Explore every episode of the podcast The Art of Tennis

People don’t care about your resume as much as you think. 

If you are selling yourself with terms like 20 years experience, Level 2 Coach, Family Business etc then you are missing the point. 

WIIFM = What’s in it for me. This is what clients are thinking.

Clients or the parents of your clients want to strive towards a future aspirational identity. Talk to them and show them how you can help with this. 

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Today’s episode is about how given we spend a 1/3 of our life working we should make sure we enjoy what we do.

Many people just follow the path of what they think they ‘should’ based on societal norms and expectations of others but often they don’t enjoy their career.

Tennis Coaching offers an opportunity to do something you love, either part time or as a career.

However just like following a university course or trade skill, you need to commit to the industry to really flourish. 

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In this episode I help navigate the world of education for tennis coaches. Qualifications, certificates, workshops and more are all a part of the tennis coach journey.

Once I make the decision to drop out of university, I also made a commitment to be as qualified as I could as a tennis coach. This was both to impress others for work opportunities as well as convince myself I had what it takes to make a success of the tennis coaching game. It also fueled my passion and opened up different ways of thinking and adaptability. 

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In this episode, I reflect on the coaches who influenced me growing up - and the unexpected realisation I had years later as a coach myself. 

When I started coaching, I thought it was all about me. My knowledge, my results but over time I watched young kids grow into teenage athletes (or just great humans) and realised it’s all about them.

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In this episode, I dive into the most frustrating part of being a tennis coach, the weather. 

Rain cancellations, wet courts and demanding clients can throw your program into chaos. 

The most important part of this is to ensure you have a clear weather policy so kids/parents/clients know what to expect during bad weather.

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In this episode of The Art of Tennis, I share the 17 tips I give every new coach at my academy.

From running safe, high-energy sessions to rally-based learning and metaphors like “shine the torch”, this is your practical guide to building on-court presence and avoiding rookie mistakes.

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In this episode, I break down how many hours tennis coaches typically spend on court each week. This is based on the 5 tennis coaching jobs I had before my current business and also how I balance being a business owner and a coach. As career coach you need to get to 30 hours a week minimum to earn enough income and as a business owner there is a risk of being on court too much, at the expense of working on and in your business operations. 

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#tenniscoach #rickwillsmore #coachingjourney #theartoftennis #tennisclub

From the market garden to the ad agency- this episode is about the real life jobs I worked before and during my coaching career. 

Labouring, apple picking, working in sales, even a stint in advertising - these roles gave me lessons in patience, communication, work ethic and people skills that I carry onto the court today. 

So for all coaches out there, all jobs teach you something and they can help you become a better tennis coach.

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#tenniscoach #rickwillsmore #coachingjourney #theartoftennis #lifelessons

In this episode I discuss the importance of junior club and team tennis. It offers kids a different perspective on tennis very different than a tournament would. I discuss my club Scarborough and the success we developed over the years with our junior club. We have won 34 junior premierships in 8 summer seasons with just under a 1/3 of our teams winning their shields. 

Play players in the division they are at, not where their parents want them to be, be a team player and bond as a team and periodise the tennis year to help the players peak in the end of Summer. 

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In this episode I go over the fundamentals of a great tennis event and how to specific guests a more premium tennis experience whether it be lesson or event.

This can start from something as simple as a grip service pre lesson to iced drinks, demo racquets through to $150-$350 per ticket tennis days with full hospitality and entertainment packages.

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In this episode is all about the sometimes difficult decision on when it’s time to move a player up to a higher team, squad or tournament. Often there is a need for a player to be challenged more however develop winning habits and being able to consistently beat those just below you, is also essential. 

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In this episode I cover the different types of players and how much they commit or invest in their game. From 1 day a week activity/casual player, 3 day a week Club player and 6 day a week aspirational committed player. 

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In this episode I discuss what a brand is and what it means for tennis coaches. Brand and marketing has long been a side interest for me and I cover common misconceptions and brand perceptions.

Coaches need to spend time building their brand.

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Cheers

Rick

In this episode I talk about when we as coaches discover that keen young player who is passionate about the game. 

I discuss the importance of looking at the big picture and seeing it as a 10 year journey.

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Cheers

Rick

In this episode I go over the entire days coaching schedule. From before work tennis players to day time lessons, after school and into the evening there are potential lessons everywhere. 

This will help you as coaches to work out who you should be focusing on to build out your schedule. 

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Cheers

In this episode I discuss Robert Kiyosaki’s book, Rich Dad Poor Dad cashflow quadrant and how this can relate to tennis coaches. Employee, self employed, business owner, Investor. 

As a tennis coach there are advantages and disadvantages to all these quandrants. 

Are you a tennis coach business owner and Interested in learning more - sign up to a free 14 day newsletter here - https://theartoftennis.kit.com/a7c87026f3

Cheers

Rick

This is all about how to run an engaging group tennis lesson. As a coach this is how you can expand your clientele by showcasing how great a tennis session with you can be. 

I cover how’s it’s ok to have a different coaching style and you should lean into your strengths. A poor lesson though is found on the extremes, from far too boring and technical to full of nothing but ‘hoo haha’, full of enthusiasm but ineffective.

Are you a tennis coach business owner and Interested in learning more - sign up to a free 14 day newsletter here - https://theartoftennis.kit.com/a7c87026f3

Cheers

Rick

In this episode I cover why players take up the game — the real reasons people start their tennis journey and the different types of players who come to the sport.

Understanding your players' why is one of the most powerful tools in your coaching toolkit.

Are you a tennis coach business owner and Interested in learning more - sign up to a free 14 day newsletter here - https://theartoftennis.kit.com/a7c87026f3

Cheers

Rick

In this episode I cover my love/hate relationship with tennis. From an early love and obsession to a love/hate relationship during the teen and early 20s years. 

Eventually responsibility, maturity and impulse control improvements (pre frontal cortex in Male brain development) saw a turning point in the mid 20s.

Are you a tennis coach business owner and Interested in learning more - sign up to a free 14 day newsletter here - https://theartoftennis.kit.com/a7c87026f3

Cheers

Rick

Here I cover some of my own insecurities on whether I was good enough to become a tennis coach. I cover some different levels of players that you typically coach and how there are lots of different spaces for different coaches.

I had thought that to be a successful tennis coach will require closer to the ex pro status but this was an incorrect assumption. 

Are you a tennis coach business owner and Interested in learning more - sign up to a free 14 day newsletter here - https://theartoftennis.kit.com/a7c87026f3

Cheers

Rick

Here I cover my journey from Adelaide junior to US College Tennis before moving back to South Australia to attend university. After 6 months at the University of South Australia, I dropped out of university and moved to Darwin to become a tennis coach. 

This was the start of a lifetime of tennis coaching and building tennis coaching programs.

Are you a tennis coach business owner and Interested in learning more - sign up to a free 14 day newsletter here - https://theartoftennis.kit.com/a7c87026f3

Cheers

Rick

This is my first video on The Art of Tennis. Welcome.

I cover my journey from junior tennis player to Australia to a full scholarship at an NCAA tennis Div 2 school in the US. 

Covering my small town background, the influence of my Dads footy coaching and how I ended up dropping out of university in South Australia to move to Darwin to become a tennis coach. 

Are you a tennis coach business owner and Interested in learning more - sign up to a free 14 day newsletter here - https://theartoftennis.kit.com/a7c87026f3

Cheers

Rick