Do I need my own equipment and what do I wear
All equipment is provided and rackets can be borrowed for the session. Wear comfortable clothing (suitable for the forecast weather if outdoors) and trainers.
I have never played tennis before how can I start
We have courses specifically designed for those new to the game (or returning after a long absence!)
If you don’t find what you are looking for please email info@inspire2coach.co.uk and we will find it for you!
Do you offer Free Trials?
Absolutely! We can book you in to the appropriate class to try it out before you decide to sign up (this excludes short access courses such as Try Tennis and LTA Youth Start)
Which is the right group to try
This will depend on the participant’s age and ability.
For information on ADULT stages click here
For information on Junior stages click here
If you would like to speak to someone about which groups to try please email info@inspire2coach.co.uk.co.uk we aim to respond within 48 hours
How many times a week should I play?
This is entirely up to you, your budget and how quickly you would like to improve! We encourage playing at least twice a week to allow for development and offer groups, one-to-one coaching, social sessions, match play and much more!
What happens if the weather is really bad and my session is outdoors
We are a hardy bunch and therefore will only cancel if the courts become unplayable. You will receive a text message and/or email from your coach at your venue to confirm if a session is cancelled. If you are in doubt please contact your coach by phone to check
Do I have to sign up for a minimum term?
No – you are not committing for a minimum term as we are confident that you will enjoy our sessions!
How do I notify you of the intention to stop coaching?
Whilst we are confident that you will love our coaching sessions, there are occasions where people have to stop attending. In this event we require 1 month’s notice by email.
Why do I have to pay a separate membership to the club or venue when I am already paying for coaching
In the majority of venues, any player receiving coaching must also join the club. This will be a separate monthly or annual payment that contributes towards the sustainability of the facility and ensures that the courts are fit for coaching. Most clubs are not for profit organisations run solely by volunteers and would not survive without membership income, but this is all reinvested in the club.
How do I sign up for weekly coaching?
Simply CLICK HERE find your venue and then use the filters to select the class you wish to book. Follow the steps to set up the Direct Debit and you’re in!
Do you operate a sibling discount?
Unfortunately not, our costs are worked out based on coach:player ratios in each group so each player has to pay for the place on the course. This allows us to keep prices fair for everyone.
When does the coaching run?
Our programmes run for 40 weeks of the year in line with school terms. We DO run the last week of July even though schools will have broken up, however, this is the only exception
How much does it cost?
We calculate the monthly direct debit cost by working out the cost of 40 weeks and dividing it into 12 equal monthly payments. This does mean that in August, although there is no coaching programme, you will still make a payment
Costs will vary depending on venue, duration and type of session
For information specific to your venue please click here and use the filters to find the right session
What if I miss a session?
There are several reasons you may miss a session, here is what would happen in each situation:
Weather, Coach illness, extenuating circumstances
Catch up sessions will run which you can attend (or see point below)
Player is ill, is away, or any other reason you cannot make the session
You can make up a missed session by attending a different session running subject to space and standard of group. Please speak to your coach or email us to confirm this.
Player is injured or going to be away for longer than one month
Please email us as soon as possible to agree a pause in your Direct Debit if the absence is going to be for more than 2 weeks.
No shows
If you don’t turn up for your session without prior notice, no refund or extra session is due
Can I just pay as I go?
No. The Direct Debit system simplifies payments and allows us to ensure groups are running at the correct coach:player ratio. Coaches can better plan sessions and player development is proven to be enhanced when groups are consistent
What should my child bring
All equipment (including rackets) is provided but please send your child wearing clothing suitable for the forecast weather and provide suncream that they can apply themselves if appropriate. Hats, gloves, sunglasses are all good to have with them just in case!
Are lunch/drinks/snacks provided
No – please send your child with enough food and fluids for the day! If they are staying for lunch please provide a packed lunch and snacks for break time (1 morning 1 afternoon)
Please send them with a refillable water bottle that can be replenished on site throughout the session!
Can I amend my booking?
Amendments are permitted within 2 working days of the camp day (s) in question
Can I cancel once booked?
Refunds will be permitted within 2 working days of the camp day (s) in question
If your child is ill and less notice is possible you will be offered a credit for a future session
If you simply do not show up on the day then no refund or credit will be due
What happens if the weather is bad?
In most venues, we will find an indoor space as an alternative.
In the unlikely event that the weather is torrential rain all day and we are unable to move indoors, we may have to cancel a camp (this is rare!)
In these circumstances you will be offered a refund or credit for a future camp session and we will give as much notice as possible
My child is 4 years old can they attend for a FULL DAY?
No – any child under the age of 5 can only attend a camp for a maximum of 4 hours so the full day option is not available for this age group
At what age can I take a Assistant Level 1 or Instructor Level 2 course?
Applicants wishing to take a Level 1 must be 16 on the first day of the course – we are legally unable to make any exceptions. There is no minimum age for the Level 2 but all applicants must first have successfully completed their Level 1.
Is this an LTA accredited course; it isn’t being delivered by the LTA?
The LTA approves external providers such as inspire2coach to deliver Level 1 and Level 2 courses. Coach Central is one of a small number of LTA approved Coach Education Centres and was the first provider of Level 1 and Level 2 courses in the UK, offering one of the largest range of courses in the UK.
I'm not a tennis player, can I still do a course?
Absolutely! Parents, players, students, sports development staff, teachers and coaches from other sports can all join a course. As long as you can commit to the course and that you have an interest in teaching tennis, then the level 1 course is for you!
I'm a qualified teacher - do I need to take my Assistant Level 1?
If you have a PGCE or equivalent qualification and specialise in PE, you may be able to bypass your Level 1 and go straight onto your Level 2.
I have a Level 2 in another sport - what options do I have?
If you hold a Level 2 certificate in another sport, you don’t need to take your Level 1 tennis. You can apply directly to take your Level 2. Please note that you must have a DBS (formerly called a CRB) through the LTA to get onto the Level 2 tennis course.
How do I book the course if a third party is paying my fees?
All courses must be paid for prior to the start of the course. If you have secured funding or if a third party is paying for your course, you must provide Coach Central with a purchase order to accompany your application. It is your responsibility to ensure that all fees are paid before the start of the course. You will be asked to provide details of the third party when you apply for the course.
What information must I provide when applying for a Assistant Level 1 or Instructor Level 2 course with Coach Central?
For Level 1 courses, you will need to provide the following before the first day of the course:
For Level 2 courses, you must provide:
How far in advance should I apply for a course?
If you see a course which you want to get on to, apply as soon as possible. Many of our courses, especially the ones in and around London, fill up very quickly. Applications are on a first-come, first-served basis, and we cannot hold applications without payment and a valid DBS.
What if I cannot complete the whole course at the same venue?
It is a condition of booking that you make yourself available for all days of the course at the time of application. If for unforeseen circumstances you are unable to complete all days on the same course, we may be able to transfer you to another course. We charge a £40 transfer fee (regardless of the circumstances) because of the considerable time and effort involved. Please note that you MUST complete all course days in order and unfortunately you may find that the alternative course we need to offer might not be your ideal choice of venue and date.
What can I do if I am unsuccessful in my assessment?
On an assessed course, it is normal that some learners may not pass first time around. This may be due to lack of experience, assessment-day nerves or an incomplete course portfolio. Whatever the reason, we offer reassessments for learners who were not successful in their first assessments.
How can I get LTA CPD credits when I complete a course?
Coaches with UK coaching qualifications can now apply to the LTA for CPD credits for formal independent learning – such as the courses in our Tennis24/7 Online Academy. The LTA advises that, subject to submitting evidence of attendance (such as a certificate of attendance) and satisfactory reflection on your learning, the LTA award coaches 1 CPD credit for each hour of CPD attended. So, a two-hour online course can be submitted for two credits – a three-hour course, for three credits.
Follow this link to apply for CPD credits for Independent Learning.
Please note that awarding CPD credits is solely at the LTA’s discretion. While we are aware that many UK coaches enrol for the purpose of gaining CPD credits, Tennis24/7 and inspire2coach cannot guarantee that the LTA will approve CPD credits for any activity that we offer.
Please also note that some other tennis federations around the world also recognise our online learning courses for their CPD credit system. The amount of credits and circumstances under which credits are awarded are at the discretion of each individual tennis federation.
Why Do Courses Include Quizzes?
Even though you don’t have to get any answers correct – all of our courses include graded assessments.
We include quizzes because repeating information helps you to remember it. There are other ways to repeat the information, but quizzes are simple and effective.
Quizzes can also show you when you didn’t understand – or have not remembered – what you learned. So, they can suggest when you should listen to the information again.
How are courses delivered?
Courses are delivered online through the Tennis24/7 Academy. When you enrol you receive access to all of the course materials, including:
Are courses offered face-to-face?
No, Tennis24/7’s courses are offered exclusively online through the Tennis24/7 Academy. The drills and activities are entirely new and were filmed purposely for students enrolled in particular courses.
Can I get personal help from an instructor if I have a question?
Yes, you sure can! Our instructors are real people! Courses are taught by experienced coach educators and they will answer any questions sent to us using comments within the course or sent to ‘contact us’ on our website.
How long do courses take to complete?
Although everybody and every course is different, we estimate that most courses will take people around 3 hours to complete. Each course includes information to give you a guide, however, for example, “Connecting the Serve to the Rest of the Game”, includes:
What’s included in a course?
Every course is different, but generally all courses include: