Inclusive tennis is a key strand through the tennis coaching pathway and is embedded within the Level 1 and 2 qualifications. During the Level 3 qualification all coaches complete the Disability Awareness Course which raises awareness of the different types of disabilities and covers information on how to coach players with different abilities in an effective and appropriate way. The course provides practical tools to work successfully with the different types of disabilities, both separately and in integrated sessions. All coaches on the Disability Awareness course will receive a copy of the Disability Coaching Resource, a vital resource for any coaches who wish to deliver an inclusive tennis programme.
The Disability Awareness Course is also open to coaches who have not completed it previously. To search for upcoming Disability Awareness Courses please use the LTA’s Find a Course search.
For coaches looking to further develop their inclusive approach to tennis the Tennis Foundation run CPD (Continuing Professional Development) courses for each impairment (physically impaired, deaf & hearing impaired, blind & visually impaired and learning disability). Each CPD course will improve coaches’ knowledge, confidence and delivery of tennis for that specific impairment.
Courses will be shown here once confirmed.
- Disability Tennis Coaching Resource
- Guide to Visually Impaired Tennis (for an accessible version of this Guide please click here) – is for players, coaches and tournament organisations and provides information on how people can get involved in the sport, sight classifications/divisions, the rules of the game and coaching guidance…it is a one-stop-shop for all things VI tennis.
- Tennis Wheelchair Setup and Maintenance Guide (for an accessible version of this Guide please click here) – is for coaches and players who want to know more about maximising performance by adapting the wheelchair to suit the needs of the participant. The Guide provides tips on how you can make changes to the wheelchair setup to: improve comfort, increase court speed, increase shot power and reduce the risk of injury.
- Deaf Tennis Coaching Factsheet (for an accessible version of this document please click here) – is for coaches, volunteers and the tennis workforce and provides information and advice on coaching tennis to people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
- Learning Disability Tennis Coaching Factsheet (for an accessible version of this document please click here) – is for coaches, volunteers and the tennis workforce and provides information and advice on coaching tennis to people who have a learning disability or difficulty.
- Physically Impaired Tennis Coaching Factsheet (for an accessible version of this document please click here) – is for coaches, volunteers and the tennis workforce and provides information and advice on coaching tennis to people have a physical impairment including those who play in a wheelchair.
- Visually Impaired Tennis Coaching Factsheet (for an accessible version of this document please click here) – is for coaches, volunteers and the tennis workforce and provides information and advice on coaching tennis to people who are blind or partially sighted.
- Sports Coach UK provides factsheets and resources for different impairments including: learning, hearing, physical (wheelchair and amputee) and visual.
Tennis Foundation’s Coach Grant Scheme
The Tennis Foundation’s Coach Grant Scheme provides grants up to a maximum of £200 for people with a disability who would like to gain a coaching qualification in tennis. Applications for the next round of grants will be open again shortly – to register your interest email email@example.com. (Coach Grant Application Form 2018) (Click here for an accessible version of the Coach Grant Application form).
How have people benefitted from a Tennis Foundation grant…
Andrea Weston (wheelchair user)
Since receiving the grant Andrea has:
- Supported the delivery of tennis sessions within venues in Cornwall.
- Become a top 100 player in Women’s wheelchair tennis.
- Been named one of the UK’s ‘Women of the Year’.
“The grant and subsequent coaching qualification has improved my communication and confidence. I also feel I have gained more respect around my local tennis club”.
Ciaran McCarthy (deaf)
Since receiving the grant Ciaran has:
- Delivered tennis festivals for over 75 young deaf participants.
- Become a part-time coach at Batchwoods Sports Centre.
“I feel more confident on the back of my Level 2 tennis coaching qualification and hopefully it will help Batchwoods to set up disability tennis activity at the centre”.
Marc McCarroll (wheelchair user)
Marc competed in the wheelchair tennis events at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Paralympics and has recently retired from the sport. His goal is to become a tennis coach and the grant scheme has helped him to achieve this. Since the grant for his Level 1 tennis coaching qualification Marc has:
- Completed a Level 3 tennis coaching qualification.
- Delivered Tennis Foundation wheelchair camps and Push2Podium (talent ID) festivals.
- Supported the GB Invictus Games Wheelchair Tennis team.