Happy New Year! As we head into January, we’re very pleased to introduce two new coaches who will be joining the club. Jake and George both bring strong experience, a thoughtful approach to coaching, and a genuine enthusiasm for helping players of all ages and abilities enjoy their tennis.
We thought a short Meet the Coaches feature would be a nice way to introduce them and give you a sense of who you’ll be seeing on our courts and around the club.
Jake Waters
Jake has been actively coaching tennis since 2015 and is currently an LTA Level 3 Coach, with confirmation of his Level 4 qualification expected imminently. He has worked across junior development, adult programmes, and performance pathways, coaching players through to club, county, and regional level.
He previously coached at Bromley Tennis Centre, where he worked across junior development, adult programmes, and performance squads.
Favourite tennis players
Andy Murray, Dominic Thiem and Coco Gauff
Favourite tennis memory
Spending six months in Melbourne in 2019 coaching and living there, including attending four days of the Australian Open.
What Jake enjoys most about coaching
Helping players master skills they initially thought were out of reach, and teaching lessons that are valuable both on and off the court.
One simple match-play tip
In a tie-break, aim to win one of every two points. If you win the first, you can play the second with less pressure; if you lose it, it’s not the end of the world.
Jake will be coaching full time at the club, supporting all areas of the programme, with a strong focus on promoting junior competition. Jake is available for 1-1 coaching
Contact Jake
Mobile: +44 7921 843113
mail: outcometennis@gmail.com
George Hope
George is currently an LTA Level 2 Coach, with confirmation of his Level 3 qualification expected imminently. He has a strong interest in the tactical and mental side of tennis, and enjoys helping players feel more confident, relaxed, and purposeful when playing points.
Favourite tennis player
Nick Kyrgios
Favourite tennis memory
Watching Kyrgios defeat Tsitsipas at Wimbledon in 2022, along with earlier memories of attending the ATP Finals at the O2 as a youngster.
What George enjoys most about coaching
Seeing players improve in real time — particularly when they start enjoying playing points more, not just hitting shots.
One simple mental tip
Remember that tennis is a game. Keeping things light and enjoyable almost always leads to better tennis.
One practical on-court tip
Before each point, take a moment to plan and visualise what you want to do — whether you’re serving or returning.
A few things to know about George
Self-proclaimed “King of Trick Serves”.
A big fan of tennis tactics, mentality, and adapting to different opponents.
A keen bassist when he’s not on court.
George will be coaching full time at the club, supporting all areas of the programme. George is available for 1-1 coaching
Contact George
Mobile: 7563 150765
Email: georgejhhope@gmail.com
Both Jake and George are very much looking forward to meeting members and working with players of all levels when they join us in January. Please do say hello to Jake and George when you see them around the club!
January Classes (Junior and Adult) Sign-ups
With the new term starting in January, sign-ups are now open for both our junior and adult coaching programmes. The new term is a great opportunity to get involved, refine your game, or return to regular coaching under the guidance of our expanded coaching team.
Full details of session times and booking information can be found here:
- Junior classes starting in Jan: https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/OldCollegeLTCC/Coaching/Junior
- Adult classes starting in Jan: https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/OldCollegeLTCC/Coaching/Adult
Warm regards,
Alex