LTA Youth Tennis Leaders - Information for Coaches
LTA Youth Tennis Leaders is our exciting, refreshed leadership programme for young people aged 11 to 18, whatever their tennis ability. It is accredited by SLQ Sports Leaders who have worked with the LTA to ensure the core leadership skills of communication, self-belief, teamwork, self-management and problem solving are embedded throughout the learning. The programme is an excellent leadership pathway for tennis, sport and beyond.
All course materials and resources are provided free of charge, and the content can be delivered by any Level 3+ Accredited Coach or secondary school PE teacher. LTA SERVES Activators and School Games Organisers interested in delivering are encouraged to get in touch. Schools can access all our inclusive cross-curricular resources for free via our LTA Youth Schools page.
To preview the course materials , click or tap below:
What is a Tennis Leader?
A tennis leader supports coaches, volunteers and teachers to deliver tennis sessions on court and support the running of a venue or event. Off-court, they help volunteers, teachers and club management committees ensure that tennis is relevant, accessible, rewarding and enjoyable for everyone.
What are the benefits for coaches and PE teachers?
Tennis leaders can help with coaching sessions, holiday clubs, competitions, open days, off-court activities and much more. An extra pair of hands to set out equipment or work with small groups frees up the coach to focus on delivering quality tennis. With a ratio of four players to one tennis leader, coaches can increase session capacity and grow the programme, safely.
Tennis leaders are fantastic male and female role models for younger members or pupils, inspiring them to pick up a racquet and play.
Find out more about the benefits for coaches and teachers in these videos:
What are the benefits for young people?
The benefits are huge. Many tennis leaders have gone on to enjoy careers in tennis or sport and improved their life skills. Parents have fed back that their teenage children have grown in confidence, made friends, found their voice and discovered a love for teaching. As a coach, knowing you are supporting the development of young people is a commitment to be proud of.
Upon completion, they receive:
- A branded LTA Youth Tennis Leaders T-shirt
- A certificate for each module completed
- A workbook to refer back to.
If you’re aged 11-18 and interested in becoming a tennis leader, speak to your coach or PE teacher, or read our information page for young people.
How is the programme delievered?
The programme is delivered by a coach or secondary school teacher at a club/venue or as part of a PE lesson. Whether they are brand new to the sport or play regularly, all course participants need to complete the core module and at least one elective learning module. Guidance notes for coaches are included.
Core module |
Hours (approx.) |
Content for leaders | On court/ classroom |
Introduction to Leading Tennis | 3 |
Communication and organisation through a series of activities: warm up; body and ball; racket and ball; game |
On court |
Elective learning modules |
Hours (approx.) |
Content for leaders |
On court/ classroom |
Helping at a Competition |
1 |
How a point is won; basic rules; how to be a confident scorer for a red tennis match. |
On court |
Helping at a Coaching Session |
1 |
The role of a leader in a coaching session; helping with demonstrations; ball feeding skills. |
On court |
Helping at a Venue |
1 |
Different types of venues and how they are managed; activities and roles in a venue; how a leader can help. |
Classroom |
Helping at a School |
1 |
Using organisation and communication skills to help with large group activities in school. |
Classroom |
Timings are for guidance and modules may take longer depending on your group and what you wish to cover.
“The tennis leaders course is really well supported by the LTA – that makes your life as a coach a lot easier. You can just pick up the resources and they take you through what to deliver, step by step.”
Luke House, Head of Development Tennis, Bromley TC
Order course materials today
Interested in developing the coaches, officials and volunteers of the future?
To run a tennis leaders course, you must be a Level 3+ Accredited Coach, Secondary School Teacher or LTA SERVES Activator.
Order course materials
To order course materials, complete the form below. You'll receive one coach/teacher guidebook with full instructions and one workbook per young person you plan to have on your course. All materials are provided for free.