TENNIS COACHES’ CONTRACTS
At the AGM in April 2008 we announced that one of the initiatives the
Club's Committee would be pursuing this year is the implementation of written
contracts for the tennis coaches. At the time of the AGM, none of the coaches
had a written contract. The Committee felt that it was important for the proper
management of the Club and the provision of a first class coaching programme
that written contracts be drawn up. A
working party consisting of Simon Jones, John Taylor, Marilyn Brooks and
Michelle Wheeler was tasked by the Committee with taking this matter forward.
We are pleased to say that after a period of discussion and negotiation
contracts have now been agreed.
As part of these discussions the Club has engaged a new coach, David
Turfrey. David is an accomplished player with first class qualifications and
coaching experience. David’s experience includes coaching at Nick Bollettieri's
tennis camp in Florida, which included players on the junior world tour, and
coaching players of county and national standard at other London clubs. We are delighted to welcome David to the Club
to assist Chris Bradnam who, we are delighted to say, continues as our Head
Coach combining his extensive coaching skills at the Club with an increasingly
successful commentating career.
While the contracts are detailed and cover a wide range of issues, we
would highlight the following provisions:
·
The courts that are available for coaching are set out
in "coaching schedules". These clearly set out the courts and the
times that are available for coaching. Copies of these schedules are on the
tennis notice board and on the website. It will now be clear to members and
coaches when and where coaching can take place.
·
In return for the use of the Club's facilities, the
Tennis School and the coaches are paying the Club fees based on the number of
hours of court time used (£5 per hour for the Tennis School and £3 per hour for
individual lessons). Previously no fees had been paid, which was out of line
with the practice at the vast majority of other tennis clubs.
·
The coaches have agreed to maintain up to date
coaching qualifications. When the new LTA coaching qualification scheme is
implemented in January 2009 the coaches will participate in that scheme or an equivalent.
The Committee feels it important that the professionals working at the Club
have appropriate and up to date qualifications.
·
The coaches' commitments at the Club have been
clarified. These include assisting with adult and junior club evenings, assisting
with running Club tournaments and managing junior tennis teams.
·
The benefits provided by the Club have also been
clarified. As well as the coaching slots contained in the coaching schedules,
these include free off peak membership and free membership of the gym.
The process of negotiating and drafting terms has been a valuable one in
assisting us to assess what the Club wants in its coaching programme. The
Committee has endeavoured to draft terms that will result in members noticing
real benefits. Not all the coaches, however, were prepared to agree terms with
the Club. In particular, Steve Poxon, who has coached on Sportilan 1 on Sundays
for many years, did not feel able to sign the proposed contract and gave notice
of his departure. We thank Steve for the time and effort he has put in on court
over many years and wish him well for the future. Steve's decision prompted us
to review the use of Sportilan 1 as a coaching court on a Sunday and from now
on this court will be available to members all day on Sundays.
We are delighted to say that Paul, Petr, Craig, Lisa and Zibi have all
agreed to the coaches' contract and we look forward to them continuing to
provide a first class coaching programme for members along with Chris and
David.
Cumberland Main Committee
October 2008.