We get asked a lot of questions about various aspects of the Level 1 and Level 2 courses. Here are the answers to some of the most common ones. If your question isn’t answered below, please email us at CoachEd@i2ctennis.co.uk
At what age can I take a Level 1 or Level 2 course?
Applicants wishing to take a Level 1 must be 16 on the first day of the course – we are legally unable to make any exceptions. There is no minumum age for the Level 2 but all applicants must first have successfully completed their Level 1.
Is this an LTA accredited course; it isn’t being delivered by the LTA?
The LTA approves external providers such as inspire2coach to deliver Level 1 and Level 2 courses. inspire2coach is one of a small number of LTA approved Coach Education Centres and was the first provider of Level 1 and Level 2 courses in the UK, offering one of the largest range of courses in the UK.
I’m not a tennis player, can I still do a course?
Absolutely! Parents, players, students, sports development staff, teachers and coaches from other sports can all join a course. As long as you can commit to the course and that you have an interest in teaching tennis, then the level 1 course is for you!
I’m a qualified teacher – do I need to take my Level 1?
If you have a PGCE or equivalent qualification and specialise in PE, you may be able to bypass your Level 1 and go straight onto your Level 2. Please contact us if you need more information.
I have a Level 2 in another sport – what options do I have?
If you hold a Level 2 certificate in another sport, you don’t need to take your Level 1 tennis. You can apply directly to take your Level 2. Please note that you must have a DBS (formerly called a CRB) through the LTA to get onto the Level 2 tennis course.
How long should I leave between my Level 1 and Level 2?
There is no exact answer. Your Level 1 course tutor will talk to you during the Level 1 course and will recommend whether you should consider a Level 2 or not, and what you need to do in preparation for the course.
How do I book the course if a third party is paying my fees?
All courses must be paid for prior to the start of the course. If you have secured funding or if a third party is paying for your course, you must provide inspire2coach with a purchase order to accompany your application. It is your responsibility to ensure that all fees are paid before the start of the course. You will be asked to provide details of the third party when you apply for the course.
What information must I provide when applying for a Level 1 or Level 2 course with inspire2coach?
For Level 1 courses, you will need to provide the following before the first day of the course:
- A valid DBS disclosure which must be done through the LTA and which must be no more than one year old. You may request a Deployment without DBS letter instead of submitting a DBS. The Deployment letter is only valid for Level 1 applications. You can download this form from within the section on pre-requisites for the Level 1 course.
For Level 2 courses, you must provide:
- Evidence that you are an LTA Registered Coach (certificate or letter/email from the LTA) or a valid DBS done through the LTA. Please note that Deployment without DBS letters are not valid for Level 2 applications.
- A certificate to show that you have attended an HSE Approved 1 Day Emergency First Aid at Work Tennis First Aid course. We offer this course at £69.00 through our partnership with Impact First Aid.
Can I still attend if I don’t get my DBS done before the start of the course?
No, unfortunately you can’t. We are unable to make any exceptions. Guidelines introduced on 1 October 2009 state that you you must have a valid DBS done through the LTA before you apply for the course.
Please email info@lta.org.uk for a DBS application form. If you apply without submitting your DBS certificate we will not be able to allow you onto the course. We strongly recommend that you apply for your DBS in good time so that you still have a chance to get on the course you want. Times for processing DBS applications vary; while it is usually 3-6 weeks, it can be up to 8 weeks.
Do I need a current First Aid certificate?
Level 1 – A First Aid qualification is not a prerequisite for the Level 1 course.
Level 2 – Before applying for a Level 2 course you must either:
- be a Registered Coach or must have a First Aid certificate which is no more than 3 years old, and
- have a valid DBS disclosure done through the LTA or a signed Deployment without DBS letter.
inspire2coach offers an HSE Approved 1 Day Emergency First Aid at Work Tennis First Aid course.
How far in advance should I apply for a course?
If you see a course which you want to get on to, apply as soon as possible. Many of our courses, especially the ones in and around London, fill up very quickly. Applications are on a first-come, first-served basis, and we cannot hold applications without payment and a valid DBS.
What can I do if my preferred course is full?
Our Level 1 and Level 2 courses are extremely popular and many fill up very quickly. We have limits on the number of candidates we can accept and therefore some applicants are not able to get on the course they would like. If there is a particular course which suits you because of dates or location, we suggest you apply well in advance. If you still cannot get on the course of your choice, we will either offer you a place on a waiting list (although cancellations are rare) or we will offer you a place on the next most convenient course. We cannot hold places without payment and full application requirements
What if I cannot complete the whole course at the same venue?
It is a condition of booking that you make yourself available for all days of the course at the time of application. If for unforeseen circumstances you are unable to complete all days on the same course, we may be able to transfer you to another course. We charge a £40 transfer fee (regardless of the circumstances) because of the considerable time and effort involved. Please note that you MUST complete all course days in order and unfortunately you may find that the alternative course we need to offer might not be your ideal choice of venue and date.
What can I do if I am unsuccessful in my assessment?
On an assessed course, it is normal that some learners may not pass first time around. This may be due to lack of experience, assessment-day nerves or an incomplete course portfolio. Whatever the reason, we offer reassessments for learners who were not successful in their first assessments. Contact us for more details.