Meet our coaches

Please note

The coaches rates below do not include outdoor court lighting or indoor court fees.  The coach will book the court you prefer on your behalf.
There is an additional fee of £6.00 per hour for outdoor court lighting if required on an evening or early morning.
To use the indoor courts the additional fee is £8.00 per hour or if the lesson is between 7am and 9am, the fee is £6.00 per hour.
24 hours notice must be given for cancellations of individual lessons or the full price of the lesson must be paid.  If an indoor court is booked on your behalf and you wish to play outside, again 24 hours notice must be given or you must pay for the indoor court lights.

 

Nick Fitzpatrick

07973462876
nick@thongsbridge.org
Coaching rate £30



ABOUT ME

I first started playing tennis at the age of 11 and very quickly fell in love with the game. It took around 5 years to make any impact as a player. At the age of 16 I got my first invitation to county training and by 18 was representing Yorkshire at number 2 with a national ranking of around 40.
Whilst desperate to play full time, my parents thought it wise that I attend university for 3 years, so off I went (reluctantly) and gained a degree in “Materials Science & Engineering.”

4 months in to my course, I received a letter offering me a scholarship to an American University. Once I start something I have to complete it so turning this down was one of the toughest decisions I have ever had to make.
I loved representing my first club “Rawdon Golf and Lawn Tennis Club” and was very fortunate to be part of a very strong team that won 4 national team doubles titles.

After completing my degree, I suddenly found myself helping out a few young players at the club and soon enough I was on my way to becoming a level 5 coach. I spent 10 very enjoyable years at Ilkley developing their performance players and playing for the club in the national premier league.
Out of the blue I received a phone call from the LTA asking if I would consider heading up a coaching team in a place called “Thongsbridge.” I came to have a look and never looked back.

During my coaching career, I have worked with many players from beginners to national champions, captained many county cup teams and won national titles with players from Yorkshire including Kyle Edmund.
I’m very proud to work within one of the best coaching teams in the North of England where every day the aim is to improve all the players we see whatever the level or age.

CORE QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE

BSc. Materials Science & Engineering
Performance Coach Award - UK Level 5

Georgina Jackson

07976580081
georgina@thongsbridge.org
Coaching rate £30


ABOUT ME

I have been coaching for over 27 years in Yorkshire. I began after graduating from Leeds with a Geography degree when my temporary summer coaching job became full time at Otley Tennis Club. After several successful years building their club programme I moved over to Ilkley Tennis Club and joined up with Nick working in one of the biggest private members clubs in the North of England, including having a lanky teenage Rob Jackson running about the courts!

I have captained the Ladies National Aegon Team which has twice in recent years reached the National Finals and been one of the top 8 teams in the country and the Yorkshire League team which I captained and played in, won Division One.

I manage the club shop with Rob Jackson.

Away from tennis I love being outside - either in the garden or out on the hills or seaside. I have a passion for travelling and exploring new places however remote – as long as it is hot!

CORE QUALIFICATIONS

Level 5 – Tennis Coaching (TDA)
I am a R4 ABTO registered referee and currently I am the Yorkshire LTA referee of the year. I run all the competitions for juniors at the club from Grade 3 through to 6.

Rob Jackson

07789 000331
rob@thongsbridge.org
Coaching rate £29


ABOUT ME

I first became interested in tennis at the age of 5 when I started lessons at Ilkley Tennis Club. I attended Ghyll Royd School in my junior days and then went onto Woodhouse Grove, where I studied for my GCSEs and A levels. I loved my sport at Woodhouse and went on to be captain of the Tennis, Squash and 2nd Team Rugby in my last year. After school I attended Leeds Metropolitan University where I achieved a degree in Leisure and Sports Management. Whilst studying at Leeds, I taught squash at the university and also at my old school, Woodhouse Grove. I then went on to join the coaching team at Thongsbridge Tennis Club in 2005. I run the Junior and Adult Programme as well as managing the club's shop with Georgina Jackson and other bits and bobs behind the scenes.

I offer a racket re-stringing service which is available throughout the week. I also run the Tennis Box Leagues, which are open to all Thongsbridge Adult Tennis Members; Singles, Doubles and Mixed Leagues are available. Please speak to me if you would like to join one of these.

It has been said that I'm very approachable - a quality I'm proud to be labelled with. My teaching style is always to make lessons a thoroughly informative yet enjoyable experience.

CORE QUALIFICATIONS

Level 4 – Tennis Coaching
Degree in Leisure and Sport management

07817884615
paul@thongsbridge.org
Coaching rate £29

Paul Hull

ABOUT ME
Having come from a family of teachers that all have a passion for sport, there seems little surprise that I have ended up seeking a profession that allows me to pass on my knowledge to others.

From a young age I have always enjoyed playing tennis. Growing up as a junior in the realms of the Calderdale League it wasn’t long before I was playing several times a week in performance squads held at Queens Tennis Club, Halifax. While studying A Levels at Greenhead College any opportunity was also taken to assist in leading coaching sessions at my local tennis club throughout the holidays.

It seemed a natural progression to go on to study a degree in Sport & Exercise Science at Loughborough University. Successfully representing the University in BUSA competitions while also assisting the Leicestershire County Development Programme which was based at the University was a definite highlight during this time.
Deciding on a future career in Secondary Education, I went on to complete a Post Graduate Certificate in Education before holding down a post at Thornton Grammar School, Bradford as a PE teacher for 16 years.

More recently I’ve been committed to supporting the journey of my two children who are both aspiring young tennis players heavily involved in the Junior tennis programme at Thongsbridge Tennis Club. In addition, I’m also proud to have represented the Yorkshire over 35 men as part of their County Cup team and still enjoy the occasional guest appearance for Thongsbridge in the Winter and Summer National Leagues. My involvement at Thongsbridge has continued to grow, initially offering hits in my spare time to many of the young performance players at the club. This has helped reignite my passion for working with individuals of all ages and ability who seek to maximise their own potential.

It is an absolute pleasure to be part of a team of coaches at Thongsbridge Tennis Club who all share this common goal!

CORE QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE
BSc (Hons) Sport & Exercise Science
Post Graduate Certificate in Education (P.G.C.E) – Physical Education Development Coach Award – UK Level 3

Craig Jarrom

07824321431
Craig@thongsbridge.org
Coaching rate £28


ABOUT ME

I took up Tennis at the age of 16 playing at Queen’s club in Halifax and at 21 moved to Middlesbrough to live and train full time at Tennis World working with current GB coach Richard Plews to improve my game.

At 23 I was invited to a training session at the prestigious Queen’s Club in London to train with Stephen Botfield, British No7 and Gary Engelmann, British No 10 both coached by David Haring & Tony Mitchell who was National Under 12, 14 and 16 Champion.

I then received sponsorship to the tune of £5000  having impressed David & Tony enough to go and live in London and train full time at the Queen’s club. This led me to compete in Switzerland in a satellite event.

During my training at Queens club I had the privilege to hit with Stefan Edberg former World No 1 and Wimbledon Champion and Christo Van Rensberg former World no 19 no 5 at Doubles. I practice and drill to a high intensity and have a great knowledge of the game.

CORE QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE

Level 3 Tennis Coach


Matt Wesley

07812513773
Matt@thongsbridge.org
Coaching rate £26



ABOUT ME

Coming from a family who all love tennis I first started playing at the age of 9 at Barnsley Tennis Club where I was coached by my older brother. Tennis quickly became my life and from the age of 9 to 17 I dedicated myself to the sport competitively at county level and eventually achieved a 3.2 rating.

Fast forward a few years, after leaving tennis to study at Newcastle College where I graduated, I found myself back where it all started at Barnsley tennis club where I was asked to take on a coaching role in 2017. This progressed to achieving the Head Coach role, running the coaching program, working in local schools, and representing the club in the men’s doubles Sheffield and district league. Last year my eagerness to develop as a coach lead me to approach Nick Fitzpatrick who was kind enough to give me mentoring, time and now the chance to work alongside himself and his team of coaches at Thongsbridge who are of a calibre that I aspire to reach.

In a nutshell I am a lad from Barnsley who just loves teaching tennis, playing guitar in my spare time, and consistently striving to play a positive role in people’s journey, on and off the court.

CORE QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE

Level 3 Tennis Coach


Kieron Hinds

07954073168
Kieron@thongsbridge.org
Coaching rate £20
Hitting rate £17


ABOUT ME

I began playing tennis at the age of 10 at Barnsley Lawn Tennis club. I immediately fell in love with the sport and decided to quit football and cricket to concentrate on tennis.

Instead of playing regular tournaments, I started playing for the Barnsley Men's teams at the age of 11. When I did play the odd tournament , I was barely winning any matches for the first few years. Determined not to give up, I later found myself representing Yorkshire & Humber at College Nationals, where I proudly beat the number 1 junior in Lancashire at the time, only to bottle 3 match points against Wales the next round... But I loved every minute!

Always volunteering to help with the younger groups at Barnsley, it was no surprise taking up a tennis coaching qualification. I love passing on my knowledge from the fantastic coaches who I have been fortunate enough to have during my time as a junior, including spending a week at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca.

I look forward to joining and learning from the amazing coaching team at Thongsbridge.

CORE QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE

Level 2 Tennis Coach



Mat Green

07502152075
Mat.Green@thongsbridge.org
Coaching rate £29

ABOUT ME

As a youngster I loved and played football, and am proud to say I played for Sheffield Rangers with the record of winning every league match in the early 80’s and reaching the Cup Final in the same season. When I was 14 I began playing tennis and after a while realised one of my sports had to give. Tennis won!

I spent my youth playing tournaments and became a handy player and joined the Hallamshire National Club League. Playing singles was my favourite.
I get so much out of all areas of my work, but especially love working with the younger players, encouraging them to reach their full potential and enjoy this incredible sport.

The 1-2-1 lessons I take across all ages bring their own rewards – it’s so satisfying to see the improvements each member makes as they develop their skills.

My family is very important too and I have 3 wonderful daughters and have recently become a grandad.

CORE QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE

Level 4 Tennis Coach
I have coached for 23 years at Graves Tennis Club and 2 years at Abbeydale.
Head coach at Moorgate Tennis Club and Beauchief Tennis Club