Coaching Team Update

Dear Member,

As we wave goodbye to 2023 and look forward to the New Year, we want to share with you two important changes to the OC coaching team.

The first is that James Gibbens has given up his position, after 18 months, as the youngest member of the team. Those who were coached by James will have warmed to his gentle manner and friendly nature and been impressed by his abilities as a tennis player and coach. James demonstrated admirable professionalism and total commitment to the Club and his coaching duties, right up to the day he left, just before Christmas, to pursue his LTA Level 4 qualification and tennis coaching closer to home. We are sorry to see him go, thank him for his service and wish him well in the future.

The second change flows from James’ departure and the need to replace him. We have seen this as an opportunity to re-think some of the coaching team’s objectives. We have identified the need to add to our performance coaching offering, particularly with our junior academy in mind. As a club, we want to attract and retain talented, enthusiastic and committed junior members. We aim to achieve this by developing a more structured pathway in the junior academy, for those juniors wishing to take their tennis to a higher level.

As a result, the New Year will see the arrival of Luke Hymas. Luke has gained great experience coaching all ages and levels, from improvers to top level academy players, during his time at Sutton Academy, Bromley TC and Wigmore LTC. In addition to his invaluable experience working with top players, and performance coaches in established academy setups, Luke has a great understanding of what it takes to progress as a junior, having been on that journey himself as a young talent. Luke also brings an expertise in sports psychology to the team, having achieved a Masters in Sport and Exercise Psychology at Loughborough University, which he is keen to utilise in his coaching at the club. Luke was able to draw down on all of these valuable experiences and great achievements to impress the OC selection panel during a rigorous selection process which attracted a very strong field. We welcome him to the Club.

Best wishes to all for a very Happy New Year,

Bernard Stilwell (Chair of Tennis) Alex Heath (Head Coach)

28/12/2023