JUNIOR COACHING

The club runs Junior coaching groups weekly from September to June. Groups are run for all levels, beginners, intermediate and advanced, subject to demand. Group coaching is one hour and generally consist of 8 people per group. We run our coaching programme in 3 terms from September to the end of June similar to the primary school terms. Group coaching is open to members and non-members. We offer coaching to all juniors from the age of 5+.

For Junior players we follow a defined coaching structure called the Common Integrated Approach (CIA). This allows members to develop along a recognisable path from beginner to advanced player and uses the approved International Tennis Federation’s Tennis 10s methodology for teaching tennis. The CIA is underpinned by our Coaching Policy

In order to get into a coaching group each child must be assessed by our head coach Derek Healy. Assessments are held just before the end of each term. Please leave your child’s name & contact details on the junior coaching waiting list in the office. Once spaces free up at the end of each term we will make contact with the names on the list and set up the assessments.

90% of junior coaching and squads are held on our indoor courts throughout the year which means very little cancellations due to bad weather.

Junior Development Coaching Programme

Our junior development package includes

Coaching

Squads

Fitness

This package is for the more advanced junior players who represent Shankill Tennis Club in tournaments all year round. This balance of performance training, matchplay and fitness helps our young juniors reach their goals in every aspect of their game.

Squads

Squads terms are based on the same number of weeks as coaching and is subsided by the club. In order for a player to be part of a squad they must follow the required criteria:

  • Participation in tournaments all year round
  • Participation in junior league & adult league
  • Participation in stars & strips
  • Participation in the junior & senior club championship
  • Actively playing & coaching in the club
  • Must be a member of the club
  • Must have a high standard & development of tennis
  • Approval by Head Coach (Derek Healy) & the coaching coordinator (Cathy Slattery)

Fitness

We trialed the fitness class once a week on Wednesday’s from 4-5pm in May/June 2022 and it was a great success. The purpose of this fitness class is to help players understand the value of the physical side of tennis and learn the routines necessary to become a better player physically. We will be starting this up again soon.

Coaches

Derek Healy

Head Coach, Derek Healy runs the coaching programme on behalf of the club. Derek has been with the club for 15 years and brings a huge wealth of experience and technical knowledge to this role.

Arek Gladysz

Arek has been with Shankill Tennis Club club for over 5 years. Arek looks after the adult and junior beginners and teaches them the fundamentals of the game.

Junior Coaching Schedule

Date Coaching Schedule Coach By
Mon
Red Ball Coaching 3-4pm
Derek Healy
Tues
Red Ball Coaching 3-4pm, 4-5pm
Arek Gladyz
Orange Ball Coaching 5-6pm
Arek Gladyz
Green Ball Coaching 4-5pm
Derek Healy
U14 Development Squad 5-7pm
Derek Healy
Adult Performance Squad 7-8pm
Derek Healy
Wed
Red Ball Coaching 3-4pm
Orange Ball Coaching 4-5pm, 5-6pm
Arek Gladyz
U18 Development Squad 4-6pm
Derek Healy
Thurs
Red Ball Coaching 2-3pm
Arek Gladyz
Orange Ball Coaching 3-4pm
Arek Gladyz
Green Ball Coaching 4-5pm
Arek Gladyz
Yellow Ball Coaching 5-6pm
Arek Gladyz
U10 Development Squad 3-5pm
Derek Healy
Fri
Red Ball Coaching 3-4pm
Arek Gladyz
Yellow Ball Coaching 5-6pm
Arek Gladyz
U12 Development Squad 3-4pm
Derek Healy
Sat
Red Ball Coaching 9-10am, 11-12pm, 1-2pm
Arek Gladyz
Orange Ball Coaching 10-11am, 12-1pm, 2-3pm, 3-4pm
Arek Gladyz
Yellow Ball Coaching 10am-6pm
Derek Healy
Sun
U16 Development Squad 5-6pm
Derek Healy

Coaching Policies

Coaching Policy and Structure

Common Integrated Approach to Coaching