Competition Programme
Please contact us on 01865 589711 or at [email protected] to arrange a meeting if you are new to the Competition Programme
Mission Statement
To allow everyone to fulfil their potential and develop the attributes needed to be a confident, realistic player. Team Stony Tennis 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. Team Stony Tennis 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 Competition 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 Competition 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.
2024 Programme
The programme continues all year around, offering 48 weeks of training. In addition to the programme we also run tournament trips during the school holidays where coaches take the players to events. Please see page 10 for a full list of coaching dates.
The Competition Programme starts by catering for our ‘Young Guns’ 9&U players and our ‘Little Aces’ 10&U players who are on the county through to national training pathway. We then progress into our 11-16 year old’s programme where 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.
The cost of the COMPETITION PROGRAMME will cover:
Although we plan for 48 weeks a year, the cost is calculated based on 46 weeks so we have 2 weeks for contingency e.g. extreme weather, illness etc.
During the holiday periods we run Tournament Trips for selected events at an additional cost of £45/day.
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 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 continues all year around, offering 48 weeks of training. In addition to the programme we also run tournament trips during the school holidays where coaches take the players to events. Please see page 10 for a full list of coaching dates.
The Competition Programme starts by catering for our ‘Young Guns’ 9&U players and our ‘Little Aces’ 10&U players who are on the county through to national training pathway. We then progress into our 11-16 year old’s programme where 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.
The cost of the COMPETITION PROGRAMME will cover:
- Squad Training for 48 weeks of the year
- Administration and parent support
- Court and equipment fees
- Floodlight fees
- Termly progress meeting
- Online workshop for parents
- Access to supportive resources
Although we plan for 48 weeks a year, the cost is calculated based on 46 weeks so we have 2 weeks for contingency e.g. extreme weather, illness etc.
During the holiday periods we run Tournament Trips for selected events at an additional cost of £45/day.
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 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 – 2024
The programme runs for 48 weeks a year and this includes 2 contingency weeks.
The programme breaks on the following 4 weeks:
Monday 1st April to Sunday 7th April 2024 (1 week)
Monday 26th August to Sunday 1st September 2024 (1 week)
Monday 23rd December 2024 to Sunday 5th January 2025 (2 weeks)
The programme runs for 48 weeks a year and this includes 2 contingency weeks.
The programme breaks on the following 4 weeks:
Monday 1st April to Sunday 7th April 2024 (1 week)
Monday 26th August to Sunday 1st September 2024 (1 week)
Monday 23rd December 2024 to Sunday 5th January 2025 (2 weeks)
