Increasing women and girls’ participation
The club wanted to increase their number of women and girls, and Head Coach Mike Herd felt they needed a female coach to lead the way.
Michaela stepped up, training in 2023 to become a Level 2 qualified coach thanks to a £1,900 National Lottery grant, also awarded by Sport Wales.
Women initially joined for social play. Inspired by Michaela, they quickly gained confidence, made friends, and even began competing against local clubs.
Mike and Michaela have also attended countless courses to better understand how to encourage more women and girls on court.
As a result, Michaela now runs girls-only coaching sessions, focusing on teamwork and confidence rather than competition. And it’s really netted some gains in female participation with girls return to the courts every week with friends in tow.
Mike said: “We gained insight into girls’ preferences, needs, and barriers to participation, which has allowed us to tailor sessions to be more inclusive and engaging. This understanding will help us continue to grow our membership and ensure that tennis remains accessible and enjoyable for everyone in the community.”