Meet Rob - head of U10s tennis at Newport Live.
Rob's record of tennis coaching is incredible:
- He is the U8's & U9's County Captain for South Wales Boys and Girls.
- He is also the Head of Under 10's Performance with Tennis Squad at Penarth Windsor LTC
- He has delivered on Regional and National Camps.
- Rob has coached since the age of 16 and specialised in this area for the last 5 years.
- Rob has coached in South Wales for most of his life and had recent experiences working at Soto Tennis Academy in Spain with International level juniors.
Rob’s Role at Newport Live is to:
- Oversee the whole of the Youth programme
- Ensure players/parents aspirations are met within theprogramme.
- Further improve the standard of juniors competing outside of the centre.
- Provide a smooth transition into the 11+ programme.
Who is the programme for:
Our Performance Programme for Under 10's is aimed at anyone aged 10 and under who is already playing regularly and competing and would like to develop further.
Requirements:
You'll need a FREE British Tennis Membership to take part in the programme.
How can I enrol:
You can email under10tennis@newportlive.co.uk to find out more about the programme including competition opportunities and parent workshops.
What does the programme entail:
The programme is led by experienced coach Rob Gaunt and aims to develop the following:
1. Technical & Skill Development
- Establish strong foundations in technique (forehand, backhand, serve, volley).
- Encourage consistent rallying and effective grip use.
- Focus on coordination, footwork, and balance in every session.
- Use a blended approach to development by creatively adapting court sizes and equipment (red/orange balls, shorter rackets, court lengths, net heights) to enhance learning.
2. Tactical & Game Understanding
- Introduce basic tactical concepts: hitting to space, using angles, and positioning.
- Develop early decision-making and point construction awareness.
- Encourage creative play and adapting to different opponents.
3. Physical Literacy
- Improve core athletic skills: agility, balance, coordination, and speed (ABCs).
- Integrate fun movement-based challenges to build coordination and agility.
4. Mental & Emotional Growth
- Build confidence and focus through progressive goal-setting.
- Nurture resilience, positive attitude, and emotional control in matches and practice.
- Foster the skills needed for children to handle pressure, stay calm, and enjoy the game.
5. Character & Life Skills
- Emphasize respect, teamwork, and sportsmanship.
- Encourage resilience and a growth mindset.
- Showcase responsibility and independence (e.g., packing gear, showing up on time).
6. Social & Team Goals
- Create an inclusive, encouraging environment where all players feel valued.
- Facilitate positive peer interactions through team drills and matchplay.
- Support communication, encouragement, and mutual respect among players.
7. Competition & Progress Tracking
- Introduce age-appropriate competitive formats (e.g., informal matchplay events, matchweeks, red/orange/green ball graded events) such as these from the LTA.
- Focus on performance and effort over results.
- Track development through skill assessments, match stats, and regular feedback sessions.
Under 10s programme for September 2025
Prices for under 10s performance coaching:
- Youth Tennis Red Performance - 1 or 2 sessions per week - Priced at £37.99/£69.99
- Youth Tennis Orange/Green Performance - 1 or 2 sessions per week - Priced at £46.99/£88.99
Please note:
Youth Red (for those born in 2018) - Youth Orange (for those born in 2017) - Youth Green ( for those born in 2016)