Coaching Traineeship

Coaching Traineeship

Coach traineeship

For trainees: kickstart your career in tennis coaching, by securing a full time employed role, fully-funded LTA Coach Qualifications, and potential earnings of £25-30,000 per annum by the time you graduate in 18-24 months.

For employers: address your recruitment issues, develop fresh talent for the future of your business or tennis club, and join with a credible programme facilitated by Hampshire & IOW Tennis and the LTA.

The Hampshire & IOW Coaching Traineeship involves a cohort of trainees, each working for an approved employer in a paid job, and each acquiring formal LTA Coach Qualifications and valuable work-based experiences across an 18-24 month period. It is an opportunity to ‘earn while you learn’ and fast-track a career in tennis and coaching.

Trainees receive:

  • Regular hours (aiming for 24 hours per week within 6 months, including: on-court coaching, shadowing, off-court training, team meetings, administration, online courses and LTA qualifications)
  • For employed roles, paid holiday leave (5.6 weeks per year)
  • Hands-on coaching experience in the tennis sector
  • Formal Governing Body Qualifications: LTA Instructor (Level 2) and LTA Coach (Level 3)
  • Official LTA continuous professional development (CPD) opportunities
  • The opportunity to earn extra income through self-employed private lessons, as the programme progresses

Please note: This programme is not a statutory-regulated apprenticeship. Those interested in this route should visit here or contact the LTA’s apprenticeship partner, Coach Core.

Who can apply (trainees)?

Applications are encouraged from all aspiring coaches who meet the following criteria:

  • 18 years of age or older on the first day of the programme
  • Currently holding an LTA Assistant (Level 1), with a minimum merit or distinction grade
  • Have successfully completed the LTA Instructor Readiness test (or be WTN 1-25)
  • Able to commit to an 18-24 month intensive development programme – working and learning
  • Working at a facility / programme based in Hampshire or the Isle of Wight
For coaches who may be suitable, but have not yet completed their Level 1 course, please be aware that we operate a Coach Bursary Scheme.

Please note that in return for the significant investment it is making in qualification costs, Hampshire & IOW Tennis will expect a minimum commitment of 20 voluntary hours per trainee over the course of the traineeship. These hours will include elements such as: helping out county championships; assisting at county training; and supporting inter-club team tennis events. We hope that these will also be seen by the trainee as fantastic professional development opportunities. 

Who can apply (employers)?

We are looking to work with organisations who are prepared to employ, support and mentor one or more development coaches, working alongside the programme supervisor.

Possible employers include tennis clubs, schools with on-site tennis facilities, community and park providers and coaching providers. It may also be possible for a cluster of smaller clubs to work together to employ a learner.

Trainees can be either employed or self-employed, depending on the way you run your business, and the statutory HMRC rules applicable to the role.

Benefits for trainees

  • A credible scheme, with backing from the national governing body
  • Earn while you learn in an apprentice-style role
  • Fully-funded Level 2 & 3 qualifications (value ca. £1,900)
  • Additional continual professional development opportunities via the LTA’s online learning platform
  • Access career development opportunities locally, including competition and event organisation
  • Support, guidance and mentoring from a dedicated programme supervisor

Benefits for employers

  • Address your workforce shortage
  • Scale up the hours of the trainee, e.g. minimum 6 per week for the first 2 months, progressing to 24 after 6 months
  • Utilise the trainee as “kindling” for your programme, allowing you to grow their hours over time
  • Develop your business with fresh talent
  • Encourage your potential coaches to take part, due to the qualification subsidy from HIOWT (ca. £1,900)
  • Be part of a county-wide scheme, supported by HIOWT and the LTA, which will have credibility in the eyes of learners and their families
  • Receive support from a dedicated programme supervisor
Hampshire & IOW Tennis is happy to support potential employers with statutory elements, such as registering with HMRC, understanding minimum wage regulations, and preparing to provide paid holiday. Financial modelling can also be provided.

Financial overview

Trainees can expect to earn the following:

  • Potential salary / self-employed earnings after 6 months – £1,040 / £1,352 per month (18-20 years old / 21+)
  • After 12 months – ca. £1,400 / £1,700 per month (including self-employed private lessons)
  • After 18 to 24 months – ca. £2,100 / £2,400 per month (including self-employed private lessons)
  • All figures provided are guideline only and will be subject to UK tax and national insurance, where applicable
Please note that these figures assume that trainees make the expected progress through their qualifications, becoming an integral part of their employer’s coaching team.

Application deadlines

Next Intake (Early / Spring 2025) 

Application Deadline: 31/01/2025.

Programme start date: 01/03/2025.

Provisional following Intake (Autumn 2025) 

Application Deadline: 31/08/2025.

Programme start date: 01/10/2025.

For further information, please contact info@hampshireiow.tennis.

To apply, please see below.

Apply for the Coaching Traineeship (trainees)

In order to register for the 2024 intake, please complete your application form by 31/08/2024. Interviews will take place in September, with the programme due to start in October 2024. Graduation will be during 2026.

Apply for the Coaching Traineeship (employers)

In order to register as an employer, please complete the following questionnaire. Employers must provide an employed role, with a commitment to supporting and mentoring learners, as well as to releasing them for CPD opportunities.
Coach traineeship