New Zealand

Somer Valley Tennis Club has its home base at Writhlington Tennis Centre in Radstock, south of Bath. The centre has had a link with New Zealand since 2008, initially this was via Ian Bishop, who as a UK licenced coach worked at Writhlington alongside Mandy Stonier and Patrick Lodge, then in 2007 Ian emigrated to New Zealand. Once he arrived and started his own coaching programme in his own club, he realised he needed coaching support and help from the excellent level 2 coaches he had left behind in the UK.

This got him thinking and the Stonier NZ apprenticeship was borne, which has lasted from 2008 all the way through to 2019, when we all experienced a worldwide lockdown and everything came to a grinding halt!

Now, with the world opening up again and with the connections still strong with New Zealand but in another city and another coaching provider (Ian has retired from being an active tennis coach!). There are opportunities again, this time in Wellington with Evolve Tennis Coaching. Keen to avoid the English winter and go to sunny New Zealand on a working holiday visa from mid-October to mid-April - a fantastic opportunity to also experience the amazing scenery, adventure & culture New Zealand has to offer. We'd love you to join Evolve Tennis Coaching if you're LTA Level 2 or above. Please contact us at info@evolvetenniscoaching.co.nz.

If you would like to talk to a young UK coach who has spent time out there working, please email Adam Benney or Theo Stonier (see photo of them at the Khandallah Tennis Club)

Plus Tom Entwistle (Head Coach) at Writhlington would be available to chat to you about these amazing opportunities tentwistle@dragonflyleisure.co.uk