CAREERS IN TENNIS Produced by LTA Coach Education Careers in tennis can be divided into: 1. Those where tennis knowledge, playing ability and experience is vital to the job (e.g. club coach) 2. Those whose specific expertise and/or experience is a pre-requisite for the position (Mini Tennis coordinator, coach travelling with top junior or senior players, fitness trainer, psychologist, nutritionist) 3. Those where generic knowledge and skills (Media, Accounts, Marketing, Human Resources) and administrative skills can be used in the tennis industry. 1. Careers where tennis knowledge, playing ability and experience is vital to the job The standard to which the person can play the game may be essential e.g. a tour player The knowledge of the sport may be essential e.g course tutor for Coach Education A combination of playing ability, knowledge of tennis and administrative skills may be essential e.g. Club Coach Examples of Careers and their training needs/ requirements Note: In all examples given, current LTA Licence, CRB Enhanced Disclosure and First Aid qualification are both required and assumed. On Court Role Tour Player National Coach, High Performance Centre Director/Head Coach County Coach, Performance Club Head Coach Head Club Coach/ Director of Tennis Club Coach Development Coach Coaching Assistant Physical Conditioning Coach School Coach Training Requirement International Playing standard, life style management PCA, computer skills, excellent people management, knowledge of LTPD, knowledge of world standards. PCA, computer skills, people management, knowledge of LTPD, knowledge of world standards. CCA, PCA, or TDA, management skills, knowledge of Development programmes, excellent people skills, knowledge of finance, budgets and commercial operations CCA, PCA, TDA. computer skills, management skills, knowledge of development programmes, excellent people skills DCA, CCA, computer skills, management skills, knowledge of development programmes, excellent people skills Level 1 Coaching Assistant: Assistant Coach qualification, knowledge of Mini Tennis, ability to work under supervision as part of a team, ability to run Mini tennis competitions Fitness qualification, knowledge of International tennis DCA or CCA, knowledge of developing players and programmes, experience of school structures/ systems - 1 -
Coach Education Tutor Individual Coach Development Programme (ICDP) Accredited Mentor LTA Tennis Leaders Award tutor CCA, PCA or TDA, LTA Certficate in Tutoring Skills qualification, management skills, wide knowledge of game, exceptional people skills, NVQ A1/V1 assessor qualifications, lengthy coaching experience. PCA or TDA, LTA Tutors qualification, tutoring and mentoring skills and experience, management skills, wide knowledge of game, exceptional people skills, knowledge of personal development processes, NVQ A1/V1 assessor qualifications, lengthy coaching experience. CCA, PCA or TDA, tutoring, leadership and mentoring skills and experience, management skills, wide knowledge of game, exceptional people skills, knowledge of personal development processes, lengthy coaching experience. Mainly Off Court Role LTA Senior Manager e.g. Director of Performance, Development, Events and Tournaments, Coach Education. Tennis Operations Manager (TOM) Tennis Manager, CDO Rackets Manager, Tennis Centre Manager Sports Psychologist Physiotherapist Training Requirement Extensive knowledge of National and International tennis, Level 3 coaching qualification, previous experience of management. Management skills, knowledge of national tennis, structures, DCA or CCA, knowledge of tennis, computer skills, communication skills DCA or CCA, knowledge of tennis, computer skills, communication skills Management, computer skills and excellent communication skills, possibly CCA/ TDA BASES accreditation, professional training, qualification and experience, knowledge of tennis and other sports. Professional training/qualification, knowledge of tennis and its demands. - 2 -
Career Pathways The following are not automatic pathways but serve as examples of career options, illustrating how one job can possibly lead to another. They obviously depend on gaining appropriate education and relevant experience as a coach, player or manager. On-going personal development is assumed in each example. Example 1 CLUB MINI TENNIS COACH 1. Part time/ Assistant coach (TA /Level 1 Coaching Assistant/ DCA) 2. Club Coach (DCA/CCA/PCA/TDA) 3. Club Mini Tennis Coach (LTA Advanced Mini Tennis Course) Example 3 CLUB TENNIS MANAGER 1. Degree 2. Club Coach (CCA/TDA) 3. Club Tennis Manager Example 2 HEAD CLUB COACH (LARGE CLUB) 1. Part time/ Assistant coach (TA /Level 1 Coaching Assistant / DCA) 2. Club Coach (DCA/CCA) 3. Head Club Coach (CCA/PCA/TDA) Example 4 HEAD PERFORMANCE COACH (LARGE CLUB) 1. Sports Science degree 2. Club Coach (CCA/PCA) 3. Head Performance Coach Example 5 COUNTY COACH 1. Club Coach (DCA/CCA) 2. Head Coach (CCA/PCA) 3. County Coach Example 7 LTA TENNIS OPERATIONS MANAGER 1. Graduate with Sports Science degree 2. LTA Club Development Officer (CDO) 3. LTA Tennis Manager 4. LTA Tennis Operations Manager (TOM) Example 6 LTA ACADEMY MANAGER 1. Tour Player (ATP/WTA) 2. LTA High Performance Club Coach 3. LTA Academy Coach 4. LTA Academy Manager Example 8 COMMERCIAL CLUB RACKETS MANAGER 1. Commercial Club Coach (DCA/CCA) 2. Commercial Club Rackets Manager (CCA/PCA/TDA) 2. Those whose specific expertise and/or experience is a pre-requisite for the position Specific qualifications, knowledge and experience is essential (e.g coach travelling with top junior or senior players, fitness trainer, psychologist, nutritionist) Whilst some qualifications may be gained outside tennis, specific tennis experience is essential to ensure that this knowledge is applied in the correct contexts Tennis coaching qualifications are essential for travelling coaches, and recommended for fitness trainers, psychologists or nutritionists - 3 -
Examples of Careers and their training needs/ requirements Note: In all examples given, current LTA Licence, CRB Enhanced Disclosure and First Aid qualification are both required and assumed. Example 1 PSYCHOLOGIST 1. Part time/ Assistant coach (TA /Level 1 Coaching Assistant / DCA) 2. Club Coach (DCA/CCA/PCA/TDA) 3. Degree/Masters in Sports Science/Psychology 4. BASES accreditation Example 2 NUTRITIONIST 2. Part time/ Assistant coach (TA /Level 1 Coaching Assistant / DCA) 2. Club Coach (DCA/CCA/PCA/TDA) 3. Degree/Masters in Sports Science/Nutrition 3. Careers where generic knowledge and skills and administrative skills can be used in the tennis industry. A knowledge of finance and accounts would be essential for e.g. a Treasurer, Finance Officer in a large club. The ability to manage people e.g. Manager of a large club. There are increasing numbers of opportunities available and with appropriate training and experience clear career pathways are possible. Examples of Careers and their training needs/ requirements Career Pathways The following are not automatic pathways but serve as examples of career options, illustrating how one job can possibly lead to another. Off Court: Example 1 CLUB ADMINISTRATOR (LARGE CLUB) OR COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR 1. Telephone, computer skills, secretarial skills, communication and personal skills 2. experience and skills gained from other professions 3. club volunteer or official 4. Club/County Administrator Example 3 MARKETING/PUBLICITY/ PR IN LARGE TENNIS CENTRE 1. Experience and skills developed in other professions 2. Media knowledge and skills, people and communication skills, computer skills. Example 2 CLUB MANAGER 1. Management skills and experience from other professions 2. Knowledge of facility management, budgets, employment law 3. Club Manager Example 4 TOURNAMENT REFEREE 1. In-depth knowledge of tennis and the rules of the game 2. Umpiring skills and experience 3. ABTO qualification 4. Tournament Referee - 4 -
COACH EDUCATION IN THE UK (2007) PCA LTA Coach Licence Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence (AASE) CCA DCA NVQ LEVEL 2 BTCA membership Coach Development Courses Individual Coach Mentoring Programme (ICDP) On-going mentoring and personal development Level 1 Coaching Assistant Player at different levels Volunteering or coaching in other sports LTA Tennis Leader Award - 5 -
Each Course will assess competence and knowledge in the following areas: Level 1 Coaching Assistant For: those wishing to work in clubs assisting an LTA qualified coach those who possess CRB Enhanced Disclosure and First Aid qualification, who are able to rally and play consistently with Mini Tennis players Objectives: to train assistants to motivate and inspire people to play tennis to develop verbal and non-verbal communication skills to learn how to organise tennis activity constructively and safely to learn how to plan and deliver a structured lesson using LTA Level 1 coach resources to develop a basic knowledge of tactics, techniques and rules of tennis to develop a full understanding of the structure of Ariel Mini Tennis Development Coach Award For: those wishing to coach in clubs, possibly assisting an LTA CCA, PCA or TDA coach those who have attended an LTA Tennis Assistants course, and possessing CRB Enhanced Disclosure and First Aid qualification, who are able to rally and play with players of a 8.1 rating and above Objectives: to develop a good understanding of how to develop ABCs and movement skills to coach beginner junior and adults in groups and individual lessons, using simple feeding and demonstrating skills to develop excellent communication and organisation skills whilst maintaining a safe and healthy environment to learn how people learn and how to develop effective coaching skills to learn how to run competitions in clubs for Mini Tennis, juniors and adults to develop basic business skills to complete an NVQ Level 2 in Coaching Tennis - 6 -
Club Coach Award For: those wishing to coach in clubs, either as a Head Coach, or assisting an LTA PCA or TDA coach those holding an LTA DCA and full licence, who are able to feed, rally and play with players of a 5.1 rating and above Objectives: to coach junior county and national standard players in squad and individual lessons to have a good understanding of national standards in junior tennis to develop a good understanding of how to develop players abilities in all 4 performance factors to develop understanding of annual planning, including tournaments and training schedules and fitness testing to develop excellent coaching skills, paying attention to detail and maintaining a safe and healthy environment Performance Coach Award For: those wishing to become a club Head Coach, or to work in LTA High Performance Clubs, LTA Academies or National Training those holding an LTA CCA and full licence, who are able to feed, rally and play with players of a 3.1 rating and above Objectives: to coach junior county, national and international standard players in squad and individual lessons to have an in-depth understanding of world standards in junior tennis to develop an in-depth understanding of how to develop players abilities in all 4 performance factors to develop detailed understanding of annual planning, including tournaments and training schedules and fitness testing to develop excellent coaching skills, paying attention to detail and maintaining a safe and healthy environment to possess and develop skills to be an effective role model to performance players, considering role model aspects of professional and social behaviour and lifestyle * For further information please refer to the relevant Course Information. - 7 -
POSITION: Head Performance Coach JOB HOLDER: tba DATE: REPORTS TO: Club Manager Purpose of Position: The job holder will have overall responsibility for the management and development of the club performance programme Principal Responsibilities: 1. to manage the day to day running of the performance programme, with responsibility for the players in the programme and the team of coaches running the programme 2. to ensure effective progression of talented players into the programme from the club development programme and local schools 3. to ensure that all players within the programme have annual plans which outline training and competitive priorities and commitments 4. to ensure effective and regular liaison with relevant LTA staff, including County and Academy Coaches, Coach Education and Events and Tournaments Position in Club: Club Manager Head Performance Coach Fitness Trainer Club coaches x 2 Administrator Skills/Knowledge/Experience: Essential: CCA or PCA qualification, together with experience of learning and development needs of young people in sport Experience of coaching juniors of national standard Able to demonstrate empathy and understanding with players and parents High level of leadership and motivational skills An understanding of and ability to manage talent High level of interpersonal and communication skills LTA Coach Licence - 8 -
POSITION: Coach Education Co-ordinator DEPARTMENT: Coach Education JOB HOLDER: DATE: REPORTS TO: National Manager of Coach Development, LTA Purpose of Position: This position exists to maintain high standards of administration for all Coach Education Award courses. The job holder is an important member of a department which is continually improving and developing courses and course materials. Position in Organisation: Director of Tennis Operations National Manager of Coach Development Coach Education Manager Coach Education Co-ordinator Principal Responsibilities: 1. To ensure the proper administration of DCA and CCA Award courses. 2. To order, collate and despatch all course materials to county offices, tutors and candidates, and to update relevant information on the LTA website. 3. To liase with the National Manager of Coach Development over all matters related to the above Award courses. 4. To arrange all Tutor Training programmes 5. To liaise with the National Manager of Coach Development for the development and printing of all course resources. 6. To resolve any issues arising from the above. Quantitative Data: There is no budgetary responsibility within this post, although accurate monthly records of income and expenditure in relation to courses must be maintained. Nature of Contacts: 1. the National Coach Development Manager on a daily basis 2. the Coach Education Manager on a daily basis 3. other department Co-ordinators on an ongoing basis 4. the County Administrators as necessary 5. course tutors as necessary 6. external personnel as necessary - 9 -
Background Information: This position was created to ensure the continuing and developing high standards of administration within LTA Coach Education. The position is an important one in the delivery of Coach Education in the UK since the Co-ordinator is generally the first point if information for potential and existing coaches. Skills/Experience: A knowledge of the Coach Education and Development process and an understanding of the resources and information would be a great benefit The jobholder must have the ability to: - work systematically and logically - work independently - work with others - react quickly to difficult situations and find solutions to problems - anticipate important scheduling and training requirements Essential Good inter-personal skill, together with an ability to diffuse potential problems. Forward planning skills Basic computer skills Excellent telephone skills - 10 -