Philosophy & Values | Our Coaching Team | Community work
About 10is Academy
A Tennis Club in Ely Where People Learn the Game Properly
10is Academy is a tennis club based in Ely, Cambridgeshire, offering structured tennis coaching for children and adults who want to learn, improve and enjoy the game in a well-run environment.
Founded in 2021, the academy began as a small programme operating on school courts during the evenings and weekends. Facilities were shared and court time was limited, but the intention was clear from the beginning: build a club where coaching is thoughtful, standards are consistent and players improve over time.
Within a few years that approach began to attract families and adult players who valued an environment where tennis is taken seriously without losing the enjoyment that makes the sport special.
In February 2026, this work was recognised when 10is Academy was named LTA Cambridgeshire Tennis Club of the Year.
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→ Book a Free Taster Session
Why 10is Academy Was Created
Tennis environments often fall into two extremes.
Some push players too quickly, focusing on rankings and results before foundations are built. Others make sessions entertaining but leave players without clear development.
10is Academy was created to offer a better balance.
A tennis club where:
• coaching is structured and intentional
• progress is steady and visible
• players learn how the game actually works
• enjoyment remains central to the experience
The aim is simple: help players develop skills that stay with them long after the lesson ends.
Coaching That Builds Understanding
At 10is Academy, tennis coaching is about more than hitting balls.
Players learn how to understand the game.
They develop the ability to:
• construct points
• recognise opportunities on court
• stay composed under pressure
• build reliable technical habits
Sessions are energetic and focused, but the environment remains supportive. Group sizes are deliberately kept small so players receive meaningful guidance from the coaching team.
This approach allows players to progress steadily while still enjoying the learning process.
→ Discover Junior Tennis Coaching
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A Tennis Club for Children and Adults
A healthy tennis club brings different generations together.
At 10is Academy:
• young children discover sport for the first time
• junior players develop skills and confidence
• teenagers begin to compete and test themselves
• adults learn the game or rediscover their love of tennis
Each group trains within the same culture where curiosity, effort and improvement are valued.
Tennis becomes something people share across families and friendships.
Life at the Club
Most weeks follow the natural rhythm of a busy tennis club.
Children arrive after school for junior coaching sessions. Adult players come to the courts in the evening to train, compete or enjoy social tennis.
Players improve their skills while gradually building friendships through the sport.
Occasionally something unusual happens.
Professional players and international coaches sometimes train at the club or run clinics for members. Over the years, players at 10is Academy have shared the court with athletes and coaches including:
• Dominic Inglot
• Vijay Sundar Prashanth
• David O’Hare
• Louis Cayer
These moments are not presented as guarantees or attractions. They simply reflect the relationships built around the club and the wider tennis world.
Our Place in the Ely Community
Although the academy operates from the courts at King’s Ely, the club is open to the wider community.
Families from Ely and surrounding villages train at 10is Academy every week. The club works with local schools and organisations to introduce children and adults to tennis while maintaining a structured and welcoming environment.
Over time the academy has grown into more than a coaching programme. It has become a small but vibrant tennis community.
Recognition
In 2026, the Lawn Tennis Association recognised 10is Academy with the Cambridgeshire Tennis Club of the Year award.
The award recognised:
• the structure of the coaching programmes
• the opportunities created for junior and adult players
• the positive club environment
• the contribution to tennis within the local community
The recognition reflects the work of the coaching team and the commitment of the players and families who form the club.
Experience 10is Academy
The best way to understand the club is to step onto the court.
Children and adults are welcome to try a complimentary taster session and experience how coaching works at 10is Academy.