Sport Science Professor supports Parents and Coaches at Global Junior Tennis Event
Published on 16 May 2025
Categories: Sport; School of Science and Technology;
Professor Chris Harwood, Director of the Sport, Health and Performance Enhancement (SHAPE) Research Centre, has worked with International Management Group (IMG), the Global sports and culture organisation, to provide education and support at their IMG Future Stars U-12s international tennis event. This tournament brings together the world’s most promising U-12s junior players to the Tatoi Club in Athens, Greece.
The event is unique in that a requirement exists for all players’ parents and coaches to attend the week together, and participate in a range of educational opportunities focused on the health and development of children on the junior tennis pathway. Professor Harwood, a registered sport psychologist who serves on the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) player development panel, delivered his workshop for the third year to the parents and coaches of 48 young boys and girls. Based on his research and practitioner experience, his workshop focuses on how the parent-coach relationship can optimise the healthy development of the young person behind the aspiring player. It also integrates insights for parents and coaches from his 5C’s Framework on how children can effectively cope with the psychological demands of tennis.
Max Eisenbud, Senior Partner and Head of Clients at IMG said: “Chris’ session is one of those sessions that every junior parent and coach should be part of. His scientific insights are always well received by the participants, and the feedback we get is excellent. It is a key experience that we want parents and coaches together to have when they are here”.
The workshop and an interview with Professor Harwood is featured in the Eurosport Tennis documentary, the Future Stars of Tennis here. Professor Harwood took the opportunity to talk with individual parents and coaches before and after his session, noting: ”It is such an important stage to help parents and coaches with some of their challenges and experiences, not just their children’s. We want to be working for parents and coaches for their children’s enjoyment of the game, and their own development as the primary caregivers”.
Find out more about Professor Harwood's research here