Whether you are a complete beginner wanting to play tennis for the first time, or a very experienced player wanting to sharpen your technique for match play, you will find a course and a coach to suit you. Our team of professional coaches offers a wide range of courses for members and non-members of all ages and abilities. Both adults and children are catered for through our extensive programme of group coaching, and private lessons can be arranged on request with any of our regular coaches.

As well as helping you to improve your play, our group coaching sessions provide a great opportunity for you (and your children) to meet other members of the club of a similar standard.

Our Coaches

Craig Walker - Head of Coaching and Development (CCA Coach)  

David Gee - Coach DCA

Gillian McIlroy - DCA Coach

Craig McFie - DCA Coach

Kris Gray - PCA Coach

Johnny Woodall - DCA Coach   

Between the ages of 4 and 10 is the best time for kids to pick up a racket for the first time, according to the LTA’s Long-Term Player Development programme (LTPD). Regular group lessons taught by qualified LTA-licensed coaches allow young players to learn the skills and tactics of tennis. Ariel Mini Tennis lessons will include learning about running, jumping, balance, co-ordination, throwing and catching as well as learning more formal tennis skills. The better the kids are at these skills; the better tennis players they will become in the long run.

The game is divided into three colour-coded stages: Red, Orange and Green, like the sequence of traffic lights. The aims of playing Mini Tennis are fun, learning, excitement, success, competition and social interaction. Everything else is a bonus. Each stage of mini tennis has specifically designed racquets and balls to suit the size and ability of the child. Adult racquets and balls are not suitable. Shorter racquets and low bouncing balls allow children to get maximum enjoyment out of the game.

Mini Tennis Red 

At the Red stage, children are introduced to basics of the game. They start developing the core skills of movement and co-ordination, take part in lots of fun activities and play short matches and team competitions. All children under 8 will play mini-tennis red on mini-tennis courts with sponge balls, 16 children per court with 1 coach and 3 assistants. Ratio 1 to 4.

Orange Tennis

From Mini Tennis Red players progress to Orange Tennis. All children in their 8th year will move to orange tennis which will be played on a full court with orange lines aned orange balls. The ratio on court is 6 children to 1 coach. 

At Orange the emphasis is on further development. Children learn new shots and techniques to help them rally on a bigger court.

Green Tennis