Academy Coach - Loughborough University National Tennis Academy

Organisation: Loughborough University, Loughborough Sport
Salary: Competitive salary upon offer of position
Location: Loughborough
Contract type: Permanent (Full time)
Closing date: 31 July 2025
Job Description: Loughborough University National Tennis Academy

Full time and open ended (subject to funding)

Loughborough University National Tennis Academy (LUNTA) is looking for a full-time Academy Coach to support the delivery of world-class coaching provision to elite, junior tennis players.

We are a transformational environment for elite junior international tennis players and forms part of the Lawn Tennis Association’s (LTA) Player Pathway, targeted at developing a greater number of professional players inside the senior top 100 in both the Men’s and Women’s game. The individualized, pro-style, interdisciplinary training environment tailored specifically to prepare players for the demands of professional tennis supports players between the ages of 14-18 years old (as young as 11 in exceptional circumstances).

Our mission is to develop Great People, Great Performers and Great Tennis Players, through high player-care and valuing the pursuit of excellence. We are a National Tennis Academy aimed at taking players on their journey to the top of U18 International Tennis and supporting their progress beyond through a quality academic experience, coaching excellence, leading performance support and unrivalled training and competition.

The purpose of this role is to:
Assist the Head Coaches in the development and implementation of a world class and transformative player development programme to produce players who upon departing LUNTA meet the Pro Scholarship Programme (PSP) selection criteria and have potential to be inside the top 100 by nurturing both the athlete and person.
Provide inspirational and world class coaching to all players within the National Academy programme and take individual responsibility and accountability for the coaching and development of a number of identified players within the Academy.

Key responsibilities:
To deliver coaching and work as a part of an interdisciplinary team to help optimise the National Academy players long term development, meet PSP selection criteria and prepare the athletes for a successful transition into senior tennis.
To plan and deliver world class coaching to individual players, squads and groups throughout the year at various locations; including at base, training camps, tournaments (domestic or international) or remotely when required. This includes but is not limited to leading, coordinating, communicating and implementing:
- Individual Development Plans (IDP’s) incorporating academic and holistic development
- Goal setting and reviews
- Annual and periodised schedules (including tournaments, weekly and daily plans)
- Tracking and monitoring of player development
- Attendance at tournaments and camps where appropriate and required
- Leading National Academy trips, events, camps, recruitment days
- Parent education - building excellent working relationships to enhance player development and ensure parents are informed and appropriately involved indecisions made.
Through the delivery of an athlete centred and coach led interdisciplinary player development approach, you will be responsible for the successful integration of all disciplines within the aim, plan, do, review approach in order to deliver an industry recognised development plan, which emphasises player, academic and holistic development.
To assist the Head Coaches in driving and implementing the National Academy values and player development philosophy; and embedding a culture of proactivity and excellence across the programme to successfully achieve the National Academy objectives.

This role will require a significant amount of domestic and international travel.

Please note that appointment to this role will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service statement.

A competitive salary will be confirmed on offer of appointment.

Informal enquiries should be made to Nathan Miller (Academy Director) via n.miller@lboro.ac.uk.

Closing date for applications is Thursday 31st July 2025.
Interview dates in August TBC.

Loughborough University is committed to achieving equity and valuing diversity in all aspects of employment and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.
How to apply: https://vacancies.lboro.ac.uk/tlive_webrecruitment/wrd/run/ETREC107GF.open?VACANCY_ID=050733aq18&WVID=5913100PrZ