Responding to the LTA’s raised expectations for talent identification and development within all Countries, Durham & Cleveland LTA is delighted to announce the appointment of a new, expanded team of highly qualified and experienced coaches to lead our Performance programme.
Our new structure creates separate roles for 10U and 11+ County Head Coaches, working towards a common goal of allowing our most talented players to become the best they can be, and through that giving D&C real strength in depth across all age groups.
David Boddy has been appointed 10U County Head Coach from August 1st, 2026. Already well known to many of our leading coaches and players, David is returning to the North East to lead our 10U programme. His responsibilities will include building excellent relationships with our Clubs, coaches, parks and schools to ensure we are aware of the most talented players and athletes in every year group from 7U, and integrating these children into our County Training programme that he will deliver (with support from our other coaches in the programme).
David brings a wealth of experience and success to our team after many years working in tennis away from the area. An LTA Level 5 LTA Coach, most recently David has been Tennis Coordinator for Loughborough University and a senior tutor and mentor in coach development for Court Craft and Inspire2Coach. His experience and ability will help us transform our on-court achievements in this age group.
Partnering David and responsible for the County’s 11+ Performance Programme, we are delighted to have appointed Stephen Harding-Gilbert. Already well known to all within our current programme, Stephen is an LTA Level 4 Senior Performance Coach with a passion for Performance tennis and an excellent record of developing young players to the highest standards. His energy, enthusiasm, ambition and commitment to our goals will provide a seamless transition for our youngest players to progress into and through the 11+ age groups and raise the standards they achieve for themselves and the County to new heights.
Supporting the work of David and Stephen, we are also delighted to announce that Alan Smith has moved into the role of County Performance Lead. In this position Alan will oversee and coordinate the work of David and Stephen and report to the County Executive Committee on the performance of the programme. Alan too brings a wealth of experience as an LTA Level 5 CCA Coach, County player and Racquets Manager at David Lloyd Teesside as well as a passion for tennis and our County and a deep and strategic understanding of our needs and opportunities.
We must also thank Phil Wylie for the work and commitment he has given to our programme over the past two years. We are delighted that Phil will continue to make a major contribution to our on-court work with all juniors in support of the new team.
Durham & Cleveland LTA is excited by the potential unleashed by these appointments and looks forward to this team working with many future generations of players and parents to deliver our shared ambitions.