Nottingham
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ROTHESAY OPEN NOTTINGHAM<br />
it was too easy to pass Levels<br />
1 and 2 and the standard of<br />
coach entering the industry<br />
was simply not good enough.<br />
There was a real perception<br />
that you could just turn up to<br />
the course, fill in the forms<br />
and you would get through<br />
fine. The course did not<br />
prepare you for the demands<br />
of the role in the industry, so<br />
we needed to change that.<br />
There is a big focus on<br />
the digital element of<br />
this course. Why is that<br />
important for a modern<br />
coach?<br />
JW: There are two reasons<br />
for including a strong digital<br />
element. Firstly, digital skills<br />
are key tools that modern<br />
coaches will use in their<br />
coaching, promotions,<br />
programme planning and<br />
management. These skills<br />
are learned and augmented<br />
across the many tasks<br />
that learners will do on the<br />
course. Secondly, by housing<br />
a lot of the knowledgebuilding<br />
activities online,<br />
the course can prioritise the<br />
skill-building work for the<br />
face-to-face days. Both<br />
are equally important for<br />
coaches, and by splitting<br />
the content in this way a<br />
significant proportion of<br />
the course can be done<br />
at home, without travel,<br />
and in the learners’ own<br />
time. This makes the<br />
course as accessible as<br />
possible, whilst still driving<br />
up quality. The final part of<br />
the triad, to complement<br />
knowledge and skills, is the<br />
practical application gained<br />
through the eight hours of<br />
qualification experience built<br />
into the course.<br />
What are the primary targets<br />
for the revamped coaching<br />
courses?<br />
MVB: Our overall ambition<br />
is to develop inspirational<br />
coaches that can grow the<br />
game. A more rigorous<br />
LTA Instructor (Level 2)<br />
is a great opportunity to<br />
drive up standards in our<br />
coaching pool but also<br />
be more relevant to the<br />
demands of the industry.<br />
The team has introduced a<br />
readiness test that is crucial<br />
to the process. We are now<br />
hearing consistent feedback<br />
that this is the best thing we<br />
could have done because<br />
it results in skillful, trained<br />
professionals who have a<br />
sound grasp of the game<br />
from a technical and tactical<br />
perspective. This is critical if<br />
we are to have a respected<br />
coaching profession.<br />
Are you hoping to attract<br />
more female coaching talent<br />
into the system in 2023?<br />
JW: We have strategic grant<br />
funding, distributed through<br />
our Coach Development<br />
Centre (CDC) network, with<br />
the specific aim of increasing<br />
the numbers of female<br />
coaches entering the pathway<br />
at Assistant. CDCs have<br />
agreed objectives to increase<br />
female learner numbers,<br />
and they have the flexibility<br />
to decide how to utilise the<br />
grant funding across their<br />
jurisdictions. For example,<br />
some have concentrated on<br />
marketing and promotion<br />
directly to potential female<br />
candidates, whilst others<br />
have underwritten courses<br />
to provide discounts. 2022<br />
saw an uplift in female coach<br />
numbers at Assistant, and we<br />
are continuing with this drive<br />
in 2023. ><br />
Are you interested in getting<br />
into tennis coaching? Check<br />
out the options HERE.<br />
<strong>Nottingham</strong> Tennis Centre | 12 - 18 June 2023<br />
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