Skip to main contentEnter
Join 8,080+ people who care about this town
Ipswich.co.uk logoSupport our work
News

Former British tennis star brings Andy Murray's winning formula to Ipswich

Mark Petchey, the coach who helped shape Andy Murray's early career, is bringing his expertise to Suffolk tennis players through a new coaching programme at Ipswich Sports Club.

The big picture: A team of elite coaches, led by former British No.1 Petchey, will deliver weekly sessions at the club from 9 January to 27 March, offering local players access to elite training methods.

Why it matters: This marks a rare opportunity for local tennis players to learn from a coach who guided Andy Murray into the world's top 50 rankings alongside other high-calibre instructors.

Outdoor paddle and tennis courts at Ipswich Sports Club
Outdoor paddle and tennis courts at Ipswich Sports Club(Oliver Rouane-WilliamsIpswich.co.uk)

Programme details:

  • 90 minutes of elite coaching every Thursday from 13:30 to 15:00

  • 30-minute debrief and Q&A over coffee or tea

  • Maximum six players per coach

  • All skill levels are welcome

  • Includes a Jamie Murray-designed doubles programme

The coaching lineup includes:

  • Chris Daynes (Lead Coach)

  • Mark Petchey (Former British No.1, Andy Murray's former coach)

  • Active Away coaching team (delivering Jamie Murray's doubles programme)

  • Jeremy Cowley (Men's County Captain, Culford Coach)

  • Ben Smith (Stowmarket Tennis Club Head Coach)

  • James Ling (Experienced Coach, Former Texas Head Coach)

  • Josh Dashwood (LTA Development Partner, Newmarket Coach)

By the numbers:

  • 12-week programme

  • £150 for members (about £12.50 per session)

  • £180 for non-members

  • Pay-as-you-go options from £15 per day for members, £20 for non-members

Membership bonus: The club is offering a "Winter Warmer" deal that provides three months' membership for the price of two, starting from £90 for off-peak access.

The bottom line: With only 18 places available and a lineup of coaches who have trained champions, the programme offers Suffolk tennis players a unique chance to elevate their game under elite guidance. To book a place, contact membership@ipswichsports.co.uk.

You can read it for free thanks to the generous support of Attwells Solicitors and Upside Finance

Despite a lack of promotion, the big reveal drew a good crowd of passersby

We're regenerating Ipswich – but we can't do it without you!

People tell us every day that our work matters – that it's making Ipswich better; that it's needed. But our work costs money, and unlike the Ipswich Star, we're not funded by national advertisers or owned by corporate US overlords. For just £4.75 a month, you can help fund our mission to restore pride of place and accelerate the much-needed regeneration of the town we call home.
Become a member →

In other news...

News

DanceEast throws open its doors for free day this Sunday

Ipswich's DanceEast is inviting everyone to a free Open House event at Jerwood DanceHouse this Sunday, 8 March, featuring taster classes, live performances, and building tours from 10:00 to 15:00.
by
Continue reading →
News

Greens press council over Port One wildlife threat

The former quarry on the edge of Great Blakenham has seen several failed schemes over the past 20 years. Now another is under consideration – one that the Suffolk Wildlife Trust warns could permanently alter some of Suffolk's most important wildlife habitats.
by
Continue reading →
News

Abuse of lollipop officers prompts Suffolk road safety crackdown

A new campaign reminding motorists of their legal duty to stop for school crossing patrol officers has launched across Suffolk, following a series of incidents in which patrol officers were verbally abused.
by
Continue reading →
News

All About Hearing invests in purpose-built Kesgrave clinic

After years of operating from satellite locations across Suffolk, independent audiologists All About Hearing have opened their first permanent base in Kesgrave, investing more than £75,000 in their next phase of growth. The purpose-built facility marks a significant step in the business's ambition to raise standards in hearing care across the county.
by
Continue reading →
News

New 420-pupil primary school approved for Henley Gate

A new two-storey primary school has been given the final go-ahead in North Ipswich, as part of the growing Henley Gate Neighbourhood development.
byand
Continue reading →
News

Ipswich children's hospice expansion gets under way

Construction has started on a significant expansion of The Treehouse, East Anglia's Children's Hospices' (EACH) site in Ipswich, after a 'spade-in-the-ground' celebration was held on Tuesday, 3 March to mark the official start of works.
by
Continue reading →
Load more content
Our journalism is free thanks to
Our journalism is free thanks to
Want our best content delivered to your inbox every Friday?

Have you subscribed to our free weekly newsletter?

If you haven’t, you really should. You’ll get our best content delivered to your inbox every Friday afternoon, just in time for the weekend. You can unsubscribe at any time, although 99.7% of people don’t.

  • Lee Walker
  • Joe Bailey of Brighten the Corners
  • Mark Hubert
8,080+ people are already loving it