Coach named tops in Tennis Central
Francis Glover is not in the game to collect awards, but they are a nice endorsement anyway.
The Tawa- Lyndhurst Tennis Club coach, and player for the senior men’s interclub side, has been named coach of the year for the central region.
That’s not bad for someone who ‘‘fell’’ into coaching five years ago, to supplement his income while at university.
‘‘It’s always good to get recognition for what you’re doing, it says you are doing well and I think it’s beneficial for the club as well,’’ he says.
Glover has been at Tawa- Lyndhurst for the past four years, after a year learning the ropes at his uncle’s tennis academy in Baltimore. As well as the hours spent coaching juniors, seniors and the midweek players, Glover also travels with the juniors to events in New Zealand and overseas.
Next week he will attend a tournament in Thailand with one of the club’s brightest young players, Pratt Keerasuntonpong, and in January he has the under-16 nationals in Ashburton and an ITF event in Auckland.
His advice goes further than the technical issues that improve a serve or groundstroke, because keen juniors want to know the advantages and pitfalls of playing for a college in the United States.
‘‘ It’s a real option for these guys and plenty of them will get a chance over there. While only a small number might go on into the pro ranks, you can get a degree and play tennis. That’s pretty attractive and there are players who are putting their heart and soul into it right now.’’
Also earning a Tennis Central award was Janice Laurenson from Ngatitoa Tennis Club, who was named club volunteer of the year.