Norfolk Tennis Interview:
Warren Sawyer, LTA Level 4 Senior Performance Coach and Head Coach at Acle Tennis Club
Introduction:
I started playing tennis at the age of 7 at Gorleston Tennis Club and was coached by James Nganga and Mark Cox. I went full time after GCSEs and was part of the LTA national squad, based at Queen's Club under the guidance of Nick Brown. I started coaching at the age of 19 after a serious wrist injury and became part of the coaching team at Norwich Sports Village. Over the past 28 years, I have worked at Bannatynes Tennis Club, Easton College and had a role with the LTA as a Talent and Performance Co-ordinator, looking after Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Norfolk. I have a level 4 Performance Coaching qualification.
My Club:
I have been part of Acle Tennis Club for 8 years and have enjoyed it thoroughly. I have been Head Tennis Coach for the past 2 years, with the responsibility of looking after the junior programme, school coaching, running tournaments and coaching adults.
Current Junior Programme:
Acle currently has around 100 juniors playing once a week on the tennis programme. We have a healthy teenage participation of around 40 players and the rest are minis. Most of the children play once a week, but there are players that will train 4 or 5 times per week.
Why Do I Coach:
Having always had a natural love for the game, coaching was something I was always going to fall into, once my playing days were over! I have always wanted to train players to reach their maximum potential and I feel that reflects with the players I have worked with, both past and current! Since being at Acle I have also tried very hard to introduce players to the game, even if they want to just play once a week or socially. It is so important to have as many children playing the game to help it grow and flourish!
Why do I want Acle to part of Norfolk Summer Series Competition Circuit:
I want to give players the chance to compete more locally and at a more reasonable price. Competitions have become very expensive to enter, so I feel this is a great way to have more local competitive opportunities! I would love it, if the LTA let coaches run grade 4's or 5's without having to be a qualified referee. We would definitely be able to run more events, if that was the case!
My Favourite CPD Course:
I would say my most memorable course I went on, was the wheelchair tennis course. It was so insightful to see how hard it is to play tennis and move around the court on a wheelchair. They make it look so easy, but it is so hard!
Find out more about Acle Tennis Club and coaching with Warren, Read More
Enter Mini Tennis Tournament with Warren at Acle Tennis Club:
Saturday, 7 June –The Norfolk Summer Series @ Acle Tennis Club - 10U Green Ball
Contact Warren to enter on 07834 355007
Saturday, 21 June – The Norfolk Summer Series @ Acle Tennis Club - 9U Orange Ball
Contact Warren to enter on 07834 355007
Saturday 12 July - The Norfok Summer Series @ Acle Tennis Club - 8U Red Ball
Contact Warren to enter on 07834 355007