WELC ME
Our Tennis Academy offers a clear and proven pathway for players ranging from top county level to junior Grand Slam competitors.
We deliberately limit our intake to just 28 players at any one time, ensuring a highly personalised training experience and consistent one-to-one support. This focused approach enables our athletes to continually improve their performance and maintain a high level of consistency on court.
With a strong track record of developing every aspect of a player’s game, our programme combines a world-class tennis experience with an exceptional boarding school education. Players benefit from elite coaching, access to appropriate-level tournaments, and a bespoke training schedule designed to meet their individual goals.
High standards are set by both coaches and players, creating an environment that balances high performance with a genuine love for the game. Our integrated boarding and training model provides the perfect foundation for those aspiring to a professional career-supporting not only sporting excellence but also personal development and growth.
OVERVIEW
The Merchiston Tennis Programme is designed to support players at all stages of their tennis journey, providing structured coaching and opportunities to help each individual reach their full potential.
At the centre of the programme is The Merchiston Tennis Academy, which consists of two key strands:
The Development Academy, for those building strong technical and tactical foundations.
The Performance Academy, for players competing at a high level.
Entry to both Academies is by assessment only, ensuring players train in the environment best suited to their level and goals. There is often overlap between training environments, allowing flexibility as players progress and develop.
Development Academy
Performance Academy
Participation
Minimum of 10/11 hours per week
Breakdown per week
• 1 x 1 hr Individual (extra cost)
• 10 hr. Squads
• 3 hr. Strength and Conditioning
• Invited/Selected players train with Performance Academy
Minimum of 15 hours per week
Breakdown per week
• 2 x 1 hr. Individual
• 13 hr. Squads
• 5 hr. Strength and Conditioning
The table provides an overview of the age, stage and programme available for players depending on their motivation, ability, commitment and ambition to play tennis at our school
SIMON PENDER
DIRECTOR OF TENNIS
SIMON PENDER
DIRECTOR OF TENNIS
A former ATP world ranked tennis player, junior Olympic medallist and Wimbledon/French Open competitor, Simon has a unique understanding of the performance tennis world. Having worked under the direction of world class leaders such as Steven Martens and Roger Draper he was part of a team that successfully implemented a system that supported the development of over 4000 players per year through 3 stages of progression across British tennis from the ages of 8-18yrs.
Simon currently holds the highest coaching qualification in Great Britain and has over 20 years’ experience of developing talent programmes that has identified and nurtured players that include Jack Draper, Katie Swan, Emma Raducanu, Kyle Edmund, Johannus Monday and Jacob Fearnley. Simon brings a wealth of experience and insight to help parents, players and coaches understand their tennis journey.
MICHAEL MILLAR
DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY COACH
Starting off his coaching career by volunteering at a local tennis session, Michael quickly developed a passion for helping others be the best that they can be and rapidly progressed through a series of formal LTA qualifications thereafter. He was voted ‘Coach of the Year’ in 2020 for his work in wheelchair tennis, which included travelling to Le Petit As with a highly ranked junior player.
Michael believes in developing the person first and is widely acclaimed for his work with competing junior players in the East of Scotland, having coached multiple players through their journey from very young beginners to competing at UK Nationals, County Cups and even internationally as teenagers. He is equipped with the skills, knowledge, experience and good humour to help players become the best version of themselves. Since joining Merchiston in 2017, he has played a pivotal role in growing the Development Academy to give boys at all levels a substantial, tailored and professional offering that rivals and often betters much larger schools and local club offerings.
CALLUM LLOYD
LEAD ACADEMY COACH
As a former junior player Callum represented Great Britain and was selected to attend the the LTA National Academy in Loughborough, he also represented England at Senior level before going into Performance Coaching.
Callum, who was awarded Tennis Scotland’s Performance Coach of the Year 2025, is one of the leading Performance coaches in Great Britain working at the forefront of developing players across the Country. He has worked at every stage of the LTA Player Pathway from Schools to Pro players and is a LTA Level 5 Pro Coach, coaching GB National Champions in both Singles and Doubles as well as Senior and Junior players competing at Grand Slam events, US Open, Australian Open and Wimbledon. His experience as a National coach has given him a unique window into the world of junior player development where he has supported players to reach their potential through world class programme planning and design to compete with the best in the world. His ability to build relationships with players is a key strength and he enjoys walking alongside the players on their tennis journey.
JED ALEXANDER
ASSISTANT COACH/ HITTER
Jed brings great energy to the programme and started working within the TA from September 2022. He is a great mentor and role model around the competitive tennis circuit in the UK, bringing knowledge and expertise to help our players perform on the match court. Jed graduated from Stirling University with a degree in Business Management alongside being an International Sports Scholar and being part of the team who won the BUCS National League title. Jed is also part of the North of Scotland Men’s team who won ‘Team of the Year’ at the Tennis Scotland awards for their brilliant successes at Winter and Summer County events.
Jed still competes regularly across the UK in County Cup, National League, British Tour and TS Open Tour events. He is progressing through his LTA Coaching qualifications and has a real passion at developing the future generation of players.
OUR APPROACH
Methodology Time
Basket Training 7:00am -8:30 am
Individual Lesson 9:00 am12:00pm
Reason Court to Player Ratio
Maximise space and bring players together to ‘Train’ at the appropriate intensity 1:4/1:5
Individual time is where player/coach relationship develops. More ‘Teaching’ can be done 1:1
Squad Coaching 2:00pm4:00pm
An environment where ‘coaching’ takes place to help players navigate through match play environments 1:4/1:5
What you will see
• Focused hitting/ drilling
• Integration of physical work
• Good intensity
• More technical work
• More basket feeding
• More stop-start delivery
• May appear ‘messy’/chaotic
• Competitive point play
• Doubles work
Jacob Fearnley
“Having great coaches on the court and in the gym meant it was always fun to go to training. Getting the chance to play with my teammates daily gave me the experience in a competitive environment that I needed to transition to team tennis at university in America. Going to Merchiston was the best decision I made, and I would recommend it to anyone looking to improve their game to new levels.”
Johannus Monday
“The Merchiston Tennis Academy was where I changed from a boy to a man. I was part of the Tennis Academy for five years, and they were some of my best years in terms of having fun and progressing my tennis. The coaching is world-class, and I appreciated not missing out on my academic lessons whilst developing on the court. My time spent at Merchiston was so special, and if I could, I would do it all over again.”
Charlie Miller
“I spent five years as part of the Merchiston Tennis Academy, ultimately as Captain and would highly recommend the school, coaches and programme. Spending time in one venue provided me with the consistency of individual and squad coaching, meaning I could effectively focus on short, medium and longterm objectives.”
David D
• Winner Road to Wimbledon National Event
• Winner British U14 National Doubles Championships
• Winner Scottish U16 Singles National Champion
• Represented Scotland in the 4 nations event
• Winner of Edinburgh Tennis Europe u14 tournament
• Gained Junior International World Ranking(ITF) aged 15yrs
‘’Before I came to Merchiston I had to travel 2 hours to play tennis, now I just need to walk 5 minutes which allows me to maximise my tennis and educational potential. The teachers and coaches guide me and help me a great deal and I really appreciate their support.”
Dominik C
• GB Selection for International Training Camp in Spain
• Represented Scotland in the 4 nations event at u12 and 14
• Winner Tennis Europe u12 Nottingham
• Runner Up u14 Nationals Championships
• Invited for player demonstration at Wimbledon during Wimbledon championships
‘’My time at Merchiston has been great, it’s nice to have the tennis courts so close to me instead of having to travel 2 hours to get to tennis. I really like how the education is on campus and I really feel like the teachers support me with my work when I am away at a tournaments. Which is really handy for me.”
Fraser N
• Represented Great Britain in International Team Trophy U12
• Represented Great Britain in matches against France, Canada, Italy and Switzerland
• Represented Scotland in the 4 Nations v England, Ireland and Wales
• Finalist in British U12 National Tour
• Semi Finalist in Tennis Europe U12 Bath
‘’I love having a timetable with all my new subjects in it but which also has tennis in as part of my everyday routines. It’s great being able to play against lots of different boys of different ages. My very favourite day is a Wednesday because that’s doubles day!’’
