My Coach – March 2015 issue

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My Tennis Life

MY TENNIS LIFE

Describing tennis as “chess on legs” Queensland coach John Birrell believes strategy is a key to overall success – and so too is focus, work ethic and a positive outlook.

John Birrell

Successful strategy I

didn’t seriously pick up a tennis racquet until I was 12. At age 16 I started playing full-time, said goodbye to family and moved to Canberra to train under renowned coach Charlie Hollis, the former mentor to tennis legend Rod Laver.

I had the opportunity to train with Michael Stitch in Dusseldorf, Germany a month after he won Wimbledon.

Also while I was in Germany, Boris Becker trained at my club DSC 99 for a period preparing for his French Open and clay court season. I have also had the wonderful experience of working with both Pat Cash and Geoff Masters.

With my passion for tennis it was an easy decision to become a coach. I saw lots of opportunities in the sport.

Tennis was my first and only career choice because of my love of the sport. I have always been dedicated to strive to achieve, both as a player and a coach. There is so much opportunity in tennis, from the grassroots of the sport through to elite.

I started a coaching apprenticeship in my late teens and became a qualified coach at the age of 21. I spent 10 years coaching in Germany at two leading clubs where I soon found myself guiding the careers of some exceptional juniors. After the birth of my own daughter, I moved back to Australia wanting to pass on my knowledge and experience to Australian

players. I took a position first managing the Wodonga Tennis Centre in Victoria and then moved to the Gold Coast, where I was a Head Coach at Pat Cash’s Tennis Academy in Hope Island.

For the past seven years I have managed Tennis Plus at Queens Park Tennis Centre at Southport on the Gold Coast.

This is a 10-court complex in the heart of Southport CBD. Together with my wife and a staff of 14 we are extremely active day in and day out to cater for the tennis needs of the community.

I currently coach my daughter, Kimberly Birrell (world No.18 in ITF junior world rankings and No.880 on the WTA Tour) my son Cade, who also is an upcoming junior player and many other ANZ Tennis Hot Shots players at our centre.

Players I have worked with in the past include No.1 junior Swedish player and French Open junior doubles champion, Magnus Martinelle, and several national German players.

I have also coached national Australian players Monika Wejnert, Alex Sanders, Elizabeth James and worked with professionals

QUALIFICATIONS: fessiona l coa ch Ten nis Australia Club Pro ch coa ID nt and Tale CLUBS: , Tennis Plus at Queens Park ensland Southport Gold Coast, Que OTHER: b of the Year’ 2012 Tennis Gold Coast ‘Clu

Matt Reid, Ben Mitchell and Jarmila Gajdosova.

in 100 per cent effort, concentrate and listen.

The likes of Andre Agassi, Steffi Graf and Pete Sampras are role models for my players. Their work ethic, sportsmanship and contribution to tennis are unsurpassed. They brought something very special to the game.

I don’t take recognition as a role model to my students lightly. I take comfort in the fact that all my hard work has paid off.

I lead by example and work with my players to set reachable and achievable goals.

I inspire my players through positive reinforcement, good body language, communication and by being consistent.

Players must stay consistent with their training, work hard with a positive attitude about learning, dedicate themselves and stay focused. My coaching philosophy is based on three core principles – to put

hn Birrell, withp EX AMPLE: Jo to LEADING BYughter Kimberly (a world sful wife Ros, da d son Cade, also a succes rd for 20 junior) an s in setting a high standa junior, believe llow. fo students to

Tennis is chess on legs and mental strategies are so important in the game. My mentor Charlie Hollis always told me that tennis is played from the shoulders up. Many of my students have enjoyed a game of chess with me.

I enjoy seeing the children progress through the different stages of their tennis development. I have many children who started with me at four years of age in red ball Hot Shots that are now playing tournaments locally and nationally. It is great to see their achievements and enjoyment of the game. I also enjoy the diversity of such a global sport – the cultures, languages and life experiences.

Increasing player participation and bringing tennis to the wider community on the Gold Coast is one of my goals as a coach.

I would like Tennis Plus at Queens Park to continue to be a leading junior tennis training academy on the Gold Coast catering for all levels of player from grassroots through to the elite players. My other goal is to continue to watch my own children, Kimberly and Cade, grow as tennis players.

DANIELA TOLESKI MARCH 2015 AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE

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