LR: “We’ve found it fascinating to see coaches within the ATA exchanging players. What’s been the most interesting learnings since starting the ATA? “It’s a unique program that we haven’t seen anywhere else or even in other sports.” These training sessions involve sharing programs, tips and expertise on all areas of tennis coaching from mental, to physical, to social media and online understanding that can help the coach improve not only their on court work but also their off court lives and business. “We also have Facebook and WhatsApp groups within each country for the coaches to share knowledge and we’ve arranged events for the same reason, such as webinars. We have coaches that we have helped to exchange players. LR: “ATA is about being part of an international community with access to other tennis coaches who you can talk with a share thoughts, ideas but also players. What are the benefits of being a coach with the ATA? “We believe that if we can support the ‘everyday’ club tennis coach then we can help to grow the game and help coaches and players to improve.” The ATA is not just about elite coaching as we want to help coaches who teach from beginner right up to the likes of Thomas Johannson, Danilo Pizzorno, Ruben Hidalgo, Jordi Vilaro and Richard Ruckelhausen (formerly coach of Gael Monfils). Tennis is very individualistic but we want to create links between coaches from many different countries and levels of coaching. “The ATA has done well in creating a European community of tennis coaches that is connected and shares knowledge. From the research we realised that existing coach-brand relationships are very contractual and based just around equipment. “Firstly, we researched tennis coaches from around Europe about their specific needs and to understand the support they received from other brands in terms of equipment, but also off court support. Louis Roach (LR): “The plan behind the ATA was to support tennis coaches both on and off court. Why did you launch the ASICS Tennis Academy (ATA)? We spoke to ASICS Tennis Academy manager Louis Rouach and also to ATA member Harrison Lombe about the history of the academy and their experience. Other tennis brands will offer coaches deals to help provide kit but no brand has ever put in place a support network that is focussed on helping coaches grow their knowledge and experience in this way. Tennis coaching can be lonely with a lot of those working as coaches being self employed and having to stand on their own feet as they learn their trade and grow their businesses. Coaches can apply to join or ASICS will use their team in each country to identify and invite prospective members. Existing virtually with regular online meet-ups and live events, the academy currently supports coaches from 6 European tennis playing nations with more being added. Launched in 2020, the ASICS Tennis Academy (ATA) aims to ’empower tennis coaches of all levels’. That was until the ASICS Tennis Academy came along. Head to a sun soaked tennis factory, play tennis under the watchful eye of a famous coach for 6 hours a day and hey presto! But for coaches themselves there was never the support program in place to help them learn their trade and achieve their career goals. The much trodden path for aspiring tennis players is well documented.
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