TOTALLY Tennis coach James McIntosh has passed the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) Senior Club Coach Award.

McIntosh, 22, pictured, who won the Darren Toop Young Coach of The Year award in 2008, passed the next stage of his coaching career after completing the course at Batchwood Tennis Centre in Hertfordshire.

The 15-day course, which was spilt into five three-day modules, was staged over a six-month period, started in November 2010 – with McIntosh completing his final assessment in an additional two-day module last month.

This qualification demonstrates a significant level of specialist knowledge and skills and is recognised throughout the UK and internationally as a leading qualification.

The first two modules focused on developing core coaching skills relevant to club coaching at senior level including an understanding and application of game situations and tactical intentions with players from different target groups to a new level.

These modules related to singles and doubles play and to different players as well as creating ideas for positive learning environments on court, and developing awareness of skill acquisition and the stages of learning of players.

The final three modules looked in depth at the practical application of skills learned in the first two modules, looking at the types of environments that a senior club coach could encounter including specific and detailed information on how to work effectively with Mini Tennis players (10 and under), older juniors and different adult groups.

McIntosh was continually assessed by tutors throughout and was also assessed by independent assessors in the final summative day.

Alongside the practical elements of the course, McIntosh also completed business audit, coaching DVD and recruitment and career opportunities proj¬ ects.

A self-reflective log entitled ‘Me and My Coaching’ and two e-learning tests on club competition and performance competition both required a 90 per cent pass rate and only candidates who are successful in all areas of the course are awarded the LTA Senior Club Coach qualification.

Tennis director Nigel Long said of McIntosh’s achievement: “James has worked really hard and has earned his success in passing the Senior Coach Course.

“All the players and coaches at Totally Tennis will benefit from the extra experience and knowledge he has gained.