By Tom Lloyd, London, UK, July 3, 2019: Dave Miley today unveiled (Dave Miley unveils ambitious) his manifesto ‘Together for Tennis – ITF Strong’ (available at TogetherForTennis.com) to become President of the ITF.
Nominated by Tennis Ireland, Dave Miley is the former ITF Director of Development, and his manifesto drives by what is:
- Good for global tennis
*Best for the National Associations that own the ITF
Recognising the current fragmented nature of world tennis, his manifesto outlines a coordinated vision and plan to ensure tennis becomes a healthier and more global sport.
Working with key tennis stakeholders and the wider tennis industry, Miley has also set a goal to double the value of the global tennis market.
In delivering this goal, he wants to see millions more playing tennis and consuming every aspect of the game – from purchasing club and national association memberships, coaching and equipment, to attending and watching professional tennis live and on TV and digital platforms.
In a wide-ranging manifesto covering areas including professional tennis, grassroots development, commercial growth and governance, Miley’s blueprint for the ITF includes:
Restructure the ITF World Tennis Tour to be more user friendly and provide a pathway for all talented performance players
Respect the current Davis Cup and Fed Cup formats and contract with KOSMOS while working in the longer-term to agree a format for these competitions that better respects their traditions and drives greater income
A closer relationship with the Grand Slams with increased financial support for the global game
Organise a Summit on World Tennis in 2020 involving the most important constituents to agree positive actions for tennis
Increase the ITF commercial presence globally and develop new ITF properties including a combined Men’s and Women’s ITF World Championships
A comprehensive review of the structure and staff levels and associated costs of the ITF Administration to ensure efficiency and effectiveness and that the best tennis and organisational expertise is in place
Improve player relations by establishing an ITF ‘Player Commission’ made up of current players and ensure better communications with the international playing community at junior and professional entry level
Establish a Chairman of the ITF Board to guarantee greater accountability and ensure the ITF operates with improved transparency
More investment and tangible actions to increase tennis participation including the re-launch of the successful ITF Tennis Play and Stay Campaign, the promotion of the25% slower green ball to grow junior and recreational tennis and the reintroduction of World Tennis Day
ITF Presidential Candidate Dave Miley unveils ambitious said:
“Tennis is a great sport, but it is not growing as it should, especially in the more developed and traditional markets where it is facing significant challenges.
The image of the ITF with important constituents and in the eyes of players and coaches on the junior and professional tour is at one of its lowest points in ITF history, while the ITF World Tennis Tour has been a costly disaster.
“Against this backdrop, it is even more important that tennis becomes less fragmented and that all in the game work together, recognising that a healthy sport will benefit everyone.
The ITF needs ‘big picture’ vision and leadership and because of my unique experience in the sport, I believe that I’m the right person for this elected position and the person best qualified to spearhead a new direction and help create a new order for world tennis.
“When I look at other mainstream sports, I see many growing quickly while tennis remains relatively static. This is not acceptable for a great sport like ours.
My vision is an industry working together over the coming years, in a combined effort to double the size of our global market to US$ 45 billion.
It can be done.
The result being the ITF generating at least US$ 250 million of annual revenues and increasing dramatically the funds given back to the shareholders – the National Associations – and to global tennis development.
I have travelled to more than 150 nations in my time at the ITF and I not only recognise the differences in nations and regions, I also know that the National Associations are the shareholders.
They do not work for the ITF – the ITF works for them.
“My Presidency will not be about one person/Dave Miley unveils ambitious.
I intend to lead a movement of like-minded people, consisting of leaders within the ITF National Associations and the ITF Board, to positively change the ITF and the current fragmented international tennis order.
Now is the time for the ITF to listen, to face our challenges head-on and to take strong actions when necessary.
My discussions with many National Association Presidents over the last few months have convinced me that this is the right way forward for the ITF.”
In addition to his nomination by Tennis Ireland, Miley has also received support from the President of the Olympic Federation of Ireland, Sarah Keane and the Irish Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross.
About Dave Miley
Former ITF Director of Development, Dave Miley was born in South America and lived in the Caribbean until aged eight.
He currently resides in Wimbledon, London, and holds Irish citizenship. During his time at the ITF, Dave travelled to more than 150 nations.
Dave Miley is a truly global candidate.
Dave a former Irish tennis international and three-time national champion, also played US College tennis and on the entry level professional circuit.
He worked for 25 years at the ITF and led the ITF’s biggest department for 17, overseeing a US$ 10 million departmental budget.
Was instrumental in the creation of the ITF’s successful Tennis Play and Stay Campaign in 2007, the Rule change for 10 and under tennis in 2010, the introduction of a combined ranking for the ITF Junior circuit and developed and launched the 1st global tennis ratings system in 2003.
Has extensive experience chairing tennis task forces including the ITF Intro to Tennis and the ITF Coach Education Task Force.
Was also responsible, on behalf of the ITF President, for ITF relations with regional associations and sat as a member on the Tennis Industry Association Board and the ITF Medical Commission.
An accomplished tennis writer, Dave has published extensively on the state of international tennis and is the author of seven coaching books.
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