Play and Stay Assistant Course
Qualifying as a tennis coach can lead to exciting full or part-time career opportunities – at home or abroad. Tennis Ireland is the National Governing Body of the game in this country. We have in place a comprehensive, up to date and highly regarded coaches training system. The `Play and Stay Assistant` award is the first rung on the ladder, and we are delighted that you are interested in finding out more about this course.
Candidates who successfully complete the course:
- Will be able to assist qualified tennis coaches in teaching the game in clubs, schools and parks. Subject to the agreement made with the coach you are assisting, you may be paid for this work.
- Will be eligible to become Associate Members of the Tennis Ireland Coaches Association, the official representative body for Tennis Ireland coaches. (See http://www.tenniscoachireland.ie/).
- Should you decide to go on to the next stage of the coaching ladder (the Level One Coaches Training Course), you will have built up a lot of knowledge and experience that will help you on the Level One.
Who Can Sign Up For This Course?
In order to register, you must be aged 16 or over on the day you sign the course application form. If you are 18 or under, you must use your parent’s contact details when applying.
What Does The Course Involve?
There are two main parts to the course:
1. PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE – You will need to satisfactorily complete a total of 20 hours work experience with a Tennis Ireland qualified Level 1, 2 or 3 coach. After each session you will type into a logbook a short report on the session and your involvement in it. At the end of the 20 hours you email the completed logbook to Tennis Ireland.
It is currently not possible to gain the practical experience due to Government restrictions. However if you have completed practical experience already, you may complete your logbook based on this. Practical experience can also be gained when restrictions are lifted as you can complete the course in your own time.
2. KNOWLEDGE OF THEORY – The online study part of the course consists of presentations from the e-learning programme of the first two Modules of our Level 1 Course and three videos on Child Protection awareness. Participants having studied the videos must take the online quizzes related to the presentations and score a minimum mark of 70% in the first quiz and 100% in the Child Protection quiz in order to pass the online component. Participants must also complete 20 logged hours with a Tennis Ireland Qualified and Licensed Coach. The completed logbook needs to be submitted to the National Assessor with Tennis Ireland who will decide on the outcome of the task.
Completing The Course
There is no time limit by when you must complete the course. You can gain the work experience, study the online presentations and answer the quizzes at your own pace. This course has been designed to fit around your other commitments.
You will be awarded your Play and Stay Certificate when:
- Your completed logbook has been received.
- Tennis Ireland has received confirmation from the coach with whom you gained the practical experience that you have satisfactorily completed the work experience.
- You have scored 70% in the quiz related to the online presentations.
- You have scored 100% in the Child Protection Quiz.
How Do I Apply?
Complete the Application Form for the Play and Stay Assistant Course HERE.
Applicants U18: Please put your parent’s contact details on the form.
Make sure to contact and ask permission from the Tennis Ireland Qualified Coach you will be gaining the practical coaching experience with as you will need to provide their details on the form.
If you are not Garda Vetted with Tennis Ireland already, you will need to complete this before completing the course. The forms are available below and see more info on Garda Vetting here so you can submit your forms via e-mail.
As soon as we receive your application form we will be in touch to help you get started. We hope you decide to sign up, and look forward to working with you on the course.
Course Fee
The course fee is normally €75EUR or £70GBP however during these times Tennis Ireland have decided to make the course available free of charge!
| Garda Vetting Forms |
| Tennis Ireland Garda Vetting Verification of Identification Form |
| New Parent Guardian Consent Form |
| Garda Vetting Invitation Application |
| Confirmation of Participation by Coach Form |
| confirmation-of-participation-by-coach |