Coaching
Head Coach Mike Armstrong
Everyone can benefit from good coaching, from a beginner hitting a tennis ball for the first time to experienced players wanting to hone their skills.
The club coach Mike Armstrong provides regular group coaching sessions for both juniors and adults and can also accommodate private coaching for those who would like to concentrate on a specific aspect of their game.
As well as developing playing technique, the coach emphasises the importance of tactics and strategies to optimise results.
They have the use of a ball machine and can offer video analysis of play.
Mike holds a Lawn Tennis Association Performance Coach qualification,
is an Instructor Grade member of the UK Professional Tennis Registry and has a BA (hons) in Sport and Leisure Management.
Group coaching is open to both members and non-members (except sessions that are by invitation only) and need not be pre-booked (although booking is advisable for the adult sessions which are run when there is sufficient demand).
Private coaching is available from Mike at £16 per hour (plus floodlights at normal rates if needed) for members, £18.50 for junior non-members and £20.00 for adult non-members. Private half hour or three-quarter hour sessions can be arranged if desired.
Coaching of youngsters is based on the LTA developed mini tennis scheme, using smaller rackets and larger, softer balls, enabling young children to be introduced to the game.
Mini Tennis Red - Saturdays 1:00-2:00 p.m.
This session is aimed at young players that are just starting out, typically aged 5-9.
It uses low compression balls and a small court to teach children the basic techniques and fundamental skills required to play tennis.
Members £2.50, non-members £3.50
Mini Tennis Orange/Green - Fridays 5:00-6:00 p.m.
The orange session is the next step in tennis development for 8-11 year olds. It still uses a low compression ball, but is played on a 3/4 sized court.
Children continue to develop the techniques and fundamental skills required for tennis.
Members £2.50, non-members £3.50
Improvers/Advanced - Mondays 4:30-6:00 p.m.
This session is for talented young players and older school team standard players (9-14).
Players use a normal tennis ball on a full-sized court and begin to learn more complex techniques and tactics.
Members £4.00, non-members £5.00
Improvers - Saturdays 11:30-12:30 p.m.
This session is for talented young players and older school team standard players (9-14).
Players use a normal tennis ball on a full-sized court and begin to learn more complex techniques and tactics.
Members £2.50, non-members £3.50
Advanced - Fridays 6:00-7:30 p.m.
The advanced coaching session concentrates on tennis fitness followed by drills and points play.
It is designed for teenagers who play in LTA tournaments and for school team members.
This session is by invitation only.
Members £4.00, non-members £5.00
Adult - Fridays 7:30-8:30 p.m.
The adult coaching session is aimed at both beginners wanting to learn how to play the game and club players wanting to improve their game. The session concentrates on technique and tactics (particularly doubles tactics). Adult sessions may not run every week, so it is advisable to contact Mike to check when sessions are running and book a place.
Members £4.00, non-members £5.00