Dear ETG Players and Parents and Valued Members of the Hong Kong Tennis Community,

As I near the completion of my third month in Hong Kong, I am delighted to share that we are making good strides in advancing our system. My dual oversight of the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) and the Hong Kong, China Tennis Association (HKCTA) tennis programmes has reinforced my confidence in our collective potential. By fostering a collaborative approach between these organizations, we are poised to achieve a promising future for Hong Kong tennis. In addition, the hiring of the HKSI coaching bench is now complete.

Due in no small part to the support of the Government, Hong Kong ranks among the top 5 in the world in terms of funding for tennis development. In fact, we have more players under grant than Grand Slam nations, yet we are not yielding the expected results on court. We must acknowledge that the majority of our top players are not performing at a level that is even comparable to the leading tennis nations in Asia, much less the global elite. Evidently, methods and culture are lacking, not funding.

We need to change. We need better structures and a better environment. Moving forward, our primary objective is to achieve competitive excellence vis-à-vis the regional powerhouses. To this end, we will optimize the allocation of financial resources to better align with player development, travel, and the selection of appropriate tournaments across all age groups throughout the year. This is the focus.

With September approaching, I am pleased to outline key upcoming changes to our programmes. We will introduce a Collegiate Group for players entering their 16th birth year and above, transitioning from the Elite Training Grant – Part-Time (ETG-PT). This new pathway is designed to support players in building robust resumes to pursue collegiate tennis opportunities. The Collegiate Group will represent one of the premier levels within the HKCTA and will be led by two highly experienced professional coaches. Players entering this group will transition from ETG-PT to the Sports-Aid Grant (SAG), or the appropriate status deemed by HKSI structure. This will be a pay-to-play programme.

This focus on players reaching their 16th year is deliberate. After competing in the Junior Davis Cup (JDC) and Junior Billie Jean King Cup (JBJKC), these players are no longer eligible to represent Hong Kong in junior team events. As we look to historical data also, the conversion rate of ETG-PT to becoming full time professional is extremely low and consequently uncompetitive. We have created distinct pathways: one for players committed to pursuing tennis full-time with the goal of playing professional tennis and representing Hong Kong at the highest level and another for those balancing academics and tennis to enhance their prospects for university admission, both locally and internationally. Effective each September, players aged 16 and older will no longer remain in the ETG-PT group.

As a result, the ETG-PT group will be streamlined to enhance focus and efficiency. Additionally, we are excited to announce the establishment of a 12 and-under National Squad, which will train at HKSI under our expert coaching staff. This restructuring will align HKSI tennis programmes with the pathways of other Tier A sports, ensuring a more individualized and targeted approach to player development and starting at a younger age. Our commitment to nurturing the future of Hong Kong tennis through high-quality, on-court training remains unwavering.

Participants in ETG-PT will continue to benefit from comprehensive training, including tennis, fitness, and physiotherapy at HKSI. However, tournament funding will be streamlined, with support primarily directed toward HKCTA sanctioned team events and HKCTA aligned trips that benefit the appropriate age groups. While we will facilitate travel for these events, some associated costs will be borne by parents and players.

Furthermore, adjustments will be made to the Elite Training Grant – Full-Time (ETG-FT), with players reassigned to groups within HKCTA that align with their long-term goals. ETG-FT players are also under review.

Recent team events at U12 have sparked discussions regarding the selection process. I plan to meet with the relevant discussion groups. Recognizing that selection is not an exact science and that exclusions are inevitable, we are committed to refining and standardising the process more and continue to tally with the standard set by SF&OC. Separate systems will be established for junior and senior events to account for their distinct criteria, ensuring greater transparency and consistency.

I attach an updated structure chart to illustrate the performance pathway that tallies with the above proposed changes. We are assessing the NTS and ED pathways on a parallel basis and I will be communicating more on that in due course.

We deeply appreciate your ongoing support and dedication to the advancement of tennis in Hong Kong. Change is never easy, but it is essential to growth. Together, we are building a stronger, more competitive future for our athletes.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions.

Kind regards

Steven Host
Director of Player Development and Tennis Operations
Hong Kong, China Tennis Association

Acting Head Coach,
Hong Kong Sports Institute