As the year draws to a close, it’s time for reflection—an exercise I believe every coach should prioritize. 2024 was a rollercoaster filled with successes, challenges, and growth opportunities. From angry parents to inspiring national coach conferences, lost players to thriving lessons, this year has been one to remember.
In my final podcast of 2024, I took a deep dive into the highs, lows, and everything in between. Here’s a glimpse of my journey over the past year and my aspirations for 2025.
The Importance of Goal Setting
In December 2023, I sat down with a clear mission: to map out my year. Goal setting has always been central to my coaching approach. It provides focus, direction, and accountability. Whether it’s planning for a new project or striving to improve, having a roadmap makes all the difference.
This year, I’m sharing my goals on video, but I encourage every coach to take the time to reflect, write down their aspirations, and make them public—whether to a mentor, friend, or colleague. Accountability is powerful.
2024 Highlights
1. Speaking at National Coach Conferences
One of my main goals was to speak at a national coaching conference. Not only did I achieve that, but I had the privilege of presenting at three major events:
- The Tennis South Africa National Coaches Conference (virtual)
- The PTR UK National Coaches Conference (keynote speaker)
- The BTCA National Coaches Conference (on-court presenter)
These experiences pushed me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to share my philosophy on ecological dynamics with a diverse audience. It wasn’t easy—there were sleepless nights and plenty of preparation—but the opportunity to challenge and be challenged by other coaches was invaluable.
2. Relaunching My Website
This year, I completely redesigned MyTennisCoaching.com. What started as a simple blog has evolved into a hub for coach education, housing webinars, lesson plans, practice designs, and more.
With over 100 coaches now part of the academy, it’s become a space for sharing knowledge and supporting each other in the journey of coaching. The addition of a community area has been a game-changer, enabling peer-to-peer interactions and fostering collaboration.
Building the site myself was a massive undertaking, but the hard work paid off. It’s a project I’m incredibly proud of.
3. Evolving My Social Media Presence
I made a conscious effort to take a different approach to social media this year. Instead of chasing likes, views, or viral content, I focused on education.
I didn’t follow the trend of shadow swings, drills, or “top tips” videos. Instead, I leaned into ecological dynamics, sharing evidence-based insights and challenging traditional coaching methods. While this approach garnered its fair share of criticism, it also sparked meaningful conversations.
I also expanded into YouTube, committing to daily videos over the summer, and explored LinkedIn to connect with business stakeholders and conference organizers. These platforms have helped me grow my profile and share my message with a wider audience.
2024 Challenges
1. Losing Players
Despite successes, I faced challenges on the court. I lost a few players this year—players I had invested significant time and energy into.
Working in an ecological way often makes you an outlier. It doesn’t look like traditional tennis coaching, and parents unfamiliar with this approach sometimes gravitate toward coaches who prioritize technical drills or basket feeds.
While it’s tough to lose players, I stayed true to my values and principles. Coaching isn’t about quick fixes—it’s about fostering long-term, meaningful skill development.
2. Burnout
Balancing on-court coaching, content creation, and coach education took its toll. With 20-25 hours of coaching each week, managing five Instagram posts, blog articles, YouTube videos, and CPD sessions, there were moments where burnout felt inevitable.
I’ve learned to take breaks when needed and prioritize rest. This holiday season, for instance, I’ll be stepping away from content creation to recharge for 2025.
3. Work-Life Balance
With a new baby at home, balancing family life and a busy coaching schedule was another challenge. Traveling for county cups, conferences, and tutoring added to the complexity. Ensuring I carved out time for my family became a top priority, and it’s something I’ll continue to focus on in 2025.
Looking Ahead: Goals for 2025
1. International Conferences
I aim to expand my reach by presenting at international in-person coaching conferences. It’s an ambitious goal, but stepping out of my comfort zone and engaging with coaches from different cultures is something I’m excited to pursue.
2. Enhancing My Website
The next phase for MyTennisCoaching.com is to create a true peer-to-peer network. I want coaches to feel comfortable sharing their ideas, videos, and experiences without fear of judgment. Building a supportive, collaborative community is a top priority.
3. Working with Federations
My ultimate goal is to influence coaching on a larger scale. By collaborating with federations, I hope to promote ecological dynamics and create systemic change in how tennis is coached.
Join the Conversation
As we close out 2024, I want to hear from you. What were your successes and challenges this year? What are your goals for 2025?
Let’s continue the conversation and grow together. Check out my YouTube channel for more insights, reflections, and coaching content.
Here’s to a fantastic holiday season and an exciting year ahead. See you in 2025!
