LTA Level 4 Senior Coach
Accredited+
“I started playing at Hale Gardens Tennis Club, New Milton at the age of 8. During my time there I won the 12U, 14U, 16U and 18U singles and doubles.
At 16 I gave up football to focus on tennis, this led me to lessons with current Milford member, Ros Clark, who helped me develop as a player and fuelled my love for the sport. By the time I was 20 I was Hale club champion in Men’s Singles & Doubles and Mixed Doubles.
After studying in Southampton, I decided to pursue a career in tennis coaching and took my LTA level 3 (then the Development Coach Award). This led me to roles at Mudeford Wood Tennis Club, David Lloyd Ringwood, The Colony Tennis Resort in Sarasota, Florida, Hale Gardens, LTC and then back to David Lloyd Ringwood as Junior Tennis Pro and finally Racquets Manager.
In November 2020, after 12 years at David Lloyd, I was offered the role at Milford. In 2 short years, pandemic aside, I have doubled the junior numbers while also providing a full and inclusive adult timetable. The support I have had from the committee and members has been fantastic and I’m excited to see how I can further develop the club’s tennis programme.
The general focus of my coaching is to make all sessions as fun and informative as possible. Tennis is a game which requires time to improve as there are so many variations and techniques to consider, as well as the mental toughness required if you decide to compete. I love teaching both adults and juniors with a particular focus on mini tennis reds, the 5-8 years old. Tennis is a life skill and I really enjoy starting players early, seeing them develop through their teenage years and beyond, in the hope that they share my passion for the game.
In what little spare time I get, I love being with my wife and children. We spend a lot of time outdoors and it gives me great joy following their journey in and out of sport”.