The Tony Blair Sports Foundation will work closely with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) team in the North East to develop tennis in the area and in particular inspire more juniors to pick up a racket and play competitively.

We will work with the LTA to encourage more people to train as coaching assistants. People from all walks of life, who have an interest in tennis, can apply to take the LTA coaching qualifications. Those that are successful will then have the opportunity to use their skills in local primary schools, assisting teachers to run tennis lessons as part of the PE programme and give more children the opportunity to take up the sport.

It’s probably easier than you think to get involved. The first stage is the Level 1 coaching assistant course. This is run throughout the region on a regular basis. It is the starting point for people who want to get involved in tennis. It’s aimed at people who are enthusiastic about tennis and want to help a coach train children. It is endorsed by the UKCC (United Kingdom Coaching Certificate) and successful candidates will receive a Level 1 certificate in Coaching Tennis awarded by 1st4sport – so as well as helping more children take part, you’ll gain a useful qualification yourself.

The course is three days – 2 consecutive days followed by a 3-6 week break for practical experience and a final 1 day assessment. In addition, you must attend a 3 hour Child Protection workshop.

Trainee coaches will be mentored by selected coaches at clubs in the North East to help you develop and provide practical support to the coaches.

There is a real opportunity solid career opportunities to help develop the next generation of tennis players. Unlike other sports, tennis coaching provides more opportunity to find a full time job not just coach on a part-time or voluntary basis.

In the North East, we need more coaches and coaching assistants, particularly for the 10 and under age group. More coaching is required for girls, and we want more players and coaches from different ethnic backgrounds.

Interested? If you would like to find out more about becoming a coaching assistant, please click here to contact us.