John Horler: Playing and Coaching Experience:

As a junior I competed in age group opens and at junior county level. Subsequently I represented Roehampton Club, Queens Club, Sheen Lawn Tennis and Magdalen Park amongst others. I have played adult county level, open tournaments and satellites with some good results against national and internationally ranked players in both singles and doubles. I’ve also trained with numerous high level squads including two years with some of the top junior and senior internationals based at Queens Club and with the Michigan State University team in the United States. 

Much of my coaching experience was acquired under the head professional at Roehampton Club and with national coach Tony Mottram although I also worked with many other tennis professionals at venues both in this country and abroad. In the UK these include Putney Lawn Tennis Club, Magdalen Park, The Riverside Club, Roger Taylor’s Tennis Centre, Battersea Park, Bisham Abbey and Crystal Palace. In 1996 I set up my own tennis club where I have taught groups and individuals of a very wide age range and standard. In addition to my coaching qualifications I have a BA (Hons) in Sports Studies and studied post graduate courses in physiology, biomechanics and recreation management at Michigan State University. 

I enjoy passing on the knowledge I have accumulated. I advocate a pupil centred approach to learning and I look for attributes that can help players to establish the fundamentals in their game that are likely to aid their development. Without being prescriptive I believe very firmly in the incorporation of sound biomechanics in technique at all levels wherever possible. My experience has helped me to diagnose issues and accumulate a repertoire of teaching aids, exercises, drills and routines that can help students move from a cognitive understanding toward the autonomous execution of technique, strategy and tactics in matchplay.

John Horler