From our head coach, Jaden:

Hi, my name is Jaden Grinter and I’ve been a tennis coach since 2016. I was a Junior Davis Cup representative and have won the 14s, 16s and 18s singles and doubles national titles. I also have played in all four junior grand slams. After I stopped playing I took a couple of years off, and then found a passion in coaching. I worked at the Renouf Tennis Centre in Wellington and was the coach of the under 14 and under 17’s team in the national teams event, where we placed 2nd and 3rd respectively.

I moved down here at the beginning of 2021 to start an academy at Otago Boys High School, and was lucky enough to meet Alexis Robin (President) during a training session at Taieri Club. This then lead to me to putting my hand up to being head coach. I’m a hardworking, passionate guy who loves working with all ages. I love seeing improvement, and especially love seeing people enjoying themselves on court and putting in 100%.

From our Cardio Tennis coach, Willa:

Hi, my name is Willa. My tennis motto is: “Play the ball, not the opponent. The opponent can look after himself, if you and your racquet, can cast a spell on a tennis ball, magic happens! Practice makes perfect”.   

I am a tennis coach at the Taieri Tennis Club for Cardio Tennis, which is a program for intermediate-level tennis players (adults/young people) who are keen to build their tennis skills, techniques, fitness, and laughter.  

Looking forward to seeing more people coming out to play tennis. It is a great sport when you find your “same level players” and can compete with yourself/others to get better.

I am a long time tennis lover (a proper tennis-nut). I started playing tennis in primary school (and never stopped!), with the support of a tennis family, whose kids all played tennis at a high level, since their mum and dad were both full-time tennis coaches. When I left school, I joined the Police Services in South Africa where fitness and playing a sport were highly encouraged. I made the play-offs for the South Africa Defence Forces National Tennis Team and so did my boyfriend (now hubby) Kobus Faber. Our tennis life on tennis tours and during our working career started taking off with a boom, we practiced for many hours to maintain and keep up with all the big city tennis gurus! 

I still find so much joy, swinging a racquet on a tennis court, and I hope I can pass on the love for this sport to many others.   

Coaching Accreditations: 

1996: Tennis Coaching Course, Tennis, SA 

2019: Assistant Tennis Coaching Course, Tennis NZ

2023: Open Court Tennis Coaching, Tennis NZ 

2023: First-Aid Training Certificate

For Cardio Tennis to go ahead we require four to eight players. Join us!