Cliff Drysdale Management and Tennis Smart have formed a strategic alliance to create a Tennis Professional Development Program for aspiring tennis pros from the UK that are attending college in the US. The 12 to 18 month traineeship will provide the hands on and education training and development required for a career in club and tennis management.
Tennis Smart is a developmental pathway for UK tennis players aimed at maintaining education while progressing as young athletes. Tennis Smart has player welfare at the heart of everything it does, from helping clubs encourage juniors to continue their studies, to helping older players find tennis placements in some of America's top colleges, to helping college players transition into careers in the tennis industry or the professional game.
“I am thrilled to link Tennis Smart with Cliff Drysdale Management. This is a great opportunity for British juniors who want to embark on a career in the tennis industry. At Tennis Smart we are always looking for ways to help our players complete every difficult transition and for those who are passionate about their tennis careers there is no better place to begin. CDM is the premier Tennis Professional Development Program and one of the best pathways into tennis management.” Sarah Borwell, CEO
Self-motivated, outgoing, and enthusiastic trainees will first embark on a 4-6 week introduction held at the Omni Amelia Island Plantation located in Amelia City, Florida. Instructed by CDM’s Vice Presidents of Operations, Scott Colebourne and Scott McCulloch, trainees will learn about the fundamentals of club management- on and off the court, building a foundation and skill set to prepare them for a successful role as Tennis Director in the United States or abroad. Trainees will then be assigned to a home club and director mentor for the remainder of the program, and will gain invaluable experience coaching, developing managerial and marketing skills, and continuing education via online coursework.
“We are very excited to partner with Tennis Smart as they provide the critical first steps in educating UK tennis players about the options both home based and abroad in America and this partnership allows us to provide those athletes opportunities to further that education with practical application and a career in tennis club management.” Scott McCulloch, VP of Operations for Cliff Drysdale Management.
About Tennis Smart
In 2005 Sarah Borwell started helping young British tennis players obtain tennis scholarships at US Universities while she was competing on the WTA Tour. A stand out student-athlete at the University of Houston, Borwell understood the value of the American collegiate system and how it helped her transition to the Pro Tour. She was concerned about the 50% drop out rate in British Junior tennis players and wanted to help players find different avenues to keep them in the sport. In 2010, after retiring from the Tour, Borwell launched Tennis Smart to start helping players full time. She has helped place over 400 British players at NCAA and NAIA programs tennis programs. Tennis Smart players benefit from help and support from the age of 10, all the way through to making the transition from college tennis to the Pro Tour or the working world.