Richard is the new Head Coach and Centre Manager of the North Shore Tennis Centre. He comes to us with 15years coaching experience from juniors & schools to full-time players & adults. He believes in developing a sound technical base, while nurturing a positive learning environment for all his players. Backed by his range of experiences, qualifications & friendly nature, Richard will always help with any of your tennis goals!

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Current Club Professional Coaching Qualification (Tennis Australia)
• Advanced Level 2 Coach (ATPCA)
• Former coaching qualification course presenter for ATPCA
• Cert 3 & 4 in Fitness (Human Performance Centre)

Jedi has been honoured by Tennis Gear with the Coach of the Year award consecutively in 2022 and 2023, attesting to his exceptional coaching prowess. With a coaching tenure spanning 15 years, a decade of which was dedicated to coaching school children in Beijing, China, Coach Jedi has acquired extensive experience in tennis education.

Employing a holistic coaching approach, Coach Jedi goes beyond imparting on-court skills, emphasizing the importance of off-court elements such as rest and nutrition. He subscribes to the belief that an athlete's performance on the court represents merely the visible aspect of their endeavours, with the unseen efforts exerted day in and day out, both on and off the tennis court.

Coach Jedi's coaching expertise extends beyond the realm of tennis, having successfully guided professional athletes in sports nutrition. Some of his proteges have achieved notable feats, including Guinness World Record Holder status, championships in Natural Bodybuilding Australia, and triumphs in International Adventure Racing and triathlon competitions. In recognition of his expertise, Coach Jedi has been invited to serve as a resource person in sports nutrition at events in Brisbane and the Gold Coast scheduled for 2024.

Qualifications:

* Developmental Coach certification from the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA)

* Diploma of Sports from Tafe Queensland

* Diploma of Leadership & Management from Tafe Queensland

* Masters Degree in Development Communication, Philippines

These qualifications underscore Coach Jedi's commitment to continuous learning and professional development in the field of sports coaching and communication.

Coaching Style: I am a Coach because of my passion for my work. I am able to foster the growth of my players through the numerous opportunities I am fortunate to provide. I will mold a group of individuals to communicate, to be responsible, and to hold themselves accountable. I believe in nurturing their dreams to be the best on and off the court. I look at it often and keep a journal for my own use during the season to help me grow and develop as a Coach. I am a firm believer that if you have knowledge pass it on to those who do not.

Experience: Julien joined TennisGear in 2017 from France where he worked as a coach since the age of 18 years. His experiences include working with adults, college & high school players, junior development programs, Adaptive Disability Tennis Program for adults and children, high performance, and tournament support.

Key Attributes: 10 years coaching experience
13 years playing experience

Qualifications: Tennis France Community Coaching Course 2007
Currently enrolled in Junior Development Course Tennis France
Advanced Diploma in Sport Management (STAPS Rouen (France)) 2008
Sports Instructor (BPJEPS APT-France degree) 2012

Coaching style: My style is to help reach and experience the full potential of the player. I always believe in the player to improve their performance, ability, skills as a tennis athlete. Competition and confidence on the court are the pillars of competitiveness. I challenge my students to strive for improvement in areas, rather than a "win at all costs" philosophy.

Experience: My tennis career began at 12 years old. I had 2 coaches in which allowed me to have more experience on the court. My personal trainer used many methods which led to a stronger progression. I have the experience of working as a team, being able to diagnose the missing links within someone's body movement and make the necessary mechanical or fundamental corrections. I played several tournaments at the national level of my country, as well as with the university traveling to different cities. I always say that defeats, are the victories on the way to the top.

Key attributes: I have always believed that discipline is the key to success. Passion, being positive and being able to say that you can always do it, is the daily fuel to achieve anything in life. Fun and knowledge are always united in having a great athlete.

Qualifications: A physical education teacher. Personal trainer. Also currently studying to better my skills on the tennis court.

Coaching style:

Having played tennis since the age of four, I now hope to pass on the joy that the sport has given me both throughout my junior and adult life. My sessions are dynamic, creative and focused, ensuring a happy, hard-working environment for all.   

Experience: 

Greig joined TennisGear in 2023 from Scotland, where he worked across multiple tennis venues, including The National Tennis Centre in Stirling, David Lloyd Newhaven, working within and developing their Junior Performance Programme and also Thistle Tennis Club Edinburgh, assisting the Head Coach with upwards of 450 Junior and Adult members.  

Key attributes:  

• 7 years national level playing experience across Europe, the USA & Canada.
• 6 years coaching experience. 
• Awarded a scholarship to the University of Calgary's Dinos tennis programme, Majoring in Kinesiology.  
• Played in the Canadian, Prairie Regional College Championships.  
• Winning the East of Scotland Division 1 title, representing Braid Tennis Club.  

Qualifications: 

• LTA Accredited Level 2 Coach  
• Bachelor’s Degree in Sports and Exercise Science  
• Personal Trainer REPS Level 3  
• Gym Instructor REPS Level 2  

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