Mark Tennant: My Top Five Tips For Tennis Parents
Tennis parents know that being a tennis parent can be testing at times! This episode is for all you tennis parents out there.
Mark Tennant is a hugely respected tennis coach and coach educator who co-founded inspire2coach (i2c) - the leading coach education provider. Mark is a Level 5 coach, a Coach Education Master Tutor and has a huge amount of tennis experience having worked for the LTA and the ITF.
Mark has tutored or presented in approaching 100 countries around the World. What’s more, Mark is also a tennis parent! So what a brilliant guest to start our series of Top Tips For Tennis Parents…
Tennis parents know that being a tennis parent can be testing at times! This episode is for all you tennis parents out there. Mark Tennant is a hugely respected tennis coach and coach educator who co-founded inspire2coach (i2c) - the leading coach education provider. Mark is a Level 5 coach, a Coach Education Master Tutor and has a huge amount of tennis experience having worked for the LTA and the ITF. Mark has tutored or presented in approaching 100 countries around the World. What’s more, Mark is also a tennis parent! So what a brilliant guest to start our series of Top Tips For Tennis Parents…
Please select your platform of choice to listen to Mark’s wise words:
Fantastic tips for tennis parents from Mark Tennant
If you enjoy the episode and find it useful, please do head to i2c’s Tennis24/7 website which has material for parents in the Kids Zone here: https://tennis247.co.uk/kids-club/parent-guides/ . All access to this material is free but you’ll just need to sign up first here: https://tennis247.co.uk/join/
If you are a coach and would like to find out about the courses which i2c run in your area, please visit: https://i2ctennis.co.uk/coach-education/
Active Away: Inside The Dragons’ Den and What Happened Next
Matt Allen and Steve Davies from tennis holiday company Active Away went inside the BBC’s Dragons’ Den and ended up receiving investment from Peter Jones who is a big tennis fan. Find out how the appearance came about, the inside story of their Dragons’ Den appearance and what has happened to Active Away since their television adventure including their biggest challenge to date...
Matt Allen and Steve Davies from tennis holiday company Active Away went inside the BBC’s Dragons’ Den and ended up receiving investment from Peter Jones who is a big tennis fan. Find out how the appearance came about, the inside story of their Dragons’ Den appearance and what has happened to Active Away since their television adventure including their biggest challenge to date...
Take a listen on your platform of choice - and it would be ace if you’d hit SUBSCRIBE or FOLLOW!
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It was great to speak to Matt and Steve - two fellow members of the Derbyshire Tennis community - and hear all about their incredible journey and the challenges they’ve faced and overcame. Here’s to an exciting 2022…
Find out all you need to know about the My Tennis Journey tennis podcast or head here to find out more about Active Away Tennis Holidays.
Rob Salmon: New Year, New Job!
Psstt! I have got a new job and it’s a load of spin. Let me tell you all about it…
Psst! I have a new job and it’s a load of spin! Let me tell you all about it…
Please have a listen on your platform of choice:
Find out why I love TopspinPro: Review - Why TopspinPro Is My Favourite Tennis Innovation
If you’d like to head to the TopspinPro website, please visit: https://topspinpro.com/
Rob Salmon: Wham Bam To Our Holiday Plan And A Massive Thank You To You!
As I write this, we were supposed to be on a plane to the Dominican Republic - but as you’ll hear it wasn’t to be!! This short episode is kind of my end of year reflections with a load of massive thank yous (one of which is for you - yes you!). Do take a listen and if you make it right to the end you’ll hear me doing the Wham Rap! Seriously…
As I write this, we were supposed to be on a plane to the Dominican Republic - but as you’ll hear it wasn’t to be!! This short episode is kind of my end of year reflections with a load of massive thank yous (one of which is for you - yes you!). Do take a listen and if you make it right to the end you’ll hear me doing the Wham Rap! Seriously…
Yes yes - I should have ironed this t-shirt!!
Jonty Solomons: The Tennis Coaches’ Support Network
Early on in my journey as a Tennis Coach, I joined the Tennis Coaches’ Support Network - a Facebook Group for tennis coaches. It didn’t take me long to realise that is was going to be a really helpful resource for learning and a fantastic place to meet coaches around the UK. During lockdown the webinars and catch ups were so useful at a time when no tennis was possible.
The Group is run by a tennis coach called Jonty Solomons. In this episode, we hear about Jonty’s journey to becoming a Coach, how and why he started the Tennis Coaches’ Support Network and all about an exciting new Tennis Coaches Network Forum that Jonty and John Cavill are hosting on 10 January 2022. The forum will feature a keynote presentation from Dan Kiernan from the excellent Control The Controllables podcast.
Early on in my journey as a Tennis Coach, I joined the Tennis Coaches’ Support Network - a Facebook Group for tennis coaches. It didn’t take me long to realise that is was going to be a really helpful resource for learning and a fantastic place to meet coaches around the UK. During lockdown the webinars and catch ups were so useful at a time when no tennis was possible. The Group is run by a tennis coach called Jonty Solomons. In this episode, we hear about Jonty’s journey to becoming a Coach, how and why he started the Tennis Coaches’ Support Network and all about an exciting new Tennis Coaches Network Forum that Jonty and John Cavill are hosting on 10 January 2022. The forum will feature a keynote presentation from Dan Kiernan from the exacellent Control The Controllables podcast.
Whichever platform you head to, please do hit the SUBSCRIBE or FOLLOW button so you keep up to date with forthcoming episodes - we’ve got some more good ones coming!
If you are a coach and you’d like to find out more about the Tennis Coaches Support Network, please head to the Facebook group.
Louise Holtum: LTA Winter County Cup Preview
Louise Holtum is Derbyshire Ladies Co-Captain. In this episode, we find out what’s in store for Derbyshire Ladies at the LTA Winter County Cup from 10-12 Dec and we hear about Louise’s journey from the beautiful courts of Bamford to Loughborough University and beyond. A journey accompanied by a passion for County Tennis! Enjoy…
Louise Holtum is Derbyshire Ladies Co-Captain. In this episode, we find out what’s in store for Derbyshire Ladies at the LTA Winter County Cup from 10-12 Dec and we hear about Louise’s journey from the beautiful courts of Bamford to Loughborough University and beyond. A journey accompanied by a passion for County Tennis! Enjoy…
If you enjoy listening to this episode, please do hit the SUBSCRIBE or LIKE button - it’s free to do so!
Listen now and find out about Millie’ Devey Smith’s songwriting skills!
Merlin Van de Braam: The New LTA Coach Development Plan
Coaches can inspire players to start a life long journey with our brilliant sport. Today’s guest is Merlin Van de Braam, the Head of LTA Coach Development. It was great to speak to Merlin and hear how passionate he is about the new LTA Coach Development Plan and how he believes it will help support coaches be the best they can be. As Merlin says: ‘I hope we can reach all coaches out there to let them know we DO listen.’ Find out all about the new plan…
Coaches play a key role in our sport - and I’m not just saying that because I am one! Coaches can inspire players to start a life long journey with our brilliant sport. Today’s guest is Merlin Van de Braam, the Head of LTA Coach Development. It was great to speak to Merlin and hear how passionate he is about the new Coach Development Plan and how he believes it will help support coaches be the best they can be. As Merlin says: ‘I hope we can reach all coaches out there to let them know we DO listen.’ Find out all about the new plan…
Please do hit SUBSCRIBE on your platform of choice!
PS If you enjoyed listening and would like a chance to chat with Merlin, please do head to the Tennis Coaches’ Support Network (TCSN) Facebook Group. Merlin is due to be a guest on an online event TCSN are hosting on Wed 8 December. To find out more, please head to: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TennisCoachesSupportNetwork
EPISODE TIMINGS
00:00 - 04:50 An Intro To Merlin’s Journey In Tennis
04:51 - 07:28 Why The Need For A New Coach Development Plan
07:29 - 09:52 How Long Has It Taken To Develop The Plan?
09:53 - 11:49 What Are The Objectives For The New Plan?
11:50 - 14:05 What Are The Main Elements Of The Plan?
14:06 - 21:18 What Can The Different Levels Of Coach Do / Not Do?
21:19 - 24:08 The Difference Between A Senior Coach and A Senior Performance Coach?
24:09 - 27:56 All About The Readiness Test (The Updated Name For The Play Test)
27:57 - 28:49 The Number Of Days It Will Take To Qualify On The Different Qualifications
28:50 - 34:27 The New Video Assessment Set Up And How It Will Work
34:28 - 37:31 LTA Independent Learning For CPD Points & How It Can Work For You
37:32 - 39:30 Padel Coaching Qualifications And How They Will Work
39:31 - 40:25 When Will The New LTA Coach Qualifications Launch?
40:26 - 43:55 Merlin’s Hopes And Fears For The New Plan
43:56 - 45:04 How Many Tennis Coaches Are There In The UK?
45:05 - 46:47 If People Want To Ask Questions, Where Should They Go To Ask Them?
46:48 - 48:59 When You Are In A Hurry And You Need An Answer, What Should A Coach Do? And Why CPD Credits Are Sometimes Not Appearing
49:00 - 49:55 Is Merlin Still Coaching Regularly?
49:56 - 50:54 Merlin’s World Tennis Number For Singles And Doubles?
50:55 - 54:20 If You Could Go For A Drink With Anyone Alive Or Dead Who Would It Be And Why?
54:21 - 55:38 The Tennis Coaches’ Support Network Webinar With Merlin
If you’re a coach and you’d like to find out more about Independent Learning, please head to this blog on Why Coaches Love LTA Independent Learning.
Callum Gowling: Mental Health and Coaching
Today’s episode focuses around a really important topic - coaching and mental health. And we’re discussing it with a guest who is making a really positive contribution to a subject that can be tricky at times to talk about. Callum Gowling from Liquid Sport Psychology hosts regular coach catch ups where coaches come together for self and collective reflection. They are brilliant sessions.
Callum recently ran a get together in aid of Movember where mental health and coaching were discussed - I couldn’t make that one so I thought it would be brilliant to chat to Callum - and he kindly agreed…
Today’s episode focuses around a really important topic - coaching and mental health. And we’re discussing it with a guest who is making a really positive contribution to a subject that can be tricky at times to talk about. Callum Gowling from Liquid Sport Psychology hosts regular coach catch ups where coaches come together for self and collective reflection. They are brilliant sessions. Callum recently ran a get together in aid of Movember where mental health and coaching were discussed - I couldn’t make that one so I thought it would be brilliant to chat to Callum - and he kindly agreed…
Please do hit SUBSCRIBE or FOLLOW on your platform of choice!
To find out more about Callum's courses please head to the Liquid Sport Psychology website
To find out about more about Movember please head to the Movember website
Rob Morgan: Why BRAVERY Pays
Today’s episode has an important life lesson as well as many tennis ones and at the heart of it is the importance of BRAVERY in making things happen! Bravery has been a constant theme in Rob Morgan’s rapid ascent from a promising junior to Tour Coach helping Joe Salisbury and Rajeev Ram win Grand Slam titles. Enjoy listening to Rob's journey…
Today’s episode has an important life lesson as well as many tennis ones and at the heart of it is the importance of BRAVERY in making things happen! Bravery has been a constant theme in Rob Morgan’s rapid ascent from a promising junior to Tour Coach helping Joe Salisbury and Rajeev Ram win Grand Slam titles. Enjoy listening to Rob's journey…
LISTEN TO ROB MORGAN ON SPOTIFY
LISTEN TO ROB MORGAN ON AMAZON
It would be brilliant if you’d please hit FOLLOW on whichever platform you choose so you can keep up to date with future episodes.
EPISODE TIMINGS
00:00 - 19:05 Rob Morgan’s Junior Years
19:06 - 22:02 The Move Into Coaching
22:03 - 26:38 The Performance Progression
26:39 - 34:30 Coaching On Tour - The Debut
34:31 - 52:34 The Partnership With Joe Salisbury and Rajeev Ram
52:35 - 54:23 Rob Morgan’s Hopes And Dreams Moving Forwards
54:24 - 57:28 Advice For Young Coaches Who Want To Coach On Tour
57:29 - 61:54 Playing Derbyshire Men In 2015 County Cup
61:55 - 63:14 What One Initiative Would Rob Morgan Introduce Into World Tennis
63:15 - 65:44 If Rob Morgan Could Go For A Drink With One Person Alive or Dead
Matt Rogan: Why We Have All To Play For
Could sport be a force for good that unites us all in these most challenging of times? That’s the question which today’s guest - the highly respected sports business leader - Matt Rogan looks to answer in his ace new book ‘All To Play For: How Sport Can Reboot Our Future’. The answer - of course - is that it most certainly can!
Speaking to Matt and reading his book have really got me fired up to do all I can to get more children to start a life of sport and more adults to realise the benefits of sport. I hope that after having a listen to our chat that you’ll be fired up too…
Could sport be a force for good that unites us all in these most challenging of times? That’s the question which today’s guest - the highly respected sports business leader - Matt Rogan looks to answer in his ace new book ‘All To Play For: How Sport Can Reboot Our Future’. The answer - of course - is that it most certainly can! Speaking to Matt and reading his book have really got me fired up to do all I can to get more children to start a life of sport and more adults to realise the benefits of sport. I hope that after having a listen to our chat that you’ll be fired up too…
It would be AMAZING if you’d please be so kind as to hit FOLLOW on your platform of choice!
The timeline of this episode with Matt are as follows:
Matt’s tennis journey from the early years to the Seniors Tour: 00:00 - 12:52
An intro to Matt’s book and why he wrote it: 12:53 - 16:33
Why it is so important for kids to be active: 16:34 - 18:45
A watch out on over parenting 18:45 - 21:35
The importance of physical literacy in schools: 21:36 - 25:40
Matt’s conversations with Johnny Marr and Mel Bound on running: 25:41 - 29:19
Will brands will start to look at grassroots brands: 29:20 - 31:20
The power of sport to bring us together: 3121 - 35:35
What one change would Matt make in sport: 35:36 - 38:31
If Matt could go for a drink with one person alive or dead who would it be and why: 38:32 - 42:28
Matt is the co-founder of Two Circles, a leading UK sports agency that has worked with the like of the Premier League, England and Wales Cricket Board and Wimbledon Tennis. He is also a non-executive director at the English Institute of Sport delivering technology and sport science to Britain’s Olympic and Paralympic teams.
Matt’s book really is well worth a read! It brings to life how sport can reboot our future - if that’s something you’d like to see I highly recommend taking a read.
You can buy a copy on Amazon here.
David Haggerty: The ITF President’s Tennis Adventures
David Haggerty made a commitment to tennis aged 5 and many years later he is still delivering on it! His adventures as a player, an exec at Prince, Slazenger / Dunlop and Head, the Chair, CEO and President of the USTA and now ITF President form a compelling story. A story with a passion for tennis at its heart…
David Haggerty made a commitment to tennis aged 5 and many years later he is still delivering on it! His adventures as a player, an exec at Prince, Slazenger / Dunlop and Head, the Chair, CEO and President of the USTA and now ITF President form a compelling story. A story with a passion for tennis at its heart…
LISTEN TO DAVID HAGGERTY ON APPLE PODCASTS (it would be amazing if you’d hit SUBSCRIBE!)
LISTEN TO DAVID HAGGERTY ON SPOTIFY (how about hitting that FOLLOW button?)
LISTEN TO DAVID HAGGERTY ON AMAZON (once again, a FOLLOW would be much appreciated!)
It was great to speak to Dave about his tennis adventures.
What a journey in tennis he has had!
If you enjoy this episode, please do check out all the other My Tennis Journey episodes.
Keith Carder: Introducing The ITF World Tennis Number
In today’s episode Keith Carder, the LTA’s Head of Competition, tells us all we need to know about the new ITF World Tennis Number. We get to the heart of this exciting new ITF system which is being adopted by the LTA and tennis federations around the World. As you’ll hear, the World Tennis Number is kind of similar to the golf handicap system. It aims to be at the heart of a new global tennis community…
In this episode Keith Carder, the LTA’s Head of Competition, tells us all we need to know about the new ITF World Tennis Number. We get to the heart of this exciting new ITF system which is being adopted by the LTA and tennis federations around the World. As you’ll hear, the World Tennis Number is kind of similar to the golf handicap system. It aims to be at the heart of a new global tennis community…
KEITH CARDER INTERVIEW ON APPLE
KEITH CARDER INTERVIEW ON SPOTIFY
KEITH CARDER INTERVIEW ON AMAZON
It would be SUPER SMASHING GREAT if you’d hit the FOLLOW button on your platform of choice!
Rob Salmon: Why I LOVE County Tennis!
To celebrate becoming a member of the coaching team that delivers County Training in Derbyshire, I’ve put a short little six min episode together on why I love County Tennis and why it can be a constant positive companion as tennis players make their way through life…
To celebrate becoming a member of the coaching team that delivers County Training in Derbyshire, I’ve put a short little episode on why I love County Tennis and why it can be a constant positive companion as tennis players make their way through life…
Millie Devey Smith: The Case For GB Uni Tennis And Playing Emma Raducanu
Derbyshire’s Millie Devey Smith had a glittering junior tennis career and after attending Repton School decided to head to the University of Bath rather than go on a US tennis scholarship. Find out why it’s a decision she’s glad she made as well as what it’s like to play Emma Raducanu and how she has ended up working at Nottingham Forest FC…
Derbyshire’s Millie Devey Smith had a glittering junior tennis career and after attending Repton School decided to head to the University of Bath rather than go on a US tennis scholarship. Find out why it’s a decision she’s glad she made as well as what it’s like to play Emma Raducanu and how she has ended up working at Nottingham Forest FC…
Please select from one of the platforms below to listen to Millie’s journey on My Tennis Journey:
Once you arrive at your platform of choice it would be AMAZING if you’d please hit SUBSCRIBE or FOLLOW!
Abbie Breakwell: Rising Wheelchair Tennis Star
Abbie Breakwell may only be 18, but she’s already had a remarkable journey into the world of Wheelchair Tennis which has seen her rise to no.3 in the girls world rankings! Abbie is from Long Eaton in Derbyshire and also has a strong affinity to Nottingham.
I loved our chat because Abbie is great fun and as you’ll hear destiny really did come calling to start her on court adventures. Adventures which are set to get more exciting over the coming months and years…
Abbie Breakwell may only be 18, but she’s already had a remarkable journey into the world of Wheelchair Tennis which has seen her rise to no.3 in the girls world rankings! Abbie is from Long Eaton in Derbyshire and also has a strong affinity to Nottingham. I loved our chat because Abbie is great fun and as you’ll hear destiny really did come calling to start her on court adventures. Adventures which are set to get more exciting over the coming months and years…
LISTEN ON APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/abbie-breakwell-rising-wheelchair-tennis-star/id1542036883?i=1000535048376
LISTEN ON SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5zlX8lZAbN00dZuX8zHFbO?si=42085c7046a947f5
Whether you listen on Apple, Spotify or Amazon - I’d love it if you’d hit SUBSCRIBE or FOLLOW!!
Lee Taylor Podcard: Why YOU Should Wear Tennis Sunglasses
In this short podcard, Lee Taylor explains why tennis coaches and players from 10 upwards should be wearing sunglasses on court to protect their eyes from the sun! As the Moorfield Eye Hospital website says: ‘Excessive sun exposure can cause irreversible damage to your eyesight.’ You use suncream to protect your skin so surely you should use sunglasses to protect your eyes when playing tennis?
As you’ll hear from Lee, who is the distributor of Solar Bat tennis sunglasses in Australia and Europe, the case for wearing sunglasses whilst coaching or playing is a compelling one…
In this short podcard, Lee Taylor explains why tennis coaches and players from 10 upwards should be wearing sunglasses on court to protect their eyes from the sun! As the Moorfield Eye Hospital website says: ‘Excessive sun exposure can cause irreversible damage to your eyesight.’ You use suncream to protect your skin so surely you should use sunglasses to protect your eyes when playing tennis? As you’ll hear from Lee, who is the distributor of Solar Bat tennis sunglasses in Australia and Europe, the case for wearing sunglasses whilst coaching or playing is a compelling one…
After you’ve listened to the podcast, do please click this link to read my full blog post on Tennis Sunglasses
Andy Evans: My Tennis Podcard
I’m such a fan of what County Tennis can bring to you as a tennis player but also the amazing adventures and friendships it can bring to your life! Today’s podcard is from a man whose passion for County Tennis and Derbyshire Tennis absolutely shines through. Andy is now Head of Tennis at The Caesarean Tennis Club in Jersey and as you’ll hear he is as passionate now about County Tennis as he was when he first became involved as a lad growing up in Chesterfield…
I’m such a fan of what County Tennis can bring to you as a tennis player but also the amazing adventures and friendships it can bring to your life! Today’s podcard is from a man whose passion for County Tennis and Derbyshire Tennis absolutely shines through. Andy is now Head of Tennis at The Caesarean Tennis Club in Jersey and as you’ll hear he is as passionate now about County Tennis as he was when he first became involved as a lad growing up in Chesterfield…
To listen to the interview, please head to your preferred platform!
APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/andy-evans-my-tennis-podcard/id1542036883?i=1000532044666
SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2f35ZlbNyWWkMetTKNktXC?si=bab045ee178c4698
It would be SUPER SMASHING GREAT if you’d please hit SUBSCRIBE or FOLLOW on Apple, Spotify and Amazon.
Chris McPherson Podcard: From Derbyshire Tennis To Playing For Brazil At The Olympics
Chris McPherson has had a remarkable sporting journey from the courts of Derbyshire to representing Brazil in hockey at the Olympic Games! Find out how it happened…
Chris McPherson has had a remarkable sporting journey from the tennis courts of Derbyshire to representing Brazil in hockey at the Olympic Games! Find out how it happened…
Please click the links below to listen to the podcast on your platform of choice!
Chris McPherson interview on APPLE
Chris McPherson interview on SPOTIFY
Chris McPherson interview on AMAZON
I’d love it in a Kevin Keegan stylee if you’d be so kind as to hit the subscribe or follow button on Apple, Spotify and Amazon.
James Rushby: Derbyshire Men’s Winning County Week Campaign
What a County Week it was for Derbyshire Men! The team played five and won five to win Division 3. In this episode, Derbyshire Men’s Captain James Rushby takes a look back at what was a memorable week in Ilkley…
What a County Week it was for Derbyshire Men! The team played five and won five to win Division 3. In this episode, Derbyshire Men’s Captain James Rushby takes a look back at what was a memorable week in Ilkley…
Please click the links below to listen to the podcast on your platform of choice!
SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3Ke3tU1wum5bzctiSQJt9L?si=4d6b2f427d3c4ffc
It would be AMAZING if you would be so kind as to hit SUBSCRIBE or FOLLOW - it’s free you know!
Rob Salmon: My School Report
Over the Summer Term I have LOVED teaching tennis in two schools near where I live - John of Rolleston and Outwoods. In this short episode, I look at why teaching tennis has been so rewarding for me and how sport can make such a positive contribution to the education and lives of pupils as well as being a whole lot of fun…
Over the Summer Term I have LOVED teaching tennis in two schools near where I live - John of Rolleston and Outwoods. In this short episode, I look at why teaching tennis has been so rewarding for me and why I believe sport can make such a positive contribution to the education and lives of pupils as well as being a whole lot of fun…