SotoTennis Academy

SotoTennis Academy aims to provide an environment that inspires and enables individuals to maximise their own potential through hard work and dedication. The aim is for STA's players to become self-sufficient and grow in their own way, while being a part of team. STA players are encouraged to work together, which the Academy believes is extremely important in what is already an incredibly tough sport. STA gives their players the tools and resources to make these improvements, whilst ultimately allowing its players to take the lead so that they learn.

‘Controlling the controllables’ is where the Academy focuses its energy to help players create more of a long-term perspective on their tennis. Each player that walks through SotoTennis Academy's doors, and plays on the tour with an STA badge, will hopefully be recognised as a hardworking, well-mannered individual who has done everything they can to achieve their goals.

STA sees tennis as a vehicle to success, on and off the court, whatever the player’s individual pathway. The Academy provides the perfect environment for passionate young tennis players aiming for a future in the game, whether U.S. College, European university, or the Professional Tour.

Full Time players’ Programmes are designed and delivered as part of a total plan supporting the individual’s goals through performance planning, Sport Science support and tournament travel. Full Time Programmes are therefore designed to include year-round programme management, tennis squads, Strength & Conditioning sessions, weekly individual sessions, match play, local and international tournament support and Sport Science support.

Access Weeks are also available for like-minded players and groups looking to supplement their current programmes in a bespoke and personalised way, e.g. pre-season blocks, winter training, or experience on European clay. STA Training Weeks are delivered in line with the personal coach and individual development goals.

SotoTennis Academy believes Sport Science is the key support system to creating resilient and competitive athletes. The integration between tennis and sport science is valuable and crucial in working towards players’ goals.

The STA Sport Science Team offer fully integrated and individualised programmes, consisting of Strength & Conditioning (S&C), Physiotherapy, Nutrition and Sport Psychology. STA Sport Science support programmes are all designed with the goals set for each player in mind.

STA's S&C Team work closely with the Tennis Team to provide bespoke, individualised programmes. STA S&C Programmes focus on developing robust tennis players who can maximise development on-court and reduce the risk of injury. The STA philosophy teaches the players world class performance behaviours so they will become autonomous, independent players on the tour.

STA’s physiotherapy partner provides support to all the players. They focus on immediate treatment, short to medium-term rehabilitation and then long-term transition and return to play. All treatment is delivered in full coordination with STA's S&C team.

STA's partnership with Mentally Tough Tennis aids the development of healthy mental toughness within its players so they can develop the key skills for becoming successful, happy competitors in tennis and life.

There are 4 key pillars of the Mentally Tough Tennis Programme:

1. Coach Professional Development: Skilling coaches to become world leaders in coaching mental toughness

2. Parent Support Sessions: Supporting parents in their desire to assist player development of healthy mental toughness

3. Player Online Workshops: Reviewing and applying the mental toughness lessons from recent Grand Slam matches

4. Academy Online Resource Centre: Off-Court and On-Court sessions available to academy coaches and players. Workshop replays available to all families.

STA believes players deserve the best academic opportunities as this is crucial to long-term development: there does not need to be a compromise involved between Full Time tennis training and achieving an excellent education. STA is proud to be one of the few leading Tennis Academies who can confidently offer world-class academics alongside the Full Time tennis programmes.

Many STA players have graduated from studies and gained scholarships with American Universities, allowing their studies and tennis to continue.

STA have created a number of Online Courses, providing a relevant Online Programme for all players, no matter their age or stage of development. STA's Online Courses cover Mental, Physical, Technical and Tactical aspects of the game and provide invaluable teachings, resources and activities for not only players but parents and coaches alike.

Dan Kiernan has teamed up with John McGahon, Ireland's Fed Cup Captain and Director of MacXTennis Academy in Ireland, to create a podcast that entertains, educates and energises listeners. Hear Dan and John pick the brains and gain valuable insight into the minds of professional tennis players, coaches, parents, as well as others in the world of High Performance Tennis. The CTC Podcast has reached over 90 countries and has been downloaded by over 60k listeners to date.

Current professional players who train at SotoTennis Academy include Wimbledon Mixed Doubles Quarter Finalist Evan Hoyt. Past Full Time Academy and professional players include former Irish number 1 Peter Bothwell, Valeria Savinykh and Junior Australian Open Doubles Champions Joshua Ward-Hibbert and Liam Broady.[1]

• Official site
• Instagram
• STA Online Courses
• Control The Controllables Podcast