Development

Overseas Travel

Travelling Overseas – A guide for players

The following is a list of travel tips for young tennis players travelling overseas. They are designed to help maximise the enjoyment and success for the player while travelling, and allow them to make the most of the opportunity they have been presented with.

• Start to plan your trip early
• Give your parent(s) a copy of your travel itinerary and contact details before you leave
• Check your passport is valid, whether a visa is required and what the currency requirements are
• Keep a copy of your passport (inside cover) and credit card numbers at home
• Check to see whether you will require travel injections or other medication for the country you are travelling to
• Double check your airline ticket when it is forwarded to you
• Have an early night before you travel and give yourself plenty of time to get to the airport
• Contact your airline carrier with any seating and food requirement. Check the plane is on time before departing for the airport
• Put some identification of your name/address on both the inside and outside of your cases(s) and hand luggage. Never leave your luggage unattended and lock your bags when travelling.
• Take more money than you think is necessary. Always use the hotel safes for your extra money, passport and tickets. Try not to display how much money you have.
• Travellers cheques are a great way of carrying money. Make sure you sign all travellers cheques before you leave
• Be aware of luggage restrictions when packing, try not to overpack as you always collect a few items when away. Any excess baggage will need to be paid for
• Find out the weather conditions of the country you are playing in and pack accordingly
• Many Asian countries often have hot humid climates, remember to drink a lot of
• water to stay well hydrated and eat healthy food that you are familiar with to avoid illness
• Be aware of the culture of the country you are travelling to, including customs and etiquette.
• Choose a suitcase that has wheels or that it easy to carry.
• You may like to pack food items such as muesli bars, cereal, vegemite etc as these are not available in some countries
• Pack two pairs of tennis shoes and match the tread with the court surfaces(s) you will be playing on
• Check you racket requirements (including extra strings/gut etc)
• Pack a smart outfit so you are not embarrassed if invited out to a dinner or sponsor function. Remember, you are in a professional sport, and you should dress and act accordingly
• Pack a variety of travel size medical supplies such as band-aids to keep on hand in an emergency and in your own luggage
• Pack some games, magazines, toys in your hand luggage to keep yourself amused as flight can often be long. Always carry-on your Ipod, camera or money
• Pack some non-tennis warm-up gear such as skipping ropes, stretch band, football etc
• Pack an alarm clock to use when overseas, as hotels are often unreliable for wake-up calls
• Purchase some telephone cards before you leave, these are cheaper that calling from a hotel because hotels add high surcharges on to your calls
• Email is a fantastic way to keep in contact, you don’t need to worry about time zone differences and is a lot more cost effective than calling on the telephone

  Keep a tour diary and a copy of results, not only for your reference but for your coach back home

A Guide for Parents of Players Travelling Overseas

• Review and discuss the above list with your child
• Check the insurance cover for the trip – are all your concerns covered?
• Ensure you are comfortable with all arrangements prior to your child’s departure and have a copy of the itinerary and contact details
• Encourage your child to do his/her best and most importantly to enjoy the trip
• Encourage your child to make the most of every day, every experience and every learning opportunity. They have been presented with a fantastic opportunity that many other children would be envious of, so ensure that they understand the responsibilities that come with such an opportunity.
• Make sure that your child is self-reliant. Managers/Coaches are not there to take the place of a parent, but to guide them and offer support and encouragement. Players will need to be able to be responsible for themselves while away in regards to meals, luggage, packing, racket re-stringing, hygiene and personal care etc.

Player Responsibilities while away

• Hygiene and personal care
• Professionalism – on and off court
• Responsibilities of representing their team and country
  • always be on their best behaviour
  • 100% commitment
  • watching and supporting teammates
  • being available for other team members for practice partners
  • support
  • encouragement
• First-hand match analysis – finding out about opponents in consultation with coach
• Gaining permission from coach – keep in-touch with coach or manager
• Leave nothing up to chance – do everything to produce the best performance
  • eating correctly
  • getting enough sleep
  • game preparation and plan
  • drinking enough fluids
• Checking match times for next day – entry and withdrawal of opponents
• Make sure equipment is in good working order – racquet re-stringing etc
• Self-sufficiency
  • doubles partners
  • sign-in into tournaments
  • booking of practice courts
  • organising practice partners
  • towels and water
  • showering after practice and matches
  • meals and eating at right times
  • sleep
  • completing diaries
  • scouting opponents
• Empathy for coach/manager of squad

Managing a team is an incredibly demanding role and the co-operation and support of team members is required at all times. Players should abide by team rules and regulations at all times during the tour, to ensure that the tour is as enjoyable as possible. This will help to maximise the experience and benefits gained by not only the players but also the managers.