at 17 after my lads tennis academy stopped their performance tennis programme and all the coaches quit he became lost. Nowhere to train consistently he decided to stop and focus on a levels. That was a good move achieving v good grades and a firm offer at Loughborough. Never really interested in America after some interest from a couple of unis he decided it was not for him. A trip to Barcelona with LTA and some of the gb uni coaches also convinced him Uk was his choice.
now taking a gap year trying to get back to the level he was a year ago is v tough. For the first time ever he has the time to train and compete and already finding it a struggle. Never was a top junior , managed to get inside top 50 gb but thats about it.
There is just nowhere to train with others like himself. I find it astonishing. There are quite a few players on gap years, returning from USA, or left gb uni but can we find anywhere to train, nope. Performance seems to have vanished
I remember when he was about ten watching all the 18 to 20 somethings training at Sutton thinking this was a good place to be for those still trying as of course players can improve lots during this time.
prob never going to be a pro but all 18s want to improve and compete as much as they can.
If anyone knows of good places to train in south east or want to form a squad 2.1 rating and above private message me as he is keen to get something started and maybe approach some venues again if the players can get together.
-- Edited by Kolohead on Monday 2nd of September 2019 10:47:17 PM
Bromley tennis centre dont know the politics but everybody I have had contact with has been very sensible re performance squads etc... Plenty of decent players scattered around the area.
No suggestions but it is a real problem. Junior tennis is too focused on performance and general recreational players get left out but once you hit 18 it is the reverse. Easy to find recreational tennis but performance level training is hard to find. I think I would maybe look for a local tennis club with a very strong men's team. There will probably be squad practices and the players are usually keen to find people for practice matches / drills. Let us know if you get anything sorted.
No suggestions but it is a real problem. Junior tennis is too focused on performance and general recreational players get left out but once you hit 18 it is the reverse. Easy to find recreational tennis but performance level training is hard to find. I think I would maybe look for a local tennis club with a very strong men's team. There will probably be squad practices and the players are usually keen to find people for practice matches / drills. Let us know if you get anything sorted.
Hi thanks for the suggestion. agree With your statement above. As my lad was focussed on A levels last year did not really look. Now there is nothing out there. Sutton tennis academy is deserted , surely a group of 4-6 18 plus players 2.1 level would be an advert to help them attract juniors just as it did us when my lad was a young one . Even the coaches have vanished. Will keep seeking players or he will to try and get something going. There are some out there not at uni or back who Im sure would like to get into a squad. Sutton tennis academy is empty during The day now, I popped by to look a couple of times. Used to be thriving. As I said earlier if any players looking for this send me a private message and if I have the numbers will go and try and convince Sutton to let them train there. It just seems madness to not encourage these young men and women to keep up the sport whilst in gap years or returning. Some of them could end up making final rounds of British tours perhaps keeping the competition healthy for all. Madness...
-- Edited by Kolohead on Tuesday 3rd of September 2019 04:30:52 PM
Gosling used to be a busy high performance centre, many of the 16-18 age group top 30 LTA ranked juniors trained there on the AASE scheme and also pros (Ed Corrie, Alijas Bedene, Joe Salisbury etc), the centre was thriving with great coaches.
However with the loss of the AASE scheme and players off to university it's a lot quieter during the week now for the men's/boys 16 plus age group. However in the holidays when everyone is back from university it gets a lot busier again. Most of the coaches (apart from Tom Corrie) remain.
Also the LTA in their wisdom made Batchwood the performance centre in Herts (why????? as hardly anyone over the age of about 12 trains there) rather than Gosling. Jamie F who trained Emily Arb is now at Gosling and Gosling still has strong links with Queenswood school so maybe better for older girls?
-- Edited by Elegant Point on Tuesday 3rd of September 2019 06:27:19 PM
Gosling used to be a busy high performance centre, many of the 16-18 age group top 30 LTA ranked juniors trained there on the AASE scheme and also pros (Ed Corrie, Alijas Bedene, Joe Salisbury etc), the centre was thriving with great coaches.
However with the loss of the AASE scheme and players off to university it's a lot quieter during the week now for the men's/boys 16 plus age group. However in the holidays when everyone is back from university it gets a lot busier again. Most of the coaches (apart from Tom Corrie) remain.
Also the LTA in their wisdom made Batchwood the performance centre in Herts (why????? as hardly anyone under the age of about 12 trains there) rather than Gosling. Jamie F who trained Emily Arb is now at Gosling and Gosling still has strong links with Queenswood school so maybe better for older girls?
Living tennis at Bisham Abbey has a good pro academy during the day.
Quite a few high level players go there. A few world ranked ones.
Depends where you live but not too far on m4 or m40.
There is a live in option too if too far away to daily commute.
Speak to Johnny Delgado.
Living tennis at Bisham Abbey has a good pro academy during the day. Quite a few high level players go there. A few world ranked ones. Depends where you live but not too far on m4 or m40. There is a live in option too if too far away to daily commute. Speak to Johnny Delgado.
Anyone know how to contact Gosling tennis academy? Website is another gll taken centre focussed it seems on leisure tennis. Thanks in advance.
Sam Bruce is the director of the performance academy sam.bruce@gll.org
If you search Gosling performance tennis his number is listed as 07764 750461 or alternatively go through the Gosling Sports Park switch board.
many thanks
Gosling have replied hoping to check them out v soon. Sounds like they do have something to offer so fingers crossed. Just a bit of a trek but a good incentive to pass a driving test
really appreciate the replies from all of you
-- Edited by Kolohead on Wednesday 4th of September 2019 09:46:41 PM