Meet the Academy Team
Sherborne Tennis Academy is run by a team of professional tennis coaches, all LTA-qualified to a minimum of Level 3, and overseen by Head Coach Matt Long.
Matt Long
Director of Tennis, Sherborne Tennis Academy
Head Coach, Sherborne Tennis Club and Sherborne Girls School
I have been playing and coaching tennis for most of my life, competing from an early age and coaching for over 18 years now. As Head Coach at Sherborne Tennis Club and Sherborne Girls School I am responsible for managing a team of professional coaches working with over 500 players per week at all levels, ages and abilities.
I have worked and trained with a number of high-profile coaches and players throughout my career including Grigor Dimitrov, John Isner and Sasha Zverev and the former world number one doubles pair of Bob and Mike Bryan inspiring me to continue to make tennis accessible for all.
I strongly believe that tennis is a sport that should be accessible to all players, irrespective of age or ability and have worked hard to raise the profile of the game both within our district and through the larger British tennis framework.
I am really excited to continue to develop a 3-tier programme for Development, Performance and Elite players both locally, nationally, and internationally. Our non-residential Easter camps for 2023 offer an excellent intensive training opportunity for local players, and our new residential camps from Summer 2023 open up the amazing facilities we have at our disposal, alongside top-quality professional coaching, to players across the UK and the world.
Stu Wilson
Head Coach, Sherborne Tennis Academy
Deputy Head Coach, Sherborne Tennis Club
I have been coaching and playing sports my whole life, studying for an HND in Sport and Exercise Therapy and then a BSc in Sport Therapy, giving me an all-around view on what makes people successful in sport.
I have coached tennis professionally for nearly 20 years now and am still inspired to help all players reach their maximum potential and be the best they can be. My coaching mindset is grounded in the belief that making tennis simple, easy to learn, and fun, makes it accessible to everyone.
Developing confidence and competence go hand in hand and I try to encourage players to take responsibility for their actions on court, showing respect for themselves, teammates, opponents and officials. Hard work, clear thinking and determination are entwined into all sessions with players expected to help create a great environment for learning and fun.
I am excited to bring this coaching methodology to the holiday camps at Sherborne Tennis Academy and help guide the next generation of players towards greater success, both on and off court.
Alex Thomas
Assistant Coach, Sherborne Tennis Academy
Assistant Coach, Sherborne Tennis Club, Sherborne Girls School
I have been playing tennis since I was very young, moving up through mini tennis and quickly beginning to take part in tournaments, competing from an early age. I am proud to have represented Somerset in numerous competitions and still compete every chance I get.
Having spent much of my youth being coached at Sherborne Tennis Club, I was delighted to then become part of the coaching team, having worked my way up from a Tennis Leader to a Level 2 Assistant Coach. I am pleased to be able to continue with the same ethos I was brought up with – keep the coaching simple, fun, and enjoyable and allow every player to become their best and reach their potential.
I have taught on holiday courses for many years, and am looking forward to bringing a combination of technical and tactical instruction, live and fed ball drills and match-play and games to Sherborne Tennis Academy this Easter and Summer.
Antonia Corp
Course Director, Sherborne Tennis Academy
Coach, Sherborne Girls School and Sherborne Tennis Club
I have played tennis for most of my adult life and have coached part-time alongside a successful career in education management for many years. Recently I changed the balance and have been coaching on a more full-time basis and have loved having the opportunity to bring tennis to a wider audience.
My coaching philosophy is to ensure that all students are comfortable and relaxed whether being coached individually or in groups. A fun environment allows students of any age to learn quicker and feel comfortable in their practises as well as being confident trying new things and making mistakes.
I focus on getting the balance between technical and tactical instruction for students and learning how one effects the other. Knowledge of why we do things is as important as how we do them and students get plenty of opportunities to put this into practise and analyse their own game.
My role at Sherborne Tennis Academy is to ensure the smooth running of the camps, I have worked extensively on holiday camps for sports and languages and am the one behind the scenes problem-solving and ensuring that everyone has a truly amazing experience. I am confident that anyone who attends our holiday coaching camps will leave having improved their tennis enormously, but will also have had a great deal of fun while doing so!!