The Sony Ericsson WTA Tour 10 year age eligibility and professional development review. Issue 5 (21st April 2006)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Otis, C L; Crespo, M; Flygare, C T; Johnston, P R; Keber, A; Lloyd-Kolkin, D; Loehr, J; Martin, K; Pluim, B M; Quinn, A; Roetert, P; Stroia, K A; Terry, P C
• Is Part Of: British journal of sports medicine. Volume 40:Issue 5(2006)
• Page Start: 464
• Page End: 468
• Publication Date: 2006-04-21
• Subjects: AER, age eligibility rule -- ITF, International Tennis Federation -- PDAP, Professional Development Advisory Panel -- PDP, professional development programme -- WTA Tour, Sony Ericsson WTA Tour; tennis -- adolescent -- female -- development -- athletic; Sports medicine -- Periodicals; 617.1027
• DOI: 10.1136/bjsm.2005.023366
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-3674

Abstract

Abstract : Concerns have long existed over the participation of adolescent athletes in professional sports. In 2004, the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour (WTA Tour) commissioned a Professional Development Advisory Panel (PDAP) to evaluate the WTA Tour's age eligibility rule (AER) and professional development programmes (PDPs) for female tennis players since their inception in 1995. More than 75% of the 628 respondents supported the principles of the AER, and 90% indicated a need for PDPs. Statistical analysis of WTA Tour players' careers found that premature retirements (players leaving the Tour at or before age 21) decreased significantly from 7% before the AER to less than 1% afterward, and median career length increased by 43%. The PDAP recommends that the WTA Tour continues a phased-in, developmentally appropriate AER, enhances the PDPs, and works with other sport governing bodies to coordinate rules and programmes at earlier ages to aid the transition of adolescents into adult sports.