Coaches, Players, Philosophy, Contact

Simcoe Tennis is a seasonal coaching company serving Simcoe County in Ontario, Canada. Programs include Summer Camps, Lessons, Tournaments and Leagues. There are 6 full time coaches with several more part time instructors. Our academy program services approximately 100 players at any given time ranging in age from 4 to adult and beginner to provincially ranked players.

Contact 
19 Shelley Lane,
Barrie, ON
L4N-4W4
(705) 716.3198 
johnny@simcoetennis.ca

The academy is run out of Midhurst Tennis Club
which is located in the village of Midhurst
41 Spence Ave,
Midhurst, ON
L0L-1X1

Mission statement:
To develop accountable, aware and competitive athletes
who play smart and courageous tennis
 

Our personal committment:
To lead by example in terms of an attitude of constant self-improvement and to dedicate our time and passion to those who are willing to make a commitment to tennis and who demonstrate the courage and will to be accountable for their actions
 

All of Simcoe Tennis' coaching staff are certified by Tennis Canada with a combined experience of over 60 years in coaching. Led by Head Coach and owner Johnny Glanville our team of coaches have all been together since the inception of ST.

johnny@simcoetennis.ca 705 716-3198. Johnny began his coaching career in 1999 in Australia where he learned from some of the game's greatest including Gary Stickler (coach of Pat Rafter), Gavin Hopper and Wimbledon Winner Pat Cash. In 2006 he founded Simcoe Tennis. He is certified in both Canada and Australia as a Level 2 Coach.

steve.carless732@gmail.com 705 528-1092. After having a professional hockey career in both Europe and America Steve worked for several years in car sales. In 2007 he needed a change and wanted to do something he was passionate about. From this his career as a tennis coach was born. He is certified with Tennis Canada, is the current Singles Club Champion at BNWT and has established himself as one of the best coaches in the region. With a combination of teaching skills, personal relation ability and a sense of humour that is unmatched it's no wonder that Steve is one of the most popular people on the courts.

Follow Steve Carless as he writes in his blog about community living, social networking, the mysteries of the Mayan Calendar, astrology, indigo children and much more. Carless blog

mays@rogers.com 705 722-6575. The real question with Michele is not what she does, it's what doesn't she do? In addition to being a certified Tennis Canada Coach, former OUAA Doubles Champion, and Head Coach for the Olympia Tennis Camp; Michele also is heavily involved in sports such as Basketball, Volleyball and Soccer.

shbenson@rogers.com 705 737-0392. Steve played four years on an athletic scholarship at an NCAA Division 1 school in Georgia, this after having a wonderful junior career in Toronto. He has also had a hand in coaching in the Barrie area for many years, having coached all levels and ages. Steve is a certified Tennis Canada coach, a talented player and has been integral to the growth of the game in Simcoe County. Steve has the highest playing experience of all the coaches in the program and uses this experience to guide and help his students. Not only this but he is also, like all our coaches, a fan of the game and sports in general.

Follow along with Steve as he shares his unique
points on the importance of the history of tennis
with his blog "Tennis History 101"
 

ethan.91@hotmail.com 705 728-5486. Ethan plays NCAA Tennis for the University of Texas Tyler Patriots. He is a certified Tennis Canada Instructor and has been coaching for over three years. As a coach he works during the summer camps and is a player favorite due to his witty sense of humour. He is also very popular as a hitting partner for both juniors and adults.

Follow along with Ethan during his journey of playing
tennis at The University of Texas at Tyler with his
regular blog "Deep in the heart of Texas"

caitlyn-lawrence@hotmail.com 705 718-7076. A team member since 2007 Caitlyn has shown great skill when working with kids. She is a certified Tennis Canada instructor. She is able to instruct clearly while making the experience fun. Her own tennis continues to improve as a member of The University of South Carolina-Aiken Lady Pacers.

Follow along with Caitlyn Lawrence as she plays tennis
at The University of South Carolina at Aiken
with her regular blog "The Southern Stories"

Mission statement:
To develop accountable, aware and competitive athletes
who play smart and courageous tennis
 

Our personal committment:
To lead by example in terms of an attitude of constant self-improvement and to dedicate our time and passion to those who are willing to make a commitment to tennis and who demonstrate the courage and will to be accountable for their actions

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT THROUGH SPORT. The sport of tennis offers a wonderful opportunity for a player to learn about themselves. We see this as our highest objective. Improving a players game comes secondary to improving the character of the person. For us, its people first and players second. However, if you can improve upon yourself, make yourself more accountable for your actions, then you grow in confidence and your tennis in turn improves as well. In many cases far greater and faster then you ever imagined.

PEACEFUL APPROACH. Tennis has often been described as a battle field, and although we understand the metaphor and encourage a player to be resilient and to aim for victory there are several violent terms we try to avoid in our coaching. Why? Because there is something bigger and greater than this game at stake, and that is how these athletes will leave the tennis court and into the world. Will they see their competition as someone that needs to be beaten for them to succeed? Or will they feel blessed by their opponents in life and cherish the competition.

PLAYER EMPOWERMENT VS PLAYER DEPENDANCE. Player empowerment is a word we use often, we prefer to think of our players as their own destiny makers rather than dependent on such things as good coaching, proper parenting, effective training environment, international opportunities etc. All those things are important but they come to the player that is ready for them, the player does not seek them to become better, the player becomes better so they can receive. The player learns that these things will not come to him until he has developed himself and prepared himself to accept these gifts.

LEARNING RATHER THAN REMEMBERING. We stress to our students that it is not a job to try and remember how to hit a forehand rather to fully learn the dynamic skill of playing the game. Since no two shots will ever be the same or under the same circumstances each shot is treated as a unique moment in time. Through learning the game of tennis the player can develop a great respect for the game, for opponents, and most importantly for themselves. Players of all ages will benefit from our positive approach to the game, and will have the opportunity to share in the passion for the sport and for life. On the tennis court we use a global approach to learning. Technique is the highest priority at the learning stage, followed by tactics, as a player improves so does the importance of physical and psychological. However, at all levels of development the philosophical aspect of the game is always under consideration. The power of thought is taught from the first day a child picks up a racquet or from the first day a parent drops off a child. The learning is not restricted to the player on the court, it expands into the lives of all those affected. The journaling program is designed to teach the players that the learning is not just in the playing of the game. By recording thoughts and actions the player gains a sense of self empowerment. By using visualization a player can learn 24 hours a day

Player Motto:
I will play anyone, anywhere, anytime, with anyball and anyracket.

Anyone = Not just someone who challenges me or who gives me good rhythm. I'll play a kid half my age, my grandmother or a friend whose never played. I will gladly play anyone and never make them feel like they are beneath me while doing so.

Anywhere = On clay, grass, hard court, carpet, concrete, rubber gym floor, doesn't matter. If there is a court a net and some balls, I'm game. Heck I don't even need those things, I'll play you in the park under some trees.

Anytime = Midday when the sun is hot, evening under the lights and the bugs are buzzing, early morning after a late night out, indoor, outdoor, when its windy, cold, wet or when I'm tired.

Anyball = I am not above a particular type of ball, if you want to play with foam balls I'm good with that, old ratty dog balls will work just fine too. Orange balls, red balls, green dot balls all work. Let's get it on.

Any racket = Mine, yours, his, hers. Doesn't matter if its aluminum, wooden, old or new, good strings, bad strings, giant grip or tiny. I am not dependent on my favorite tool, I'm simply grateful to play with anything I can.

I ain't no match snob. I love this game and it shows. I just want to play and my attitude is such that no matter what the circumstance there is always value from playing and tennis is never a waste of time.

2010-2011 Academy Players