LTA Coach Development podcast

As part of our Black History Month series, this special webinar features Jermaine Jenkins, one of the leading coaches in professional tennis. From working with Venus Williams and former World No.1 Naomi Osaka to supporting the next generation of players through the USTA, Jermaine shares his coaching journey and insights from the highest levels of the game.By watching this webinar, you will be able to:Learn key coaching lessons from Jermaine’s experiences working with some of the world's best players.Understand the importance of communication, trust and relationship-building in coaching.Explore how coaches can support players through key stages of their development on and off the court.Gain insight into the role of mentorship, representation and creating opportunities in tennis.This is a great opportunity to hear from one of tennis' most respected coaches, gain valuable insights from his career, and be part of an important conversation around diversity and inclusion in tennis.

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. 

Listen to this podcast to hear from expert speakers, including Matt Smith, Development and Learning Manager, and Paul Skipp, ERSA Master Professional Tour Stringer, as they discuss the essentials of racquet customisation and explore optimal racquet settings to enhance players' performance.During this conversation, Paul helps you discover:Why racquets with identical specifications can feel different. How to customise for consistency or tailor specs to individual player needs. Practical tips to adop a player-centred approach and match racquet to player's style and goals. If you'd like to explore key aspects of racquet frames and customisation to help players perform at their best, don't miss this opportunity to learn from a true industry leader. 

Listen to this special podcast episode featuring Alexis Simms, EDI Development Partner at the LTA; Eugene Allen, founder and co-host of the Black Spin Global podcast; and Zack Evenden, former Coach to Frances Tiafoe, as they explore this year's Black History Month theme: "Standing Firm in Power and Pride".Zack shares his journey as a coach from mixed heritage background, all the way from US college tennis to coaching at the ATP and WTA levels. Together, Zack and Eugene also discuss the barriers faced by coaches from diverse backgrounds and highlight the importance of increasing visibility, whether through the media or within tennis clubs.If you're looking for practical insights and inspiration on how to navigate these challenges and help build a more inclusive tennis community, this episode is for you.