Jeff Foot: Head Coach/director
With over 25 years coaching experience, Jeffs' philosophy remains simple...
"Positive attitude and enthusiastic effort ... If you can tick those 2 boxes then improvement is a certainty, whether you are 4, or 64!"
Tennis is an amazing game that provides a platform to teach important values that go way beyond the court. Jeff enjoys developing a players self confidence and mental toughness, physical fitness, teaching patience and resilience, fairness, dealing with conflict and the handling of defeat, the list goes on...
Jeffs style is switched on, entertaining and enthusiastic. His style permeates through the coaching team as all coaches have been coached by Jeff for many years. Participants ultimately get drawn in by the liveleness of the sessions, that have a technique emphasis right from the beginning. Jeff has taken many players from the fun of their first lesson at 5 or 6, through to ultra competitive Victorian Pennant finals. Watching them grow into great players but more importantly great people is what he finds most satisfying.
Nick Mashado has been a key member of the Footwork coaching team since 2012, and has been playing for the club for for over 18 years. Nick runs hot shots classes, super juniors, elite squads and private lessons. Nick is regarded as an excellent technical development coach who has great success transitioning juniors through to the advanced techniques of the modern game style. Nick prides himself on time efficiency and drives the lesson to maximise the learning within every lesson. He has a massive serve (just ask him!) and can be seen confusing opponents with his impressive kick serve most Saturday afternoons.
Damien Failla has been part of the Footwork Coaching Team since 2001, and is also the junior co ordinator at Narre Warren North. "Mr Likeable" has been involved in all aspects of coaching. By day, Damien is the senior head of science at St Francis Xavier College, having been a secondary school teacher for 15 years. Needless to say he has a lot of teaching experience! Damien is involved with elite squads, and is extremely creative at devising drills that are competitive, motivating and enjoyable.
Jay Dawson has been part of the Footwork Team since 2018. Jay has been playing tennis at Narre Warren North since he was 6 years old, being involved in section 1 premierships teams, Waverley seniors and most recently played grade 4 senior pennant. Jay has a very enthusiastic and uplifting coaching style. Players find themselves drawn in by the high energy levels of his sessions. Jay takes ANZ hotshots, junior groups, elite squads as well as adult private lessons.
Matthew Peart has been part of the Footwork Coaching Team since 2019. Matt is the best player at the club, having won several senior Money Tournaments, senior premierships, and is the Number 1 player in our Grade 2 Victorian Pennant Team. Despite his success, Matts' humble and modest nature is his most endearing quality. To say that Matt loves sport is a gigantic understatement!.. his standard week involves a round of golf, netball, 2 games of basketball, indoor soccer as well as Saturday arvo tennis! Matt takes ANZ hotshots, junior groups, elite squads and adult private lessons.
Ruby Clayton has been part of the Footwork Coaching Team since 2019. She has been playing tennis at Narre Warren North since she was 5 years old! Ruby had a very successful Junior career, winning State and National Junior tournaments along the way. Ruby is a beuatiful player to watch! She is a versatile and talented sportswoman, having recently played AFLW for the Casey Demons football club. She is able to call upon her broad sporting experience to provide lessons in a patient and caring manner. Ruby takes ANZ hotshots, junior group and private lessons.