As tennis continues to grow across every level, USTA Florida is faced with the challenge of helping provide more coaches for the influx of participants. To solve this, together the volunteers and staff created the Community Coach Program (CCP) and the program is reaching new heights in its third year.
The CCP works with tennis facilities and public parks in the state to organize time for people to learn about coaching different types of tennis programming. With 2023 a few months underway, things are taking off at lightspeed with trainings galore.
USTA Florida is offering 8 different curriculums in the Community Coaching Program.
Each type of training specializes in a specific curriculum so you can learn how to work with different ages, motor skills, play level. Currently, the program offers trainings in the following areas:
- Red, Orange, & Green Ball
- Love to Learn & Love to Play (Adult Beginner)
- Cardio Tennis
- Middle & High School
- Summer Camp
- Adaptive
- Wheelchair
- USTA Level 1 Coaching Workshop
So far, there are over 20 confirmed trainings that will take place in 2023, with many more in the process of being finalized and added to the calendar.
Project Team Manager, Lori Burdell, encourages everyone in tennis to give coaching a chance, especially with the growth the game is seeing. “We do not have enough Community Coaches or Tennis Pros in the industry to teach the new players,” she said. “This is a great opportunity to learn how to teach entry level tennis on a community level. I welcome anyone to join our trainings who love tennis, who have children who play tennis, especially women. Help us grow the game.”
Anyone over the age of 16 is welcomed to come out and get involved in these trainings.
One of the first trainings of the year will take place on April 14 and 15 at the 2023 Billie Jean King Cup in Delray Beach. This USTA Level 1 All-Women’s Coaching Workshop will focus on coaching principles and building skills needed to teach beginner to intermediate level players of all ages. All women that attend will also be able to earn their Level 1 Coaching Certificate.
Obtaining a Level 1 Coaching Certificate is the first step in becoming a full-time tennis coach and can be a great experience to help impact the lives of new and intermediate tennis players. This is the perfect start for a part-time looking to get into the coaching world. Anyone 16 years old, all the way to retired people are welcomed to join us.
If you are looking to learn about other curriculums, make sure to visit USTAFlorida.com/community-coach to view all of the upcoming Community Coach trainings. If your facility wants to host a training, fill out this form to see when USTA Florida can organize a session within your community.
