Eastbourne

ROTHESAY INTERNATIONAL EASTBOURNE
S Merlin Van de Braam
it was too easy to pass Levels
1 and 2 and the standard of
coach entering the industry
was simply not good enough.
There was a real perception
that you could just turn up to
the course, fill in the forms
and you would get through
fine. The course did not
prepare you for the demands
of the role in the industry, so
we needed to change that.
There is a big focus on
the digital element of
this course. Why is that
important for a modern
coach?
JW: There are two reasons
for including a strong digital
element. Firstly, digital skills
are key tools that modern
coaches will use in their
coaching, promotions,
programme planning and
management. These skills
are learned and augmented
across the many tasks
that learners will do on the
course. Secondly, by housing
a lot of the knowledgebuilding
activities online,
the course can prioritise the
skill-building work for the
face-to-face days. Both
are equally important for
coaches, and by splitting
the content in this way a
significant proportion of
the course can be done
at home, without travel,
and in the learners’ own
time. This makes the
course as accessible as
possible, whilst still driving
up quality. The final part of
the triad, to complement
knowledge and skills, is the
practical application gained
through the eight hours of
qualification experience built
into the course.
What are the primary targets
for the revamped coaching
courses?
MVB: Our overall ambition
is to develop inspirational
coaches that can grow the
game. A more rigorous
LTA Instructor (Level 2)
is a great opportunity to
drive up standards in our
coaching pool but also
be more relevant to the
demands of the industry.
The team has introduced a
readiness test that is crucial
to the process. We are now
hearing consistent feedback
that this is the best thing we
could have done because
it results in skillful, trained
professionals who have a
sound grasp of the game
from a technical and tactical
perspective. This is critical if
we are to have a respected
coaching profession.
Are you hoping to attract
more female coaching talent
into the system in 2023?
JW: We have strategic grant
funding, distributed through
our Coach Development
Centre (CDC) network, with
the specific aim of increasing
the numbers of female
coaches entering the pathway
at Assistant. CDCs have
agreed objectives to increase
female learner numbers,
and they have the flexibility
to decide how to utilise the
grant funding across their
jurisdictions. For example,
some have concentrated on
marketing and promotion
directly to potential female
candidates, whilst others
have underwritten courses
to provide discounts. 2022
saw an uplift in female coach
numbers at Assistant, and we
are continuing with this drive
in 2023. >
Are you interested in getting
into tennis coaching? Check
out the options HERE.
Devonshire Park, Eastbourne | 24 June - 01 July 2023
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