chief Executive but the promises which were made early on in his reign have never really materialised. In fact the LTA has become more distant from its constituents than at any time before. Indeed, their increasing reliance on electronic communication has not only made the people who should be feeling the pulse of the game, not only faceless, but out of touch. This is understandable when you realise that they have no tennis background and as a consequence, and more importantly, fail to grasp the responsibilities they have towards the game. The LTA is there to govern the sport itself, not to act as a PLC but the latter is definitely how Draper’s lieutenants view themselves. Many years ago, some wag decided that ‘LTA’ stood for ‘Leave Tennis Alone’ and it would seem that that phrase probably best describes how the majority of the tennis fraternity feel about the current ruling incumbents. David Lloyd, one of the greatest critics of the national governing body, is now threatening to part company with the LTA following what sounds like a typically acrimonious discussion over funding. Draper was quick to enrol him into the fold when he took office, by buying his silence with financial support for his academies but that looks like coming to an end. As a consequence Lloyd, who has been quiet for the past few years, has now come out firing all guns as the LTA allegedly decided to bring their agreement to an end. Consequently Lloyd, a former Davis Cup stalwart and captain as well as a successful tennis entrepreneur, has threatened to leave these shores and ply his trade elsewhere. "I've never given up on anything in my life, but I cannot stay in tennis in Britain," he told The Times. "This the saddest decision I have had to make, but what is happening is a real disgrace." Lloyd continued: "Talent is a very special thing and when you recognise a talent the boundaries must be limitless and whatever you need to invest to help that talent reach its maturity, cannot be constrained. |
"The current LTA rules and regulations are impossible to work in. It is like having a communist state in a capitalist world. No business in the world I've come across works the way the LTA does. "Think about it, not one player who has made anything of himself in the past 20 years has come through the LTA system - not Tim Henman, not Greg Rusedski and not Andy Murray. So what is it that makes them so sure they know everything? "In the end, I couldn't beat them; it is impossible to beat them. The only way it will change is if the British public rises up, realises what is happening and gets rid of them." In response to the salvo, an LTA spokesman declined to comment except to say he was unaware of any disagreement between the two parties which in itself, is a ridiculous statement. But then, as mentioned, they are out of touch with the tennis world, even within their own corridors. Lloyd is not the first to part company with the sport’s governing body. Over the past year or so, a string of actual employees have left the glass plated edifice in Roehampton. The departures are usually a matter of great secrecy so one never knows whether the individuals left of their own accord, or been asked to leave. The latest to my knowledge is Kevan Taylor, the Director of Finance who is staying in place until a replacement can be found. He allegedly resigned which, considering the current economic situation, seems rather foolish for it would seem he hasn’t got another job lined up as he has time to sit and wait for a replacement to arrive. He joins a long list of former LTA employees which include directors of performance, medicine, operations, human resources, coaching (2), and finance (2) which all seems to indicate a rather high rate of turnover at very senior levels. Despite that we are assured that the LTA’s business or targets are not being affected. Somehow I can’t quite accept that the lack of continuity which this reflects, can be helpful in trying to develop the sport in Britain. Henry Wancke August 1, 2009 |
|