The Head of Junior Performance Tennis (7U–14U) will lead the delivery of the LTA-funded Regional Player Development Centre (RPDC) and oversee the 10U Performance Programme Enhanced (PP-E) in one of the UK's leading tennis venues located in West London. Working alongside the Director of Tennis, the successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring both programmes consistently deliver against their objectives and provide an outstanding development environment for players across the 7U–14U age groups.

The role is first and foremost a coaching position. Approximately 80% of the role will be dedicated to on-court coaching, player development and tournament support, with the remaining time focused on programme leadership, coach development and off-court responsibilities. As the lead coach for players aged 7U-14U, you will be expected to work hours that reflect the needs of the programme, including after-school coaching, weekends and tournament support. You will inherit a well-established Regional Player Development Centre and the recently kitemarked 10U Performance Programme – Enhanced, comprising approximately 15-25 RPDC players and 25-40 PP-E players.

The successful candidate will spend the majority of their time leading the coaching and development of RPDC players through world-class on-court coaching, individual player planning and tournament support, while working closely with the 10U PP-E Lead Coach and wider team of 10U PP-E coaches to help shape the programme, coaching standards, player progression and the transition of players into the RPDC.

Alongside coaching excellence, the successful candidate will establish and uphold an outstanding performance environment and culture, creating an environment where players, families and coaches feel supported, challenged and inspired to achieve their potential.




Key responsibilities

Coaching & Player Development

•Provide outstanding coaching to RPDC (and where relevant 10U PP-E) players through individual coaching, squad delivery, tournament support and long-term player planning, helping every player fulfil their potential.
•Lead the planning and delivery of individual player development, including Individual Development Plans (IDPs), annual training programmes, competition schedules and coordinated multidisciplinary support to provide a holistic player development experience.
•Lead domestic and selected international tournament support, ensuring players are well prepared to perform and learn through competition.

Leadership of LTA Performance Programmes

•Responsible and accountable for the successful delivery of the RPDC and 10U PP-E programmes and player development outcomes.
•Lead the Regional Player Development Centre (RPDC Lead Coach) and oversee the 10U Performance Programme Enhanced (PP-E Lead Coach).
•Act as the primary point of contact for the LTA in relation to the RPDC and 10U Performance Programme Enhanced programmes, building strong working relationships with the LTA Performance Team and ensuring both programmes remain closely aligned with the national performance pathway.
•Lead programme reviews and reporting, using player progress and feedback to continually improve the player experience and programme quality.
•Ensure the RPDC and 10U PP-E consistently meet all LTA standards and funding requirements.
•Create a seamless 7U – 14U performance pathway with clear progression between the 10U PP-E, RPDC and wider Dukes Meadows programme.

Leadership & Culture

•Develop and embed a clear player development philosophy, creating an environment where players, families and coaches are united by high standards, shared behaviours and clear expectations.
•Build trusted relationships across the wider performance community, including players, families, coaches, schools, the LTA Performance Team, National Age Group Coaches, Performance Advisors and other key stakeholders to support long-term player development.
•In collaboration with the Director of Tennis, recruit, support and develop a high-performing coaching team capable of delivering outstanding coaching and player development across the LTA-funded Regional Player Development Centre (RPDC) and 10U Performance Programme - Enhanced (PP-E).



Programme Development

•Work alongside the Director of Tennis to shape the future direction of performance tennis at Dukes Meadows, making the best use of programme resources and budgets.
•Continually review and develop the performance programme, encouraging new ideas, sharing best practice and helping coaches learn from one another.
•Help establish Dukes Meadows as one of the UK’s leading environments for developing ambitious young tennis players.

Earning Potential: £90,000-£100,000 per annum, with the opportunity for a higher package for an exceptional candidate. This role is supported by ongoing LTA RPDC and PP-E grant funding.
Employment Status: Self-employed
Time Commitment: Full-time
Reporting To: Dukes Meadows Director of Tennis

What We Offer

•Opportunity to work with one of the UK’s deepest pools of junior talent.
•Opportunity to coach ambitious players from 7U through to 14U within an established performance pathway.
•Wilson coaching clothing and rackets
•Access to tennis, gym and wider facilities
•Dedicated administrative support
•Collaborative performance coaching team
•Established 7U–14U performance pathway
•Reduced café and restaurant rates
•Opportunity to shape a student-athlete tennis programme with a leading local independent school
•Ongoing professional development opportunities

What Success Looks Like
Within the first two years you will:

•Successfully lead both LTA-funded programmes.
•Create a seamless and highly effective 7U–14U performance pathway.
•Build an outstanding coaching team and performance environment.
•Increase the number of players progressing into National Academies, the 14+ programme and national and international competition.
•Help establish Dukes Meadows as one of the UK's leading junior performance environments.

Essential Requirements

•Proven track record of developing high-potential junior tennis players.
•Strong relationship-building skills with players, parents, coaches and key stakeholders.
•Experience leading coaches, programmes or multidisciplinary teams.
•Experience designing and delivering long-term player development programmes.
•Experience providing domestic and international tournament support.
•Excellent communication, organisation and leadership skills.
•Experience using technology and video analysis to support player development.

Qualifications
•LTA Accredited+ Coach
•Minimum Senior Performance Coach (Level 4) or equivalent
•Current DBS and safeguarding requirements
•Full UK driving licence

Desirable
•Master Performance Coach (Level 5) qualification
•Experience supporting players to progress into National Academies, Tennis Europe, ITF Junior or professional tennis
•Experience leading multidisciplinary support teams
•Experience working within LTA-funded performance programmes