This guide explains how to set up a full junior development pathway on the Programs page using predefined templates or custom programs.
Independent reference (not affiliation)
Predefined templates are reference layouts based on commonly published junior development frameworks. CourtSync is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or licensed by Tennis Australia, the USTA, the ITF, the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), or any other governing body. Organisation and program names in the app are used for identification only; icons shown in the pathway picker are placeholders, not official logos. You may edit all created programs to match your academy’s own naming and structure.
Before you start
- Your academy must be on a plan that includes Programs (Professional or Enterprise).
- Optional but recommended: configure Age Groups under Academy Settings so you can map template stages when creating a pathway.
Start a new pathway
- Go to Programs in the owner dashboard.
- Click New program (in the empty state or toolbar when programs already exist).
- Choose a predefined framework or Create custom pathway.
Step 1 — Choose pathway source
Select one of the reference layouts (card titles describe the style, not an official body):
- Australian-style pathway — Blue through Yellow Ball
- US-style pathway — Red through Yellow Ball (many programs also use Net Generation–style readiness alongside ball-color stages)
- European Tennis10s-style — Red → Orange → Green → Yellow
- UK youth-style pathway — Blue through Yellow (includes pre-tennis Blue stage)
Or choose Create custom pathway to open the program editor and define a single stage from scratch.
Screenshot of the New program pathway modal showing provider cards
Step 2 — Preview stages
Review each stage’s name, description, recommended age range, skill level, and target skill count. Confirm the order matches how you want players to progress.
Step 3 — Map age groups
For each stage, assign an academy age group or leave None. Recommended ages on the template are labels only—they do not auto-create age groups.
You can add or edit age groups anytime in Academy Settings → Age Groups.
Tips:
- Map ball-color stages (e.g. Red, Orange) to matching academy age groups when you use custom grouping.
- You can change the age group on any program later via Edit program.
Step 4 — Review and create
Confirm the summary, then click Create. CourtSync creates all programs in one transaction and links predecessors so the pathway tree renders correctly.
After you create a pathway
- Edit any program to adjust goals, target skills, cover images, or other settings.
- Link lessons to programs from Terms & Lessons or Camps as usual.
- Coaches track student progress against each program’s target skills on the student detail page.
Parallel pathways for invitation-only stages
Predefined templates create open enrollment stages. Many academies also run selective groups at the same ball-color or performance level—for example a public Orange squad and an invitation-only Orange Performance squad.
CourtSync supports branching pathways: more than one program can share the same This program follows predecessor. Use that to run parallel tracks from one stage.
Suggested approach
- Create the main pathway using New program and a predefined template (or build stages manually with Create custom pathway).
- For any stage that should be invitation only, add a parallel program:
- Click New program → Create custom pathway, or duplicate the idea of an existing stage by creating a new program with a clear name (e.g. “Orange Stage — Invitation only”).
- Set This program follows to the same predecessor as the open stage (e.g. both follow Red Stage).
- Enable Invitation only on the selective program.
- Adjust target skills or goals if the selective group differs from the open group.
- Link open lessons to the public program and selective lessons to the invitation-only program.
Example
| Program | Follows | Invitation only | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Stage | — (start) | No | Community red-ball groups |
| Orange Stage | Red Stage | No | Standard orange progression |
| Orange Performance | Red Stage | Yes | Selective squad; EOI required |
| Green Stage | Orange Stage or Orange Performance | No | Depends which orange track the player completed |
Because multiple programs can follow the same predecessor, you do not need a separate linear chain for every selective group—only the branches that need different enrollment rules.
Expression of interest
With Invitation only enabled, guardians submit an expression of interest before booking lessons linked to that program. You review EOIs and send invitations with a unique link. See Managing Programs and EOI for the full workflow.
Students who already have an active booking on any lesson in that program can book other lessons in the same program without a new EOI.
Troubleshooting
| Issue | What to do |
|---|---|
| New program / pathway option not visible | Confirm Programs feature access on your subscription tier |
| No age groups in mapping step | Configure age groups in Academy Settings, or create with None and assign later |
| Pathway order looks wrong | Check This program follows on each program; template creation sets links automatically |
| Need invitation-only at one stage only | Add a parallel program with the same predecessor and enable Invitation only |