Player Pathway
To find out more information or to enquire about anything within the junior program, please find coach websites and coach email contact links on the Coach Contact page.
There are 5 stages within our junior tennis programme, catering for all levels and ambitions:
STAGE 1: BEGINNER CLASSES
HAWKER BEGINNER CLASSES: These classes are suitable for children who have never done any tennis before, or who have done a bit with family/friends, but not had any proper lessons. Paul runs all junior beginner classes.
**PLAYER THEN PROGRESSES TO STAGE 2**
STAGE 2: IMPROVER CLASSES + PAUL'S MATCHPLAY
HAWKER IMPROVER CLASSES: These classes are for children who have had some experience of playing tennis, and are building to a level where they can start Matchplay. Paul runs all junior improver classes, and will ultimately decide suitability and when the transition from stage 1 to Stage 2 occurs.
PAUL'S MATCHPLAY: These run on Saturday mornings from 8-9am for either Red, Orange, Green, or Yellow ball, and are perfect for an introduction to competition as well as a regular opportunity to compete. They often use timed tennis scoring, so juniors play matches for a set period of time, whilst they also learn and understand the rules surrounding competing, and gain valuable competitive experience.
**PLAYER THEN PROGRESSES TO STAGE 3**
STAGE 3: PAUL'S HAWKER JETS SQUADS + PAUL'S SUNDAY SQUAD + PAUL'S MATCHPLAY + NICK'S TEAM HAWKER B SQUAD + NICK'S SKILLS & DRILLS CLASSES + NICK'S MATCHPLAY
PAUL'S HAWKER JETS SQUADS: These are for player's who play at least twice a week, and are committed to competing regularly, and keen to improve in this area. Paul selects and invites player's for these squads when they are ready.
PAUL'S SUNDAY SQUAD: This is an extra 'invite only' squad on Sunday morning's for players who already play at least once a week, and are committed to competing regularly, and keen to improve in this area.
Paul also does INDIVIDUAL LESSONS for player's of all levels when he has available time.
NICK'S TEAM HAWKER B SQUAD: This is for players of all ages who play to a good level and wish to receive specific training aimed at performance in matches. These players may either be satisfied to stay at this level with their tennis (usually the older players), or be keen to progress to one of the main Team Hawker squads (usually the younger players).
NICK'S SKILLS & DRILLS CLASSES: These compliment all of Nick and Paul's squad sessions. They focus on developing and enhancing essential core skills, and include fun and challenging drills that cover all aspects of the game. Please contact Nick directly about availability and booking.
NICK'S MATCHPLAY: These are currently for Yellow ball players aged 9+ who are at stage 3 or stage 4. Green and Orange Matchplays can also be arranged if there is enough demand (3+ players needed). The scoring format is short normal sets, which allows players to experience the full tennis scoring system. Player's collect points from all their singles matches, and there are leaderboards for different ages/abilities, that award prizes from our sponsor Sheensports at the end of the year. There is also a Player of the month award for someone who has stood out in one way or another over the course of a calendar month.
Nick's Matchplay's runs on selected weekend afternoons (from 2pm), almost every weekend during term time, and are open to everyone. They are bookable as individual events only, which allows for maximum flexibility. For more info, check the Matchplay page on Nick's website.
PLEASE NOTE THAT PLAYER'S AT STAGE 3 WILL BE CONSIDERED TO REPRESENT THE CLUB (THE HAWKER JETS) IN SURREY TEAM COMPETITIONS ONLY IF THEY ARE INVOLVED IN NICK'S AND/OR PAUL'S SQUADS.
**STAGE 4 FOR PLAYER'S WHO WISH TO PROGRESS FURTHER**
STAGE 4: PAUL'S SQUADS + NICK'S TEAM HAWKER SQUADS + NICK'S SPECIALISED TRAINING FOR TOURNAMENT LEVEL PLAYERS
PAUL'S SQUADS: There is the scope for players to transition to Stage 4 within some of Paul's squads. Player's who wish to join Nick's squads are encouraged to do so as an addition to their tennis schedule whilst also remaining in Paul's squad.
NICK'S TEAM HAWKER SQUADS: These are for juniors who play 3+ times per week (or play less but play to a very high level), and who compete regularly (minimum twice a month) in both internal and external competitions (or compete less but have extensive previous experience with tennis competition). Squads focus on developing all the required skills to maximise performance in competition. Players are selected and invited to join the squads based on ability, and enthusiasm for competitive tennis. Players may also ask for an assessment by contacting Nick.
NICK'S SPECIALISED TRAINING: This consists of individual lessons and/or 2-1 sessions and/or tournament work sessions. These are for player's who regularly compete in tournaments and competitions (or have ambitions to become regular tournament players), and are keen to keep developing their tennis at a good rate.
PLEASE NOTE PLAYER'S AT STAGE 4 WILL BE INVITED TO REPRESENT THE CLUB (THE HAWKER JETS) IN SURREY COUNTY COMPETITIONS, AND REGIONAL COMPETITIONS. NICK'S TEAMS HAVE QUALIFIED FOR REGIONAL LEAGUES SINCE 2020, WON A REGIONAL LEAGUE IN 2023, AND HAVE WON COUNTLESS SURREY LEAGUES AND COMPETITIONS OVER THE YEARS. TEAM COMPETITION IS GREATLY VALUED AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN AND DEVELOP, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY FOR PLAYERS TO FEEL VALUED, SUPPORTED, AND PART OF OUR SPECIAL HAWKER TENNIS COMMUNITY.
**STAGE 5 FOR PLAYER'S WHO WISH TO PROGRESS FURTHER**
STAGE 5: NICK'S TEAM HAWKER SQUADS AND SPECIALISED TRAINING FOR NATIONAL LEVEL PLAYERS OR THOSE CLOSE TO NATIONAL LEVEL WHO ARE KEEN TO REACH IT
NICK'S TEAM HAWKER SQUADS: These are for juniors who play 5-7 times per week, including regular competition, and have strong ambitions to fulfil their potential.
NICK'S SPECIALISED TRAINING: This consists of individual lessons and/or 2-1 sessions and/or tournament work sessions, tailored to the individual player's needs. Nick has a great recent track record of supporting and training players to reach national level for the first time (Top 50 ranking). Contact Nick to enquire.
TRICT: Nick's mental/emotional support program for players of every competitive level, from local competitors to pro players. This program is still in it's pilot phase and hasn't been fully launched yet. Feel free to Contact Nick for more info.
**HOLIDAY TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES**
HOLIDAY COURSES: Paul runs courses during the school holidays, with an extensive summer holiday program, for players from stage 1 to stage 3.
Nick also runs some holiday training camps during Easter and Summer Holidays, for stage 3 and stage 4 players, and is usually available to offer continued support to stage 4 and stage 5 players who are competing.