License

 

From January 1st 2013, Tennis Ireland began to distinguish between two sets of coaches – “licensed coaches” and “unlicensed coaches”.

All individuals or organisations that employ or contract coaches (e.g. clubs, schools, individual players) are urged to employ only licensed coaches. This new development is supported by Tennis Coach Ireland (TCI).

To review the criteria for the 2015 Coach Licensing Scheme - please click here for the full details.

 

WHY A LICENSING SCHEME?

Before 2013, no distinction could be drawn between coaches who qualified many years ago, and may not have given a lesson in a long time, and those dedicated and active coaches who ensure that they are up to date with all new developments.

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has recently developed a system with which they give their official seal of approval (as the World Governing Body) to the coaches training and qualification programmes in member countries. The ITF recognises that Tennis Ireland have established a Coaches Education system that meets the quality standards set by the ITF.  ITF membership comprises of over 200 nations, and Ireland became only the 12th nation to achieve this recognition in Coach Education, and the first of the “smaller” nations to do so. ITF recognition further distinguishes a Tennis Ireland coach in the marketplace as ‘the coach of choice’ to prospective employers.

Licensing schemes are in place in many countries, and are seen as ‘best practice’ in tennis coaching.

 

WHAT IS THE CRITERIA FOR 2015?

In order for a coach to be eligible for licensing in 2015, the coach must satisfy the following criteria:

1. Amass a minimum of 100 points under the regulations of the TCI Continuous Professional Development Programme for 2014.

2.Hold a Child Protection Certificate that is not older than 5 years (ie certificates held before 2009 are no longer valid). 

To update your certificate you can review the 3 vimeo presentations by Roger Geraghty on Tennis Ireland’s website and complete the online quiz here: http://www.tennisireland.ie/clubs/child_protection/useful_resources

3. Be able to provide evidence that you have been vetted within 3 years previously, Garda Vetting or Access NI as appropriate (Applications completed before 2011 are no longer valid).

Closing date for renewal of Garda Vetting applications and Child Protection is 31st December 2014.

To post a notice of this information in your club please print off the Coach Licence Information 2015 form below.

 

WHAT IS MY LICENCE FEE?

There is an administration fee of €20 for your licence, payable to Tennis Ireland. Payment can be made via cheque, postal order or bank draft.

 

FOR HOW LONG DOES A LICENCE REMAIN VALID?

The licence scheme runs on an annual basis, and so the licence is valid from January 1st to December 31st of the year in question.