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    • Our thriving tennis coaching programme

    Our Tennis Coaching Programme gives our children a fun environment in which to learn tennis.  We embrace a 'tennis for all' philosophy, from ‘beginners’ (including ‘tots’ as young as 3) to those at 'performance' level.

    Our philosophy is to integrate tennis into the busy everyday life that comes with being a boarding prep school. Consequently, all the children taking part in the coaching programme are expected, for the most part, to follow the normal curriculum and experience the wealth of other opportunities on offer at All Hallows.  However, as with all we do at All Hallows, we are happy to tailor provision to allow individuals to maximise any opportunities that may arise.

    We aim to challenge all our players individually, with frequent competitive opportunities, at whatever level.  Our strong links with 'Team Bath' tennis academy mean our more advanced and performance players can be provided with an individual programme, with specialist coaches, which encompasses all aspects of their technical, physical and mental development.  The performance players can truly be challenged at the highest level. The expectation for personal development includes a strong commitment to healthy living, through good diet and regular exercise.

    Parents and families are also welcomed, taking advantage of individual and group coaching opportunities.

     

    Our Coaches

    Kate

    Our Tennis Academy is led by Kate Cleverley who is a LTA DCA (Level 3) Registered Tennis Coach.

    Kate has a degree in Sports Coaching from Cardiff University and has been coaching tennis for 12 years, 9 of which have been at All Hallows.  Kate played tennis for her county as a junior and also 1st team for her university.  Kate has also played and captained 1st team ladies’ tennis at two different clubs.

    Since joining the school in 2009 from Millfield, Kate has been involved in the running of the academy and is really enjoying the challenge of running such a busy and successful academy.

    Coaching is also delivered by Clive Hayball and Sara Scollo.

    Clive is an LTA Level 2 Registered Coach and  works part time for the Tennis Academy. As a first team player for several high profile clubs in London, he has a wealth of experience which he is always happy to share with his pupils.  In his “other” life, Clive is a talented professional artist who produces some exquisite paintings and drawings.

    Sara is an LTA DCA Level 3 Coach and looks after some of our performance players.  She is a former WTA ranked professional player and she links us to coaching at Team Bath. 

    Coaching programme

    Our coaching programme is busy throughout the year with 4 coaches and over 180 children playing each week.  The programme is individually tailored to each player ensuring they gain the most from their lessons and training.  Each child has the opportunity to reach their full tennis potential within the programme with enjoyment being paramount.  

    Our Nursery children are fortunate enough to have tennis lessons several times a week, giving them a flavour of what tennis is all about.  This also gives us the opportunity to highlight potential early on.

    For our Elite squad players, we have a partnership with the 'Team Bath' academy at Bath University.   These performance players are take part in a comprehensive training programme that develops them all round as athletes as well as giving them opportunity to be challenged at the highest level.

    In addition to the programme for our children here at All Hallows, we also provide adult coaching throughout the term, including doubles sessions, cardio tennis and individual lessons.

    Competitions and Events

    We aim to offer appropriate competitive opportunities for all our players at whatever level and to maximise the number of players improving their LTA rating. These may include

    • Weekly internal competitive opportunities
    • Further competition within structure of coaching sessions
    • Club Ladder competitions
    • Open Christmas/Easter Mini Tennis Tournaments
    • Annual School Tournament (All school AHTA players)
    • School home and away fixtures throughout year
    • Regular matches with/at local clubs
    • LTA Sanctioned Tournaments
    • Internal events for adults i.e. Doubles and Singles Tournaments
    LTA Clubmark Accreditation

    Clubmark was introduced by Sport England in 2002 and is currently being implemented across 34 sports.

    The LTA administers its own version of Clubmark based on the National guidelines for best practice combined with real life examples of successfully run places to play across the Country. There are over 900 Clubmark accredited places to play in the UK. The Clubmark recognises a quality tennis development programme operating in line with best practice.

    • Managing the workforce – we constantly work to help our team of coaches and volunteers to develop their skills, and to deliver a great service to members.
    • Communicating with members – developing good, long lasting relationships
    • Promoting the club – working to attract new players, retain them, and help them to improve their game.
    • Policies and Procedures - focused on safeguarding children, young people and adults.
    • Tennis Programme – a comprehensive programme ensuring all members are engaged in the game, regardless of their reasons for playing.
    • Planning – AHTA has a comprehensive business development and action plan, constructed with LTA support.
    Ratings Explained

    LTA Mini Tennis Stages

    Tots | 3-5 Years
    Red | 5-8 Years
    Orange | 8-9 Years
    Green | 10 Years
    Yellow | 10+

    Player Development Pathway
    Starter Groups at all levels (internal and outreach)
    Starter Groups offered to all school pupils from the age of 3 years plus children from outreach programmes at local schools and SMLC
    Development Groups
    Player demonstrating enthusiasm to play more offered further Development Groups plus supervised practise sessions. TImes Tennis competition offered weekly. Beginning to participate in competition.
    Individual/Shared Lessons
    Player showing potential and commitment offered individual and/or shared lessons. At this stage it is expected that pupils are playing 3x per week including internal competition and supervised practise sessions. Specific fitness programme introduced. Regular participation in external competition.
    Internal Performance Groups
    Player invited to internal performance squad and offered subsidised coaching "package". Playing at least 3x per week. Participating in regular internal and external competition and introduced to performance coaches at WSC.
    Performance Links with WSC
    Player participating regularly in WSC performance squad in addition to AHTA programme. Personalised fitness programme. Competing regularly at club/county standard
    Performance Links with Bath Academy
    Player selected to train at Bath Academy. PLaying 5x per week (50% of training programme in Bath). Playing approx 25 competitions per year at County/Area/National standard.