OUR
COACHES

Matt played at County Junior level, and then received his first cap for Yorkshire Senior team in1991. Later that year Matt travelled to the U.S.A, attending Brunswick Junior College (ranked number 2 college in the Nation) on a tennis Scholarship. In 1994 Matt returned to the UK where he played professionally on the British Tour and futures circuit. Matt also played German League tennis and spent several months in Australia coaching and playing on the futures circuit. Matt regularly attends Coach Education seminars and workshops to improve his coaching knowledge and has been mentored by some of the world’s most respected coaches.

Matt has coached some of the best juniors in Yorkshire and has produced a number of junior players who have played internationally and represented Great Britain at different age groups. Matt is also the 2005 and 2006 Yorkshire Men’s doubles champion and still enjoys playing when he can. Matt believes in developing a strong work ethic with his players and helping all players maximise their potential both on and off the court.

Donlan started playing when he was five years old at Batley Tennis Centre and spent many hours on court as a junior to improve his game. Donlan achieved a high level of competitive tennis competing in county wide tournaments. Prior to coaching at Heaton Donlan has worked for the council delivering community tennis programmes in the parks and also has experience working with adult and juniors from beginner to advanced level players. Donlan is enthusiastic and passionate about helping players of all levels reach their full potential.

Abd-ur’s tennis journey started on the junior programme at Heaton when Abd-ur was 10 years old. Having represented the club at junior level, he is now a Level 2 LTA Accredited coach. Abd-ur attends coach training at Heaton and is keen to develop himself as a coach. Abd-ur works with juniors of all ages and standards at Heaton from Red-Silver level. As part of Abd-Ur's role at Heaton he works in delivering sessions on our inclusive tennis programme where he runs visually impaired tennis sessions and mixed ability sessions for wheel chair tennis users. Abd-ur has a degree in sports and exercise science from Leeds Trinity University and aims to combine his knowledge in this area to become a better tennis coach.

George started playing when he was five years old after Matt came to his school to teach a taster session.George reached a very good club level playing in LTA tournaments and representing Heaton in both U-15 and U-18 Parks leagues. George has been actively involved in assisting on the coaching programme for several years and really enjoys helping the younger players improve their tennis skills. George attends coach training sessions at Heaton and is keen to develop his coaching skills and knowledge further.

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Xavier started playing tennis at the age of 5 at Heaton Tennis Club and trained with the club’s coaching programme and also competed in club tournaments as well as in the parks league. Xavier is a qualified level 1 assistant coach and is currently assisting in the mini tennis programme at Heaton.

Yash started playing at Heaton at the age of ten. Over the years he has competed at a competitive level and has represented both Heaton and his school in various tournaments. In July 2021, he began tennis coaching and is now a Level 1 LTA Accredited Coach. He enjoys working with the younger players on the programme, helping them to develop their tennis skills. Yash continues to train several times a week and is looking forward to working on his Level 2 Coaching qualification later this year.

Elliot has been part of the junior coaching programme at Heaton from the age of 5 and has progressed through the ranks representing the club in Team tennis in a number of age groups including the Bradford Parks U-15 team. Elliot loves helping other children and is keen to progress his coaching knowledge and experience further so that he can help develop the coaching programme at Heaton.