Pen-y-ffordd
Junior Coaching Information
See below how are programme works as well as other guidance.
Upcoming Events
Australian Open Competition 24th January
Key Information and FAQS
Membership requirement
To continue coaching after your trial, all players must become a member of Pen-y-ffordd Tennis Club. Membership helps support the club’s excellent facilities.
Benefits of Membership Include:
Book courts free of charge, depending on the package you choose
Free floodlight use during your booked sessions
Being part of a welcoming, family-friendly tennis community
https://www.penyfforddtennisclub.com/membership
Coaching payments & when credits apply
Our coaching programme runs for 43 weeks of the year. Parents are charged for 39 sessions, with payments spread evenly across 12 months to keep costs consistent and manageable.
The additional 4 sessions are provided free of charge. These are built into the programme to cover unavoidable cancellations, such as extremely bad weather or rare unsafe court conditions. Most of our tennis courts are all weather, and we are a hardy bunch, so cancellations are uncommon!
If a coach is unavailable due to illness, we will provide a replacement session or issue a credit, since this is within our control.
If your child misses a session, there may be an opportunity to make it up at another venue — just contact us to arrange.
This structure allows us to:
• Keep monthly payments affordable and consistent
• Plan staffing and court bookings effectively
• Be fair to all families throughout the year
Coaching dates
Coaching Dates & School Holidays
Our coaching programmes generally follow school terms in England and Wales.
We usually have breaks as follows:
2 weeks at Easter
2 weeks in the summer holidays
1 week in October half-term
1 week in February half-term
2 weeks at Christmas
1 additional week for coach planning, which will always be communicated in advance
To keep things consistent for all players and coaches, all sessions — whether in England or Wales — follow the same dates, even if local school holidays differ slightly.
Please note: There will be no sessions on the following dates in 2026:
February 21st
April 5th & 12th
What happens in the event of bad weather, and how will you let us know?
Our amazing all weather courts mean we’re able to run coaching sessions in almost all conditions, and we are a hardy bunch so rarely cancel.
Weather forecasts can often be inaccurate, so we usually wait until nearer the session time to make a decision about whether to run a session.
We will always do our best to run sessions, even if they need to be adapted, where it is safe to do so.
Sometimes this might involve:
Adapting sessions to focus on technical skills
Running alternative activities, such as table tennis tournaments or other fun variations
If a session cannot go ahead, we will send notifications via:
SMS to the number you signed up with in our booking software
Email to the address you provided
If you would like another contact added to receive notifications, please let us know.
Important to know:
Coaches do not check phones while coaching
Sometimes we may be on court coaching while assessing conditions
We can’t always notify in advance, as decisions are sometimes made very close to the session time
Rule of thumb:
If you don’t hear anything, please assume the session is going ahead.
Our coaching philosophy
Our sessions are games-based, because we believe the best way for players to learn is by playing the game. Children develop skills naturally, stay engaged, and enjoy the process.
We use science-backed coaching methods, including:
Constraints-led approaches – adapting tasks to challenge players appropriately
Different balls and court sizes – to help children develop skills progressively
Player-centered learning – encouraging decision-making and problem-solving on court
We don’t focus heavily on technical instruction, as technique is highly individual. Instead, we create game situations that naturally encourage good technique and tactics while keeping sessions fun and engaging.
This approach ensures your child improves their skills, builds confidence, and develops a love for the game.
How do you group players?
Our sessions are generally grouped by age, but we also plan activities to develop skills and teamwork.
At times, we may pair players of similar ability to focus on specific challenges.However, children are encouraged to play with a variety of players,which helps them develop different skills, adaptability, and teamwork by supporting each other.
Some sessions include leaders or coach assistants to provide extra guidance and support.
Even though we are a grassroots club, not a performance tennis academy, our aim is always to challenge each player appropriately, while keeping sessions fun, engaging, and inclusive.
A common misconception is that children must always play with better players to improve. In fact, playing with a mix of abilities is one of the best ways to develop skills, build confidence, and work as a team.
How do I cancel my direct debit plan, and how much notice is required?
If you wish to cancel your Direct Debit plan, we require at least 2 weeks’ notice before the next payment is due.
To cancel:
Email us at [your email] or contact us via the booking system.
Confirm your child’s name and the plan you wish to cancel.
We will process your cancellation and confirm when the final payment will be taken.
We will be sorry to hear you go, but you are welcome to rejoin at any time.
Please note: If notice is not given 2 weeks before the next payment, that payment may still be collected.
Choosing the right racket
size guide
What is the code to get into the club?
The code to get into the club is 6508, this will only work when the coaching sessions are on.