David Barnes Tennis Coaching Services

Passion - Dedication & Knowledge : Delivering Top Coaching for over 25 years

My passion for coaching tennis started in the early 1980’s when my Dad built a court at our home and I was soon helping friends and family improve their games.

At university, tennis became my number 1 sport and I started my coaching journey attaining LTA 1 & 2 awards as well as actively playing for the university team I helped coach them too. After leaving I became a full-time coach and achieved my level LTA Levels 3 & 4 (CCA club performance coach) and have never looked back since!

My vast experience and knowledge of the game has been gained from a variety of roles : David Lloyd Junior Racquets Manager, Head Coach for various Junior County Squads (Derbys & Staffs), Head Coach for Denstone College and Head Coach at various clubs - currently The Grange LTC Burton.

I love to bring out the best in all my pupils of all levels and abilities and am especially proud that many of my ‘protogees’ have achieved County Championship titles, qualification entry to the prestigious HSBC Wimbledon Junior tournaments and National team league success for both their clubs and schools.

I know that if you decide to step out on court with me that you’ll soon see the benefits of having an experienced coach both on and by your side!

Some of my pupils and parents kind comments over the years….

Dave has coached both my son and daughter from when they were both very young. I think he first coached my son 14 years ago and has worked with my daughter for 11 years now. Both of them have benefitted hugely from Dave. My son, Chris, now works as a Level 2 tennis coach in Manchester alongside a role as a TA in an inner-city Manchester School and he owes much of his success in this role to Dave’s coaching and the opportunities Dave gave him to help him with coaching. My daughter, Laura, continues to enjoy great success in the sport under Dave’s guidance. As well as a great run in ‘The Road to Wimbledon’ a few years ago, she has been rated number 1 in Derbyshire for her age group for several years now and represents Derbyshire at U18 and Women’s County Cups. Dave always finds new ways to engage young people with his coaching and is incredibly skilled in his role. He makes the game enjoyable and his distinctive sense of humour is always to the fore. He is always prepared to ‘go the extra mile’ for his players and I will always remember how he twice travelled to Wimbledon to see her play on the way back from his holidays. He is totally committed, gives generously of his time and is extremely talented in his role.

Peter Monk – Parent

Dave has been my coach for as long as I can remember playing tennis and has taught me from sponge ball at the age of 5 right through to now that I am 16. Through these years he has developed me as a player in all aspects of my game and is very dedicated to improving his students including often going over the time of my lessons to give me further coachingwhen working on a specific skill. He also is very good at helping set targets to ensure that whatever level you areplaying at, whether it be a tournament, club match or county week, you always feel prepared. However, his one weakness I could think of would have to be his support of West Ham, which of course automatically wins him pity points! Overall though, he is a very skilled and caring coach who will always have your best interests at heart, ensuring every lesson is fun and beneficial.

Laura Monk - Performance Pupil in Derbyshire Ladies County Team

Dave is a super coach who cares passionately about teaching tennis at every level. He has built up our club and we now have coached youngsters playing super competitive tennis in our teams alongside both ladies and men. Our ladies team has gained promotion to the Burton & district league division 1 on the back of his tutelage. His particular strength is improving tennis technique. Our adult session is enormous fun and we look forward to it every week.

Justina Bramall - Ladies Grange A Team Captain

The mixed A has now had 4 successive promotions and this year is competing in division 1 of the Burton & district league.

One of the things which has become apparent to me as captain is the impact of Dave Barnes' coaching. The individuals' growing skills are now feeding into greater on court awareness and matchplay decisions are improving our win rate substantially. 

Diane Millar - Grange A Mixed Team Captain