junior group coaching
For 3-17 year olds
Start your coaching journey today!
About the lessons
For children aged 3-17
Our sessions are organised into age groups, so your child will play others of the same age, gain confidence, learn to work as part of a team and enjoy tennis in a fun environment.
All abilities and standards welcome
As well as age, we also organise our sessions by ability, so your child will be with others of a similar standard which will help their progression.
Flexible sessions
Each session is available multiple times a week so you can choose the best one that fits your schedule.
Equipment provided
We provide all the necessary equipment, so you can just show up and enjoy the session.
Quality coaches
Our coaches are LTA qualified and accredited, meaning they are DBS checked, first aid trained and have completed a specific safeguarding course. You can be sure your child will receive high quality coaching.
First session is FREE
Free and no obligation first session, so come along and try it out!
Payments
We use a monthly direct debit system
Here is a simple description of how the programme works, but you can click below for more details…….
- Choose a package (shown below) to include one or more lessons per week during the term.
- We'll get you set up with a direct debit.
- Your direct debit doesn't stop, so there is nothing you need to do - no signing up each term, no paying for a term up front, no remembering to pay.
- Your child attends the weekly session all through the term (dates below).
- Term sessions stop in the school holidays, but we give you some hours which you can use at your discretion for school holiday tennis camps - so you receive all the hours that you pay for (and more).
- If you would like to cancel, we ask for a month's notice - so if you give notice in September, you would pay for October and then stop.
How does it all work, what are the ‘package hours’ all about etc?
In September 2020, we switched from doing term courses to a monthly direct debit system. A big reason for this was to reduce the admin, for us and for you. Instead of signing up every term, you simply set up the direct debit once, and that’s it! You stay in the programme until you cancel.
But there are lots more benefits – the main one is that your child really becomes part of something longer term. Instead of doing a ‘course’, they are part of a programme. Of course, not everyone will continue for ever, you can stop any time (with a month’s notice). We also get to know the children and their tennis much better because it is not so ‘stop and start’.
What are the ‘package hours’ all about?
Well….when we went with the direct debit system, we wanted to avoid the direct debit from stopping or pausing. All that would do is create more admin work again. But we did want the term-time lessons to stop in the school holidays as lots of people go away. So we took the price of a group lesson (£8.50) and multiplied it by 50, added on a small percentage for payment processing fees, divided it by 12 and that became the monthly payment of £37. There are some variations for non-members, sibling discounts and other things, but that’s pretty much how it works.
Note: in September 2022, these prices went up by about 6%.
So you’re charged for 50 hours tennis per year. But the term time lessons are only for 40 weeks of the year. So that is where the ‘package hours’ come in. We decided to give you 10 hours which you could use at your discretion for tennis camps in the holidays. AND, just to make sure that you get more than you pay for, we added another 10 free hours.
So most children in the programme receive 20 hours of tennis camps over a year, which you just use at your discretion – half days are 3 hours, full days are 5 hours, tots sessions are 1-hour.
Although the explanation is complicated, in practice it makes your life easier. Very little action is needed after signing up.
How do I know how many package hours I have remaining / if I have any?
We keep track of this for you. So whenever you book a camp using your package hours, we make a note of it. You receive a new 20 hours after you have made 12 monthly payments.
You can see details of your child’s package hours in the app, under their information (more about the app further down). You can also email us at info@suttontenniscoaching.com to check your hours.
Does my direct debit stop in the school holidays?
Hopefully We’ve answered that one above. The answer is no, it keeps going, but you book some tennis camps here and there – as per the beginning of this email – to get all the hours that you pay for.
How to book tennis camps if you are in the programme
There is a section on this further down the page. Please scroll down.
How to cancel
Of course we hope that the majority of people will continue their tennis lessons right through the year, but we also understand that this won’t always be the case. So if you do need to cancel your lessons, here is how that works.
We ask for one months notice. So this means that if you cancel in November, you would pay for December but then your payment would stop in January.
Simply email us at info@suttontenniscoaching.com if you would like to cancel.
Price Plans
Tots
Ages 3-4 only-
1 session per week (term-time)
-
40 weeks of term-time tennis
-
Catch up missed sessions
-
20 hours for holiday camps!
Bronze
Members' price-
1 session per week (term-time)
-
40 weeks of term-time tennis
-
Catch up missed sessions
-
20 hours for holiday camps
Silver
Members' price-
2 sessions per week (term-time)
-
40 weeks of term-time tennis
-
Catch up missed sessions
-
40 hours for holiday camps
Gold
Members' price-
3 sessions per week (term-time)
-
40 weeks of term-time tennis
-
Catch up missed sessions
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60 hours for holiday camps
Start your coaching journey today!
Never miss a session
Notify an absence and receive a make-up session
Our app gives you a simple way to inform us that your child will be absent and to book make-up classes. See further down for a video showing you how to use the app, but here is an overview of how it works:
- Download the app to your phone - instructions below.
- Register with the app - it will recognise your details as we should already have you in the system.
- Use the app to inform us of absence, book make-up classes, update your details (and yor child's details) setting up / editing a direct debit.
- Use the app to mark your child as absent BEFORE the start of the lesson.
- Please book term-time sessions to make up term-time sessions. Tennis camps are better used as part of your package hours or paid for separately. But if you are really unable to make up a session, let us know and you can use some camps. The app won't work for this.
Download the app
- Click below to download the app on the App Store or Google Play.
If the above links don’t work, just search for the Thinksmart Portal – see below for how it looks:
2. You’ll be asked for a code, which is:
JGG2JD4F
3. Click ‘Register a new account’ and enter your details. Ideally this should be the email address that we already use for you as this will link to the details we already have for you.
You should be good to go, but see video for more details.
Demo video about using the app
Click below to see a step-by-step video about downloading, registering and using the app to notify absence & book make-up classes.
Booking tennis camps
Using your package hours
Please use the app to book tennis camps. As somone who pays a direct debit for tennis lessons, you are able to book camps earlier than everyone else and it is quick and easy to do on the app. You can click the button below to see information about the camps, but don’t book via that page, please use the app. See the video below showing you how to book camps via the app.
Demo video about booking camps via the app
Q. When are tennis camps available for booking?
In most cases, once a school holiday or half term is finished, bookings are open (for those in the programme) for the next holidays. For instance, after the summer holidays, October half term camps will immediately be available for booking. The exception to this is February half term camps will only be available for booking from 1st January.
As the camps are open for bookings earlier for those in the programme, please take the opportunity to book before they become full.
Q. What if I would like to book tennis camps early using the app but don't have any package hours remaining?
Please go ahead. As you are in the programme you can still benefit from the early booking. We are able to charge you through your direct debit.
Term Time Schedule
Updated for September 2024
Age ranges:
Tots 3-4 years old
Blue 5-6 years old
Red 6-8 years old
Orange 8-9 years old
Green 9-11 years old
Yellow/Junior 12-17 years old
Term Dates
- First session – Monday 2nd September
- Half term – Monday 28th October – Sunday 3rd November. No term-time sessions, but there will be Tennis Camps.
- Last Session – Saturday 14th December
- First session – Monday 15th April
- Half term – Monday 27th May – Sunday 2nd June. No term-time sessions, but there will be Tennis Camps.
- Last Session – Saturday 20th July
- First session – Monday 8th January
- Half term – Monday 12th February – Sunday 18th February No term-time sessions, but there will be Tennis Camps.
- Last Session – Saturday 30th March
Start your coaching journey today!
Types of lessons
LTA Youth is a whole new approach to coaching. The programme gives you everything you need to help more kids enjoy the benefits of tennis, including world-class content based on the latest science and research.
We understand that the key to growing any coaching business is giving kids the best experience possible while offering their parents value for money. LTA Youth guarantees that every session is full of energy and packed with exciting games that support kids in developing new skills for life – keeping them and their parents coming back for more!
TOTS TENNIS (3-4 YEARS)
Learn the basics and love the game!
This phase, for the really little ones, is a fun and easy way to start tennis. We use balloons, bean bags, hoops, soft balls – all kinds of fun stuff, but your child will also hit their first tennis balls. In fact, we guarantee that your child will be hitting balls over the net in their very first session!
17 – 19 inch tennis rackets are recommended for this age – but don’t worry if your child hasn’t got one, we can provide all the equipment!
BLUE TENNIS (5-6 YEARS)
Introducing… tennis!
This is an introduction to tennis and a perfect follow on from our tots sessions. Here, we’ll help kids improve their balance, agility, co-ordination and receiving skills while teaching them about the sport we love. At this stage it’s not about winning or losing, it’s just getting to grips with the basics.
Blue tennis takes place on a much smaller tennis court, using mini tennis nets, shortened tennis rackets (21 inches), and we use all kinds of size balls!
21 inch tennis rackets are recommended for this age – but don’t worry if your child hasn’t got one, we can provide all the equipment!
RED TENNIS (6-8 YEARS)
Serve, rally and score!
This phase, for children aged approximately 6-8 years old, consists of learning how to serve, rally and score as well as including lots of movement, co-ordination, speed, balance and agility games – but of course having fun a the same time!
Red tennis takes place on a much smaller tennis court, using mini tennis nets, shortened tennis rackets (21 – 23 inches) and a bigger and slower ball.
Players are encouraged to play fun competitions in teams or individually, with short matches using tie-break scoring.
Our red ball sessions are organised by level of ability so that your child will play others of the same standard, which will help them progress quicker.
ORANGE TENNIS (8-9 YEARS)
Develop your game!
This phase, for children aged approximately 8-9 years old, is the perfect progression from mini red tennis. Players continue to learn the game as well as learning a range of techniques and tactics. Sessions also include lots of movement, co-ordination, speed, balance and agility based games – and of course having fun a the same time!
Orange tennis takes place on a three-quarter length court with an orange ball (a bit softer than normal tennis balls) and shortened tennis rackets (25 inches).
Team and individual competitions are encouraged at this stage, using tie-break scoring.
Our sessions are organised by level of ability so that your child will play others of the same standard, which will help them progress quicker.
GREEN TENNIS (10-11 YEARS)
Put your skills to the test!
This phase, for children aged approximately 10-11 years old, is the perfect way for children to progress to full court tennis, and makes it far easier for them to develop their skills, build confidence and advance with their tennis.
Sessions take place on a full size court, using green tennis balls which are slightly softer than normal tennis balls, and shortened tennis rackets (26 inch)
Children will continue to learn all the shots, techniques and tactics, and will also be introduced to strength and conditioning (S&C) exercises that will help their physical development.
Our sessions are organised by level of ability so that your child will play others of the same standard, which will help them progress quicker.
JUNIOR TENNIS (12-17 YEARS)
Fun, social, competitive!
Our junior tennis sessions are for children aged between 12-17 years old. These sessions are played on full size courts with normal tennis balls. Within the sessions, players learn and play all aspects of tennis including singles, doubles, a range of techniques and tactics, matchplays as well as a range of games.
Strength and conditioning exercises are continued and progressed to help aid physical development.
Players are encouraged to play both fun and more serious competitions, using normal, fast 4 and tie-break scoring.
Our sessions are organised by level of ability so that your child will play others of the same standard, which will help them progress quicker.
JUNIOR MATCHPLAY
Ready to start competing?
We hold regular LTA Youth Matchplay sessions for 8U, 9U, 10U and yellow ball age groups.
Matchplay sessions are commonly a child’s first experience of competitive tennis, lasting up to two or three hours depending on their age. Matches are quick, giving children the chance to play against lots of different opponents.
Read our junior competition guide if you want to start competing!
JUNIOR STRENGTH & CONDITIONING (12-17 YEARS)
Introduction to S&C
Wednesdays | 6pm – 7pm
PRIVATE TENNIS LESSONS (ALL AGES)
Specific, individualised coaching
If you would prefer coaching on a one-to-one basis, then private tennis lessons are for you.
In a private lesson, the coach will focus all of their knowledge and experience on the individual, helping them improve every aspect of their game.
Players of all abilities are welcome to private lessons, from new starters to competitive team players.
FAQ's
We're pleased to be able to offer you:
- 40 weeks (approx.) of term time tennis lessons, all 1 hour long and running after school and on weekends.
- Access to all of our tennis camps, running throughout the half terms, easter and summer holidays. We offer half days, full days or 1-hour sessions for tots.
- Access to competitions that we run throughout the year. These run in the holidays and on weekends.
- Access to our events we run throughout the year, including our family cups and team challenges. These run occasionally throughout the year in the holidays and on weekends.
The junior programme runs during term time, for 40 weeks of the year.
Previously we only ran term time tennis sessions for roughly 30 weeks of the year, now we have increased the amount of tennis we're offering per year!
Basically, when your child is at school, tennis will be on!
Half terms, Easter and Summer holidays we run holiday tennis camps. We are closed over the Christmas holiday period
Yes. We have already worked in the discounts for the different price packages. We are still offering 25% discount off the 2nd session and 50% discount off 3 sessions.
Yes. There is a section above about using our app. It has a 'make up' session section. If you know your child is going to be away for any reason e.g. holidays, sickness and/or injuries, then it is your responsibility to notify us on the app. Doing this credits your account and allows you to make up the sessions on another day. You'll have six months from the day of cancellation to make up the sessions. N.B. If you don't notify us then you will not be able to make up the session.
Ideally try to use the app to book other term-time sessions to make up term-time sessions. Tennis camps are best used for your package hours or paid for separately. However, there is some flexibility - so if you have missed lots of sessions and struggling to make them up, contact us and we'll be happy for you to book a camp or two. We want you to get more than you pay for, so always happy to find a way.
There is a section on this further up the page. Please scroll up to view.
Yes, and there are two answers here really...
- If you are part of the programme, but you don't have camp hours included or have run out - you can still benefit from early booking by the same method shown further up this page. You won't be able to pay, but that's fine as we can take payment through your direct debit.
- If you are not part of the regular programme - you can book tennis camps at our tennis camp page HERE. The only difference is that bookings don't open until one month before the camp.
We understand that some people might not want to include the holiday camps within their price plan, that's why we have not included any form of contract or commitment. You're able to cancel your direct debit at any time, and rejoin (providing there are spaces!). We only have a 1-month cancellation policy.
It is also worth knowing that we previously ran tennis for approximately 30 weeks of the year previously, now we run tennis sessions for 40 weeks of the year. Sessions have remained at £8.50 per session (and tots sessions are now lower) for members and £10 per session for non-members.
Our aim is to provide tennis throughout the year, with a range of sessions, events, holiday camps and competitions available for your children.
We will try to go ahead in most weather conditions and we ask that children are suitably dressed for the weather. At certain times for certain sessions, we can go inside and use the squash courts or clubhouse.
However, we may ocassionally need to cancel. We will usually do this by text message and email. You can assume no news is good news, so if you don't hear from us, the session is probably on.
If we cancel a session we will credit your account where you'll be able to make up the session during term time and/or during holiday camps.
Yes. There is no contract involved, you can cancel at any time and there is a one month cancellation policy. Meaning, you will be charged for the following month from the date you cancel.
You would be welcome to rejoin, providing there is a space available.
Please contact us with any questions at info@suttontenniscoaching.com