Presidential candidate Dave Miley addresses International Tennis Federation AGM, vows to deliver a positive new era for world tennis

Immediate Release: 26 September 2019

Dave Miley, who is standing to become the next president of the International Tennis Federation [ITF], today gave a passionate address in which he vowed to deliver a positive new era for world tennis and the ITF member nations. The ITF presidential election takes place tomorrow [Friday 27 September] at the ITF AGM in Lisbon, Portugal.

Following his address to ITF delegates today, Dave Miley said:

"Ahead of this important presidential vote that will impact greatly the future of our sport, I want to take this final opportunity to say a few things to the valued National Associations of the ITF and the global tennis family.

"Sadly, tennis today is fragmented with different groups often working against each other rather than for the good of the game. This broken model cannot continue. We need a fairer system built on mutual respect for what we all do for this great sport.

"My vision for a healthier sport is focused on standing up for the ITF and the member nations at every opportunity – and to work with our stakeholders from a position of strength, not weakness.

"If elected president, I will enhance the management of the ITF and deliver greater opportunities by implementing a series of key proposals, including restructuring the ITF World Tennis Tour, establishing a Chairman of the ITF Board, developing a new commercial strategy and organising a World Summit on Tennis to help grow the industry, improve our sport and increase global participation.

"By working together I’m convinced we can double the size of the tennis industry and deliver National Associations much greater funding and resources to grow the game across the world. It’s not good enough that ITF financial reserves have remained static whilst staff numbers and costs have risen dramatically.

"I am proud to have earned the respect of the National Association Presidents, and to have good relations with players, coaches, the Grand Slams, the Tours and the tennis Industry.

"Throughout my 35 years working in tennis I have always worked with integrity – and if I have the honour of being president, honesty and transparency will be at the very core of how I will serve.

"I make a commitment to work with passion every single day and ensure that every ITF staff member does the same to deliver a positive new era for our sport. One where we adapt our tennis products so that millions more people come to tennis as players and spectators. I believe we can increase the commercial value of the whole industry and, most importantly, see the ITF National Associations more respected and better off financially.

"There is a huge amount at stake in this election for the ITF and our sport. If the National Associations place their trust in me, they can be sure I will not let them down."

-ENDS-

For further information:

Sujit Jasani

Vero Communications

Sjasani@verocom.co.uk

Ph. +44 (0)7940 375 282

Twitter

Follow @DaveMileyTennis for updates.

Manifesto

Dave Miley’s ITF Presidential manifesto ‘Together for Tennis – ITF Strong’ can be downloaded from his campaign website: TogetherForTennis.com

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 is a former Irish tennis international and three-time national champion, having 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. He 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. He was also actively involved in ITF Board of Directors for 17 years and has considerable experience of ITF committees and how they operate.

He has extensive experience chairing tennis task forces including the ITF Intro to Tennis and the ITF Coach Education Task Force. He 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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