Mitchell Sizemore is filling the gap left by former club coach Patrick Nolan, who recently moved to Christchurch.
Sizemore is an Otago representative who has been playing tennis since he was about 5›years›old.
Since his appointment was announced, he has already had lots of requests for squad and individual lessons.
‘‘I think it should be quite busy, which is good,’’ he said.
The requests have come from both junior and senior players, although coaching them was very different.
Adults usually wanted guidance on a specific aspect of their game and tended to have their technique set.
‘‘You can change small things but you’re not going to reshape their whole swing.’’
Junior players, on the other hand, were more moldable and there was more of a focus on making sure the lessons were fun as well.
Sizemore was looking forward to watching people progress.
‘‘It’s quite fulfilling.’’
He hoped to study teaching one day, so thought coaching was a good stepping stone along the way.
He took a break from the sport a few years ago when playing and training consistently got too much.
‘‘After the break I missed the competition and missed the hurt.’’
Tennis was a big mental battle, he said.
‘‘I don't know if people realise that to be fair.’’
Since joining the club, members had been very welcoming.
‘‘Everyone is just really friendly and open to me being here which is really cool.’’
