Jeff Gocke, President of TennisCT, has announced the promotion of teaching pro, Charl van der Merwe, as the Executive Director of Tennis at Kings Highway Tennis Club in Darien, and Shippan Racquet Club in Stamford.
Charl van der Merwe, promoted to Executive Director of Tennis at Kings Highway Tennis Club and Shippan Racquet Club. (contributed photo)
Van der Merwe has over 10 years High Performance teaching experience with TennisCT. Originally working with Rick Ferman, (former coach of Todd Martin, a retired ATP player with a career high singles ranking of #4 in the world), Van der Merwe has successfully organized and directed many levels of youth tennis including a 14 & under advanced team who competed at the USTA National Championships in 2010.
A native of South Africa, Van der Merwe has worked closely with top ranked junior players in his country. He has held coaching positions at the Julian Krinsky School of Tennis in Philadelphia, Beaverbrook Tennis Club in Danbury, Tokeneke Club in Darien and the Country Club of Darien.
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— an announcement from TennisCT
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He was also the director of tennis at the Oak Hills Tennis Club in Norwalk and Weston Field Club. Currently, he is the summer director of tennis at the Riverside Yacht Club.
Van der Merwe’s teaching style is passionate, detailed and communicative. He connects well with players and parents, involving and advising them through each stage of improvement.
Van der Merwe’s extensive knowledge successfully trains High Performance youth in the 14 & under and 12 & under age divisions who have USTA Sectional and National rankings.
As part of the Kings Highway Tennis Club partnership with Junior Tennis Champions Center (JTCC) based out of College Park, Md., Van der Merwe will work alongside Leo Rosenberg, Director of High Performance, who has relocated from Maryland to implement the JTCC partnership.
Van der Merwe will also work closely with Gary Innes, Director of Adults and 10 & under who holds a USPTR Master Professional certification in Junior Development.
Together, the dynamic and highly qualified trio brings a vast amount of experience and a stellar curriculum that will guide and train area youth to reach their desired tennis goals and success.
In addition to Van der Merwe, who will share his time between Kings Highway Tennis Club and Shippan Racquet Club, other teaching professionals include Michaela Babicova, Arlen Domoney, David Kimani and Luis Quintero, who are all returning to Kings Highway Tennis Club for the indoor season.
About TennisCT
TennisCT is Connecticut’s largest network of tennis clubs, managing facilities from Stamford to Milford for the past 30 years. Club locations include Shippan Racquet Club, Milford Indoor Tennis, Fairfield Indoor Tennis, Kings Highway Tennis Club, Oak Hills Tennis Club and Trumbull Racquet Club. To learn more, visit www.tennisct.com.