The LTA has announced a major double appointment with Libby Fletcher taking the role of National Performance Pathway Manager and Sandy Farquharson as new National Performance Coach.
Libby and Sandy will work alongside LTA national coaches, John Leach and Alvaro Fernandez, and will form a key part of the LTA’s goal to create a pathway and support framework for British players at each age and stage of the performance pathway.
Following the governing body’s padel performance review in late 2024, these newly created roles will focus on:
- providing support to GB teams and players so they are well prepared to perform at the elite end of the sport
- identifying, supporting and developing a network of regional performance hubs to provide quality training environments
- ensuring the LTA has systems in place to identify and support the next generation of players
- supporting and guiding the next generation of coaches capable of developing players to an international standard
Tom Murray, the LTA’s Head of Padel, said: “We are delighted to welcome both Libby and Sandy into the LTA team. As well-respected figures within British padel, it is great to have them on board and aligned with where we are taking the sport over the coming years. The knowledge, passion, and expertise both bring to their roles will be of huge benefit to our current performance players, and the next generation.”
One of the performance objectives within the LTA’s padel strategy is to enable 10 players to break into the top 200 and two players into the top 100 in world rankings by the end of 2026.
Achieving this requires a collaborative effort between the National Performance Coach and the National Performance Pathway Coach. Together, they are responsible for creating a pathway and support framework that identifies, develops and supports players at every stage, ensuring they have the training, resources and opportunities needed to reach their full potential.
Libby has significantly influenced British padel since transitioning from high-performance tennis coach working with national juniors and pro doubles players at Grand Slam level.
A former GB national padel team member at the 2022 World Championships, she has led the GB women’s team in European and World events, as the National Women’s Head Coach. Now in a key developmental role, Fletcher supports players across all levels, coaching junior camps, aiding transition-age athletes, and providing event support, whilst also being part of the coach development team for padel qualifications and continual professional development. She also collaborates with coaches, venues and parents to ensure high-quality training environments, continuing to shape the future of British padel.
Libby will also manage Individual Development Plans (IDPs) for performance players receiving financial support, working in collaboration with Sandy to ensure tailored training environments and development pathways. The role will also involve taking a lead in developing a domestic framework of training venues, LTA-led training activities and competitions to support younger, emerging talent both now and in the future.
Libby said: “It’s a great time to be part of British padel, and I am delighted to increase my work for the LTA and to work closely with Sandy to grow the performance pathways. This is an exciting opportunity for us to work as a team to help our British players to achieve their full potential.”
As National Performance Coach, Sandy will focus on supporting the men’s and women’s national teams and players, delivering regular training support throughout the season from the National Tennis Centre in London. Farquharson will also provide support at national training camps and domestic and international competitions.
Sandy has been involved in padel over the last 14 years, previously competing on the World Padel Tour, and representing Great Britain since 2015 in competitions including the World and European Championships. As a coach, Sandy has worked with the LTA to support development of the LTA padel instructor coaching qualification and is the founder of popular online padel coaching platform, The Padel School.
Sandy added: “I’m very excited to step into the new role of the LTA’s National Performance Coach. Having represented Great Britain over the past 10 years and having coached international players for seven years, both in the UAE and Great Britain, I feel very well positioned to drive forward the national performance program, and supporting our GB players as they progress up the world rankings.”
The LTA’s 2025 padel performance competitions calendar will be published in the coming weeks as the FIP finalise their calendar.
