Coach’s Journal by Emma Dell – Part 1: First Impressions
This summer, Emma Dell is taking part in the USTA Coaching Fellowship in Tennis Coaching and Leadership, an immersive 12-week program designed to help aspiring tennis coaches grow through on-court coaching, leadership development, classroom sessions, micro-coaching and mentorship from experienced professionals.
In this journal series, Emma shares a firsthand look at the fellowship experience as it unfolds. Through her reflections, readers can follow her growth as a coach and leader, from the early lessons of athlete-centered coaching to the challenges, conversations and discoveries that shape her summer.
In her first entry, Emma reflects on the opening weeks of the program, the value of learning alongside other fellows and her goal to absorb as much knowledge as possible while stepping outside her comfort zone.
June 5, 2026 – First Impressions
My first impressions as I began the fellowship were that it is an incredibly immersive and thought-provoking experience. From day one, I have been challenged to think deeply about every aspect of coaching, step outside of my comfort zone and grow as both a coach and a leader.
What has stood out most is how invested the coaches are in our development, creating an environment where we can learn, ask questions and improve every day. During the first week, we have focused heavily on athlete-centered coaching and the 5 “Cs” – Connection, Character, Creativity, Competence and Confidence – and how they can help us create meaningful experiences for players. We have learned everything from delivering effective demonstrations to using constraints and building purposeful practice plans, all while being encouraged to focus on developing the whole athlete rather than just their tennis skills.
The second week has brought another unique opportunity, as all 16 fellows from the three fellowship locations came together to learn, grow and network with one another. Being able to connect with fellow coaches from different backgrounds and experiences has been one of the most rewarding parts of the program so far.
"I am surrounded by people who have achieved success in the areas where I want to grow, and every conversation feels like an opportunity to learn something new."
Emma Dell
My Personal Goal
My goal for the summer is to soak up every bit of knowledge I can. I am surrounded by people who have achieved success in the areas in which I want to grow, and every conversation feels like an opportunity to learn something new. Being immersed in such a wealth of experience and wisdom is an incredible opportunity that I want to make the most of. I want to push myself out of my comfort zone, embrace challenges and intentionally apply what I am learning each day so that I can become a more effective coach and leader.
