The AEGON Coach of the Month for April is 22 year-old Lewis Fishlock who began working at Rodway Hill Tennis Club in 2009. When he started the role he had no qualifications and volunteered his time whilst in full time employment. Over the next year he worked on achieving his qualifications and was appointed Head Coach in 2010.
Holding the level 3 Coach Qualification, Lewis has helped the participation at the club grow to over 65%. Junior membership has increased 100% and senior membership has expanded by 32%.
As well as driving membership and increasing participation, Lewis has developed a comprehensive internal competition programme and has over 70 regular competing juniors. He has a flourishing mini tennis programme and has embraced the Rally Awards. He also runs a successful Cardio Tennis programme in the local indoor sports hall where the club is based.
Lewis has also established many school-club links and delivers the Year 3 and 4 competitions for the local School Sports partnership
Julie Jones, Tennis Development Manager for Avon tributes Lewis’ success as a coach to his motivation and commitment: “He is young, enthusiastic, keen to learn, motivated and has done a great job for the club, Avon tennis and British tennis. He is a well-liked coach within the County and deserves recognition for the work he has done at his club and within the local schools.”