Advanced Apprenticeship In Sporting Excellence
The AASE is a Government funded initiative that has been designed to meet the needs of young people aged 16-19 years old, who have the realistic potential to achieve excellence within their sport whilst continuing with their education.
It is strongly felt at Tennis Midlands that the AASE is the most important initiative that we operate. We all know how incredibly tough modern professional tennis is, and even though most of our outstandingly talented juniors initially embark on a career in pro tennis, very few ever reach financial solvency.
For an expert perspective on the AASE and the opportunities it can provide, read the following document written by Alistair Higham, the LTA's AASE Quality Manager:
AASE Next Steps
The AASE programme is a 40 week programme run over 16 months. It has three components:
1) National Vocational Qualification (NVQ): Level 3 in Achieving Excellence in Sport Performance. Read more about the NVQ:
About the NVQ Level 3 Qualification
2) Technical Certificate: If students are thinking of choosing qualifications such as AS/A2 Level, AVCE, BTEC National Diploma, Coaching Qualifications etc these will automatically count towards their technical certificate.
3) Key Skills: Key Skills in Application of Number and Communication. This is built into the NVQ level 3 (N.B. if a student has achieved grade C or above in English and Maths GCSE, they will be exempt from this component)
Players are selected on the basis of their age and LTA rating. They have to have a Rating of 6.1 and above. They must be finishing their GCSEs in June 2008. They must also want to continue their education with either AS/A2 Level, AVCE, BTEC National Diploma etc
Employers and Universities such as Loughborough, Bath and Leeds Metropolitan
have signed up to recognise the AASE programme when considering individuals
for places on courses. Many other universities will have an AASE recognition
scheme within the next two years.
The AASE scheme works in conjunction with our High Performance Programme
here at Tennis Midlands under the supervision of AASE Manager and qualified
NVQ Assessor Ashley Broomhead. Government funding will ensure that apprentices
will receive an appropriate tennis and physical conditioning programme
at a significantly reduced cost.
The LTA provide the apprentices with
benefits such as a fully subsidized place on an LTA Tennis Assistants Course.
We currently have 20 Advanced Apprentices working with a number of education
providers pursuing tennis programmes appropriate to their tennis potential
and aspirations.
