At the Wyre Forest Sports Awards 2012, held on 24th October, Coach Tony Wright and Kidderminster Tennis Club were honoured by the award to Tony of Wyre Forest Sports Coach of the Year. The award was bestowed upon Tony in recognition of the tremendous work that both he and his wife, Lisa have done to enhance the coaching on offer at KTC and crucially, in growing the cohort of Juniors benefiting from coaching at KTC from 6 when he took over in April 2011, to around 50 today.
Tony received his award from Olympic sailor and Bewdley girl, Alison Young who came 5th overall in the Laser Radial class at the London Olympics. and 1st in the World Cup 2012.
Since starting as a coach at Kidderminster Tennis Club Tony has managed to raise the junior club membership from 3 to 37. All juniors now attend regularly on a Saturday morning. Some junior players have developed to playing in club tournaments and Kidderminster League matches through Tony's coaching.
From this Tony has implemented a structured junior coaching programme from 4-18 years of age with the aim of long-term player development. The junior coaching programme provides instruction in technical, tactical, physical and mental aspects of the game, ultimately improving their tennis skills.
Tony has been responsible for the development of the junior section which continues to grow under his guidance. As well as this Tony also runs successful cardio tennis sessions and enhances the senior section within the club.
Tony Wright is an LTA DCA, Spanish RPT and US PTR Licensed Tennis Coach. He holds 2 international coach licences, a European coach licence and a full LTA coach licence. As a result, Tony has extensive knowledge of tennis and an enthusiasm for the game and is very good at motivating players at all levels and ages to reach their full potential. He regularly attends Coach Continuing Professional Development courses with the LTA and RPT each year to further his knowledge and skills.
Tony has a natural ability to communicate with both juniors and adults and whilst holding down a full-time job outside of tennis he still shows his extensive commitment to coaching at Kidderminster Tennis Club.
Tony was instrumental in the club gaining the Sport England grant for installation of the floodlights. Once the floodlights have been installed there will be many more opportunities for coaching courses to be run in the evenings.