Coaching Programme

Coaching Team

Private lessons

• Private lessons can be booked directly with our coaches Gareth Billingham and Gaz Griffiths, at a mutually convenient time. Lessons are either for one hour or half an hour and can be taken individually or in groups of up to three players.
  


• For our Performance Players, Matt Wildt is available.
  For more information on our performance programme visit http://www.intouchtennis.co.uk , an online resource for tennis players and coaches, with coaching tips and discussion forums.
  

Adult courses

• Courses begin every January, April, and September, with duration corresponding roughly to school terms.
• Beginner
  For those who have little knowledge of the game or want to improve their skills further. Sessions will include technique, rules and basic tactics and skills of the game.
• Improver
  For players who can maintain a groundstroke rally from the baseline with both forehands and backhands, are able to serve and have an understanding of the rules and tactics for match play. Sessions will include technique incorporated within drills, games and tactics mainly for doubles play.
• Improver Drills Sessions
  High intensity drills covering all areas of doubles tactics and match play. Each session provides a good tennis workout, with advice from the coach and basket-fed drills simulating real match play.

Junior courses

• Courses run termly beginning January, April and September.
• Mini Tennis Courses (see below)
  All incorporate the LTA Mini Tennis Awards.
• Mini Tennis members
  All receive four club newsletters per year.
• Mini Tennis Blue: under 5s' co-ordination, 3-4 year olds
  This course uses fun games and activities that primarily develop co-ordination, ball skills and movement in preparation for mini tennis.
• Mini Tennis Red, 5-8 year olds
  Introduction to tennis using light-weight rackets, sponge balls and a smaller court. An excellent way to develop co-ordination, racket and ball skills and basic stroke technique. Lots of fun games including a selection of activity stations designed to provide a variety of tennis related learning experiences - the emphasis is very much on FUN.
• Mini Tennis Orange: transition, 7-9 year olds
  For players progressing from mini tennis and have developed their skills sufficiently to move to a full size court with low compression balls. Equipment and court size are adapted to cater for the ability of players. Sessions cover co-ordination and movement, progressive development of the strokes, basic rules and tactics.
• Mini Tennis Green: beginner 9-12 year olds
  For children who have played little or no tennis before and also for those from 8 years old who have progressed from mini tennis orange. Sessions include development of technique for all strokes, basic rules and tactical situations within a game to enhance skills and extend learning.
• Improver
  For children who are able to maintain a groundstroke rally from the baseline, serve and play a game of singles, and have a basic knowledge of the rules. Sessions include technique, incorporated within drills, games and tactics for both singles and doubles play.
• Advanced improver
  For children who can rally consistently from the baseline with both forehands and backhands. They must be able to play all the basic shots with a variety of spins and have an understanding of the rules and tactics for both singles and doubles. Sessions include drills and tactics for both singles and doubles match play.
• Advanced
  For players who have an understanding of the rules and tactics for both singles and doubles. Players should be able to rally from the baseline and able to play all the basic strokes with spin, depth and accuracy. Players wishing to attend this should have an LTA rating and be approved by the Head Coach.
• Elite Team and Performance Minis
  Invitation only. These squads are for players who have the potential to reach county and national standard, and are regularly competing in tournaments. The programme will focus on drills preparation for match play, including the technical, tactical, physical and mental aspects of the game.

Holiday activities

• The club organises a variety of activities during the school holidays. These include mini tennis and tennis coaching clinics,tournaments, under 5s' co-ordination classes, holiday clubs, mini tennis and tennis weekly camps, christmas parties, and games and activity days. Look at the notice board in the clubhouse for more details.

Disability Programme

• Started in 2002, under the heading of Access Tennis, having been made possible through grant funding.
• The programme gives people with disabilities the opportunity to learn to play tennis, whether as individuals or as groups such as school groups.
• To date the programme has enabled approximately 200 children and adults to experience the game of tennis
• Club sessions are held from 7.30pm to 9.00pm on Saturday evenings. This provides additional play for those who want to learn more and is a first step of integration into a club environment.
• An Access Tennis 3-day clinic is held during the summer holidays.
• Players with a learning disability, who would like an opportunity to progress further, can attend the East Midlands Special Olympics Regional Squad. This squad is based at our club indoor courts. Many players attending this squad have competed in the British National Learning Disability Weekend, and have represented the region in the Great Britain Special Olympics.
• If you would like to find out more, contact Lesley Whitehead at the club.