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My Tennis Life
MY TENNIS LIFE
When a psychic predicted LAURA FLYNN would earn her living on a tennis court, she had no idea that it would be as a coach rather than a player – or just how rewarding it would be.
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On court
and on course
I
came quite late to the game compared to many other people. I started playing when I was 10 years old. I used a racquet that my Dad had bought at a garage sale. When I entered my first tournament I only ever had that one racquet and no spare. I have so many fond memories as a player but several occasions stand out. Being the first person in my primary school to gain a place in a district tennis team; winning my first Queensland title in the heat in Rockhampton; coming off the court at Beenleigh at 11:00 pm on a Sunday night after a long weekend of tennis as the winner of the tournament. My career as a player came to an abrupt halt when I contracted meningitis and glandular fever in Year 11 which later resulted in chronic fatigue. I still loved the game but physically I could not continue. Then a funny thing happened, I was at a family gathering and my aunt had a friend there who was a psychic. He had never met me before and had no idea I had played tennis, yet he told me I would earn my living on the tennis court. And I do – as a coach rather than as a player. I have been a coach for the best part of 10 years. During that time I have coached for several people, spent time as a tournament director, been involved in workshops
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and conferences, volunteered as a player services official at the Brisbane International and worked for the Brisbane City Council as an activities provider. I was Head of Tennis at Somerville House for two years and now run my own business, Tennistime, and also work for the nationally recognised Tennis and Gear organisation. Values such as respect, honesty and integrity are part of my tennis philosophy. I regard the tennis court as a symbol of life. My tennis court is a place where there is happiness and laughter as I help players develop their skills in a positive and supportive setting. My players are encouraged to be strong and honest competitors who
Laura Flynn and her students give tennis a high five.
respect themselves and their opponents. I take great pleasure when I see my players develop confidence and self-belief, as I believe a positive mindset is an integral component of being a successful athlete. I place value on the way players present themselves on court, be it in terms of dress, attitude or demeanor. As a coach I have a responsibility to present myself in a professional manner so that I can be the best role model I can be. Coaching full-time was never really a career goal. I began coaching when I was at university as a way to earn an income but now that it is my full-time job I get up early every morning because I enjoy it. I have studied and completed a double degree in Business and Human Movement Studies/Applied Science. I am currently enrolled in a Masters of Sports Coaching and am also undertaking a Bachelor of Behavioral Science (Psychology) with the aim to complete my Masters in Sports Psychology. I am extremely interested in the way in which emotions affect your capacity as a player. In some ways reaching your potential as an athlete is a state of mind. An athlete must be self aware of the
mind and body connection. I encourage my players to seek some form of mediation or yoga whereby the mind is trained through the physical body. The practice of any form of meditation brings upon a feeling of calmness. A calm mind can be a powerful tool to any athlete. All sports require several traits in those who play them: determination, resilience, hard work, discipline but also know when it is time to rest. Athletes exhibit these traits across every sport and I encourage them through my coaching philosophy. I enjoy working with players of all levels from the little four to six year olds, who make me laugh at their funny statements and hilarious antics to working with adults of all ages for the Brisbane City Council as an activity provider for their Active and Healthy and Gold Programs. I don’t think that there is a better feeling than when you see a player execute a skill or perform a shot after dedicated hours of practice together. Nothing means more than to see the look on their face! Why tennis? That’s easy. It is the only game I can think of that can be played by people of all ages and at any skill level. Tennis has a proud heritage in Australia and allows people to socialise and be physically active. My passion is tennis and I will continue to introduce more people to this wonderful sport!