Serving Empowerment: How Tennis and Supportive Communities Help Women like Coach Hiroe Thrive 

In a world where women juggle multiple roles from family, career, to passions, there’s a quiet yet powerful revolution taking place. It’s about finding strength not in doing it all, but in having the right support, in finding joy in the little victories, and in being empowered by the spaces that make it possible. 

One such woman is Hiroe Nagatomi, a tennis coach and mother of three, who’s living proof that women can thrive both as professionals and as loving mothers, when surrounded by a supportive environment.

"I’m 39, with three kids, and I’m doing this," she said smiling.

The way she says it, you’d think she’s just getting started—and in many ways, she is. Hiroe’s journey from Japan to London, from a mother to now a full-time mother and part-time coach, is a story of self-discovery, balance, and the incredible impact of community.

Finding herself in a new passion

Hiroe's first love was tennis—well, kind of. In Japan, she played a version of tennis called soft tennis from the age of 12.

"It’s not tennis as you know it," she says, explaining the lighter, modified ball and unique techniques used in the sport. But tennis, in all its forms, has always been a part of her life. 

When she moved to London, raising her children became her full-time job, while tennis was a pastime. But that soon changed.

"We lived near Gladstone Park, where I work now. My daughter started taking lessons, and then my son followed," she explains. Soon, Hiroe found herself on the courts not just as a spectator, but as a player again. 

"It was for fun at first, but then, eventually, I got more serious about it than my own children! I would play more often than them!,” she said.

Later on, she enrolled in the Introduction to Coaching Tennis Course run by the National Tennis Association (NTA), which sparked her transition from player to coach. "It wasn’t planned," she says with a shrug. "I just wanted to play and then Coach Andre asked if I wanted to try being a coach. I saw the opportunity, took it, and here I am."

NTA: Empowering Women to Lead

NTA, as Hiroe describes, has played a critical role in her journey, not just providing the technical training but creating an environment that empowers women like her. 

"NTA doesn’t treat me like a woman coach," she says with a knowing smile. "They treat me like a coach, period. I never felt like I was being treated differently."

Her words echo a sentiment that resonates with many women in the professional world: women don’t need special treatment, they need equal opportunities. 

NTA, by empowering women like Hiroe to pursue their passions without barriers, shows how a supportive environment fosters success. It's not just about tennis; it's about everyone rallying behind women, enabling them to follow their dreams and do what makes them happy.

A Balancing Act

"How do you balance it all?" It’s a question every working mum hears. For Hiroe, the answer is simple: "You don’t do everything. You ask for help."

Her husband plays a significant role in her ability to balance coaching with family life. 

"He’s incredibly supportive. When I have to coach, he’s there with the kids," she explains. And since it is summer break for the kids, her husband took them to Italy for a few weeks so Hiroe can focus more on coaching.

But it’s not just about family. Hiroe talks about the community of friends and neighbours who pitch in when needed. It’s this interconnected web of support that allows her to thrive.

"If I need help, I ask," she says candidly. "That’s key. And you have to be okay with asking for help."

Yet, it’s clear that the balance isn’t always easy. "The hardest part is making time for family," she admits. "In the mornings, when I have to coach early, I need to make sure the kids are ready for school. My eldest daughter, who’s 11, also helps me by taking care of her younger siblings. It’s a lot, but I’ve learned to make it work." Hiroe finds time to unwind—sometimes it’s a quick rest after a session, or maybe playing tennis just for fun, away from the pressures of coaching. 

"When you have three kids, tennis is like a whole new world. For me, it’s my escape," she says.

Being a mother is also one of her secrets to coaching. “Before, I didn’t really know how to handle kids, but being a mum made me better at it. I became a better communicator, and I am now more patient and understanding.”

Empowering Women and Girls Through Sports

As a coach, Hiroe’s passion goes beyond improving players’ skills. It’s about instilling values like fun, teamwork, and resilience. 

"I want them to enjoy it. No pressure, just fun," she says, laughing. "But also, I want them to be safe and not do anything dangerous—like climbing fences!" 

But beyond the drills and practice, Hiroe— who continues to play and take tennis lessons despite already being a coach— knows the importance of being a female role model in a male-dominated space. 

"Being the only girl in an advanced class, I think it’s inspiring for the young girls watching me," she says. "It shows them they can do it, too. They can be strong, and you know, beat the boys.” 

"My daughter plays tennis with this little girl, and one day, the girl saw me playing with a man on the court—her dad, actually. She asked me, 'Did you beat my dad?' I smiled and said, 'Yes,' and she cheered for me," Hiroe said laughing.

Hiroe’s story isn’t just about being a female coach; it’s about creating a ripple effect: empowering young girls to follow in her footsteps.

"Tennis can be a great equalizer. It doesn’t matter if you’re a boy or a girl—it’s about how good you are. When you step on that court, it’s just you and your skills."

As we celebrate women’s empowerment this month, Hiroe’s story reminds us that the foundation of any successful woman’s journey is the environment that supports her. Whether it’s her family, friends, or organisations like NTA, Hiroe’s strength lies in her ability to build a community where she is both empowered and enabling others to do the same.

Her advice to women everywhere? “Do what makes you happy. It’s so easy to get caught up in taking care of everyone else, but if you’re not doing something that makes you happy, you won’t be able to give your best to anyone. For me, tennis is my escape. It’s my way to unwind and take care of myself.”

Hiroe’s journey is a powerful reminder that empowerment doesn’t come from doing it all alone. It comes from the communities that surround us—the partners who support us, the friends who lift us up, and the organisations that provide equal opportunities. 

Through tennis, Hiroe has found not just a sport, but a way of life that empowers her to continue being a loving mum, wife, and coach.