IAN SMITH INTERVIEW

On Friday 12^th February 2010, an agreement was signed between the Club, represented by the Chairman and the Club Secretary, on one part, and Mr. Ian Smith, an international tennis coach, which, in a nutshell, launches a new challenge for both the Club and Ian – The “Tennis Academy”.

Ian, good evening. In the first place, what brought you to our island two years ago?
Good to meet you Adrian. I came to Malta two years ago as National Coach.

What sort of activity have you had since being in Malta?
When I was national coach, I looked after the national teams and all top national junior players.

What changes did you make to tennis in Malta since your arrival?
I introduced and installed Malta’s first National Tennis Academy through which three previously unranked juniors now have Tennis Europe rankings.

How long have you coached tennis students?
24 years.

Which level in coaching have you reached, and how does this compare with the qualifications which local coaches have?
I am what they call ‘level 3’ which is the highest level in coaching and, to my knowledge, there are no coaches in Malta at that level. It would be great if there were.

Have you coached any professional tennis players?
Yes, I have coached ATP, WTA and ITF world ranked players.

What made you decide to start your own academy here in Malta?
Well, when I left the Malta Tennis Federation I felt that we need to reach the grassroots of tennis more and expand the base of tennis. I also feel that tennis needs to be provided for juniors regardless of social or financial status.

What will make this Academy different from the other academies?
Ah, well I prefer not to make comparisons to other academies as they all provide tennis coaching, but I deliver a highly skilled, professional tennis education that is progressive, competitive and great fun. I use modified equipment and alter the size of the court to make the motor learning skills easier to grasp for a lifelong tennis experience.

How does the academy format help the junior players in your opinion?
The format is metaphorically based on RED, ORANGE and GREEN sized courts using highly visual training aids. This system is proved to produce junior players that learn motor skills and coordination skills more quickly and easily. Progressing through this system enables juniors to ‘see’ the next stage and with the learning progressions and skills tests, they achieve their goals much more quickly. Of course tennis is a game and with that comes a competitive element. That’s when the fun starts!

How many players have you coached?
Good question! Actually nearly 17,000!

Why should people choose tennis as a sport?
Another very good question Adrian. This is easy to answer as last year there was a survey, taken by the US SPORTS SCIENCE INSTITUTE, which declared that tennis was the world’s number 1 healthiest sport. The cardiovascular benefits, coupled with the usage of muscle groups and mental aspects, exceeded that of other sports.

Ian Smith

What are your plans for the future at the Union Club?
I am really binding myself to undertake and to set up and establish a tennis academy to introduce prospective players to the game of tennis, as well as to deliver a progressive, educational, professional programme with the long term objective of their participation in internationally recognized tennis tournaments at junior and other levels.

What sort of programme are you proposing for the juniors?
I am planning to hold sessions on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 1500 and 1800 hours, and on Saturdays between 0900hrs and noon, mainly in the tennis court at third floor level.

Will club members, and family members of students be permitted to attend sessions? What about the fees?
Club members, and non-members, as well as their families are welcome to attend sessions. Also, in the case of non-members and their children, different scales of fees shall apply. Non-members shall however have the option of joining and participating in social events organized by the Academy.

Who will supervise the young students attending the Academy?
Before gaining access to the courts participants in the Academy shall produce their respective ID card, or other means of identification, to the Hall Receptionist. Moreover, I shall supervise myself the activities and the conduct of Academy participants at all times within the Club precincts.

Is there any intention of extending the admission to the Academy to overseas students?
Of course, such students will be more than welcome. Also, overseas participants who request hotel accommodation shall, when possible, be booked into hotels having standing arrangements with the Club.

How about the direct descendants of Union Club members? Is there any intention to give such applicants particular attention at any stage?
To say the truth, it would only be fair to current members of the Club, were such applicants to be offered admission to the Academy at preferential rates, which I intend introducing should such interest in fact exist.

Well, well, Ian, that sounds great for both the Malta Union Club as well as yourself.
To end this introductory interview, Ian, allow me to wish you well in the Tennis Academy based at our Malta Union Club.

Good luck.

N.B. Further information about the Tennis Academy is available either from the Club Secretary (Phone 21332011), or directly from Mr. Smith, who may be contacted on mobile (356) 7900 2923, or

e-mail tennisprofessional@hotmail.co.uk

Interested parties might also wish to access the relevant website at

www.iansmithtennis.com/mini-tennis-academy.html