Exeter Tennis Centre welcomes new Development Officer

A level four LTA Senior Club coach, Jason brings an impressive C.V with him to the centre. A former professional squash player, he made the move to tennis in 1998 as Rackets Manager for health club giants Esporta (later Virgin Active). Throughout his career Jason has worked to build up performance and development programmes and overseen the coaching of 1000’s of tennis players at all levels.

He commented: “My philosophy around tennis is that it should be a game that can be enjoyed by all ages. No matter what age group you work with it’s very rewarding to see player’s develop and enjoy the sport.”

Jason’s role will see him working both on and off court, running sessions with the Centre’s affiliated schools and designing new programmes to encourage people to pick up a racket for the first time.

“As a father of three, Mini and Junior tennis is very important to me.” He added, “I believe that tennis can help you learn essential life skills like confidence, coordination and movement – developmental ABC’s that are so important in later life. In particular I am really looking forward to growing schools tennis and encouraging children to come up to the centre to keep playing. I want to help inspire youngsters to take the next step into tennis and Exeter is the perfect place to do this. I have been overwhelmed by the quality of the facilities, which have seen massive investment, and the passion of the coaching team is fantastic.”

Throughout the year the Centre’s coaches visit local schools and run coaching programmes for children throughout the holidays. Already renowned for its work locally, the Centre has been Awarded Beacon Site status by the Tennis Foundation, and won the National Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) Education Award in 2012.

Director of Tennis Will McNally commented: “Our community and schools work is very important to us. To have someone with Jason’s enthusiasm and experience coming into the role is very exciting and I look forward to hearing his ideas and moving forward together.”