Designed to recruit and retain the most promising young athletes, ages 6 to 10, the USTA NorCal Early Development Camps (EDCs) concluded early November after spanning over two months.
USTA NorCal recently held 12 Early Development Camps (EDC) – one series took place in the Bay Area and one in Sacramento. The Sacramento EDC Series and the South Bay EDC Series, run by USTA National Faculty Coaches Todd Dissly and Andrea Barnes, brought out a total of 96 players between the twelve camps.
EDC’s are designed to help recruit, retain and grow the talent pool of junior players ages 6-12 and create a new wave of not only world-class tennis players, but well-rounded individuals in the years to come. Each of the EDC’s are led by six of our top ROG coaches, in addition to the USTA National Faculty Coach for that area. The EDC series in the fall are invitation only, similar to Team USA Sectional Training Camps.
“The EDC’s are a great opportunity not only to work with young players on their technique and tactics, but possibly more importantly allows us also an opportunity to set the stage with players, coaches, and parents in developing positive competitive life skills,” said Dissly who runs the Sacramento EDC Series.
“The Lead Coaches and National staff get together and select themes we feel are important for kids to have when they start playing yellow ball,” said Barnes, who runs the South Bay EDC series. “I thought the camps went really well, they came away with awareness and knowledge of what coaches evaluate and what needs to be developed.”
Throughout the camps, while the kids were on court, National Faculty Coaches Dissly and Barnes gave presentations to the parents about the EDC series and what it means to be involved in a child’s tennis career. Before each camp they emphasized to the kids that the main priority for their experience at the camps was to have fun.
“It is so important that we start players, coaches, and parents off on the right track. Helping them understand and respect the sportsmanship aspect of the game and that this is a journey not a destination,” said Dissly. “Winning at 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 has very little impact on where a player will ultimately end up – but the values during this time period can last a lifetime”.
If you have further questions or want more information on the EDC’s, please check out our website!
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