Coaching at Sussex County
Club Coach - Helen Mitchell
Profile
- LTA Fully Licensed tennis coach
- Coaching since 1991
- Level 2 Coach (CCA performance)
- County singles champion in 1995, 1999 and 2009
- 5 times county doubles champion
- Played for Sussex Juniors (3 years)
- Played for Sussex Ladies for 17 years (phew!)
- Currently the Sussex Ladies team are in division 1
- First year for over 35's, gained promotion to group 1 2008
- Current ranking no. 1 in the over 35's in Sussex
- Current ranking no. 3 in the over 35's in UK
- Current ranking no. 12 in the over 35's in the world!
see for yourself - Last summer, 35 and over singles runner up, doubles winner in South of England Vets Championships, Eastbourne. Singles runner up ITF Vets Tournament, Woking
£23 per hour (£12 per half hour) private coaching
Contact 07934 670482
Tennis Coaching All Year Round
| Saturday 9am-10am Mini Tennis |
Group coaching for years 5 - 8, with orange tennis balls. The session includes basic tennis stroke production and an introduction to the game. Use of the sticker chart reward system. |
| Saturday 10:15am-11:15am Improver Tennis |
Group coaching for years 7 - 11. Full court tennis. The session includes stroke production and match play. |
| Saturday 11:30am-12:30pm Intermediate Tennis |
Group coaching for 8-12 year olds. Full court tennis. The session includes stroke production and match play. |
| Saturday 12:30pm-1:30pm Advanced Tennis |
Group coaching for 12-18 year olds. These sessions include technical and tactical tennis training. |
Next course
6 week courses - next course starts Saturday 3rd September 2011
Cost £30 for 6 week course - contact Helen to book.
Tennis Coaching Term Time Only
| Monday 5pm - 6pm Improvers |
Next course
6 week courses term time only - next 6 week course starts Monday 9th September 2011
Cost £5 per session - contact Helen to book.
Orange Level Coaching
| Wednesday 4pm - 5pm Orange level |
Next course
5 week courses term time only - next 5 week course starts Wednesday 6th September 2011
Special offer price of £15 per course - contact Helen to book.
Performance Club Coaching
| Performance players are club juniors who are dedicated to improving their tennis skills, playing 3 times a week and through regular coaching, tennis practice and match play throughout the year. |
| Training times - during Monday and Tuesday afternoons, club juniors are invited to attend regular tennis coaching. Sessions include small group tennis coaching, use of the new ball machine and footwork training. Places are still available. |
Qualified Tennis Assistants
Helen Almond 
Martin Hunt 
Sophie Cheesman
Latest adventures of Mad Mitch...
Over 35's County Cup
Helen Mitchell wins all her 4 matches and the crucial decider doubles for Sussex ladies to help them win group 1 of the over 35's county cup at Devonshire Park.
Schools Tennis Roadshow
Head Tennis Coach Helen Mitchell, has been taking Tennis on the road this summer, spreading her tennis knowledge throughout the Adur district by visiting the local Primary Schools.
Tennis tricks and skills were developed by 1800 students from 60 classes at 8 different schools. Sessions included serving and receiving skills, stroke production and competitions were held to discover the most skillful players in each class.
Pupils showed off their prowess and mastery of tennis in every class, having fun throughout.
Coach Helen commented "Students throughout the district showed off their superb skills and congratulations to their teachers for producing such well behaved and talented classes of children, I look forward to seeing a swell in the junior ranks, and returning to visit the schools again in the future.
Tennis is such an exciting sport that can be enjoyed from a toddler to a veteran, and skills learnt when you are young will stay with you throughout your lifetime. I give every school an 'A'.”
Holmbush (12 classes) 360 students
St Peters (4 classes) 120 students
Swiss Gardens (12 classes) 360 students
St Nicholas and St Marys (2 classes) 60 students
Seaside (12 classes) 360 students
Eastbrook southsite (4 classes) 120 students
Eastbrook northsite (8 classes) 240 students
Glebe (6 classes) 180 students
Total 60 classes
Total 1800 students
Four Nations Championships 2011
The Veterans’ Group A Four Nations Championships, for Men and Women in the 35, 45 and 50 age groups, held at the Welsh National Tennis Centre, Cardiff, from 30 April to 2 May.
I played along with Jo Sheppard and Clare Hatto in the ladies over 35 age group. On day one I narrowly lost in the third set tie break to Ireland's Lisa O'Shea (Day one England lost to Ireland). On day two again I lost in a close match to Scotland's Dedrie Johnstone (Day two winners Scotland). On day three I lost in another closely fought match to Wales' Viki Broadbent (Day three winners England). Overall we finished third in our group, however after all age group results were put together England were overall champions.
Bournemouth International Vets Tournament 2011
Here are some pics from the Bournemouth International Vets Tournament in Bournemouth 2011, where I lost 6-1 6-2 in the final of the ladies over 35's, to Jane Bingham, strong local (Dorset) player. I was fortunate to receive a couple of walkovers to reach the final, but played well in the final to Jane, who has recently moved up into the age group.
South of England Championship
I was runner up in the South of England Eastbourne event at the end of August 2009 losing to Julie Simkins 6-1 6-1, but I played the best I've played since 1989.
British Veterans' Grass Court Championships
I played Wednesday 12th August with my loyal supporters in tow, I was first match on court 14, my opponent was CLaire Hatto. I lost the first set, it took a set to get a feel for the courts and I had to come back from losing the first set 6-4. I came strong in the second set winning it 6-1 and went on to win the third set 6-3. I had my toughest match on Thursday losing 6-1 6-2 to Julie Simkin, she played just too well. On Friday I won comfortably against Karin Weedon 6-1 6-3. I finished second overall in the ladies singles over 35 event. I met Alan Mills one of the tournament organisers. I had a fantastic time and playing on one of the show courts at Wimbledon was a true ambition of mine, it just goes to show that you're never too old to start [yeah right Ed]. I would like to thank my support crew Sophie, Fizz, Hugo, Helen Almond and William Crees and his dad and grandad. The support was most welcome.
Sussex County Ladies Championship
10 years after her last victory in the same competition, Helen has just won the Sussex County Ladies singles championship again, winning in the semi final 6-3 6-2, and in the final against K. Robertson 6-0 6-0. The event was held over the May bank holiday at West Worthing LTC.
If you or if you know of anyone who is interested in sponsoring juniors or any of the junior teams or if you have a few hours to spare and are interested in volunteering at the club, please contact Helen.