A Connected Approach
The 2026 Middlesex Tennis Coach Conference brought together coaches from across the county for a powerful day of learning, collaboration, and fresh thinking.
From the moment the event began, there was a real sense of energy in the room. Coaches of all levels came together with a shared purpose — to develop their skills, exchange ideas, and continue raising standards across Middlesex Tennis.
Learning from the Best
The conference featured a series of expert-led sessions, delivering practical insights that coaches can take straight back to court. From technical coaching and player development to communication and engagement strategies, every session was designed to add real value.
Importantly, the focus wasn’t just on theory — it was about practical application, ensuring coaches left with tools they can immediately implement in their programmes.
Ade Adepitan MBE
TV presenter, Paralympic medallist, journalist, and passionate advocate for disability sports
“Game Changer”
Reminded us how powerful the role of a coach is in shaping not only on young peoples sporting journeys but the long term impact it has on their own lives.
He bought out how sport shapes the all important life skills of, resilience, perseverence and tenacity and the role role we ask coaches play in shaping our charges.
Natalia Ilkow
Tennis Coach and Player Development Consultant
Development of girls between the ages of 8-12 – Serve and Return
Gave some great insights around the importance of developing the female serve from a young age with some clear examples of how she has systematically gone about this with girls from the 9 to 11 age groups.
Great tips, exerecises and on court examples.
Danny Sapsford
Manager, Bright Ideas for Tennis and Former GB Davis Cup Player
Using progressions and regressions to get success – STEPS
A truly inspirational session from Danny who delved into how to make tennis fun, enjoyable and accessible to all through innovative ways of bringing success to players from the moment they first come onto the court, building confidence through progression and play.
Kris Soutar
Tennis Consultant & Founder, The Tennis Coach Lounge
Singles Tactics – Training both sides of the court
Kris, a long time contributor and collaborator to Middlesex Tennis took us through singles strategy and tactics through the lens of both players sending and receiving the ball.
As always Kris level of engagement and understanding of practical tennis coach needs was blended with latest international knowlede as well as content coaches receive as part of the LTA coaching courses.
Louis Cayer
LTA Senior Performance Advisor
1)Reasons behind the British Tennis doubles success 2) Singles tactics
Louis Cayer provided a fitting close to our conference through two captivating sessions.
Louis firstly looked at how he put together a doubles system which resulted in the development of multi Grand Slam GB winning teams and followed this up with a description of his tactical singles framework which can be applied to junior and adult players of all generations and levels.
Through his teachings Louis brings through his philosophy of beating randomness in relation to tennis coaching through detailed planning and a systematic approach to player development.
Please continue to check back to this page for updated presentations, thanks.
A Community of Coaches
One of the standout elements of the day was the opportunity to connect with fellow coaches. Conversations flowed throughout — between sessions, over lunch, and during workshops — with ideas shared, challenges discussed, and new relationships formed.
This sense of community is what makes Middlesex tennis so strong, and the conference reinforced the importance of learning from each other.
(Photos by Luke Walker/Getty Images for Middlesex Tennis)
Partner Activation & Innovation
We were also delighted to welcome our event sponsors, Yonex, who played an important role in enhancing the day’s experience. A particular highlight was the on-court demonstration of a new racquet, Muse. This gave coaches the opportunity to play and see the latest equipment in action. And understand how innovation continues to shape the modern game.
Coaches were able to engage directly with the brand, ask questions, and explore how new technology can support player development at all levels.
(Photos by Luke Walker/Getty Images for Middlesex Tennis)
Thoughts of our host & General Manager, Andrew Lewandowski
We spoke to Andrew after the Conference and asked him for this thoughts on the day.
“It is incredibly satisfying to see so many experienced Middlesex coaches who work across the county, sharing the successes, coming together for the day.
Many coaches have been connected to the Middlesex Tennis family for many, many years, being joined by young, entrepeneurial coaches who are contributing to growing the sport, making it more accesible and inclusive and producing the champions of the future.
I left the day truly inspired and connected with what is going on across Middlesex Tennis.”
Thank You
A huge thank you to all coaches who attended. To our speakers for their expertise, and everyone involved in delivering such a successful event.
We look forward to building on this momentum — and seeing the impact back at clubs and venues across Middlesex.
Together, we continue to raise the standard of coaching — and the experience for every player. 🎾
Dates for the 2027 Coach Conference to follow.
DON’T FORGET TO SIGN UP YOUR PLAYERS FOR MIDDLESEX (CLOSED) COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIPS 23-31 AUGUST 2026.
