RICHARD Senior is head coach at Salts Tennis Club in Victoria Road, Saltaire. A former head coach at a top indoor tennis centre, he has a wealth of experience to offer junior and senior players.
Q: sum up your tennis career.
A: I have been coaching for more than 30 years and qualified to CCA - UK CC Level 4 Coach- in 1995. I have an extensive playing background, through junior tournaments to men’s British Tour events, with an ability to feed and demonstrate to a high level and a willingness to play and coach team tennis. My proudest achievements are introducing young people to tennis and helping them achieve their own love for the game.
I have a wealth of experience in setting up coaching programmes in the past at South Leeds, Pudsey and Armley Tennis Clubs, including working with local and regional partners including primary and secondary schools, club links and the Lawn Tennis Association in Yorkshire.
Q: How was your interest in tennis sparked? Did you play at school?
A: My mum inspired my love for the game as she introduced me to tennis at 12 years old. Unfortunately this is quite late to develop elite skills and there was not much availability to play tennis until we moved to North Leeds from Featherstone (rugby league country). I played at high school but again there was not much interest from fellow students so I used to play against my maths teacher at lunchtime for practice.
Q: Did any well-known players inspire you and how?
A: My initial hero was Boris Becker who famously won Wimbledon in 1985 aged 17. He was young and I liked his aggressive, fearless game style diving around on the grass courts. He inspired a love of playing for me as he made tennis fun.
Q: How long have you been at Salts?
A: I started coaching at Salts in 2009 and was immediately struck by how welcoming and open this club is. This culminated with the club being named national tennis Club of the Year at the 2010 British Tennis Awards.
Q: What ages do you coach? Adults and children?
A: I coach all ages and abilities - we are an all-inclusive community club.
Q: How do you start children off in tennis - with short tennis?
A: It depends on their age and ability as tennis is adaptable to make playing easier for starters, but yes, mini tennis is applicable for four to seven year-olds.
Q: How do children respond to coaching - are they enthusiastic?
A: Generally, yes, as I try to make it fun with a games-based approach to learning. The secret is to make everyone feel comfortable and relaxed and almost learn through guided play
Q: If youngsters show promise, how do you expand on that?
A: If children have an aptitude for the game I would be able to take them further through individual or small group coaching. I have experience taking beginners through to national standard. Also I would pass them on to another coaching set up if it would benefit their growth more to be around more children of a similar ability and desire
Q: Do you think some people are put off joining tennis clubs because they think they are expensive and elitist? How does Salts address this?
A: Unfortunately tennis has always had a stuck-up image and also it is difficult to compete with other sports because if a child likes tennis others may tease him/her for it and they could quit the game due to peer pressure. It’s simply a matter of making tennis more accessible as children generally enjoy the game but maybe prefer the social aspect of team sports. Salts has always been run on the ethos as affordable for all as we have the cheapest coaching rates in the area and offer assistance if needed for low-income families.
We have continued to provide ‘affordable tennis for all’ at the club, local schools and in our local parks. Salts has a sustainable coaching programme, growth in club membership and excellent links with local primary schools and Titus Salt School.
Q: What do you love about the game?
A: Tennis is a great game with a lot of challenges to solve on court as it can be quite technical to enjoy it to a high standard. Coaching has been fun for me as I like to use my experiences in the game to make the challenges achievable.
Q: Do you encourage youngsters to watch Wimbledon and other tournaments?
A: Absolutely, as you can learn a lot from watching tennis at a high level for inspiration and also putting positive pictures in your mind to go on court and imitate your favourite players. Sometimes though I would just want some of them to watch to learn how to score a game.
Q: What do you love about your job?
A: I am proud to be associated with such a fantastic community club and provide coaching to junior and adult players throughout the year.
There is a genuine enjoyment with a game of tennis at Salts and the smile on people’s faces reflect that.
*saltstennisclub.co.uk
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