If you are a junior or adult, just starting out, need some help or want to improve your standard come and book a lesson with our coaches or come to one of our squads.
For individual coaching from any coach please contact Tom Higgins on 07885 968237 email headcoach.gpltc@gmail.com
Coaches
Tom Higgins
Head Coach
Level 4 LTA Licensed Coach
CRB (DBS) checked and First Aid Certified
Individual Coaching £45 per hour
Mobile – 07885 968 237
Email – headcoach.gpltc@gmail.com
Many of you may already know me from being that young 9 year old boy who played every weekend at this club.
Tennis became my life passion and I achieved many of my goals during my playing career from playing for Essex at 10yrs of age to playing on the Men’s ATP circuit.
My aim for everyone who is currently a part of this club is to ensure that all your needs are met. I believe that tennis is a game for life and can be enjoyed by all ages and standards which should be reflected in the club atmosphere.
Over the last 4 years, my team of coaches and I are proud to have helped guide Gidea Park LTC in achieving Essex and Regional LTA Club of the Year awards in 2019/20. The club continued to have further success by finishing Runners up in The National Club of the Year awards.
Coaching Profile
I coach adults and juniors of all ages and abilities.
Over my 19 years of tennis coaching my highlights have been creating a high performance academy, Compete Tennis LTA LPDC centre, which is linked with this club.
I have individually coached over 100 junior players to county/regional/national levels. I have also started up ‘HIT Tennis’ (Higgins In Tennis) a successful talent identification scheme run within numerous schools.
For the past 13 years I have been Essex County Captain and Selector : 8&U, 9&U, 10&U, 12&U, 14&U and 18&U.
I was presented winner of the Essex LTA Coach of the Year in 2019/20
Player Profile
- Former ATP tour player, reaching a ranking of 900 ATP
- Junior ITF world ranking of 200
- UK 18&U ranking of 6
- Represented Great Britain at junior level
- Played Junior Wimbledon 2 years running
- Men’s Aegon National Team Champions 2009 & 2010
- Represented Essex Men’s County Team for last 24 years
- Represented Junior Essex Teams in every age group, currently U8, U9 and U18 Essex Captain
- 2019, 2020, 2021 Essex Men’s County Captain
Ollie Collis
Club Coach
Level 3 LTA Licensed Coach
CRB (DBS) checked and First Aid Certified
Individual Coaching £30 per hour
45mins – £25 • 30mins – £15
Mobile – 07960 141 427
Tennis Profile
I began playing tennis at the age of 10 at David Lloyd Tennis and Leisure Club and won a scholarship membership by age 11, playing performance squads and tournaments. At Redbridge Tennis Centre I represented the club in a number of leagues and singles tournaments.
I then joined ‘COMPETE TENNIS’ the only high performance tennis centre in Essex where I began achieving my coaching levels, learning and gaining valuable experience from the highly qualified and professional team of coaches.
After gaining my level 3, I took on a full time tennis role supporting the Head Coach here at Gidea Park Lawn Tennis Club, teaching all levels and ages as well as managing the work of level 1 and 2 coaching assistants. My aim is always to help and improve our members, both junior and adult in their tennis journey, as well as ensure they have fun!
Coaching Profile
2008 – Level 1 LTA Coaching Assistant
2009 – Level 2 LTA Coaching Assistant
2011 – Level 3 Coaching Certificate
2011 Aug – Gidea Park LTC … running tennis squad programmes alongside individual coaching.
2016 – present – Coaching the Junior Development Programme
I have privately taught numerous mini and junior tennis players that have had great success by progressing into our performance squads and on to county level standard. I also individually coach adults, building their confidence and ability to join in with group adult tennis sessions.
Nicole Cruse
Club Coach
Level 3 LTA Licensed Coach
CRB (DBS) checked and First Aid Certified
Individual Coaching £30 per hour
45mins – £25 • 30mins – £15
Mobile – 07511 893 968
Tennis Profile
I began my tennis journey at the age of 8 at the Gidea Park Lawn Tennis Club and progressed through the club performance squads and represented the club in County Junior AEGON Team Tennis. Played for girls/boys Chelmsford League teams, through all age groups.
2007 – Concentrated on my love for tennis & gave up other after school activities to follow my passion!
2008 – Competed and won club Ladies Essex Senior League
2009 – Completed LTA Tennis Leaders Award course and then continued to assist the Head Coach here at Gidea Park with all Mini Tennis squads
2010 – Chosen from 1601 who attended trials for ATP World Tennis Tour @ O2 as Barclays Ball Kid
2010 – Club Ladies Singles Open Tournament R/up
2011 – Club Ladies Singles Open Winner, Ladies Dbs winner, Mixed Dbs Winner, Ladies Dbs Handicap Winner
2012-14 – Winner of the above ladies singles, ladies dbs, mixed dbs and ladies dbs handicap
2015 – Club Ladies Singles R/Up & Ladies Dbs. Winner
2016 – Club Ladies Dbs, Mixed Dbs Winner
2017 – Club Ladies Dbs, Mixed Dbs, Handicap Winner
2018 – Club Ladies Dbs, Mixed Dbs Winner
Coaching Profile
Dec 2012 – Level 1 LTA Coaching Assistant
March 2013 – Level 2 LTA Coaching Assistant
September 2013 – Level 3 LTA Coaching Certificate
Present – Coaching the Junior Development Programme and running school groups
I have privately taught numerous mini and junior tennis players that have had great success by progressing into our performance squads and on to county level standard. I also teach in various schools supporting the work of the GPLTC programme. I regularly do individual adult lessons, building their confidence in their game so they are able to join in with group tennis sessions and be a part of the fun community here at our club!
I also work in many schools and help run the Tiny Tots Programme.
Carrie Higgins
Club Coach (Mini tennis) Level 2 LTA Licensed Coach
CRB (DBS) checked and First Aid Certified
Individual Coaching £25 per hour
45mins – £20 • 30mins – £15
Mobile – 07788 456 289
Tennis Profile
Coaching Profile
2008 – Level 1 LTA Coaching assistant
2019 – Level 2 LTA Coaching assistant
2018 to date – Tiny Tots coach
2018 to date – School tennis coaching
2019 to date – Tennis 4 kids
2019 to date – Mini/Junior tennis squads
2019 to date – Individuals (mini / junior & beginner adults)
I am committed to developing players to high standards that could lead them into our performance invitational squads and on to county levels. I feel passionate about inspiring kids on their tennis journey, loving the game and enjoying the social side. I am enthusiastic and caring and always strive to do my best to ensure all children have the most amount of fun and reach their full potential.
Louis Auvray
Club Coach
Level 3 LTA Licensed Coach
CRB (DBS) checked and First Aid Certified
Individual Coaching £25 per hour
45mins – £20 • 30mins – £15
Mobile – 07443 619 035
Tennis Profile
I was first introduced to tennis at the age of 5, playing here at Gidea Park LTC, representing the club at all ages through to present.
I have competed for the men’s teams since the age of 14 progressing through to the men’s first team.
I have been supporting the club coaching team since April 2018.
Coaching Profile
April 2018 – Tennis Leader
September 2019 – Level 1 LTA Coaching Assistant
September 2022 – Level 2 LTA Club Coach
April 2022 – Harold Wood Park Community Coach
I began my coaching pathway starting as a tennis leader assisting with a variety of age groups and standards. I developed a passion for teaching children and adults which is why I am currently training to become a LTA Level 3 Coach.
I have been coaching in local schools and running a successful community park programme at Harold Wood Park. I look forward to enhancing my skills working with the Gidea Park LTC coaching team.
I offer individual coaching to all standards.
Our Tennis Leaders
Hannah Burke
Stephen Thompson
Francesca
Esme Hodges
Isobel Kingsnorth
George Dives
Arabella Carroll
Laura Burke
Tennis Leaders are a valuable part of the coaching team, they help assist our mini tennis coaching sessions and offer juniors hitting sessions.
If you are 13yrs+ and would like to become a tennis leader for this club, please contact Carolyn Cruse gpltc.juniors@gmail.com
Tom will be looking to run training courses throughout the year.