Next up with their profile is Joanne Williamson. Joanne is a busy woman and coaches at Monkstown Lawn Tennis Club, St. Michaels Tennis Club and Ballinlough Tennis Club.
Coaches Profile
Name: Jo-Anne Williamson | Club(s): Monkstown, St. Michaels, Ballinlough. Co. Cork |
Level: 2 |
1. How long have you been coaching? | 1. I've been coaching for over 30 years! (I’m very old now!) |
2. What got you into coaching? | 2. Filling in for my coach who was injured & I knew it was for me and passed up my U.S scholarship to go into full time coaching |
3. Who is your favourite coach? | 3. I think home grown Paul Casey is one of my favourites! Such passion & intensity is rare when someone has been at the job for such a long length of time! Total respect !! |
4. What was your favourite tournament to play in growing up? | 4. I always loved the Irish open in Fitzwilliam. I only made a final twice (& came 2nd ) but played plenty of semis. |
5. Who is your favourite player now and all time (if they differ)? | 5. One from the history books is Monica Seles, I played table tennis against her when I was in the Bolletteri Academy and was hooked. Irish player possibly Scott Barron, I trained with him a lot & his court manner & ability was always outstanding (plus he's so humble!) |
6. What is your favourite Grand Slam? | 6. I love the U.S open, I plan to get there & tie it in with some shopping !!! |
7. What are your strengths as a coach? | 7. I think patience and communication. I've always been told I'm a "people person" so I guess I'm approachable. |
8. What areas do you need to improve? | 8. Everything! Nobody knows it all & I'm happy to learn from those who can teach. |
9. What has been your best moment in tennis so far as a coach? | 9. I've worked with national players right down to schools tennis players and the best moments are always when a player, no matter their standard, says " I'm still playing tennis" that's what it's all about! |
10. What is the best advice you have received so far? | 10. Your volley is only as good as your approach! You can use this in life too! Set yourself up well with positivity around you and you'll succeed! Very philosophical! |
11. What was your first racket? | 11. I was 9/10 years old when I started and remember a wooden Dunlop Maxiply (oh God just showed my age!) |
12. What was the first tournament you played in? | 12. A round Robin in my holiday home in Rosslare! The first real recognised tournament though was The Barniville Babes held in Fitzwilliam in Dublin. I lost 0 & 0 the first year and won it the following year winning a years worth of sponsored coaching! |
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