About Us
Our mission is to introduce and nurture the lifelong hobby of tennis, within our local community.
We believe in the positivity of tennis. Our programme is focused on delivering this mood-boosting sport to all ages. Tennis develops confidence, social skills and connections, plus a healthy fitness regime, away from digital screens.
Our programme introduces tennis to our community in an inclusive, engaging and structured way. We see our programme as an extension of our own tennis club family.
Indeed, many of our fully qualified coaches and tennis leaders were once youngsters who joined us through our tennis programmes!
We could not be more passionate about tennis, and we could not be more passionate about welcoming you onto our programme.
Gavid Vickers - Head Coach
Qualifications
Licensed (LTA) Level 4 Senior Club Coach
PTR Instructor
Licensed (LTA) Referee
First Aid at Work
DBS Check
Introduction
Gavid has been playing tennis for over 25 years having competed in all levels of the Kent League, won multiple singles and doubles titles and more recently had the pleasure of seeing his students emulate and exceed his achievements domestically and throughout Kent.
Having coached and trained the current crop of top adult players at the club Gavid has a great understanding of what it takes to compete at a high level and while it is nice to produce players and create the next generation of high performance players the true sense of purpose and fulfilment comes from seeing the children who struggle make progress. The look on a child’s face when they hit their first forehand over the net or get their first serve in, is where the real sense of satisfaction is gained.
Gavid has been instrumental in the delivery of our aspiration to introduce hundreds of new children and adults into our programmes and it is his intention to widen this success across Thanet. Gavid says:
"Our ultimate goal is to produce players who love tennis as much as we do and that means delivering quality tennis sessions in an on court culture which embraces inclusivity, friendship and support to enable personal development”.
Reece Mabberley - Club Coach
Qualifications
Licensed (LTA) Level 3 Coach
First Aid at Work
DBS check
Introduction
Reece began his tennis career at Margate Tennis club as a junior. From then on tennis has been his number 1 passion. He began his coaching journey with the tennis leaders course and continued to gain his Level 1,2 and 3 LTA qualifications, with plans to begin the Senior performance Level 4 shortly. Reece’s expertise are definitely routed in performance and has a track record of teaching county and high level players.
Reece then had an opportunity to work full time at the world renowned "La Manga" Tennis academy in Spain for 2 years as a tennis professional in their performance programme. Working with many ITF junior, National and county players from all over the world. He also assisted with pre-tournament/season training with the GB Fed cup and Junior Davis cup team.
Reece enjoys working with all ages and levels and gains great pleasure in watching students improve and reach their tennis goals.
Jack Pegden - Club Coach
Qualifications
Licensed (LTA) Level 2 Coach
Level 4 (NVQ) Sports Coach
Licensed (LTA) Referee
First Aid at Work
DBS Check
Introduction
Jack's tennis journey started at age 5 in Margate, where he quickly fell in love with the sport. His transition from a skilled player to a passionate coach has been seamless, marked by a blend of expertise and enthusiasm. Focused on personal growth, Jack’s coaching style merges competitive insights with engaging sessions, prioritizing skill development, tactical understanding, and fostering a love for tennis.
Holding an LTA Level 3 qualification, Jack is integral to the Infinity Programme, leading diverse group sessions and tailored 1-to-1 lessons. His firsthand experience in competitive tennis, highlighted by winning the 'Men's Kent Champion' in 2023, infuses his coaching with relevant strategies.
Committed to making tennis accessible to everyone, Jack offers inclusive coaching tailored to individual needs, aiming to cultivate a thriving tennis community in East Kent and motivate players to achieve their best.
Dave Houseman - Club Coach
Qualifications
Licensed (LTA) Level 4 Coach
PTR Professional
First Aid at Work
DBS Check
Introduction
When it come to tennis coaching experience counts, as Dave has been coaching for over 30 years and has a vast amount of experience coaching individuals from recreational level to an international standard.
Dave’s impressive pedigree started when he secured a position in "Dennis Van Der Meer" which is a high profile tennis performance academy in the USA.
On returning to the UK Dave went on to work within the Peter McNamara academy one of the top at that time.
Dave’s playing standard was also exceptionally high, playing both county tennis for Essex and competing at college level in the US.
More recently Dave won “Coach of the Year” in 2012 at the prestigious Thanet Sports Award.
Dave now specialises in teaching adults as well as performance juniors and he is excited to start working with you on achieving your goals, whichever they may be.
Danny Marsh - Club Coach
Qualifications
Licensed (LTA) Level 5 Coach
Diploma in Sports Psychology
First Aid at Work
DBS Check
Introduction
With over 28 years of tennis coaching experience, Danny is a seasoned LTA Level 5 Coach and holds a Diploma in Sports Psychology. His journey started at St. George’s Hill Lawn Tennis Club as Head Pro, where he excelled in coaching juniors from beginners to international competitors. A standout achievement in his career was guiding a student to win the under 14 Nationals and reach the third round of the junior Wimbledon event at just 15 years old. Additionally, Danny's tenure as the Surrey Under 12 boys coach for six years saw 13 of his pupils win Kent or Surrey titles, marking him as a pivotal figure in their development.
Danny's coaching philosophy integrates sports psychology to foster mental toughness and strategic acumen among his players. His broad experience and tailored approach to training have proven successful in nurturing young talent, demonstrating his commitment to helping students reach their highest potential. With a passion for tennis and a record of developing winners, Danny continues to inspire and shape the future stars of the sport.
Russell Field - Club Coach
Qualifications
Licensed (LTA) Level 2 Coach
First Aid at Work
DBS check
Introduction
Russell transitioned from being a national-level badminton player to a passionate tennis coach, marking an enriching journey in racket sports. Initially focused on achieving national recognition in badminton, his quest for new challenges led him to tennis. This shift deepened Russell's love for racket sports and steered him towards a coaching career.
His coaching philosophy centers on the belief that every player, regardless of age or skill, has unique potential. Dedicated to unlocking this potential, Russell employs a tailored approach that emphasizes skill development, strategic play, and mental resilience. He aims to foster a lifelong love for tennis through a fun and supportive environment.
Currently, Russell serves as a tennis coach at Faversham Tennis Club, where he has spent four years guiding players on their tennis journeys. Specializing in mini tennis, he focuses on assisting young players through the game's early stages, ensuring a solid foundation. Russell not only nurtures young talents but also teaches players of all ages, from enthusiastic children to aspiring adults.
Stephen Rust - Club Coach
Qualifications
Licensed (LTA) Level 3 Coach
First Aid at Work
DBS Check
Introduction
With over a decade of coaching experience and a profound love for racket sports, Stephen is devoted to guiding players of all ages toward their tennis goals.
Starting his coaching journey over ten years ago as a swim coach in Thanet's local leisure centres, Stephen has developed a rich and diverse background in sports coaching. This experience has enabled him to work effectively with a broad range of age groups, from young children to adults, honing his ability to tailor his teaching strategies to meet the unique needs of each player.
Stephen's journey in tennis is complemented by his recent foray into pickleball, an emerging and captivating racket sport. Competing in the National Championships in both 2021 and 2022 and reaching the semi-finals underscores his adaptable skill set and commitment to achieving excellence in various racket sports.
Stephen is more than just a coach; he's a mentor determined to lead you or your child on the path to tennis success.
Jake Copper - Club Coach
Qualifications
Licensed (LTA) Level 3 Coach
First Aid at Work
DBS Check
Introduction