Tennis Saskatchewan will be hosting a Tennis Instructor Course this spring. The course will take place May 4th – 6th and May 11th – 13th, with both regroupings taking place at the Regina Sportsplex. Times for the course will be 5:30pm-9:30pm Friday and 8:30am-5:00pm Saturday/Sunday (Candidates must attend the entire course to be considered for certification). The course will be facilitated by Colin Latchford.

For more information about the course, please contact Colin by email at cd.tennissask@gmail.com. To register for the course, please follow the instructions at the following link: Regina Instructor Course – Register Now

Here’s more information about the Tennis Instructor Course:

Applicants must complete all pre-requisites before moving on to the next level. Registration is online only (link above), on a first pay – first entry basis. All fees must be paid in advance. A minimum of 6 participants (per course) will be required for a course to proceed. Participants should come prepared to participate, both on-and-off-court – please bring your racquet.

Course Fees are $350.00 / participant (includes a membership in the “Tennis Professionals Association” through to the end of 2018) – Tennis Saskatchewan Affiliated Club Members may be eligible to receive financial assistance to offset some of the registration fee and course-related expenses (some conditions apply).

What is the Instructor Course?

The Instructor course (NCCP Context: Instructor – Beginner) is the first level of the Tennis Canada’s “Recreation – Tennis for Life” certification stream, focusing on the LTAD Stage 2 “FUNdamentals”.

Who is the course for?

This course is for anyone interested in the competencies required to introduce starter players to the game of tennis. Instructors are trained to use Progressive Tennis in group lessons (1.0 – 2.5 level) at parks, community courts and in school gyms. This course develops the leadership skills of an enthusiastic instructor who organizes practice and play, makes tennis accessible and simple to learn, and promotes friendships that support the growth and retention of starter players.

What will I learn?

The Instructor’s role in our tennis community is critical. For tennis to grow and for players to stay in the game, they need to experience enjoyment and improvement. In this course, you will experience and develop the qualities associated with a positive, motivating leader. As well, you will be trained to scale and modify the game your students can experience success with activities that challenge them with the right skills and play for their level. More specifically, you will learn to:

Lead and communicate effectively

  • Display professionalism and enthusiasm
  • Control the focus and attention of a group
  • Present clear and correct visual demonstrations with concise explanations
  • Provide positive interventions that apply tactical and technical tools to improve performance

Manage play and practice environments

  • Plan and implement “Learn to Play” curriculum employing Progressive Tennis so starter players can successfully serve, rally and score.
  • Set up and maintain a group environment that is active, safe, and challenging while applying group organizational tools
  • Organize play and apply competition tools using a variety of competitive formats, set-ups and scoring

Be resourceful

  • Awareness of Tennis Canada’s Wheelchair course and “Active Start” initiatives
  • Awareness of Tennis Canada’s Pathway programs including Le Petit, Tennis for Schools, and Learn to Play

Follow a process for making ethical decisions consistent with the Tennis Canada Code of Ethics.

Criteria for Entrance / Course Prerequisites

  • Minimum certification requirements: None
  • Participants must be 15 years of age or older (must be at least 16 years of age to be certified)
  • Minimum level of play:  3.0 level player
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Completion of pre-course workbooks or e-learning modules prior to the beginning of the course.
  • Become a TEMP member of the Tennis Professionals Association.

How will I be evaluated?

There are 4 (four) categories of competencies candidates must complete to achieve Instructor certification:

  1. Knowledge
  2. Leadership/Professionalism
  3. Demonstration (Playing and Fundamental Skills)
  4. Teaching (Unfolding a Lesson)

In addition, candidates are required to complete the Coaching Association of Canada’s Making Ethical Decisions Instructor stream online evaluation.

Candidates must achieve a “met standard” rating on all of the evaluations to be certified. If candidates achieve an “incomplete” rating on any evaluations, they must re-take that evaluation (or in the case of the knowledge evaluation workbook components, complete them). If they receive an “incomplete” on 3 or more of the 4 evaluations (1, 2, 3, 4), they must re-take the entire course at full price.

Candidates have 18 months from the date of their original course to complete all evaluations; otherwise, they must re-take the entire course at full price.

Instructors are trained

  • To introduce players to the game using Progressive tennis in group lessons (1.0 – 2.5 level) at tennis clubs, parks, community courts and in school gyms.  This course develops the leadership skills of an enthusiastic instructor who organizes practice and play, makes tennis accessible and simple to learn, and promotes friendships that support the growth and retention of starter players.

For more information about the Tennis Instructor Course and other coaching courses, check out our Coaching Page.

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