dyton mupawaenda
Collin Matiza-Sports Editor
JULIUS Mashonganyika, one of the most decorated Zimbabwean tennis coaches, is set to add another feather to his already colourful cap when he attends The All-England Lawn Tennis Club Facilities Management Seminar at the All England Club based at Wimbledon, London, England, next week.
The grass court seminar, which is designed for those responsible for facilities management, covers all practical aspects including facilities management, court maintenance and research.
And Mashonganyika, who is currently based at Loudoun County in Leesburg, Virginia, United States, will be among more than 50 participants, drawn from across the globe, who have been invited to attend this high profile seminar.
Mashonganyika recently attended another high profile tennis seminar in Orlando, Florida, USA, at the USTA National Campus-Home of American Tennis.
And speaking to Zimpapers Sports from his base in Leesburg yesterday, Mashonganyika said he felt honoured to be invited by the AELTC to attend the grass court seminar in London next week.
He said this was in recognition to the years he has put in as a tennis coach both at home in Zimbabwe and in the United States.
“Growing up as a coach all I concentrated on was coaching, coaching and coaching not knowing that a top coach must also know the conditions of the playing surface his or her player or players will be playing on.
“This is another important aspect of coaching tennis at the highest level and I’m glad the AELTC have invited me to attend this high level facilities management seminar.
“It will go a long way in teaching me how to get to know the condition of any playing surface before every tournament,” Mashonganyika said.
He also said he was happy that he was getting more and more coaching badges which will help him in coaching tennis at the highest professional level.
Mashonganyika is a leader in coaching tennis. He is a Zimbabwean Professional Tennis Coach and was once the Tennis Director at White Rhinos Tennis Club and the secretary of the Tennis Coaches Association of Zimbabwe.
He is a holder of tennis teaching credentials with the USTA, ITF, USPTA, PTR and other organizations, including as a USPTA Elite Tennis Professional and a USTA High Performance Coach, USPTA Specialist in Competitive Player Development, PTR Junior Development Professional and has coached the game in the USA, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Also, he is a USTA National Volunteer Diversity & Inclusions Committee member and the USTA National Volunteer Public Parks Committee member.
He attended the ITF Coaching Education Programs-ITF Mini Tennis course, ITF Play Tennis course, ITF School Tennis Initiative Teachers Workshop, ITF Coaching Beginner and Intermediate Players course and the ITF Coaching Advanced Players course.
He was recognized as the USPTA 2018 Top Education Credit Earner by the United States Professional Tennis Association.
He’s passionate about inspiring the next generation of players and coaches.
“We are working hard to ensure black communities are more fully represented in our sport, and we know that leaders help encourage people such as players, coaches or volunteers to get involved,” Mashonganyika said.
Currently, Mashonganyika is the Director of Tennis Development at Loudoun County School Tennis Initiative in Leesburg, Virginia, and is doing a fantastic job of growing the game and bringing a new generation of diverse players and coaches into tennis.
Also, he oversees the USTA Junior Tennis Initiative (JTI) in Loudoun County, a national school tennis initiative of excellence whose mission is to promote and develop the growth of tennis.
Mashonganyika was once the Head Tennis Professional at USTA Mid-Atlantic Section in Leesburg and an Assistant Tennis Coach at Mufakose Tennis Coaching Agency here in Harare.
He hasn’t ruled out returning to Zimbabwe in the future to develop tennis in this country.
“As you are aware most our sport facilities back home in Zimbabwe are dilapidated and we need to run the same workshops in Zimbabwe and in other African countries and teach other sport leaders how to manage their sport facilities at clubs, schools, community facilities and conduct facilities management workshops with the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee, Municipalities and other sport organizations,” Mashonganyika said.
Online Reporter