Tennis in Hackney, East London
junior player

Squad Structure

The following describes the different squads run by Hackney City Tennis Clubs.

For more details about squad training:
email Christian Coombs or
email Chantal Coombs for Mini Tennis players

S.A.W Squad

Players are selected according to their ability and commitment to training.

Currently, the age range for the squad is 11-18 years and most of the players are National Standard in their age group.
View the current S.A.W Squad profiles

Tour Player Squad

This squad is supported by Satellite Club funding (awarded annually according to performance). The age range for the squad is 11–12 years.

Players in this squad must have aspirations of competing at County level and above. We aim to have 60% of players in this squad playing at County level.
View current Tour Player Squad profiles

Mini Tour Player Squad

This squad is also supported by Satellite Club funding. The age range in this squad is 6–10 years.

Players in this squad are being prepared to compete at County level and above. We aim to have 70% of players in this squad playing at County level and above.
View current Mini Tour Player Squad profiles

Aces, Smashers, Hotshots, Hitters, Minis Squads

There are 10-12 players in each of these squads and teams from each of the squads (apart from Minis) compete in the Middlesex and Aegon Team Tennis Leagues.
Aces: Green level. Orange 1 to Green 1 players.
Smashers: Orange level. Red 2 to Orange 1 players.
Hotshots: Red level. Red 1 & 2 level players.
Hitters: Red level. Red 3 & 4 level players.
Minis: Red level. Players 5 years of age and younger

Club Squads

These squads are for boys and girls in the 11 – 18 age group who wish to compete at club level.

Currently there is only one club in Hackney, based at Clissold Park. Any players who are chosen for these squads train and represent Clissold Park in Aegon Team Tennis (summer) and Middlesex Winter Leagues.

There are currently 2 club squads – 12 & under and 14 & under. A player's rating may also be taken into consideration when placing players in a squad. Players aged 16+ years join the Mens / Ladies Team Training sessions.

Primary Schools Cluster Squads

These squads are organised in cluster groups around secondary schools/ park tennis courts.

The following squads are active but it is hoped to introduce more cluster squads if funding can be found to replace the Schools Sport Partnership funding that is no longer available.
Clissold Park Red: 12 players Year 3 and below.
Clissold Park Orange: 16 players Years 4 and 5 (spring and summer only).
Clissold Park Green: 16 players Years 5 and 6 (spring and summer only).
Hackney Downs Red (2 Squads): 20 players. Year 3 and below .
London Fields Red: 16 players Year 3 and below.
Haggerston Park Orange: 16 players Years 4 and 5.
Haggerston Park Green: 16 players Years 5 and 6.

More about our work with local schools

Secondary School Clubs

The Bridge Academy.
Mossbourne Academy (summer term only).

diagram showing squad structure