Michael Fleming has been awarded June’s AEGON Coach of the Month Award in recognition of his work across three tennis venues and his work towards helping a park-site to achieve Beacon status.
On learning he had received this award Michael said:
“Winning this award has given not just myself, but the whole coaching team here at Linlithgow Tennis Club a boost as it proves that our hard work is being recognised. It's great news for me on a personal note and I will continue the good work we are doing here at Linlithgow.”
Michael, whose brother Colin is one of Britain's top doubles players, is known for his strong work ethic, and is currently working across three tennis venues; Linlithgow Tennis Club, Kirkton Park in Bathgate and James Young High School. Speaking about his work at Linlithgow, Michael said:
"The things I have been doing at the club recently are much of the same in terms of the coaching programme, it is very diverse and there is something on offer for everyone. We now have around 120 mini tennis members at the club and this has been a big drive recently. We have also been making sure all the members of the club have a British tennis membership (BTM) so we can monitor our progress as a club online. This season more than ever there have been junior players making debuts and holding their places in the senior league teams which is a great sign for the clubs future."
Kirkton Park also achieved Beacon status last year and they now have almost 400 players on their programme. Michael delivers a high quality programme there, getting new people playing, and lots of people competing.
Find out more about Beacon sites.
Michael has also worked closely with Tennis Scotland in supporting both the Scottish Government's Cashback for Communities and Hygiene, and the Healthy Eating and Activity in Primary Schools (HHEAPS) initiatives.
However what Michael likes most about coaching is working with juniors and helping them process into the senior game. “I enjoy seeing the juniors make it into the senior teams where they learn their trade from the older more experienced players including myself and I also enjoy seeing the mini's have a lot of fun with tennis.”