Thursday July 17, 2008

It was recognised that we had a lot of juniors rising through our squads and that we needed a performance academy.

In September 2002 The King Alfred’s Tennis Academy was formed consisting of just seven players. The first year went extremely well, with a lot of the players finishing with a number of wins under their belt and a better rating. One of the highlights for one particular player, Kerry Matthews (picture below), was winning the club stage of the Road to Wimbledon tournament at the club and then coming runner up at the county stage, she was then invited back to the National Finals, which were played at The All England Club in Wimbledon.

Craig Phillips another of the first year academy players won the Exeter Open. David Woods was also selected for Somerset’s County Cup Team.

The second year has started with an increase of players. Due to popular demand we have now risen from 5 players to now 10 Players in the Academy.

This year we have also improved our programme as we have now included fitness on a Monday and a Thursday and we also have a psychology session for all the players to deal with pressures on court and difficult situations in a match environment. The academy is lucky to have Mandy Owens as the teams’ psychologist. Mandy is the psychologist for Surrey Cricket Club and has worked for the LTA in the Stella Championships. She has also been the sports psychologist for Southampton Football Club working with the Premiership football stars. On a tennis level Mandy was a member of the Avenue Tennis Club and played for not only club and county but for GB as well! (Mandy is pictured with James Tuckett, Academy Manager and the Academy team).

If you would like to see the Academy Training or would like to train with the academy please see training times below and call James on 01278 782758:

MONDAY-                     430PM-530PM Fitness with James Quirk

TUESDAY-                    500PM-630PM Tennis Training

WEDNESDAY-                600PM-730PM Tennis Training

THURSDAY-                  730AM-830AM Morning Fitness with James Tuckett