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Our tennis players' week at the Barcelona Tennis Academy was seriously hard work but all the effort reaped immediate rewards
Over the Easter holidays, Harrodian's budding Prep and Senior tennis players spent a productive week on a trip led by Mr Seaton to the Barcelona Tennis Academy, a coaching centre which has built a name for producing successful players on the European tennis circuit.
It didn't take long for Harrodian's young players to discover the on- and off-court ingredients that underpin the school's strong reputation. A demanding schedule required players to be up for breakfast at 7am and on court by 8, ready for two hours of tough playing drills followed by an hour of vigorous fitness exercises. After a hearty lunch, they returned for another two hours of doubles incorporating sporting match play and tactics tuition.
A special session was provided by the resident psychologist who has worked with tactical masters such as Pep Guardiola
The inner game is an important strength of the Barcelona Tennis Academy and Harrodians were enthusiastic about the special session provided by a resident psychologist (below) who, in the past, has worked with tactical masters such as Pep Guardiola and assorted top Spanish sports teams.
It wasn't all hard work though: the schedule provided the opportunity for daily dips in the sea and plenty of good evening meals while, on their mid-week break day, Mr Seaton, Miss Mitchell and the rest of the group visited must-see Barcelona landmarks, such as Antoni Gaudi's extraordinary sculptural church, the Sagrada Familia.
According to Mr Seaton, by the end of the trip, Harrodians were already enjoying the fruits of their labours: 'Matches against other players at the academy took place later in the week,' he says, 'and and it was fantastic to see how much the pupils' technique, tactics and mental approach had improved over the week. I'm definitely hoping to repeat the trip next year.'