Job Summary
Tennis Scotland seek new Scottish Player Development Centre (SPDC) Performance Coach to join our team
Working to develop young tennis players in the Scottish Player Development Centre (SPDC), the successful candidate will play a vital role in the implementation of the overall Tennis Scotland and LTA Performance Strategy.
The new SPDC Performance Coach will assist the Head Coach of the SPDC with the planning, management and delivery of our national programme for high-performance players aged between 11 and 16.
They will join during a landmark period for tennis in Scotland, where club membership is at an all-time high, and will contribute to Tennis Scotland’s mission of increasing accessibility, creating stronger venues, delivering a range of quality events and competitions, and building a world-class player development pathway.
Venue and Company description
Tennis Scotland is the Governing Body of tennis in Scotland. Our vision is “Tennis opened
up” and our mission and strategy is aligned with the LTA and focused on growing the sport
by making it relevant, accessible, welcoming and enjoyable.
Our plans see; more people playing across clubs and pay as you go facilities; more quality
facilities and world class workforce development and coaching; an all year round sport in our
communities with tennis accessible to anyone from any background; more Scottish players
succeeding at the very top of the game in juniors and on the ATP, WTA and UNIQLO WT
tours and see a range of events and competitions to showcase tennis and increase its visibility
in Scotland.
Tennis Scotland is an ambitious confident organisation, engaging with everyone involved in
tennis to create investment and growth to ensure a sustainable and healthy future for Scottish
tennis.
Job duties and responsibilities
- Support the vision for performance tennis for 16U SPDC players, creating
opportunities and pathways for talented players to progress into professional tennis.
- Assist the National Coach16U/SPDC Head Coach with the planning and the delivery
of the SPDC programme for players 11-16 yrs.
- Support players within the SPDC, taking the lead on identified players and their IAP’s
as appropriate and in agreement with the National Coach 16U/SPDC Head Coach.
- Ensure player Individual Athlete Plans (IAP’s) are in place and that they are actively
updated and reviewed.
- Input into player agreements and contracts, working with National Coach 16U/SPDC
Head Coach, Head of Operations and Head of Performance.
- Ensure the tracking and monitoring of each player’s performance via the Player
Development Management System (PDMS).
- Contribute to the content of parent support workshops as part of the parent strategy
- Support, manage and deliver Tennis Scotland 16U national training camps/official
teams and trips as part of the SPDC programme.
- Support the National Coach 16U/SPDC Head Coach with the reporting system to
feedback to players, coaches and parents/guardians.
- Attend key domestic and International tournaments and undertake player visits as
agreed by the National Coach 16U/SPDC Head Coach.
- Work closely with the Tennis Scotland performance team, the LTA and sportscotland
to ensure opportunities are given to high performing Scottish players.
- Input into the selection of players for the National Player Programme.
- Advise on the allocation of wildcards to Scottish players at TE, ITF, and other TS/ LTA
domestic events as appropriate.
- Support the National Coach 16U/SPDC Head Coach with quarterly, evidence-based
development reviews with the player/parent/coach and relevant support team
members.
- Attend SPDC meetings and wider performance team meetings.
- Attend various working groups to input into the annual domestic tournament schedule
to ensure there are clear opportunities for 16U players to compete in Scotland.
- Support the National Coach 16U/SPDC Head Coach with the management of Player
programmes for 16U high achieving players on the Player Development Pathway
- Undertake additional duties as allocated from time to time by the SPDC Head Coach/
National Manager 16U and Head Performance.
Candidate qualifications and skills
- Proven experience and success in a similar role with credible experience.
- Work effectively and collaboratively with a range of internal and external stakeholders
- Demonstrating exceptional personal communications skills with proven ability to build and
maintain effective relationships and influence
- Developing young players to a National/International standard
- Building and managing relationships of trust and influence with aspiring players, personal
coaches and families
- Using effective communication skills to influence players, coaches and parents
- Delivering training camps and co-ordinating trips to tournaments for 16U performance
players
- Working as part of a multi-disciplinary team of coaches and practitioners to support the
planning and reviewing players’ individual development plans
- Working with IT and video-based systems in order to provide technical and tactical
feedback to players about their performance – training and competition
- Experience of working in a performance programme with 16U players and working as
part of an interdisciplinary team
- Working on individual annual player programmes of 16U Players with evidenced
successful outcomes
- Playing and/or coaching tennis (particularly in junior age-categories) at the highest levels
of the international game
- Knowledge of and track record of developing high potential junior tennis players of both
genders to the standards required for future international level success
- SPC level 4 and LTA accredited +(or the desire to work towards this)
- Up-to-date LTA coach licence including a satisfactory DBS disclosure/PVG
- Excellent working knowledge and understanding of the technical, tactical, physical,
psychological demands and developments with regards to 16U players
- Excellent working knowledge and understanding of how to engage, communicate and
motivate young players
- An understanding of the requirements of running a high performance programme for
developing young tennis players
- IT literate with excellent written, verbal, communication and influencing skills.
Benefits
Competitive salary plus benefits.
