Competition Programme
2022/2023 Information
‘Inspiring tennis excellence’
‘Inspiring tennis excellence’
Please contact our Competition Programme Manager, Phil Hill, to arrange a meeting if you are new to the COMPETITION PROGRAMME – phil.hill@tennisworks.co.uk / 07900 107953
Mission Statement
To allow everyone to fulfil their potential and develop the attributes needed to be a confident, realistic player. Tennis Works will support players to take ownership of their own responsibilities to themselves and those around them, enabling them to be balanced individuals.
To allow everyone to fulfil their potential and develop the attributes needed to be a confident, realistic player. Tennis Works will support players to take ownership of their own responsibilities to themselves and those around them, enabling them to be balanced individuals.
The Concept
The Competition Programme started in 2005 and has been growing stronger every year. The goal for any player is to fulfil his or her own potential. The COMPETITON PROGRAMME is based on the belief that if any player is to be the best they can be, they must dedicate themselves and accept nothing less than 100% effort. Tennis is arguably the toughest sport in the world and the character that takes on this conquest must have the stature and single-minded mentality to realise their vision.
The COMPETITION PROGRAMME creates a pathway for young players to move from recreational tennis into competition tennis. The financial and lifestyle commitment the players and parent have made, have ultimately selected themselves into the squad. The programme will be individually built for these players, taking into consideration every element of their body, mind, beliefs and dreams and their game will be built on sound principles and standards that will develop well-rounded individuals.
Our Competition Programme is one of the best programmes in Bucks. We do not have any troublesome players and have a fantastic bunch of supportive parents as well as a very strong coaching team working in fantastic facilities. All of these are the ingredients for success, so as the player base grows and standard rises, we must grow and develop too.
The Competition Programme started in 2005 and has been growing stronger every year. The goal for any player is to fulfil his or her own potential. The COMPETITON PROGRAMME is based on the belief that if any player is to be the best they can be, they must dedicate themselves and accept nothing less than 100% effort. Tennis is arguably the toughest sport in the world and the character that takes on this conquest must have the stature and single-minded mentality to realise their vision.
The COMPETITION PROGRAMME creates a pathway for young players to move from recreational tennis into competition tennis. The financial and lifestyle commitment the players and parent have made, have ultimately selected themselves into the squad. The programme will be individually built for these players, taking into consideration every element of their body, mind, beliefs and dreams and their game will be built on sound principles and standards that will develop well-rounded individuals.
Our Competition Programme is one of the best programmes in Bucks. We do not have any troublesome players and have a fantastic bunch of supportive parents as well as a very strong coaching team working in fantastic facilities. All of these are the ingredients for success, so as the player base grows and standard rises, we must grow and develop too.
Who is the player?
Here are a few questions that must be addressed before any person can start on their lifelong journey of being a ‘Tennis Player’:
Fundamentals
When working with the players there must be expectations from the player and the coach. A relationship built on trust is the most important factor. Trust can come in many forms e.g. being at the sessions every week, being there to help, being open for communication, being a role model, knowing that you can depend on your player and that they can depend on you. Once trust is established, the work can begin.
To create a sense of trust, discipline must be enforced so that expectations are met. Whilst working with the players we have FUN, but the fun and fulfilment we have through the players having self-discipline makes the sessions far more productive. We feel that discipline in this country is a major concern for much of society, but we also feel that we can help society in many other ways, not by just getting kids playing better tennis.
Here are a few questions that must be addressed before any person can start on their lifelong journey of being a ‘Tennis Player’:
- Who are they? What makes them tick?
- How do they think? Do they compare themselves to others or do they analyse their own performance?
- What are their expectations? Where do they want to be in the short term / long term?
- Why have they chosen tennis? And what will keep them in tennis?
Fundamentals
When working with the players there must be expectations from the player and the coach. A relationship built on trust is the most important factor. Trust can come in many forms e.g. being at the sessions every week, being there to help, being open for communication, being a role model, knowing that you can depend on your player and that they can depend on you. Once trust is established, the work can begin.
To create a sense of trust, discipline must be enforced so that expectations are met. Whilst working with the players we have FUN, but the fun and fulfilment we have through the players having self-discipline makes the sessions far more productive. We feel that discipline in this country is a major concern for much of society, but we also feel that we can help society in many other ways, not by just getting kids playing better tennis.
Dedication to Succeed
The players have their own standards and morals, which have been developed since their creation. Many of these have been inherited from their parents, carers, family, peers, media, teachers and their idols (possibly the tennis coach). The most important thing for us is to set high standards that are achievable by the player. Below is a list of areas where standards must be met:
To install discipline alone will take weeks, months, and years! Every time a player progresses, a new standard of discipline is expected so that the players continue to improve themselves. Our standards are set by:
Young players push boundaries. It is in their nature to get the best for themselves (short term), although their immaturity doesn’t always know what is best (long term). The values we enforce are the basis of trust, so everyone knows where they stand. If a parent or player doesn’t agree with our standard, then they have the option to form a relationship with us or not. We do NOT compromise our standards for money or for just keeping people happy (which is a false sense of trust). Because we are honest with ourselves and those around us, everyone respects us for it.
The players have their own standards and morals, which have been developed since their creation. Many of these have been inherited from their parents, carers, family, peers, media, teachers and their idols (possibly the tennis coach). The most important thing for us is to set high standards that are achievable by the player. Below is a list of areas where standards must be met:
- Manners
- Respect for themselves and others
- Honesty
- Eye contact when communicating / body language
- How to conduct themselves in public
- Concentration
- Responsibility
- Open mindedness
- Effort
- Positivity
To install discipline alone will take weeks, months, and years! Every time a player progresses, a new standard of discipline is expected so that the players continue to improve themselves. Our standards are set by:
- Making sure the players / parents understand the standard that is being set and what is expected from them and ourselves.
- Don’t except anything less! If standards are devalued, then discipline is not being enforced.
Young players push boundaries. It is in their nature to get the best for themselves (short term), although their immaturity doesn’t always know what is best (long term). The values we enforce are the basis of trust, so everyone knows where they stand. If a parent or player doesn’t agree with our standard, then they have the option to form a relationship with us or not. We do NOT compromise our standards for money or for just keeping people happy (which is a false sense of trust). Because we are honest with ourselves and those around us, everyone respects us for it.
2022-2023 Programme
The programme starts the week commencing on Monday 5th September 2022. During term time the days that your child will be attending will be confirmed with the coach but in addition to the programme we also run training camps and tournament trips during the school holidays.
The different squads are labelled A to F, with A being the highest. There is also an 8&U Squad called the ‘Little Aces’ which are for those youngsters who are on the county training pathway. The players are categorised into the squads based on their current level, aspirations, and age group. Within the squads, players are put into smaller ability groups e.g., 12 players put into 3 groups of 4, which will further improve the quality of the sessions. There will be many occasions where players make a transition from one squad to another, so this will be easily identifiable.
Every Friday during term time we run Sportch Night from 5-8pm. This is an organised match play session to help the players practice competing with the support of a coach. The coach also advises on tactics and off court support when the players aren’t competing.
The cost of the COMPETITION PROGRAMME will cover:
The cost is calculated based on 38 or 46 weeks in a year then spread out over 11 months e.g., if a session cost is £35.50 each week then this is multiplied by 38 to give the annual total of £1349.00. This is divided by 11 months which comes to £122.64/month. If a player leaves the programme or increases / decreases their sessions before the year is completed, then we will work out the balance.
During the holiday periods we run Training Camps and Tournament Trips for selected events at an additional cost of £40/day. If you choose the 46-week programme, you receive camp and tournament trip days within your package.
The payment method is done on a monthly direct debit, and the amount paid is dependent on the number of hours/squads a week the player does.
Before any player joins the COMPETITION PROGRAMME we will personally speak with the parents and discuss how it will work for the player and family. All new players are put on a 2-month trial, which enables the team to assess whether the player is suitable for a long-term place in the squad.
The programme starts the week commencing on Monday 5th September 2022. During term time the days that your child will be attending will be confirmed with the coach but in addition to the programme we also run training camps and tournament trips during the school holidays.
The different squads are labelled A to F, with A being the highest. There is also an 8&U Squad called the ‘Little Aces’ which are for those youngsters who are on the county training pathway. The players are categorised into the squads based on their current level, aspirations, and age group. Within the squads, players are put into smaller ability groups e.g., 12 players put into 3 groups of 4, which will further improve the quality of the sessions. There will be many occasions where players make a transition from one squad to another, so this will be easily identifiable.
Every Friday during term time we run Sportch Night from 5-8pm. This is an organised match play session to help the players practice competing with the support of a coach. The coach also advises on tactics and off court support when the players aren’t competing.
The cost of the COMPETITION PROGRAMME will cover:
- Squad Training for 38 or 46 weeks of the year
- Administration and parent support
- Court and equipment fees
- Floodlight fees
The cost is calculated based on 38 or 46 weeks in a year then spread out over 11 months e.g., if a session cost is £35.50 each week then this is multiplied by 38 to give the annual total of £1349.00. This is divided by 11 months which comes to £122.64/month. If a player leaves the programme or increases / decreases their sessions before the year is completed, then we will work out the balance.
During the holiday periods we run Training Camps and Tournament Trips for selected events at an additional cost of £40/day. If you choose the 46-week programme, you receive camp and tournament trip days within your package.
The payment method is done on a monthly direct debit, and the amount paid is dependent on the number of hours/squads a week the player does.
Before any player joins the COMPETITION PROGRAMME we will personally speak with the parents and discuss how it will work for the player and family. All new players are put on a 2-month trial, which enables the team to assess whether the player is suitable for a long-term place in the squad.
Annual Schedule – September 2022 to August 2023
The dates indicate the Monday of the week
The red numbers refer to dates during holiday or half term periods – These weeks will be used for tournaments, training camps or rest time. The activities during these periods will be communicated throughout the year.
All coaching will be held at Stony Stratford Tennis Club.
September 2022 - 5, 12, 19, 26
October 2022 – 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
November 2022 – 7, 14, 21, 28
December 2022 – 5, 12, 19, 26
January 2023 – 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
February 2023 – 6, 13, 20, 27
March 2023 – 6, 13, 20, 27
April 2023 – 3, 10, 17, 24
May 2023 – 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
June 2023 – 5, 12, 19, 26
July 2023 – 3, 10, 17, 24
August 2023 – 7, 14, 21, 28
The dates indicate the Monday of the week
The red numbers refer to dates during holiday or half term periods – These weeks will be used for tournaments, training camps or rest time. The activities during these periods will be communicated throughout the year.
All coaching will be held at Stony Stratford Tennis Club.
September 2022 - 5, 12, 19, 26
October 2022 – 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
November 2022 – 7, 14, 21, 28
December 2022 – 5, 12, 19, 26
January 2023 – 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
February 2023 – 6, 13, 20, 27
March 2023 – 6, 13, 20, 27
April 2023 – 3, 10, 17, 24
May 2023 – 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
June 2023 – 5, 12, 19, 26
July 2023 – 3, 10, 17, 24
August 2023 – 7, 14, 21, 28
