Welcome to South Petherton Tennis Club
Professional Coaching at South Petherton
At South Petherton Tennis Club, we aim provide a safe and relaxed environment for everyone to learn how to play tennis or brush up on their game. We have three coaches at SPTC; Natalie Grinter, Rachel Apsey and Neil Driver.
Natalie Grinter
Natalie is our Level 3 Junior & Adult Coach.
She offers many group coaching session as well as individual lessons.
Phone: 07810 251642
Email: natstennis@yahoo.com
Nat is an Award-winning LTA Accredited+ Level 3 Tennis Coach with a great passion for what she does. She has brought lots of new members into the club with many more Juniors, Families and Adults now members.
Natalie meeting Judy Murray and Leon Smith
Natalie has very good contacts with many of the local Schools and is also very much involved in Disability Tennis in the area. She is also Head Coach at Stoke-st-Gregory Tennis Club.
Achievements so far:
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LTA Somerset Coach of the Year 2021
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LTA Somerset Disability Tennis Coach of the Year 2021
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LTA Somerset Tennis Coach of the Year 2017 and 2019
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Won national award of Benenden Tennis Venue of the Year 2017 for South Petherton LTC
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SASP Children's Coach of the Year Runner-up 2016 (only tennis coach in the last 3)
Natalie runs an extremely busy adult coaching programme year round, with 7 adults groups running each week! He groups range from beginners & 'rusty rackes' up to intermediate team players, so there's something for everyone. She also offers individual, shared and small group lessons to all adults using the club. Both members and non-members are welcome.
Natalie also runs a large junior coaching programme, ranging from 'Tennis Tots' at 3yrs old, up to yellow-ball sessions for 12-18yrs. 6 junior groups run each week year-round and are very popular with the local children.
Natalie currently coaches 120 people a week at South Petherton Tennis Club, with a current split of 50% children and 50% adults.
Natalie with her awards
Natalie with her summer coaching group
Rachel Apsey
Rachel Apsey provides coaching for all abilities, both groups and individuals. Her regular session during the winter season is on Monday nights, 6.30pm to 8.30pm.
Mobile: 07583092811
Landline: 0146054428
Rachel has many years experiece as a professional coach after starting her tennis career at South Petherton as a junior player. Since then, she has captained England at the four nations and represented Great Britain for many years. She is currently captain of Somerset's Over 35s and plays for the Club's Ladies A team.
Tennis4Kids 2017
Rachel, second from left, with her team
If you're thinking of treating yourself to any new equipment, Rachel can arrange good deals with Wilson and hopes to have a racquet demonstration day in spring 2021. Further information will be sent to members in due course.
Neil Driver
Neil is a Senior Coach to adults at the Club and is available for individual or shared lessons.
Phone: 01458 270131
Mobile: 07752 272830
Email: neilrdriver@gmail.com
Please copy club secretary Pauline in all emails to Neil: paw.dm@btinternet.com
Neil is a qualified LTA coach (Level 4) with 35 years of coaching experience. He taught economics & coached both tennis & hockey at Millfield School for 25 years.
He played for the men’s Somerset county team for 10 years and captained the team for 3 years. In 1991 he won a Volkswagen National Singles title. He now plays for the Somerset 45 & over county team and is the playing captain of the 50 & over team. He competes regularly in singles & doubles tournaments around the UK.
Neil enjoys working with people on technical, tactical, psychological and movement aspects of tennis. He has been specialising in coaching adults since retiring from Millfield in 2011, and is now a Councillor on the Somserset LTA Committee with a focus on increasing participation in tennis, and coach development.
Neil is Head Coach at Somerton TC and works part-time as a hypnotherapist & psychotherapist in the Somerton area, which links to his special interest in the psychological side of tennis.
