Tennis Information

Information for Tennis Parents

In order to ensure you have a great experience, we believe it is important for both participants and parents to understand what they can expect from a course with us. This page is designed to summarise some key information about our programme, our team and give you an insight into how you can enhance your child’s tennis journey.

Tennis Programme Structure

Our coaching programme has been designed to maximise your child’s progression no matter where they are on their tennis journey. This structure covers all stages from beginner tennis to performance tennis and gives an understanding of the progression pathway. There are three levels at each age group, which allows children to play with players of the same age and ability. At the end of each term, all players are given a letter detailing which group they will be moving to next term. We also offer the opportunity for parents to receive personalised feedback from their coach via email or a phone call. We hope that children move up the structure of the programme and continue tennis all the way through from blue to yellow stage.

Future

These squads concentrate on developing basic tennis and movement skills including agility, balance and coordination.

We focus on the players sending and receiving skills and learning basic technique. The children learn transferable skills for a range of sports not just tennis.

Challenger

Challenger squads are the next step up the programme at our venues. These squads will continue to improve the childrens’ movement and co-ordination skills needed to be successful in tennis. We also focus on improving their technique and tactics so that they are able to start competing.

Grand Slam

Grand slam level is about supporting young athletes who have a desire to reach the performance level of the game.

This exciting stage is delivered by our performance coaching team. The Grand slam sessions are by invitation only and require players to train twice a week and commit to regular competition. Individual and/or small group private lessons are also encouraged.

How can I improve quicker?

Many participants will join multiple groups per week to give them the best opportunity to improve and play more. Playing more than once a week means that your child will be able to practice their new skills more often and improve at a faster rate. We also offer 1 – 2 – 1 private coaching lessons for those seeking to take their progress to the next level. 1 – 2 – 1 lessons give players the chance to hone their techniques, so they can then practice them further within the group classes against the other players.

Meet the Team

Paul Bishop

Tennis Director

PTR International Coach, LTA Coach Accreditation+.

BSc (Hons) Health Science

ATP World Ranking: 1268 singles, 1035 Doubles

NCAA Div II National Champion 2008 & 2009

Coached several world ranked juniors as well as an Orange Bowl Champion

Coaches all standards and abilities

Coach Rate: £40 per hour

Sharna McNally

Tennis Manager and HBS LTC Head Coach

LTA Senior club coach (Level 4), Coach Accreditation+.

BSc (Hons) Sports and Exercise Science.

LTA Performance pathway representative. Coaching and playing experience in Australia. LTA Coaching mentor for level 1 and 2’s aspiring coaches.

Bedfordshire county Women’s Vice Captain and junior county captain for a number age groups.

Currently coaching several county players and working with regional players.

Coaches all standards and abilities.

Coach Rate: £35 per hour

Micheal Chin

Biggleswade Club Coach

LTA club coach (Level 3), Coach Accreditation.

Over 7 years experience coaching tennis in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.

Ex county player, Biggleswade singles champion and Junior player at Biggleswade.

Experience of coaching all ages and abilities concentrating on self confidence, improve and FUN.

Coaches all standards and abilities.

Coach Rate: £25 per hour

Gary Chamberlain

HBS LTC Club Coach

LTA Senior club coach (Level 4), Coach Accreditation+.

LTA Performance Pathway representative.

International playing experience with various top 100 pros.

Training and coaching experiences in several top academies in Europe and the US. Currently working with players competing at National, Regional and county Level.

Coaches all standards and abilities.

Coach Rate: £35 per hour

Udev Makwana

HBS LTC Club coach

LTA Club Coach (Level 3), Coach Accreditation and PTR Association Pro

Over 15 years coaching experience and 5 years with uPlay Sports

Ex county player, cardio tennis coach and 10u LTA Mini Tennis Pathway specialist

Experience of coaching all ages and abilities, from beginner to county standard

Experience and currently delivering disability tennis in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire

Coaches all standards and abilities

Coach Rate: £30 per hour

Frequently asked questions

Do you run in all weather conditions?

As we all know, the British weather can be challenging at times. Our coaching courses endeavour to run through most weather conditions. We will only ever cancel a session if the weather means that it has become unsafe to play and there are no other tennis related activities that can be performed on site (these could include fitness, tactical or technical work inside the clubhouse). Please always assume that the session will go ahead unless you’re contacted by the coach. We will endeavour to contact you 30 mins before the start of the class if we have to cancel.

Can I make up cancelled/missed sessions?

If you want to request to make up a missed class you will need to contact the head coach before the missed session. Classes can be made up at a later stage in the term, provided that you have let the Head Coach know at least 24 hours prior to the missed class and there is available space in the class you intend to join. Missed classes must be made up within the intended term and cannot be carried over to future terms or be held in credit for other participants, camps or courses.

What equipment do I need?

Comfortable sports clothing with non-marking trainers or tennis shoes is recommended. If your child has their own tennis racket, then please bring it with them when they attend. If they don’t have their own tennis racket then one can be borrowed for the session. However, we recommend that all players buy their own racket if they are signing up for the term. If you are interested in buying a racket for your child, please speak to the coaching team who can advise you on the correct size, weights and brands.

How fast will my child progress?

Your child’s progress over the term will depend on several factors such as frequency of play, additional tuition and competition. It takes a lot of practice to become skilled at any sport and Tennis is no different. The more you play, the better you become. We encourage all the participants on our coaching programme to practice and compete outside of their coaching classes as this will nearly always increase the rate of progression.

Want to test your new skills?

We also have junior teams and club tournaments to get involved in. If you would like to find out any more information please speak to the Head Coach.

What age can I leave my child unattended at the club?

All players that are currently in year 1 and below need to be accompanied by an adult at all times. If no parent/guardian will be staying for the session, you must notify the lead coach of the session who will be the responsible adult for your child in your absence.

What is our toilet policy?

All Tots players will be walked off the court and handed over to their nominated responsible adult who can take them to the toilet and deliver them back to the coach. Players in Red groups and above will need to hand their racket to the coach and will be allowed to go to the toilet unaccompanied and come back to the court on their own.

What do I need to do if I or my child has any medical/behavioural conditions?

Please complete the medical/behavioural concerns section when signing up online for the course. This information will be on the registers which the coach will read before each session. If your child has a medical condition and requires equipment they must have it with them at the beginning of each session. If they do not have it, they will not be allowed to participate in the session and the session will not be refunded. For example, if your child has asthma, they will need an asthma inhaler with them every session regardless of how infrequent that they require it. If you would like to speak in more depth about your/your child’s conditions, please email the Head Coach.

How do we finish the session?

The lead coach will line the players up at the gate of the courts and hand them over to their parent/guardian. If a child’s parent is not present, we will take the child back on to the court and then call you if you are more than 5 minutes late. It is the parent’s responsibility to ensure that they are on time to pick up their child.

What is our behaviour policy?

Warning 1 – A verbal warning to tell the participant what they have done wrong and why it is not acceptable. The coach will ask the child to repeat back to them what it is they have done wrong to ensure they fully understand. Warning 2 – A second warning that the participant will sit out for a few minutes if it happens again. Warning 3 – The participant will sit out for a few minutes. Final Action – If the participant’s parent is present then the coach will take the child to them and explain the issues. It is then up to the coach and parent whether they return. If the parent is not present they will be notified at the end of the session by the lead coach. If a participant gets to Warning number 3, three times in one term he/she will not be allowed to complete course/camp and no refund will be issued. If a child is deemed to be a danger to themselves or others then we reserve the right not to allow their participation in the course.

Who can I talk to if I have a complaint or would like some more information?

You can always talk to the lead coach of the session at the end to find out about your child’s progress. If you have a problem with how any of the sessions are run, you can talk directly to the head coach by email – sharna@uplaysports.co.uk or call 01462 374049. Alternatively, all further information about other courses, term dates and membership can be found on our website at www.uplaysports.co.uk.

Covid 19 Rules and Procedures

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING COVID-19 CLUB RULES PRIOR TO STARTING THE COURSE: Club Rules:

All group sessions will run for a duration of 55 minutes (this is to help with the crossover at the entrance / exit of the club).
Turn up on time for your session but NOT EARLY. (If you are early, wait outside until it is the time of your session.
Use the hand sanitiser provided at the club when entering and leaving.
Always avoid touching hard surfaces where possible.
If you are a parent that wishes to stay for the duration of the session, there will be limited outdoor furniture available. Feel free to bring your own portable chair, stand, or sit on the grass.
The clubhouse remains closed, however entry to the toilets are permitted.
We advise that all players bring their own racket for all sessions, all borrowed equipment has to be cleaned prior and post use.
Do practice social distancing whilst you are at the club at all times

Rules for parents to follow:

Make sure your children go to the toilet before leaving the house reducing the chance of them needed to use the toilets here.
Send your children on to court with a fully filled water bottle.
We need to minimise the amount of people at the club at one time. If you live close enough to the club where you can ‘drop and go’, please do so. If you have to stay please bring minimal family members with you.
Social distance yourself from others whilst at the club
Explain to your children the importance of social distancing whilst at the club.
Collect your children from the gates closest to the their court.

Rules for players to follow:

Always listen to the coach’s rules
Listen to the demonstrations as it will contain information on how you will be able to maintain social distancing throughout the drills
Use hand sanitiser before and after you play
If you touch your face at any time during the session, let the coach know and reapply hand sanitiser
Where possible the coaches will be the only ones handling equipment.
All players will be handling tennis balls throughout their session.

Hygiene Rules:

Always follow 2 metre social distancing whilst at the club
Wash your hands at home before and after tennis
STAY AT HOME if you have any symptoms of coronavirus and notify sharna@uplaysports.co.uk

Want to see what else we do?

uPlay Sports offers a range of in-school and after-school clubs, in a variety of different sports.

See what else we could offer in your school.

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