Local tennis coach wins county-level award and is shortlisted for national recognition

Corina Mirea is Coach of the Year at county level and is in the running for a UK-wide award.

Corina Mirea, head coach at Conway Lawn Tennis Club, has been named Middlesex LTA Coach of the Year, one of the highest honours in one of the UK’s most competitive tennis counties. Middlesex is among the largest and busiest counties in the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), with more than 10,000 players and over 500 coaches.

Corina’s successes do not stop there. She has also been shortlisted as one of just five top coaches across the UK for the 2026 National LTA Awards, which celebrate the outstanding individuals who drive grassroots tennis across Britain. The winners will be announced at a ceremony at the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton in April.

It has been an extraordinary few weeks for the Palmers Green coach. Earlier this month she also qualified for the Great Britain Women’s Seniors 35+ team and won her first seniors tournament in Wrexham.

Corina has led the coaching programme at Conway Lawn Tennis Club for several years and is widely credited with transforming it into one of the most vibrant and inclusive clubs in the borough.

The club celebrated its centenary in 2025, marking 100 years of tennis in Conway Recreation Ground, and raised over £15,000 during the year to support community outreach and inclusivity initiatives.

Among the newest initiatives is Walking Tennis, taking place every Wednesday at 10am, which makes tennis accessible for people with reduced mobility by allowing a double bounce and using softer balls.

Corina said: “Tennis should be a sport for everyone. It doesn’t matter whether you’re four years old or eighty-four, whether you’ve never picked up a racket before or you’re playing competitively. What I love most about coaching is helping people discover that they can play, improve and belong. Seeing someone smile after their first rally, or watching players grow in confidence on and off the court, is what it’s all about.”

Graham Sievers, the club's chair, said the award reflected Corina’s exceptional energy and commitment to the local community.

“Corina is an extraordinary coach. Her enthusiasm is infectious and she has built a programme that welcomes everyone - from toddlers picking up a racket for the first time to walking tennis players, club competitors and now international seniors players. We are incredibly proud that Middlesex LTA has recognised what she brings to our club and our community.”

Conway Lawn Tennis Club runs a wide range of coaching sessions for juniors, adults and beginners, as well as community programmes and social tennis.

Anyone interested in trying tennis or joining a session can visit the club or attend the Walking Tennis session on Wednesdays at 10am.