My name is Alex and I’m 25 years old. I was born in upstate New York and moved to Adelaide when I was around six years old. Growing up I travelled and competed nationally and internationally and found my passion in coaching when I was 15. I began coaching around the age of 14 and soon completed the Tennis Australia Hot Shots course. I also completed a qualification with the ATPCA. I am keen to undergo my Tennis Australia Club Professional qualification starting up in March. I have a wealth of knowledge and experience with all ages ranging from 3 years old and up as well as in private, semi-private, group and school lessons, as well as organising and running holiday clinics. More recently, I have been operating and coaching my own tennis business and have now made the exciting move to TennisGear Playford as the new Head Coach.
Our Assistant Centre Manager, Cheryl’s, emphasis is heading up our large Social tennis and Junior programmes and working behind the scenes during our events and tournaments while also serving as the point of contact for Venue Hire at the centre. Cheryl is a local resident who saw the centre’s construction and marched in as soon as the gate opened, as our first new member. Joining the team in 2018, Cheryl’s dedication to the community soon showed covering all aspects of the business, including coaching both at Trinity College campuses & at the centre after completing Tennis Australia’s Foundation Coaching course in 2019.
In early 2022, Cheryl formally took on her current role and later in the year graduated from the inaugural Tennis SA Women Leaders in Tennis Programme. Currently undertaking a Certificate IV in Leadership and Management, she also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Qualifications:
Foundation Coaching Course (2019)
Ethan, our junior coach, has been involved with the centre since the beginning. After discovering a strong interest in coaching, he completed his Foundation Level course from Tennis Australia this year and has plans to grow his coaching education in the near future. Working as an assistant on court, both at the centre and at school locations, Ethan works primarily with the younger students, focussing on skills growth and engagement. Ethan has played club tennis at Playford since the age of 10, and currently competes within the North-East Tennis Association(NETA). In a short span of time, the players have developed affinity for his style of coaching.
Away from tennis, Ethan does parkour to keep himself fit. He is also very knowledgeable about the current affairs of the world.
Coaching style: I am passionate about maximising every player's potential. Giving them the best opportunity to improve themselves both as a player and a person. More recently I am passionate about growing the game of tennis and passing on my coaching knowledge and experience to the TennisGear coaching team.
Experience: A former South African, Damien lived and worked in the UK where he was the LTA Great Britain’s National Women’s Coach from 2007-2013 This role has seen him work closely with Great Britain’s Federation Cup team and players like Laura Robson (Career-high WTA rank #27) and Heather Watson (current WTA rank #38. As a player, Damien reached an ATP rank of #273 in singles and #152 in doubles before progressing into coaching on the ATP tour working with players including Wesley Moodie (ATP Singles ranking #70 and Wimbledon Doubles Champion), John Laffnie De Jager (ATP Doubles #20), Robbie Koenig (ATP Doubles #30), Chris Haggard and Jeff Coetzee (ATP Doubles rankings of #30). More recently Damien has been TennisGears' Coach and Development Manager since 2017
Key attributes: An enthusiastic and experienced tennis professional, adopting a motivated and positive approach to all tasks. . Key assets are the ability to communicate with people and colleagues at all levels, organize and manage tennis center programs and personnel. A loyal, determined and results oriented person.
Qualifications: TA Development Coach, LTA Master Performance Coach