All of our head coaches are full time, experienced Tennis Australia Professionals. Each has a
strong tennis background and a friendly, energetic approach.
Director,
Head Coach, TACM, USTPA-1, President TCV, B.Ed.
Head Professional Peter Owen's tennis career began
with successful junior performances at State and National level, including selection
in Victoria's Linton Cup Squad. Peter represented universities in both Tennessee
and Texas in NCAA Division 1 and NAIA respectively, and later played the U.S. and European Professional
Tennis Circuit.
Peter has been active in tennis coaching for the past 20 years, including positions
in many clubs throughout Victoria. His international experience includes coaching
at various John Newcombe Tennis Centres throughout the U.S., and also the prestigious
Century Country Club in New York.
Peter's qualifications include a Bachelor of Education in Physical Education
and a Diploma of Tennis Coaching. Peter is a registered member of Tennis Coaches
Victoria, Tennis Australia Coach Membership and is also
a registered member of the United States Professional Tennis Association at the
highest level.
Peter has served as President of Tennis Coaches Australia Victoria for almost two years and has seen it through a very challenging period with the restructuring of Tennis Australia. Peter has also been appointed to the Tennis Australia National Coach Advisory Group.
He is also a Director of Kanga Tennis Tours International and Camp X Multi-Sport
Camps, and continues to attend many international conferences to ensure his students
receive the latest training methods.
Peter won a bronze and gold medal in the 2002 World Masters Games in singles
and doubles respectively and was awarded Tennis Victoria Veterans Tennis Series
“Player of the Year” for 2004.
Peter established Toptenn to provide professional
tennis coaching and an opportunity for everyone to enjoy the lifetime game of
tennis.
Natalie Bacon
(Administrator, Coach, Junior teams Coordinator)
Natalie is Toptenn's office administrator, qualified as a TCV
and Tennis Australia Club Professional and is actively involved in the Toptenn Pro-Shop. She also coordinates and
coaches brilliantly in our fun-filled Aussie Mozzie and TA Hot Shot games programs and does a fantastic job in ensuring that all
the kids have a great time.
Nickname: Nat Attack
Tristan Harper
A former TopTenn student who was awarded Player of the Year in 1997. Tristan is a TCV Advanced Coach who recently graduated 3rd highest in all of Victoria. Tristan is also registered with Tennis Australia Coach Membership as a Club Professional and recently returned from study in the US to achieve his United States Professional Tennis Association qualification.
Twistie conducts many of our Burwood Tennis Club group, private and adult programmes. He also works in our ProShop and is our #1 restringer stringing approximately 1000 racquets in 2007.
Nickname: Twistie
Peter Campbell
Has worked as Senior Tennis Coach at David Lloyd
Leisure Ltd in Raynes Park London and as a hitting partner for players competing
at Wimbeldon. Peter has also held positions in Damascus Syria (working with the
Syrian Davis Cup team) in Durban South Africa and a Tennis Hotel Wolfgangsea
in Austria. He is a very accomphished tennis player and holds a degree in Commerce
and Pschology. He is a member of United States Professional Tennis Registry.
Peter is heavily involved with our elite player programmes.
NEW
Stephen Kangwa
Toptenn is thrilled to welcome Stephen to the Toptenn team.
Stephen has recently moved from New York with wife Kara (formerly from Burwood Tennis Club) where he was the tennis directorat the V.I.P. Beach and Racquet Club. Stephen is a a member of United States Professional Tennis Association as a Pro 1 and has degrees in Behavioural Science and Business Administration. As a former ATP Tour player and Captain of the Zambian Davis Cup Team he brings alot of skill and experience to our team
Steve Kavanagh
The Warnambool Wizard. One of the newest (and tallest)
recruits to the TopTenn team. Stretch is a full-time coach who recently completed
his TCV Development Coaching Course and is recognised as a Tennis Australia Junior Development Coach. He is a legend in the eyes of our Aussie Mozzie students
Nickname: Stretch
Steph Gadsden
A former TopTenn student who was awarded Player
of the Year in 1999. Recently completing the TCV Development Coaching Course and is recognised by Tennis Australia as a Junior Development Coach.
Stephanie conducts group and squad programmes at Holy Trinity, Surrey Hills and
Burwood Tennis Clubs. She also assists in the Pro-Shop and is one of our competent
re-stringers.
Nickname: Stepho!
Hamish Clark
Hamish is one of junior coaches and a long time
student at Toptenn. Hamish also works extensively in the pro shop where you will his happy voice! He has recently completed his Tennis Australia Junior Development Coaching Course and has a degree in Health Science. Hamish will also be studying primary teaching this year.He currently coaches at Burwood Tennis Club, North Kew Tennis
Club, and is a “King of the Kids” at Aqualink in Box Hill on Saturday mornings.
As an avid Carlton supporter and as such it is clear he has a bright future.
Rajiv Shukla
Rajiv moved from Ahmedabad (population 5 million) 7 months ago to start a new life for his family here in Australia with wife Kaustubha and son Zeus 13 and daughter Mosam 18. Rajiv is a member of the United States Professional Registry and has been a USPTR Pro for 7 years. His passion is tennis but also has a keen interest in photography and has top class hotel management skills. Good luck Rajiv.
Ryan Wood (Toptenn Toorak)
Ryan Wood, a former nationally ranked junior, is an accomplished tennis player playing Grade 1 Victorian Tennis Series Pennant for Grace Park. Ryan is currently coaching at Deepdene Tennis Club and we look forward to more involvement from Ryan in thr future. His father Steve is the CEO of Tennis Australia and a member of the all-conquering Burwood Tennis Club Dream Team
Andrew Hardeman
Andrew began learning tennis with Peter at Toptenn at age 6 at Scotch College. Andrew then went on to captain the Scotch Firsts. Through talent, hard work and persistence he developed into a nationally ranked junior. Toptenn is very excited to have Andrew back on our coaching team
Gareth Taylor
Gareth has been involved with Toptenn both as a gifted and loyal student and also as a member of our coaching team working predominantly from Deepdene. He is a fully qualified personal trainer and is currently furthering hid education at University.
Planet Tennis Staff
Parke O'Dwyer
Parke is an accomplished tennis player and Australian ranked Royal Tennis Player. He has an excellent knowledge of tennis racquets and is an experienced and expert stringer. As well Parke is lead vocals and guitarist in one of Melbourne's up and coming bands called INTHECITY. Click on the following link to sample some of this awesome music
Lisa is bright and passionate inclusion to our experienced and diverse coaching team. Lisa had been coaching at the Yaarbat Tennis Centre in Balwyn, but has moved across to Toptenn to become a full time professional. Lisa has taken the Tennis Australia Junior Development Course and is presently coaching at Canterbury Baptist TC, Burwood TC, Scotch College, and conducting the junior Club night at North Kew TC. Amazingly Lisa not only shares a name with the famous TV character, she was also born on the same day and believe it or not our Lisa plays the saxophone!!! Spooky.
Fernando Sanchez Montoya
Fernando was born in Chile and has played tennis all over South America participating in Futures annd Challenger qualifying tournaments. Fernando is completing his Tennis Australia Junior Development Coaching Course as he continues to accumulate qualifications and experience from around the world.
Currently in Australia studing Sports Management at Deakin, Fernando holds South American Coaching Qualifications and is dedicated to the sport. It is worth noting tthat Fernando is the cousin of Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo. Fernando is currently coaching on the Toptenn Team at Burwood, Scotch, Deepdene, and Aqualink.
Terence Zegerink
Terrence adds more international flavour to our multi-cultural team. He was born in South Africa and is Dutch/South African. He played as the number 1 Tennis player at Saint Andrew’s School in Bloemfontein, South Africa. He was also a state junior representative tennis player in South Africa. He has also undertaken a coaching course at University and has coached in Tumbridge Wells, United Kingdom. His favourite player is Stefan Edberg. Terrence is currently completing his Tennis Australia Junior Development Coach certificate.
Nickname: "Terry Towling"
Anthony Norman
Anthony does a wonderful job with the junior Saturday morning programme at St. Martins Tennis Club in Balwyn. He is an accomplished player and certified Tennis Coaches Victoria "Advanced Coach"
Josh Sakaraessen
Josh has done a wonderful job taking over from Matt during his international travels. Josh is a TCA Development Coach and with his acting background is excellent entertainment and fun for the kids. Josh is also taking the Adult Nights at Deepdene and North Kew and the notorious Wednesday Ladies at Aqualink! Josh is currently in LA pursuing an acting career and coaching at UCLA to support this ridiculous habit!
Marc Benkamoun
Marc has recently joined our team and has taken the TCV Advanced Course. An accomplished tennis player, Marc has been coaching our Monday night juniors at Deepdene Tennis Club
Hendrik Gutwirth
Hendrik has been doing a wonderful job with the classes at Bluebell Hill on Wednesday afterschool. He comes with multiple qualifications with specific expertise in fitness evaluation and programming. Hendrik has played and coached all over the world including Asia ans South America.
Marcel Eusterhausenfelt
Marcel has been residing at International House at Deakin University on exchange studying final year law. He is an extremely accomplished player who has coached extensively in Germany and at his club just ouside of Dusseldorf. The kids and adults alike have enjoyed his coaching at Deepdene and Holy trinity.
Trainee Coaches
Nick Tuxen
Nick is a former Captain of Tennis at Scotch College and highly ranked Australian Junior. Nick travelled with Kanga Tennis Tours to the USA where he won the La Jolla Championships in fine style. Later in 2006 Nick will live in the USA where he has earned a Scholarship at St Josephs University (NCAA 1) in Philadelphia. He will complete his TCA Development course while training with Toptenn.
Big Al Berg
Big Al has been with Toptenn as a student and now coach for almost 10 years. Al reached Hall of Fame status at Toptenn. He is completing year 12 studies at Camberwell Grammar School and assisting with Classes at the Deepdene Tennis Club
CJ Wright
CJ is one of our trainee coaches. He is completing his year 12
studies at Camberwell Grammar and has been a formidable
member of the First XIII team for many years.
Currently CJ is assisting with classes at the Deepdeene Tennis Club.
Gareth Taylor
Bio coming!
Consultants
Geoff Quinlan
Geoff is a fully qualified member of the TCV with 15 years teaching experience. He has an Honours Degree in Human Movement (Sports Science). Geoff is a former Development Officer for the Central Queensland Tennis Association and is the Head Coach at Wesley College. Joffa is currently working towards his level 3 (high performance) accreditation.
Joffa took the Australian 12/under national team to New Zealand in July 2005 and .
Nickname: Joffa
Vicky Lee
Certified TCV, TA, and USPTA coach, fitness instructor, and re-stringer, Vicky is a state grade #1 player and has held a WTA world ranking in doubles. Vicky as a TCV Advanced Coach, organized many of our Tennis in Schools Programmes, and conducted many private, fitness, and development squad sessions at Scotch College. Vicky is also the Head Coach at Doncaster Tennis Club and is a retail agent for our pro-shop.
Nickname: Vickilator
Matt Sunter
Matty is a highly motivated and energetic member of our Coaching team. Matt holds his TA Development Coach and Club Professional Certification. Matt spent twelve months as entertainment and tennis director on Club Med Lindeman island before coming to Toptenn.
Matt was our Head Coach at North Kew Tennis Club until moving to London to further his knowledge and experience base. He currently is Director of Tennis at an exclusive indoor facility in Notting Hill. We look forward to Matty's return.