Prime Video LTA Youth Girls Coach Discusses Motherhood, Coaching, and Work-Life Balance

Tennis coaching can be a rewarding career, but the long and unconventional hours can be a challenge, especially for parents. However, Emily James, a mother of two and a coach with NET 360, found a way to make it work with the Prime Video LTA Youth Girls program.

Statistics show that women do 60% more unpaid work compared to men, making it difficult for women to balance careers, like coaching, with motherhood. Emily had a successful career in journalism and PR but decided to switch to teaching during the pandemic. She retrained as a primary school teacher but found it unsustainable.

When her children started attending a local tennis club, she connected with the head coach, Carlos, and he offered her a coaching role with NET 360’s school program. Even though she wasn’t a tennis player, Carlos saw potential in her teaching skills. Emily shadowed Carlos, completed coaching courses, and now mostly works in schools, which aligns well with her kids’ schedules.

She later joined the Prime Video LTA Youth Girls program, which aims to inspire girls to play tennis. Emily was selected to attend the WTA Tennis Porsche Grand Prix in Stuttgart, where she met coaches from around the UK. Their goal was to encourage girls to be confident on the court and address the issues that often lead girls to quit sports in their teenage years.

Through the program, Emily learned from other coaches and gained confidence in her abilities. She’s passionate about providing opportunities for girls in tennis, as she remembers being the only girl among boys on the court growing up. She believes the program has not only improved coaching skills but also increased the number of female coaches in the sport, making it more inclusive.

Despite the challenges of balancing work and family life, Emily feels fulfilled in her coaching career and is grateful for the support from her head coach, family, and mentor. Her children are also involved in tennis, helping her with sessions and camps.

If you’re inspired by Emily’s story, the LTA is working to recruit more female coaches and provide training to deliver tennis and padel for women and girls. Check out their Coach Mentoring program for more information.