Team LT (Junior Performance Coaches)
Junior Performance Officer John McGahon aims to establish a highly effective structure to create a clear pathway for players to progress. He will work closely with Coaches for all Squads to provide support and direction.
Coaches Requirements
We have recruited high-performance Coaches with a proven track record of producing players; who work well as a team and who value communication with Club and National Coaches for a dynamic and integrated approach to player development.
Coaches for the Leinster Elite Squad and the Development Squad will:
- Hold a Level 2/level 3 High Performance Qualification
- Communicate effectively with Junior Performance Officer regularly
- Attend tournaments with players
- Run training camps during tournaments
- Individualise annual plans and set goals for players
- Liaise with physical trainer on player development
- Hold team meetings on pathways and lifestyle choices for players
- Give feedback – player profile to be handed out at the end of term on player development
- Manage in- house match plays
Coaches for the Next Generation Squads will:
Hold a Level 3 High Performance Qualification or be a very experienced Level 2. Assistant Coaches will be required to hold a Level 1 Qualification at a minimum.
- Attend ID days
- Communicate effectively and regularly with the Junior Performance Officer
- Attend tournaments with players
- Run training camps during tournaments
- Individualise annual plans and set goals for players
- Liaise with physical trainer on player development
- Give feedback – player profile to be handed out at the end of term on player development
- Manage in -house match plays
- Encourage young players as potential future members of the Leinster Elite Squad; nurture and provide support
Communication Strategy
- Annual progress report to Leinster Committee
- Establish strong communication with National Squads and synchronise development of player pathways etc.
- Candid and constructive parent/coach meetings at the end of each year on player progress and future directions.
- Hold end of term meetings with coaches
- Establish links with club coaches and visit clubs at least once per year to identify talented players who could join the Leinster programme
- Regular communication with club coaches on upcoming ID days
Team LT
Stephen Nugent
A Tennis Ireland licensed Level 3 Performance coach, Stephen is passionate about the development of junior players and is excited about working closely with Leinster Clubs; their Coaches and Tennis Ireland National Coaches.
Stephen’s professional tennis career began at the age of 17, winning junior international tennis tournaments in India, Malaysia, Brunei and Ireland. He also won the Irish Nationals U16 & U18 and was the Irish National Indoor Champion. Stephen competed in Junior Wimbledon, the Junior Italian and US Opens and his highest junior world ranking was 61.
Stephen went on to become an International Touring Pro from 1999-2004 and represented Ireland in the Davis Cup in their 2001 and 2006 campaigns.
An enthusiastic and dedicated Coach, Stephen has 11 years’ experience of coaching both junior and senior players of beginner, intermediate and high performance levels achieving great success with a number of Leinster juniors achieving international rankings.
Daniel Glancy
Daniel is originally from Castlebar, Co. Mayo where he started playing tennis at the age of 9. Daniel had a great Junior career winning multiple National Titles and finishing number one Under 18. He moved to Castleknock in Dublin to study Business at DCU for a year before deciding to go full time on the Professional Circuit. Daniel competed on the ATP, Challenger and ITF Tours where he picked up seven Professional Titles and reached Career highs of 712 ATP Singles and 352 ATP Doubles.
Daniel also became the first Connacht Man to play Davis Cup for Ireland and made his debut against Finland in Castleknock Lawn Tennis Club. Daniel is the newest member of the Coaching Team at Tennis Ireland and with over ten years’ experience on the pro-tour he will have a lot to offer to the young aspiring Professionals in Ireland.
John McGahon
is the driving force behind the LT Programme.
John has had extensive experience in coaching and developing junior players. He has a deep understanding of both the psychology and physiology needed for great tennis.
With an impressive resume of professional qualifications from BSc in Sports & PE, PGCE in Physical Education; to his Level 3 High-Performance Qualification, John has travelled the globe playing everything from the Men’s ATP Challenger; Futures Tour; Tennis Europe and Junior & Professional World Circuit, to the Davis Cup. He won a plethora of titles including Irish Men’s Doubles and Irish Men’s Singles.
John has a proven track record as a professional player, elite performance coach, and captain of the Leinster Interprovincial Junior Squad. John has also represented Leinster as a junior and senior Interprovincial Player in many occasions.
Tanya Murtagh
Tanya brings a wealth of experience as a top Irish player. She has represented both Ireland and Leinster at junior level and has also won many national titles. In 2015, Tanya graduated with a bachelors degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from California State University, Fresno where she was a member of the women's tennis team and was awarded a 100% tennis scholarship. She was part of a Mountain West Championship team and served as captain her senior year. Tanya is a level 2 licensed coach and is passionate about the development of Irish junior players. Tanya currently coaches in Malahide Lawn Tennis & Croquet club and with Leinster tennis in DCU.