Meet the team

All of our coaches love being on court helping people play the wonderful game of tennis. Here are some personal details to help you get to know them a little better.

Dave Earl

  • Favourite tennis player Boris Becker
  • Dream doubles partner Martina Navratilova
  • Quick tip Keep your head and eyes still as you hit and look up after the ball has gone
  • Favourite singer/group Elvis, Paul McCartney and The Rolling Stones

Claire Wiley

  • Favourite tennis player Juan Martin Del Potro
  • Dream doubles partner Kim Clijsters
  • Quick tip Get a racket on the ball and remember there's more space above the net than below it
  • Favourite singer/group Wolf Club

Ben Jones

  • Favourite tennis player Nick Kygrios
  • Dream doubles partner Iga Świątek
  • Quick tip When serving use direction as the best weapon of attack
  • Favourite singer/group The 1975

Olivia Sibbering

  • Favourite tennis player Emma Raducanu
  • Dream doubles partner Roger Federer
  • Quick tip If you're moving forward smash wide, if you're moving back go down the middle
  • Favourite singer/group Taylor Swift

Harry Thursfield

  • Favourite tennis player Rafa Nadal
  • Dream doubles partner Marcus Willis
  • Quick tip Hard work and dedication beats talent everytime
  • Favourite singer/group Stormzy

Joe Patey

  • Favourite tennis player Jack Draper
  • Dream doubles partner Emma Navarro
  • Quick tip In singles volley the ball deep, in doubles volley the ball shorter up the court
  • Favourite singer/group The Dave Clark Five (come on you Palace!)

Josh Nichols

  • Favourite tennis player Grigor Dimitrov
  • Dream doubles partner Melody Reader
  • Quick tip Juniors should take lessons to play the game don't get caught just having coaching
  • Favourite singer/group Macklemore

Will Schutz

  • Favourite tennis player Stan Wawrinka
  • Dream doubles partner Andy Murray
  • Quick tip Try moving into the ball and make a contact at the height of your top rib
  • Favourite singer/group Oasis

Grace Jahoda

  • Favourite tennis player Aryna Sabalenka
  • Dream doubles partner Carlos Alcaraz
  • Quick tip When attacking in singles don't just think of the courts width, use drops and depth to move folk around
  • Favourite singer/group Taylor Swift

Lotti Lord

  • Favourite tennis player Elina Svitolina
  • Dream doubles partner Rafa Nadal
  • Quick tip Have a plan before your point. A plan is better than no plan.
  • Favourite singer/group Dua Lipa