Tennis Academy for young players who want to move forward — as players and as people.
Together we look at the right route for your child: Academy, entry training or another suitable 359 group — based on age, experience, motivation and level.
An Academy programme that fits the player
Every player develops at their own pace.
The programmes below show what a complete Academy pathway can look like.
You do not need to follow the full programme immediately.
Depending on level, ambition, development goals and available Academy groups you may also follow one or more individual components.
During an intake we determine the combination that suits you best.
- ✓One Academy session per week can already be a good start
- ✓Individual components possible: group training, physical or private
- ✓Scale up later when player and group fit align
- ✓Intake determines level, ambition, goals and frequency
From foundation to performance
Four phases. One system. Built for the years that matter most.
See below how this academy programme is concretely built. Entry runs via intake or audition, so we can assess level, motivation and commitment.
Progress. Not perfection.
Ages 5–7
Playful yet purposeful — the first step
- •Ball sense and motor coordination
- •First technical habits
- •Enjoyment, safety and confidence
- •Learning within structure
Weekly programme
A strong foundation is easier to build than to correct later.
Ages 7–9
Deepening technique and training rhythm
- •Technical foundation: strokes + footwork
- •First tactical awareness
- •Body control and physical development
- •Training attitude and discipline
Weekly programme
In this phase, technique stabilises and training becomes more serious.
Ages 9–11
Serious development becomes visible
- •Technical stability
- •Match-oriented thinking
- •Physical discipline and load capacity
- •Ownership of personal development
Weekly programme
This is where the difference between training and developing shows.
Ages 11–12
Performance-oriented acceleration
- •Independent match preparation
- •High-intensity sparring and match rhythm
- •Physical and mental resilience under pressure
- •Development focused on next-level progression
Weekly programme
This is where progression becomes visible.
Players may also participate in fewer training hours or individual components when their level, ambition and Academy group are a suitable match.
Entry is possible at every phase — based on level and age.
This program only works optimally when player, coach and parent work together.
See which phase fits and register your child for a trial day.
This is not a single session, but a structured development pathway.
Summer course: April–October. Winter course: October–April. No regular lessons during Amsterdam school holidays.
Continuation phase
For players who want to continue purposeful development within a professional Academy environment after the younger Academy phases.
Example full programme
This programme shows a complete Academy pathway. Players may also participate in fewer training hours or individual components when their level, ambition, availability and group fit align. One Academy session per week can already be a good start. During intake we decide the combination that suits best.
Development does not stop after age 12
At 359 you can keep training after the younger Academy phases. From around age 12 there is more room for personal goals, match development, physical development and ownership. Training frequency is agreed together — not every player follows the same programme.
Age 16 and beyond
From around age 16, the emphasis shifts increasingly towards ownership. Depending on ambition, studies, competition and personal goals, we build a suitable combination of:
- •Academy training
- •group training
- •private lessons
- •physical training
- •competition
Academy does not mean you have to be an elite athlete
Academy means you want to invest seriously in your development. Every player starts from a different point. The Academy helps you make step-by-step progress from your own level.
Fit · Fun · Focus — stronger together
Academy is not only about performance. Fit = a healthy body. Fun = motivation. Focus = purposeful learning. Progress comes from the balance.
Intake determines the right route
During intake we look together at level, goals, ambition, appropriate Academy group, training frequency and the combination that suits best. Automatic admission is not promised.
Development does not stop after the Academy
The Academy is one phase within a continuous development pathway. Players may remain in a phase for longer, combine components, temporarily train less or increase intensity again later.
- 1
Discovery
Ages 4–6
Discover movement and tennis through play while building confidence.
- 2
Foundation
Ages 6–9
Build a strong foundation in movement, technique, play and learning habits.
- 3
Development
Ages 9–12
Further develop technique, tactics, match skills and ownership.
- 4
Academy
Purposeful development within an appropriate Academy group.
- 5
Academy Yellow 12+
Ages 12–16
Continue purposeful development after the younger Academy phases — technical, tactical, physical, mental.
- 6
Age 16 and beyond
16+
Ownership, personal goals and a training format aligned with stage of life.
- 7
359 Perform
Optional intensification: combination of group, private/duo and physical training.
- 8
Lifelong Development
Stay active, enjoy the game, set goals — a lifetime in tennis.
Academy is a phase, not the final destination
The Academy offers a more intensive development environment for players whose level, ambition and group fit are appropriate. Development can then continue through Academy Yellow 12+, a personal age 16+ pathway, 359 Perform or another suitable combination.
Age is indicativeAges are indicative. The appropriate phase is determined not only by age, but also by level, experience, motivation, ambition, development and group fit.
Not linearThe development pathway is directional, not rigid. Progress is determined by the player and their development, not only by age or training volume.
Fit · Fun · Focus develops with the player — the balance shifts, but all three remain part of sustainable progress.
Winners
Moments of progress, joy and victory from the 359 Academy. Every match, every point won and every step forward counts.
Academy players
A look at the Academy in action — technique, movement, teamwork and tournament experience. Every session builds progress through Fit · Fun · Focus.
359 Academy is the performance pathway within 359.tennis for ambitious young players who need more structure, coaching and long-term development. The programme is built on the 359 Method and Fit · Fun · Focus, with attention for tennis skills, movement, motivation, focus, match behaviour and parent communication.
Watch Our Academy Explanation
In this video, we explain how our youth tennis academy works and how we create an optimal development programme for each phase from age 5 — with a pathway that continues beyond the under-12 phase.
Watch Academy Program Explanation
Why this program works
Development does not happen by itself. What children learn in these years shapes what becomes possible later.
- A strong foundation prevents limitations later on
- Structure accelerates development
- Environment determines the pace of growth
This is for you if:
- You want serious development
- You are open to structure
- You are willing to invest in growth
Not for you if:
- You just want casual play
- You expect results without effort
Not sure if this fits? Ask us first — we'll guide you.
How this program works
The 359 Academy is not a collection of sessions. It's one system — where training, guidance and environment work together.
This system only works optimally when player, coach and parent work together.
The role of parents within the Academy
Development does not stop after training. A child's environment strongly influences how fast and how far they grow.
- Parents gain insight into progress and development
- We help parents understand what matters in each phase
- We work on behaviour, focus and routines — not just outcomes
- Parents and coaches work together with one goal: long-term development
That is why we do not work with isolated lessons, but with a system in which player, coach and parent move together.
Academy Proof Layer
No promise. A serious Academy pathway.
359 Academy is the performance line inside 359.tennis. For young players with ambition, motivation and commitment. No promise that a player reaches the top — a serious pathway designed to maximize the chance of reaching the highest possible tennis level.
The chance of reaching a higher tennis level increases when you develop not only the tennis player, but also the person behind the player. Players who later reach a high level usually build the difference early — not through harder work, but through a broader, more deliberate foundation: technique, athletic foundation, motivation, focus, match behaviour and personal growth.
- Mechanism: Fit · Fun · Focus as the thread through every training week.
- Entry: Through an intake or tryout — an honest look at level, motivation and commitment.
- Environment: Training at NTC / TV De Kegel, with a consistent coaching team using one shared method.
We cannot guarantee rankings, titles, elite outcomes or any fixed result. We work purposefully on each player's development — as a tennis player and as a person.
More than 20 years of Academy experience
What Roland Laurense started in Amsterdam in 2005 as the Laurense Tennis Academy grew, via Tennis Academy Amsterdam, into today's 359 Academy.
The Academy programme now runs at the NTC in Amstelveen. Those years of practice form part of the foundation of the 359 Method and Fit · Fun · Focus.
Read how Laurense Tennis Academy Amsterdam formed the basis of today's 359 Academy · Read our full history · More about Roland Laurense
Meet the 359.coaches
Every 359.coach is internally certified in The 359 Method. This means: trained in our own method, educated in child-centred development, and assessed on both theory and practice. They don't just coach technique — they guide players in their personal growth.
Herke Sombroek
Contact Person Academy & KNLTB Entry
Internally trained in The 359 Method
Cristian Savelsbergh
359.coach — kids, academy, juniors & adults
Trained in the Fit · Fun · Focus™ method
Yoeri Terschegget
359.coach — kids, academy, juniors & adults
Trained in the Fit · Fun · Focus™ method
A team around the player
Your child's development should not depend on one coach alone. At 359, players are supported by a coach team working from the same method, language and development principles.
- ·One team, one method, one standard.
- ·Coaching based on age, level, motivation and development needs.
- ·Shared communication between coaches.
- ·Parent communication and progress follow-up as part of the system.
- ·Planning, registration and group placement coordinated centrally by 359.tennis.
Questions?
Contact Herke Sombroek
Involved in Academy & entry development
Trained internally in The 359 Method
Have a question about Academy, entry training or the right 359 group for your child? Get in touch. Together we look at what fits best based on age, experience, motivation and level. Practical planning, registration and group placement are coordinated centrally by 359.tennis.
Build a strong tennis foundation
Get in touch. Together we'll look at whether Academy or another 359 group fits your child. Starting is possible at multiple ages — we consider age, experience, motivation and level.
Limited spots per group
We are working towards at least two evaluation moments per year; the exact form of progress reporting will be rolled out further in 2026.
359.tennis Academy Impressions
A glimpse into our academy training and events
ABN AMRO OPEN experience
ABN AMRO OPEN team outing
Group photo with coaches
Indoor training session
Academy group in action
Outdoor training on clay
Outdoor group training
The facilities to grow
Progress requires the right environment. The National Tennis Centre in Amstelveen offers everything you need — 12 indoor courts and 14 outdoor courts, all year round. No membership needed for indoor. Outdoor lessons for members of TV De Kegel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about the 359.tennis Academy.
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Get in touch. We'll look together at whether Academy or another 359 group is the right step for your child.
KNLTB Pathway Partner
The greatest talents can audition and progress into our academy and KNLTB pathway programmes.
359 has developed multiple junior players who went on to win national youth titles. KNLTB Instroom Partner.
Progress. Not perfection.
"From beginner to talent, to the world top. We guide the most crucial phase in talent development: ages 5 to 12. These are the years where the foundation is laid for technique, motor skills, mindset and character. Early, specialized guidance makes the difference between potential and performance."
Founder 359.tennis
The Academy is an application of Fit · Fun · Focus — built for ambitious players. The 359 Method stays the same; the application changes by audience.
Discover the Fit · Fun · Focus SystemWe Develop Players and People
At the 359.tennis academy, tennis is the vehicle — development is the goal. Our coaches listen, inspire and help every player — from beginner to competitor — take steps towards their next level.
Every activity at 359.tennis is built on the three pillars Fit · Fun · Focus™. Our coaches are internally trained in The 359 Method — they don't just coach technique, they inspire growth and create experiences where body, heart and mind develop together.
Progress. Not Perfection.
Fit
Physical energy, coordination and resilience. A healthy body is the foundation.
Fun
Enjoyment, connection and motivation. Lasting progress starts with passion.
Focus
Mental strength, strategy and reflection. Skills that extend beyond sport.
Facts about 359.tennis
Verifiable facts that distinguish 359.tennis as a professional tennis academy in the Amsterdam region.
- Our coaches are nationally or internationally qualified (e.g. KNLTB, ITF, PTA, PTR) and engage in continuous development through the 359 Coach approach.
- 359.tennis operates on 12 indoor and 14 outdoor courts at the National Tennis Centre (NTC) in Amstelveen — one of the largest and most professional tennis centres in the Netherlands.
- Founded in 2005, with over 20+ years of continuous experience in professional tennis coaching.
- Over 10.000+ players trained since founding — from complete beginners to competitive tournament players.
- The 359 Method is a proprietary development model based on the Fit · Fun · Focus™ principle, focused on both athletic and personal growth.
- Accessible from 15 municipalities including Amsterdam, Amstelveen, Amsterdam-Zuid, Hoofddorp, Aalsmeer and Uithoorn.
One coaching team
Your child is guided by one 359 coaching team.
Our coaches work together on one development path. Not isolated per court — one team that complements each other, shares knowledge and follows your child.
The Academy parent guide
Process over performance pressure: how the Academy pathway is built, which questions to ask as a parent and what a mature performance environment does.