Our Lavie Tennis team offers coaching for beginner to advanced players both junior and senior. The junior programme aims to get young players competing regularly as a part of their development, and senior coaching caters to the needs of each individual player. Lavie coaches are qualified and professional, offering modern coaching philosophies to help improve your tennis on court as well as grow your tennis worlds around the club. Our overall goal is to connect all elements at the club to grow the club community and make it a thriving place for both juniors and seniors.

Sebastian Lavie

Founder and Director 
Auckland, New Zealand

Former Davis Cup Member
WTA certified and registered coach
Former coach of top 100 ATP/WTA players
Tennis New Zealand Coach of the Year (2017)

Sebastian was born in Auckland where he was introduced to tennis at the age of 4. By the time he was 11 he moved to France where he spent 10 years training at the Mouratoglou Tennis Academy, learning from some of the best players and coaches in the world. Sebastian went on to be New Zealand's top junior. He competed at all the junior Grand Slams and was a member of the Davis Cup Team.

He transitioned into coaching on the professional tour and was mentored by Patrick Mouratoglou. During his formative coaching years, he worked with players who competed at the Grand Slams, Master Series and other big events on tour.

After six years on tour Sebastian decided to focus on player development back in New Zealand. He worked with some of the top Kiwi juniors and set up training camps for Davis Cup players. In 2019 he opened the Lavie Tennis Academy which is considered the leading performance tennis Academy in the country.

Salomón Díaz I Club Coach

Coach Salomón Díaz has developed his coaching philosophy under the guidance of world-class mentors in Argentina and Spain. In Argentina, he trained with Leonardo Lerda, coach of two WTA top-20 players, and later spent a year at Jofre Porta’s Global Tennis Academy.

Since moving to New Zealand, Salomón has worked with some of Canterbury’s top junior players and is now a valued member of the coaching team at Lavie Tennis Academy.

Coach Salomón focuses on identifying the areas that need the most development and then provides players with ideas and strategies to experiment with, always aiming to enhance their game from a biomechanical, tactical, physical, and mental perspective. In this process, players are encouraged to take an active role in their own improvement.

Contact: +64 27 447 7706

Airton Agostinho I Lead Coach
Airton has been coaching in New Zealand since 2016, focusing on junior development and working with players of all levels. With a background in engineering, Airton brings a unique approach to coaching, using video analysis and his analytical skills to fine-tune players' technique. This hands-on, detailed coaching style helps players reach their full potential on the court. Airton believes in creating the right environment and fostering positive behaviours on court. He's dedicated to guiding young players as they build their tennis journey, ensuring they have the foundation to succeed. 

Contact: +64 22 630 6001

Jake Thompson I Lead Coach, Red and Orange Stage

Jake is a passionate 12U coach who thrives on creating and nurturing academy level players. He believes strongly in using tennis as a mechanism to create independent, inquisitive minds that seek challenge. He considers his strengths to be his focus on tactical play, and an ability to drive players towards success whilst maintaining a healthy relationship with tennis. He has been a coach educator for Tennis New Zealand, the 12U team coach for Tennis Northern, and the selector and head coach for the 7U and 9U academies at Albany Tennis Park. At Lavie, Jake is involved across all 12U programmes, nurturing and growing the next wave of champions. 

Contact: +64 210 582 446

Nicolas Moreno I Academy Coach

Coach Nicolas Moreno

Hailing from Colombia, Nicolas has been an integral part of the Lavie Tennis Academy for 6 years, contributing across all facets of the program. With a great playing history that includes ranking in the top 10 for U14 players, he infuses each session with intense energy, effectively challenging players of all skill levels while emphasizing structure and purpose in his coaching. Growing up on clay courts, Nicolas possesses a deep understanding of the game's tactical elements, particularly in constructing points. His ability to adapt to the unique styles of different players, combined with his commitment to maintaining high standards on the court, ensures that every session results in tangible progress.

Contact: +64 22 394 5847

Walter Sudour I Club Coach

Originally from France, Walter has worked with all ages and levels of players. He uses a variety of training tools to target specific technical areas, helping players build strong foundations from an early age.

Walter brings a calm presence to the court, creating an environment where players can develop both technically and mentally. His energy and humour make sessions exciting and engaging, helping players stay motivated while learning the game.

Contact: +33 68 753 0335

Naruto Sutherland I Club Coach

Coach Naru is a qualified ITF level 1 Coach with Lavie Tennis Academy where he leads group lessons and one-on-one hitting sessions. With recent tournament experience in New Zealand and Japan, he brings fresh insights and a competitive edge to his coaching.

At 20, Naru has transitioned from competitive tennis to coaching and player development. He adapts his approach to each player’s needs with energy and enthusiasm.

His background in high-level competition provides him with a deep understanding of what it takes to excel, enabling him to effectively challenge and motivate players to reach their best.

Contact: +64 21 270 4728

  Alex Chambers I Assistant CoachAlex is a dedicated tennis coach at Lavie Tennis Academy, with 4 years of coaching experience, working with players of all ages and abilities. He holds a Bachelor of Sport and Recreation (AUT, Health & Physical Education), and a Development Level 1 Coach qualification (Tennis Australia). His coaching style focuses on building strong foundations, inspiring confidence, and creating a positive, player-centred environment. Whether you’re starting out or competing at a high level, Alex makes every session engaging, supportive, and tailored to your goals.

Contact: +64 22 409 1854

Classes

For all junior and adult classes, camps, competitions, and tournament support enrollments and bookings, please go to the Lavie Booking Portal. 

Contact Rebecca, Club Operations Manager, at rebecca@lavietennisacademy.com if you have any questions. 

Private Lessons

Private Lessons will be available before school, during the day, and on weekends.

Prices range from $80 to $140 per hour, depending on the coach’s qualifications and experience.  

You can book available Private Lessons HERE or contact a coach to arrange a suitable day and time.