LTA Coach Development podcast

Discover how coaches, venues and communities can work together to break down barriers to participation and create more opportunities for people to get involved in tennis. This insightful webinar explores the challenges that can prevent people from engaging in tennis, particularly those from lower-income communities. Through practical examples and lived experiences, the session highlights the importance of understanding local barriers and finding creative solutions that help more people access and stay involved in the game. Drawing on discussions from coaches and volunteers across the country, the webinar explores topics including affordability, transport, access to facilities, equipment provision and community engagement. It also considers how coaches can create welcoming environments that support long-term participation. By watching this webinar, you'll learn: How to identify barriers that may prevent people from taking part in tennis. Why factors such as transport, equipment and time can be just as significant as cost. Practical ways to make tennis more accessible within your local community. How partnerships with schools, councils and community organisations can support participation growth. Ideas for creating sustainable programmes that engage and retain more players. Whether you're working in a park, club, school or community setting, this webinar offers valuable insights and practical ideas to help make tennis more accessible and welcoming for all.

Discover how simple, regular competition can transform player engagement, strengthen club communities, and support long-term programme growth.In this insightful episode, Neil Brien, Head Coach and Chairman at Eccleston Park LTC, and Paul Olri, LTA Head of Competition, share practical strategies for introducing fun, accessible competition that keeps players coming back. Through real-world examples and lessons from successful pilot programmes, they demonstrate how competition can improve retention, build confidence, create stronger social connections, and generate new opportunities for coaches and venues.By listening to this episode, you'll learn: How regular, low-pressure competition can increase player enjoyment, confidence, and retention. Practical ways to create a competition culture that strengthens your coaching programme and club community. Simple competition formats and delivery ideas that are easy to implement, regardless of facility size or player level. How competition can encourage family engagement, support club growth, and create additional coaching opportunities. Watch the recordingWhether you're already running match play opportunities or looking for new ways to engage and retain players, this episode offers actionable ideas that you can put into practice straight away.

This special episode celebrates the contributions of South Asian communities within tennis. The session featured Abdul Ahmed, an inspiring coach who has progressed to coaching at Wimbledon during the 2024–2025 period. As a hitting partner for professional players on the ATP and WTA tours and the founder of Rising Stars Tennis Academy in London, Abdul brought a wealth of experience and insight, particularly in engaging diverse communities across the country, including South Asian communities. Abdul was also joined by Surraya Patel, tennis enthusiast, community campaigner, secondary school science teacher, fitness instructor & personal trainer.By listening to this podcast, you will be able to:Understand the journey and experiences of a South Asian coach progressing into high-performance environments, including insights into coaching at elite events like Wimbledon.Explore effective approaches to engaging and growing participation within South Asian and other ethnically diverse communities.Identify practical ways coaches can contribute to creating more inclusive, representative tennis environments within their own programmes and networks.This is a great opportunity to hear about Abdul’s journey, gain valuable coaching insights, and engage with an important conversation around diversity and inclusion in tennis.

Are you doubting yourself as a coach? or do you feel confident outwardly but uncertain underneath? Confidence and self-esteem sit at the heart of effective coaching, yet many coaches quietly struggle with self-doubt and imposter syndrome.Join Dr. Callum Gowlling (Sports Psychologist and Director of Liquid Sport Psychology), Fran Lewis, (2021 LTA Performance Coach of the Year and MSc in Sports Psychology), and Merlin Van de Braam (Head of Coach & Official Development & Support), for a revealing conversation designed to help you explore the critical relationship between confidence and self-esteem, and provide you with the key tools for navigating coaching as a career.By the end of this podcast, you'll gain a better understanding of:What confidence and self-esteem mean for coachesBehaviours that build confidenceCoach identity and imposter syndromeResilience for coachesIf you'd like to invest in your personal growth, not just technically, but psychologically, this episode will give you the tools you can apply immediately.

Listen to this insightful discussion on the importance of income protection for coaches featuring Andy Goulbourne, Howden Insurance Broker, Mark Tennant, LTA Level 5 Coach and Coach Mentor, and Sasha Badrock, LTA Engagement & Accreditation Manager.  Around 85% of UK coaches are self-employed, and many are unaware of how quickly their income could stop if they were unable to work due to illness or injury. From personal accidents, short-term medical issues, or long-term health conditions, the list of possible reasons that can prevent coaches from working is infinite. By engaging with this resource, you'll gain a better understanding of:What income protection is and isn’tWhy it’s important for self-employed coaches to be aware of income protectionThe common policy types and the role of a brokerIf you want to build awareness on how to protect the continuity of your coaching business, this webinar is a must-listen.Please note that this episode is informational only and does not provide personalised financial or insurance advice.

Listen to this podcast to hear from Iciar Montes, legendary padel champion and World Number 1 for 14 years, and Jo Ward, LTA Head of Education and Qualifications, as they discuss the essentials of padel on-court communication. During this conversation, they help you understand:Why on-court communication is an essential part of the gameThe positive impact in players' tactical awareness and shot selectionHow to include this in your coaching sessionsIf you'd like to learn from true experts and gain top tips that can be applied straight into your coaching programme, this webinar is a must-watch.