SHTC COACHING GROUPS

Here are some guidelines for parents to have a better understanding on how we structure our Hot Shots groups on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday mornings. Also Included are descriptions/information regarding Interclub level coaching groups, our Development & Performance training groups, Winter match-play and/or all year around tournaments and assistant coaching options for our older SHTC juniors (ages for our Hot Shots groups are approximate only and to give parents a better idea).

Red A (4-6 y/o): The RED BALL A is the entry stage group for young children that haven’t played tennis or are still very young to move to the next group. We use low compression balls, smaller racquets and adapted courts. A player would move to the next group, depending on the skill/strength and any extra coaching junior might be having.

Red B (6-7 y/o): The RED BALL B is for players that are still within this age group as RED A, but either have already been in that group already or are slightly older (as we tend to split children’s groups by experience and age). We still use low compression balls, smaller racquets and adapted courts. A player would move to the next group, depending on the skill/strength and any extra coaching junior might be having.

Orange (7-8 y/o): The ORANGE group coaching is done on a bigger court (3/4 length) and slightly bigger racquets are necessary. We still use low compression balls, so it’s easier for the young ones to play and have fun. A player would move to the next group, depending on the skill, strength and any extra coaching junior might be having. Players here would demonstrate a stronger technical base and will start playing some points during coaching.

Green (9-11 y/o): The GREEN group coaching is done on a full-size court (or we might adapt it to a player’s strength & skill) and we start using either green-dot or regular balls. A player here needs to be strong enough to handle a bigger racquet, heavier balls and be able to play the full length of the court. The technical aspect of the Junior player also needs to be strong enough so once he/she moves up a group, the player can consider playing beginner interclub (entry level of competition).

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BEGINNER interclub (coaching groups and interclub): Training groups are split so players train with their Interclub teammates (however exceptions are made). Players in this group should have the strength & confidence to be able to start playing competitively. Beginner IC games are supervised by an on-court adult, making it easier for the players. Players can play beginner Interclub for up to 2 full terms, before moving to Open interclub (different sections available depending on the overall strength/experience of the player and team).

SOCIAL/NON-COMPETITIVE Group Coaching:  This option is for juniors that have moved from Green group (Hot Shots program) but are either not yet ready to compete or choose not to.  This group is also for older teens that are new to tennis.

OPEN interclub (coaching groups and Interclub), Premier & Junior Caro Bowl: Training groups are split so players train with their Interclub teammates.  Players are split into Open section teams (1, 2, 3 & so on) depending on the player and team's strength (average ranking points for all the players on a team). It can also be split by their age group, or possibly 'play up' an age-group bracket if they are confident and strong enough.  Once players are strong enough (their TNZ ranking reaches a certain grade) players have the option to play Premier or Junior Caro Bowl.  These are the highest Junior interclub team competitions in Auckland during the summer terms.

Development Training Program: The next pathway of our coaching options is on an invitation-only basis only and we (club coaches & junior convenors) look for many things before we invite players to join this group. Players are invited/selected based on the following criteria:

• Tennis potential
• How much they like the sport
• Commitment to/and during their trainings
• Whether they play all year around
• If he/she takes any extra coaching (private coaching or more than one group coaching/week)
• Age (with a special focus on the younger ones)
• To encourage more girls into tennis and higher levels of coaching options

A strict ratio of student/coach is 1:5, with only up to 10 players and 2 coaches (head coach & assistant). These sessions are subsidized by the club ($15 per player) and run for 1.5 hrs including 20-30mins of tennis-related fitness.

Performance Training Program: Our Performance Training Program is by invitation-only and is design to keep and retain our top-tiered Junior players training and competing at the club. Players are invited considering different criteria:

• A dedication to the sport, all year around (coaching & competition)
• A strong technical & tactical understanding of the sport
• Number of total weekly hours a player dedicates to the sport and willingness to keep improving on their grade (by competing all year around)

A strict ratio of student/coach is 1:4, with only up to 4 players and 1 coach per session (normally head coach). These sessions are subsidized by the club ($25 per player) and run for 2 hrs including 30mins of tennis-related fitness. Non-members are also welcome to join this program on a user-pay basis, if the player has the ability and there’s space within the program ($30 per session)

Once any junior player within this program reaches a certain Grade of S8 (boys) or S6 (girl) they receive the following benefits:

• One term of fully funded Training. T’s&C’s apply. If this player maintains their S8/S6 ranking for one term they will receive a second term of fully funded weekly Performance training
• Two tournament fees per annum will be funded
• Private coaching discount of 50% of the full rate. T’s&C’s apply and is subject to coaches’ available times

Tournaments and winter match-play series: Throughout the year we encourage our juniors to keep competing as much as possible during various tournaments scheduled in and around Auckland. This helps our players gain more confidence along with additional match-practice outside just summer interclub.

During the winter terms we organise or host different tournaments or competition options for our Junior players.  Sometimes these can be tournament trips outside of Auckland, match-play series, etc.  The club subsidises a good portion of the entry fees or travelling fees.  

Assistant coaches (and courses): As players get older, we encourage them to stay involved in tennis by considering coaching, to help us run some of our larger coaching groups, holiday programs, etc.  The club may choose to subsidise the TNZ run assistant coaching course if they are showing the right skills & enthusiasm towards coaching.

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Although tennis is considered a summer sport in NZ, it does require constant training & practice in order to see positive results in terms of overall technical improvement and/or at the different available junior competitions. We encourage players to take up coaching year-round, either on a group basis and/or private (or small group) coaching, as well as taking part in the many tournaments and match-play options we have at Sunnyhills Tennis Club.

If you have any questions regarding what options are available, feel free to reach out to us.

Gabriel Hernandez – Head Coach, Sunnyhills Tennis Club