The plans represent the LTA’s biggest ever transformation of coach education and development. It means for the first time there is now in place a single, joined up and comprehensive framework covering the three key aspects of qualifications, professional development and ongoing coach support.

Founded on listening to the coaching industry and learning from feedback, the new plans have been shaped by discussions with over 1,200 coaches of all levels, the employers and deployers of coaches, a range of venues, coach educators, and key governing bodies including Sport England, UK Coaching and CIMSPA.

With implementation across 2021-23, the plans include a series of priority actions designed to attract people to become tennis coaches, help them learn and develop, and support them to deliver to a high standard.

Based around the three key areas, the LTA Coach Development Plan will see the creation of:

• Qualifications: A relevant, flexible and accessible qualifications pathway that broadens the appeal of becoming a tennis coach, with a revamped delivery model that protects the integrity of coach education standards
• CPD & Learning: High quality and relevant professional development options, alongside peer-to-peer learning opportunities, that support coaches in helping to grow the sport and their businesses
• Engagement & Support: A coach centric approach to engagement, with more personalised communications, content and benefits. This will treat coaches as individuals, better recognise and reward their contribution to tennis in Britain, and support them to develop themselves, their players, and their business better than ever before

While growing participation is at the heart of the plans, they have been developed to complement the LTA’s work to engage, support and develop current and future performance coaches working in the LTA Player Pathway.

“Coaches are at the very heart of tennis in Britain and are often responsible for the very first experience people have when they step on court. However, if we are to see inspirational coaches helping to get more people choosing and staying in tennis right across the country in support of our vision to open tennis up, we need to do more to support current and future coaches to be the best that they can be,” says Scott Lloyd, CEO of the LTA.