Passports for U8, U9 and U10 Players

Tennis Ireland may grant players who have achieved the technical capacities set out in the fundamental phase of the Tennis Ireland Long Term Player Development Pathway at under 8, under 9 and under 10 level a passport to compete in competitions at Under 9, Under 10 and Under 12 level.

Once the Passport is approved, the recipient can’t go back to the smaller court.  Players are subject to the following pre-requisites below before a Player Passport can be granted:

1. The Coach of his/her region is of the opinion that the child is ready for the progression and makes a recommendation to the Technical Director of Tennis Ireland.

The Regional Coaches who should be contacted to apply for a passport are as follows:

A key reason for involving the Regional Coach and the Technical Director in the process of granting passports is to avoid a situation where a coach may feel under pressure to agree with a parent of a player that he or she is ready to play full court.  Consideration will be given to players working outside the Tennis Ireland system if the private coach presents a good case to the Regional Squad Coach.

The Technical Director of Tennis Ireland will have the final say on the issue of passports to all players.

N.B. There will of course be players, depending on their ability, who will need to remain in the modified game for a longer period than we have stated in our policy.  Coaches and clubs volunteers should work with parents and advise when children are ready to advance to a different court size and ball.

In order to guarantee a player is granted a passport for the tournament they wish to play in please ensure that you apply before the following dates:

• 1st February each year (Easter & pre-Easter tournaments) i.e. – Spring Matchplays, etc.
• 1st June each year (all summer tournaments)
• 1st October each year (pre-Christmas tournaments) i.e. – Winter Matchplays, National Indoors, etc.