Meet your Love'n Deuce coaching team!

Paul francis

The Boss. Paul's father Reg, and mother Mary, started coaching tennis 60 years ago in Rangers Road, Cremorne, at the back of the now Redlands school, before moving to Balmoral Beach in an idyllic setting with five courts.
Paul took over 30 years ago, launched Love'n Deuce with courts at Grafton Ave, Wheatleigh Street, and Talus Street to become Sydney's leading tennis complex.

Motivation to coach: Hated studying

Pet hate: Dishonesty

Outside interests: Family, wine, fishing, and sport in general

Favourite song: 'He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother' – the Hollies, with Sir Elton John on piano

Favourite food: Steak

Host the ultimate dinner party with five guests:

Sir Donald Bradman, Roger Federer, Sarah O'Hare, Kerry Packer, and Pope Bendict XV1

MARK ROGER

General Manager, holding the NSW TCA Level 2 coaching certificate.
Mark has been at Love’n Deuce for 16 years after a competitive career at local, state junior, and state senior level – a doubles specialist.
A coach for over 20 years, Mark's currently working with all age groups from beginners, to senior tournament level.

Motivation to coach:Enormous pleasure helping improve tennis players from 5-65

Pet hate: Low work ethic

Outside interests: Architecture, landscaping

Favourite song: 'I Wanna Hold Your Hand' – the Beatles

Favourite food: Thai, Mexican

Host the ultimate dinner party with five guests:

Rod Laver, President Bill Clinton, Andre Agassi, Donald Trump, and wife Alison Roger

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JEFF SNELLING

Head Coach and the patriarch of the team, was a State-ranked player as a youngster, but saw his future as a coach.
After 14 years in the USA with Fred Stolle, Jeff returned home, and has been at Love’n Deuce for the last 12 years.

Motivation to coach:

As a youngster he was an assistant coach, and his payment from the boss was private lessons - Jeff caught the coaching bug.

Pet hate:

Getting blamed for something he didn't do

Outside interests: Fishing – growing orchids and bromalades

Favourite song:'Cashmere' – Led Zeppelin

Favourite food: Anything his wife cooks - absolutely anything

Host the ultimate dinner party with five guests:

Maria Sharapova (minus father), Dawn Fraser, Ric Charlesworth, Steve Waugh, and Vince Lombardi, legendary Green Bay Packers coach

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BRAD MELVILLE

Had an outstanding junior career, winning singles tournaments in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and the USA - and capturing the coveted Pizzey Cup for NSW with Jason Stoltenberg, Todd Woodbridge, and Adam Anderson in 1985, after being runners up in 1984.
Holds a BBA (Finance) degree from the University of Texas, where he was Pan–American 1986–1989, and number one player in the tough NCAA Division 1.

Motivation to coach: At home outdoors, and the interaction with people

Pet hate: Excuses

Outside interests: Computers, Internet

Favourite song: 'American Trilogy' – Elvis Presley

Favourite food: Thai

Host the ultimate dinner party with five guests:

Roger Federer, Richard Branson, Michael Jordan,

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LORRAINE NICHOLS

Better known as "Loz", Lorraine fell into teaching kids between two–and–a half to four years of age, to know themselves through sport - and she's done a sensational job.
Every parent will readily attest to the fact that keeping their own kids interested is a tough job - "Loz" has as many as 250 kids in a week - a marvel.

Motivation to coach: Really enjoys being with kids

Pet hate: Peak hour traffic

Outside interests: Running, exercise in general

Favourite song: 'Girls Just Want to Have Fun' - Cindy Lauper

Favourite food: Chocolate

Host the ultimate dinner party with five guests:

Paul Newman, Robbie Williams, Princess Mary, Harrison Ford, and "Loz's" best mate Sue Laurence

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DAVID FALCONER

Originally started coaching part time from the age of 17yrs with Love'n Deuce.  I then moved on to establish his own tennis schools, Tennis Valley, Tennis Fairways, and Tennis Cove and also did some coaching in Japan.  In between David was also the head coach and events manager at Darling Harbour Sports in the lead up to the Sydney 2000 Olympics.  David is a club professional coach with Tennis Australia and has coached State and National ranked Juniors.  David is very excited to be part of the Love'n Deuce team again  

Motivation to coach: Meeting people and forming friendships.  Seeing the enjoyment my clients get when improving on court.

Pet hate: Unreliability and missing an easy putt

Outside interests: Golf, NRL, general fitness and family

Favourite song: Mustang Sally, Commitments

Favourite food: Ice Cream

Host the ultimate dinner party with five guests:

Michael Parkinson, Bjorn Borg, Noel Kelly, Greg Norman, Dame Edna

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GLENN JACKSON

I have played tennis all my life and love the sport. I have coached in Australia for 13 years and coached in Spain, Germany, France, England, Holland, Switzerland and Hong Kong. I have coached and played on all surfaces from carpet through to clay. I have a UPSTR coaching certificate and played professionally for 5 years. I have coached the American under 18 junior team around Europe twice. I really enjoy coaching all levels of tennis and look forward to a new challenge.

Motivation to coach: The satisfaction of helping people and watching them grow in all areas of their tennis

Pet hate: Injuries!!!

Outside interests: All sports, Friends and Family

Favourite song: Foo Fighters - Everlong

Favourite food: Anything Sweet

Host the ultimate dinner party with five guests: Manny Paquciao, Dave Grohl, Marat Safin, Michael Jordon, Johnny Depp

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DOMINIC HALL

Caught the coaching bug playing collage tennis for five years in the USA, moved back to Darwin for three years, and is now in Sydney with a Development Coaching certificate, and studying for the Advanced Coaching qualification.

Motivation to coach: Enjoy teaching

Pet hate: Superficiality

Outside interests: Films, beach, and sport

Favourite song: Smells like teen spirit, Nirvana

Favourite food: Italian

Host the ultimate dinner party with five guests:

Michael Jordan, Quentin Tarantino, Kofi Annan, Pat Rafter and Milla Jovovich

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ANDREW CRAWLEY

Andrew started working at Love'n Deuce in 2009, after operating his own tennis centre in South-West Sydney. He has 25 years coaching experience and is a Tennis Australia Club Professional Coach, as well as a qualified soccer, softball and AFL coach. He has competed at state and local level in tennis and loves being involved in touring groups. He was previously a Primary School teacher for 12 years and has a wife, Kelly, and a daughter, Emily.

Motivation to coach: I love seeing improvement in people

Pet hate: People who don’t try

Outside interests: Family, fishing, movies

Favourite song: 'Bad to the Bone', George Thorogood

Favourite food: Anything!

Host the ultimate dinner party with five guests:

Roger Federer, Tiger Woods, Emily Crawley, Michael Jordan, Beyoncé

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Rochelle Sangster

Rochelle started working at Love'n Deuce as an 18 year old university student in 2001. She has a Bachelor of Education in Secondary Human Movement and Health Education and has taught High School, but finds teaching 2½ - 5 year old children more enjoyable.

 

 

Motivation to coach:

I love the interaction with kids: there is nothing more rewarding than seeing a child grow into an awesome little person!

Pet hate:

Disloyalty

Outside interests:

Music, photography & sport in general

Favourite song:

'I Wanna Dance with Somebody' – Whitney Houston, 'Pon de Replay' – Rihanna, 'Gangsta’s Paradise' - Coolio

Favourite food:

Chocolate

Host the ultimate dinner party with five guests:

Wayne Brady, Beyonce Knowles, Oprah Winfrey, Ellen DeGeneres, and Barack Obama

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Luke Penning

Luke began working at Love'n Deuce in 2006 as a work experience student while completing a degree in Exercise & Sport Science at university. Luke is a qualified Level 3 Personal Trainer and Sports Trainer, and loves sports in general.

Motivation to coach: Love of sport and a family history of teaching

Pet hate: Negativity

Outside interests: Surfing and all water sports

Favourite song: 'Under the Bridge' – Red Hot Chilli Peppers, 'Shout' – Isley Brothers

Favourite food: Mexican

Host the ultimate dinner party with five guests:

Anthony Kiedis, Eddie Murphy, Jessica Alba, Ernesto Che Guevara, Roger Federer

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Sandy-Ann van den Heever

Sandy emigrated from South Africa in 2004 and has been working at Humpty Squads since 2007. I am currently studying primary teaching on a part-time basis, and has experience in the fitness industry where I previously worked as a trainer and manager of various health clubs for a number of years.

 

Motivation to coach: Smile on child's face when they achieve something and they always laugh at my jokes.

Pet hate: Laziness

Outside interests: Tennis with friends, sun and surf, gym and dancing (watching - need to learn!)

Favourite song: "Wait till you see my smile", Alicia Keys and "Today", The Smashing Pumpkins.

Favourite food: Any creamy pasta

Host the ultimate dinner party with five guests: Ellen DeGeneres, Will Smith, Valentino Rossi, Nelson Mandela and my mum

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Vince Valenta

I have played from the  age of 7,played many junior tournaments and moved into a coaching career early on and have been coaching tennis for 25 years. My youngest student is 3yrs of age and oldest is 88 and still going strong. Also I have completed a Sports Science at Wollongong University.

Motivation to coach: All the interesting people I meet from all walks of life.

Pet hate: Bouncers that don't appreciate my dress sense

Outside interests: Anything outdoors that involves feats of endurance, and of an extreme nature.

Favourite song:  Back in Black

Favourite food: Toss up between baked beans on toast and bacon and egg roll

Host the ultimate dinner party with five guests:

The Mighty Quinn, Big wave dave, Bundy Boy, Chuckie and Shambles.  All mates at a bbq.

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Craig Smith

 

 

 

 

I have lived and played on the northern peninsula all of my life. I did my first lesson for a local coach at age 15.  I established 'Smiths Tennis Centre' at North Curl Curl in 1982, and after 20 years moved to Belrose Tennis Centre for 7 years and since then I have worked for a variety of tennis centres before working at Tennis Cove in 2009 and now Love'n Deuce in 2010.
 

Motivation to coach: "Best job in the world"

Pet hate: Bullying

Outside interests: Watching Rugby and Rugby League

Favourite song: Banana Boat (Dayo), Harry Belafonte

Favourite food: Steak and vegetables

Host the ultimate dinner party with five guests:

My wife Cathy, my 3 children Cassie, Matt and Brad, and my deceased dad Ray who they had not met.

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Steve Herbert

I started playing tennis at the age of 11 and continue to enjoy playing in Open and Seniors Tournaments around NSW.  I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to coach at a Tennis Resort in Austria for 2 years in 1989/1990.
 

Motivation to coach: The enjoyment of seeing people improve and reach their potential

Pet hate: People cheating during a tennis match !

Outside interests: Family, fishing, water skiing,  and ......... TENNIS !

Favourite song:  Thunderstruck / ACDC

Favourite food: Seafood

Host the ultimate dinner party with five guests:

Ken Rosewall, John Travolta, Jack Nicholson, Catherine Zeta-Jones and my mum

 

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Gavin Johnstone

Born and raised in Sydney, I started learning tennis at the age of 7.  My first coach as Don Rocavert.  I started playing junior tournaments every school holidays and long weekends at age 8 1/2 through to around 16 1/2 with varied results. Wins included three junior doubles title from Todd Woodbridge and Jason Stoltenberg.

I have been coaching since 1996 and I am a TCA level 2 accredited coach since 2005.
 

Motivation to coach: I get genuine satisfaction from helping people improve and being part of it.  I also like meeting different people, being outdoors and active.

Pet hate: Double standards and dishonesty.

Outside interests: All things Fast & Furious, cars, motorbikes, boats etc.  Interested in all motor sports including participating in Club Moto X and drifting in Oran Park.

Favourite song: Too hard to name a favourite but I love many different varieties of music including Jazz, Blues,

Favourite food: Seafood

Host the ultimate dinner party with five guests:

Ken Rosewall, John Travolta, Jack Nicholson, Catherine Zeta-Jones and my mum

 

TOM DENAHY

Raised in country Victoria, Tom began tennis lessons at age 8 with Bendigo coach, Keiran Fitzgerald and played on grass as a junior growing up near Wangaratta, VIC. Since watching Peter Doohan play at Kooyong in 1986, his interest in tennis as a competitive sport to play has always grown. He has coached tennis on and off since 1997 but recently joined the Love'n Deuce Coaching Team full time in October 2011 after working in the Pro Shop since 2006.

 

Motivation to coach: Seeing results in a student and watching their enthusiasm grow as they improve.

Pet hate: Parking Inspectors and people who are always late for appointments

Outside interests: Photography, Graphic Design, Film

Favourite song: 'Brooks Was Here' - Shawshank Redemption

Favourite food: Japanese

Host the ultimate dinner party with five guests: Pete Denahy (brother), Ewan McGregor, Mel Gibson, Rafael Nadal, Johnny Depp

DAVE COMYNS

Born and raised in Newcastle, Dave started playing tennis at age 4 under Ken Wray. After a successful junior career he retired at 15 to concentrate other sports such as surfing and boxing. Started coaching at 16 and has been ever since under Newcastle's leading coaches. Coaching became full-time for Dave after finishing his study in Finance at Newcastle University and is now proud to be in Sydney with the Love N deuce team.

Motivation to coach: Meeting people and teaching them how to improve on-court and                                            seeing results from it.

Pet hate: Much like Andrew says

               "people that don't try at all or that don't want to"

Outside interests: Surfing, Xbox, Poker.

Favourite song: Around the world daft punk)

Favourite food: Thai and Japanese

Host the ultimate dinner party with five guests: Jim Carey, Miguel Cotto, Cameron Cantwell (mate) , Tony Brassell and Gael Monfils