To have a career in the sport I love, whilst also passing on the knowledge and experience I have gained as a player was the reason I decided to become a coach,”

I hope that through my athletes I can achieve growth in the sport and in turn help them all to grow in life. It’s developing and enhancing individual life skills through the game of tennis.”

Three years ago the club was struggling. Since that time we have doubled our membership, mainly through an agreement with John Playle as our club coach through the Hobart Tennis Academy”

Three years ago the Lindisfarne Tennis Club was struggling, with a low membership and dated facilities.

Now it is set to become just the second in Hobart behind the Domain to upgrade to plexicushion courts — the same used at the Australian Open — and out to prove it is the best club in the state by taking out the newly created Tasmanian Tennis League.

The TTL, a competition between eight clubs split into a south and north/north-west conference, kicked off last weekend and Lindisfarne will host Kingston in the second round of matches on Sunday.

Under president Peter Hobday and coach John Playle Lindisfarne has doubled its membership base from 80 to about 170 and now boasts some of the best junior talent in the game.

This includes 15-year-old Daniel Groom, who is ranked only behind Harry Bourchier in his age group and No. 8 in Australia, as well as Vanessa Dobson, Hannah Coombe and Erin Fazackerley.

The quartet will be looking to continue their strong start to the TTL against the Sea Eagles on their home turf, with $10,000 in prizemoney up for grabs in the tournament.

“Three years ago the club was struggling. Since that time we have doubled our membership, mainly through an agreement with John Playle as our club coach through the Hobart Tennis Academy,” Hobday said.

“He brought with him a squad of elite juniors which has really helped.”

Lindisfarne will hold a gala day from 11am to coincide with its first TTL home fixture, while the other two clubs in the south conference, Domain Wizards and Geilston Bay Aces, will square off at the home of the Hobart International.

Last week’s winners Burnie and Launceston Cobras meet in Burnie, while the Trevallyn Titans plays Launceston Rams in the remaining match.

After the round robin series, the two conference winners will play the two conference runners-up, with the victors to then contest for the inaugural TTL title on November 16 at the Domain.       ARTICLE: ADAM SMITH

A rare opportunity for four talented juniors and two leading coaches in Tasmania to participate in the National Talent Development Camp at the world class national academy in Melbourne was on offer during two days of high performance activities. The camp was showcasing the very best talent from Tasmania and Victoria headed by national academy head coach and former professional player Scott Draper. The camp was a unique insight into how to move, hit and compete in a high performance environment.

Top ranked juniors William Gibson and Samuel Whitehead were under the tutelage of private coach James Bolzonello whilst on the girls side Georgina Fish and Charlotte Ingram attended the camp with private coach John Playle. Bolzonello and Playle are both talent development and club professional coaches in Launceston and Lindisfarne respectively.

After a introduction and expectations from various national academy coaches players took to the court completing various high performance drills and movement exercises to test their fitness and endurance. This was very beneficial for both coaches in attendance with Playle impressed by the professionalism and dedication each player brought to the exercise. Players and coaches were encouraged to think outside the box and how to tackle adversity together.

After the day of high performance drills and movement, day two was all about competing and hard work. These words were reiterated numerous times throughout the camp with all players encouraged to fight out every point and drill till the end. Off the court players were exposed to the other side of the national academy which included the gym, physiotherapy, nutrition and recovery areas. There was much emphasis placed on body conditioning and to be a professional you need to eat, train and treat your body like a professional.

Both coaches were extremely impressed with their charges with Samuel Whitehead being awarded the Hewitt award for his competitiveness and hard work and Charlotte Ingram receiving the Barty award for great movement. John Playle quoted “It was a great experience for all involved. The bar has been set for the level of professionalism and dedication required to become a world class athlete and we have shown the national academy that Tassie players can match it with anyone.”

Next up on the calendar is the brand new Burnie Open Silver AMT/Bronze JT at the Burnie Tennis Club June 7-9. This Silver AMT has $5,000 in prize money on offer whilst the Bronze Junior event has national ranking points on offer.