Meet The Team

Ben has been a tennis coach for over 25 years and currently runs Parkside Tennis Academy. In that time, Ben has coached players of all standards including state representative players. He has coached throughout Australia including Melbourne Park - home of the Australian open. 

 

Ben has been a Pickleball convert since first playing the game just over a year ago. Since then he has been hungry for knowledge and has done workshops with some of the leading players and coaches in the game including Mitch Hargreaves (Aus no 1 singles player) Rick Waitzkin (48 career medals) and Bill Riddle (award winning US college coach and Pickleball convert)

 

Ben enjoys the game so much - he has installed a Pickleball court in his backyard!

 

As a coach, Ben's interest is in challenging each player to reach their potential using the best technique, strategy, and movement patterns possible. 

 

Fun Fact - Ben once coached for 24 hours straight  for a charity before running a Cardio session with Nick Kygrios.

Andrew has a keen tennis background having played the game for a number of years as one of the top ACT juniors. He started playing Pickleball in 2023 and has never looked back, clocking up many kilometres in the car as he travels to compete in tournaments against the best players in his age group. 

 

He has had success in these competitions winning Gold and Silver medals at the 2023 National Pickleball Championships in Sydney and more recently medals at the Spirt Tournament, Menai, Sydney.

 

Andrew is currently coaching the successful "Skills and Drills" session at the Pickledome with Lee and recently attended a workshop with Mitch Hargreaves. 

 

Andrew has also had a career as a school teacher and leader and loves helping players to get the best out of themselves.

 

Andrew loves the beach and likes to get away with his wife as much as they can to their coastal place by Maroubra Beach in Sydney.

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Lee is a highly skilled Pickleball player who started playing the game in early 2023. He is renowned for his quick hands and skilled net play, which allow him to dominate his opponents. As a coach, Lee is known for his sharp eye and ability to identify areas where players need to improve.

 

Recently, Lee has started participating in national tournaments, showing his passion for improving his skills on the court and his interest in coaching at a higher level. At the Pickledome, Lee coaches the popular 'skills and drills' session, where players appreciate his direct, supportive, and efficient coaching style.

 

Furthermore, Lee attended a retreat with Mitch Hargreaves, the number one singles player in Australia. During the retreat, he gained valuable insight into the latest coaching techniques and advanced Pickleball strategies.

 

Lee's nickname 'Leethal' comes from his achievement as a junior cricket player when he bowled out six players in six consecutive balls at a national level. The Guinness Book of Records recorded this achievement. 

Thach and Ben met playing pickleball at a social event and where they found out that they shared a similar sporting upbringing and a new love for Pickleball. Thach is a keen student of the game and enjoys spending his spare time watching and learning from all players at a social and competitive level. 

 

Thach was instrumental in the development and organisation of the Canberra Pickleball League and is one of the most respected players in the local region.

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Thach grew up playing racquet sports and has played: tennis, badminton, squash and table tennis at a representative level.  This allows Thach to bring together a wide range of skills to pickleball.

 

Fun Fact: Thach is also a keen runner who has completed 10 ultramarathons and is a qualified running coach

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