Star Coach returns to Wales

One of the world’s leading tennis coaches returns to Wales this month, helping to develop the skills of young players and sharing his expertise with Welsh coaches.

Peter D McCraw has worked with stars such as Maria Sharapova, Jelena Jankovic and Xavier Malisse, and is back in Wales for the Tennis Wales Coaches Conference in Cardiff on February 25 and 26.

McCraw, the former national women’s coach to Tennis Australia, and recently appointed head of coach education with Tennis New Zealand, will work with some of Wales’ top 10-and-under and 11-and-under players on court for the 100-plus delegates from all over Wales.

"Peter made a huge impression when he spoke at the conference last year," said Ellie Lewis, head of coach education at Tennis Wales. "Since then, we have been lucky enough to secure his services on a consultancy basis and are looking forward to learning more from him this year.

"The standard of coaching in Wales is increasing rapidly and Peter’s input is a vital part of that process."

Also running sessions at the conference, held in the Welsh National Tennis Centre, will be Steven Martens, head of technical support at the LTA, and Rob Meyers, a sports science consultant and lecturer at UWIC.

Wales’ best 10-and-under players have been invited to work with Peter McCraw at the conference: Joely Lomas and Luisa Braunerova of Swansea; Rhydian Morgan from Conwy; Matthew Storey and Tiago De Brito Micallef of Cardiff; Ieuan Hughes of Newport; and Rebekah O’Loughlin from Crickhowell.

Matthew Kamal and Tim Harry from Esporta Cardiff, who are top GB ranked players at 11-and-under, will also take part.