I was wandering if anybody could share some basic information about coaching tennis in Switzerland.
I am 26 years old,a very solid tennis player, coaching part time people of different ages for over 7 years now and also practicing and playing Futures events whenever I get a chance(Have a 11 month old kid ) Also I played 4 years in a US college for a very strong team.
Now my wife and I graduated and we want to move to Europe. I dont really have a clue where to start searching for places, and if it is even realistic to find a good tennis position without connections.
Ill be really grateful for any kind of information.
I just came across your post, and although I cannot give you the answers to your question, I am in exactly the same position as you. I have recently migrated to Switzerland from Britain and as I have had little luck in finding a job so far, I had the idea of coaching some tennis at my local club as tennis is my main passion and I am also a qualified coach.
Perhaps we can help each other out and let each other know if we find out anything useful. I would suggest contacting some of you nearest tennis clubs and explaining your qualifications and experience. That is what I have done, I will let you know what they say when I hear back from them.
Where are you living? What languages do you speak?
I am not very certain, but I am sure there is a coach license involved.
If you can obtain this from www.swisstennis.ch , then it is fine to find trainees.
If not, you are quite on your own.
Do you have a USTA coaching cert?
Also you will need to know at least fluent German to be able to teach the swiss people. They are not likely to like your High German, cos they really like swiss-german language only.
You may also start in a tennis center, and find out if they need some part-time coaches.
Where do you live? Do you have experience with small children? My son is 8 and he is into his "2nd" year with me.
In order to be able to coach in Switzetland, first you need to get a valid permit which allows you seeking employment. Secondly you wont have any certificate accepted by local standards so this is what you do. Get in touch with bigshots in large and renown tennis clubs or centers who will be able to attest your skills and you can show them that you posses practical experience in coaching. If you are good they will be able to help you with further references up until the network of contacts opens up and something's pans out. Do not waste time on small coaching mongers as these are plentiful, ubiquitous insecure bunch who can be very protective about their jobs. In the next step you need to get certified to Swiss standards and it involves taking some modules. Basically there are: Beginner, intermediate, advanced and expert allowing coaching kids or professionals on top levels. Top modules are only required by very few professional instructors. There is a whole bunch of rules and regulations in German/French/Italian that you can find on www.swisstennis.ch . If you have specific questions PM and me or my wife can explain how the program runs and which modules are basic mandatory and which ones you can take up in later stage. My wife has passed already three important ones over two year and she is trying to pursue next higher rank ones. You do not need to repeat them all every few years but merely the highest grade which you use for work. There are books with theoretical and practical exercises, examination panel and diploma at the end. Every extra passed module furthering your education equals higher hourly rate. Remember that!
Speaking good German is obviously advantageous but most important is communication skills, ability to give instructions understood by students and most of all you need to put your heart into it. You can get by English only pretty well as tennis doesn't require complicated command and vocabulary and all the Swiss will understand instructions in English. Also they find it cool and additional incentive to have English-run lessons. My wife speaks pidgin Swiss German interwoven with proper English instructions on the court. She never had any problems with passing every module as there were usually more than enough local guys on board who would translate it for her. It all might sound complicated but in practice it is fun and it opens up more contacts in world of tennis.
Its pretty much what I needed to know. I decided I'll play some money tournaments in France for few months if it works out, and at the same time maybe make some job contacts while I am in Europe. If i got it right, seems like it would be almost impossible to find a job in Switzerland while I am still in USA.
Sorry but it's pretty much like that. My better half had some contact arranged prior moving to CH and it ain't work well. It takes time and traveling to get to know the right people. Compare to some other professions where you can use internet and videoconferencing, the nature of tennis profession is to be right at the client doorsteps and travel a lot.
I recently moved to Zurich and am a pretty good player (played division I in university in the States, as well as for the blues team at oxford. I'm not competitive right now but I would still like to play some.
Let me know if you're around and would like to hit.