GQEBERHA
Meet the team
Danie van Zyl
Director
Ambitious, Optimistic, Hardworking
Height: 1.89m
Professional tennis coaching certificates
Right-handed
Year my coaching career started:
Age when I started with tennis:
Number of hours coached:
18720
7
2007
View my certificates here:
Tennis South Africa
TENNIS FACTS
No of times provincial colours were awarded
9
No of times South African colours were awarded
3
My age when I first reached a top 3 SA ranking
10
Favourite pro player
Federer
INTERESTING INFO
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One of my favourite memories as a junior was winning the South African Nike Junior Masters and representing South Africa as #1 in the Nike World Masters. I also represented South Africa as #2 in Egypt, France, Slovakia and Bratislava.
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The 40 Love Tennis academy where I was the tennis director grew from 2015-2021 from 2 coaches 50 students to 8 coaches 285 students.
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I believe that life is like riding a bicycle. Without moving forward its hard to maintain your balance.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
Danie is a phenomenal coach, who knows what it takes to grow a player to reach high levels! I have reached ten South African teams where I competed internationally with Danie's help and guidance!
He is not just a great technical coach, but also a great mental coach. He is someone you can look up to and constantly pushes you to become a better version of yourself - Not just on court, but off court as an individual as well.
Since my daugther started coaching with Danie, she has developed a huge love and passion for tennis. So much so that she is prepared to go to practice every single day of the week!
I have seen her grow so much in just over a year and this is all due to Danie's amazing attitude, drive and ability to motivate her!
I can definitely recommend this great team of people!
Our family trains with Danie and we couldn't be more excited and motivated to play tennis. Not only are the boys having fun learning technical skills. They are also being taught focus, discipline, humor and passion for the game.
There is so much inspiration to experience from Danie and his career 'evolution' as a tennis player. Thank you Danie & team!
5
Age when I started with tennis:
2020
Year my coaching career started:
Double-handed backhand
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10548
Number of hours coached:
Right-handed
Height: 1.78m
Kianu Jonker
Great game analyzer and improvement coach
Ambitious, optimistic, eager-to-please
TENNIS FACTS
Ranking at age 16 when I represented the U19 SA team
5
Favourite pro player
Djokovic
Favourite grand slam
Wimbledon
INTERESTING INFO
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I enjoy working with people, and have the ability to work well with kids. I have an eye to spot areas of the person's game that can be improved.
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Tennis is one of the few beautiful sports types that can be played by old and young. One day when I am retired, it will still be a big part of my day.
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I always say: "Trust the Lord, even when it doesn't make sense."
Leila Nel
Dedicated, hardworking, patient and
passionate about kids!
Double-handed backhand
Number of hours coached:
30
TENNIS FACTS
Highest TSA (Tennis South Africa) ranking
1 (U/16)
Number of years chosen for RSA Team
2 (2022 and 2023)
Favourite pro player
Rafael Nadal
Favourite grand slam
Wimbledon
INTERESTING INFO
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In 2022, I went to London with the SA team and watched Wimbledon.
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I was chosen for the EP team from under 10 to Grade 12.
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Tennis makes me feel happy and calming.
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A quotes I live by: "Have courage and be kind."
Year my coaching career started:
2024
Height : 1.79 m
Right Handed
Age when I started with tennis:
3
6
Age when I started with tennis:
2015
Year my coaching career started:
Single-handed backhand
Number of hours coached:
Right-handed
Height: 1.9m
Xander Shawn Elkington
Passionate, competitive and fun
11917
TENNIS FACTS
Highest Tennis Achievement
u19 Eeastern Province Team
Favourite pro player
Nadal
Favourite grand slam
Roland Garros
INTERESTING INFO
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Having played EP tennis for several years, I gained invaluable experience that I now use to inspire and coach younger players with both passion and dedication.
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My competitive yet fun nature, combined with my lifelong love for tennis, drives me to share my knowledge and help the next generation of players reach their full potential.
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My journey began in Basildon, Essex, but South Africa, where my parents are from, has been home since 2006 and the place where my passion for tennis truly flourished.
Double-handed backhand
Height: 1.75m
Nathan Filen
Patient, Kind-Hearted and Ambitious.
17
Age when I started with tennis:
2023
Year my coaching career started:
Right-handed
TENNIS FACTS
Favourite pro player
Nadal
Favourite grand slam
US Open
INTERESTING INFO
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My favourite quote by Rafael Nadal is “Losing is not my enemy, fear of losing is my enemy."
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I’m studying to become a intermediate phase teacher.
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Tennis makes me excited, happy pumped and motivated.
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Ethan Gibbons
Passionate, dilligent and patient
2011
Year I started playing tennis:
2021
Year my coaching career started:
Single-Handed Backhand
Right-handed
Height: 1.87m
TENNIS FACTS
Favourite pro player
Roger Federer
Favourite grand slam
Wimbledon
Tennis Achievements
- Selected for Border Tennis Team ranked #1 in 2020
- Won the U16 mixed doubles at Junior Nationals
Certificates
INTERESTING INFO
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The first tennis match I ever watched was the 2012 Wimbledon semi-final between Andy Murray & Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. I had decided to route for Tsonga and was left furious after he lost. . After Federer won the final I decided that I wanted to be a tennis player and it’s this memory that makes Wimbledon my favourite grand slam.
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I strongly believe that sport has the power to change lives, and I do not take the opportunity to teach it for granted. I approach this responsibility with passion and diligence.
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A quote I live by : "Ever tried? Ever failed? No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better."
Tinashe Chirare
Passionate, Encouraging and Patient.
8
Age I started playing tennis:
2013
Year my coaching career started:
Single-Handed Backhand
Right-handed
Height: 1.83m
TENNIS FACTS
Favourite pro player
Djokovic
Favourite grand slam
French Open
INTERESTING INFO
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My favourite grand slam is the French Open because I admire the players skill set on clay
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I coached at the prestigious Rodean High School JHB and was also a coach at Sandton Sports Club (Next Generation Sports Club)
TESTIMONIAL
"My family and I have noticed significant improvement since being coached by Tinashe this year and we have a new found love for the game.
He has a great coaching style showing skill, passion, encouragement and patience. He is also incredibly good with Kids and they have such fun with him during lessons."
2004
Matriculated
Pizza
Favourite food
Jessica de Klerk
Tennis Admin Guru
People's person, team player, organised
INTERESTING INFO
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My favourite tennis player is still Roger Federer. It will take a while for another player to take his place, as he has been a family favourite for many, many years.
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My dream come true must be my two children. They inspire me everyday and motivate me to be the best possible version of myself.
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Although I love to dance and go to the beach in my free time, I also enjoy watching tennis and like to play socially on occasion.
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I believe that with God, anything is possible.
WBDN
Favourite grand slam
Childhood hometown: Welkom
Two kiddies
Wilson
Sponsor
THNDR.
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