Nelson Cuellar | Director / Mission Bay Tennis Club Head coach

ITF Level 2 - International Tennis Federation Club Professional

Phone number: 021 175 1546

Background

Nelson has been a high-level player since the age of 8, representing Bogotá, Colombia in local, regional and international tournaments. Nelson has established multiple Tennis Schools and Academies in New Zealand and Estonia (Tennis One Tenniseklubi)

With a passion for tennis, Nelson uses his knowledge and skills to achieve collectively set goals and motivate his students to help them reach their full potential through intensity, discipline and will. 

"Through consistency, passion, will and hard work, true champions are achieved!"

Coaching style

• Systematically broken down by levels and skills, called "My Tennis Journey".
• Empowering
• Enthusiastic, intense and cheerful

Qualifications

• Coach registered with the New Zealand Tennis Union
• AJC Tennis NZ
• LOA certified trainer
• ITF Level 2 club professional coach
• Bachelor of International Business Administration - Universidad de la Sabana - Colombia

Coaching experience

• Head Coach Mission Bay Tennis Club
• Founder of Tennis One Estonia
• Founder and former Director of Team1 Tennis (formerly known as Tennis Monsters) 2015-2023
• Former head coach at Birkenhead, Greenhithe and West Harbour tennis clubs (2015-2020).
• Former Coaching Director in Te Atatu, Waimauku, Forrest Hill, Pompallier and Browns Bay.
• Head coach at Eden Epsom tennis club (2017-2023)
• Tennis coach since 2005 in the USA and New Zealand.
• Coach at Kohimarama tennis club
• Abitreener at Next Generation Tennis Club

Organising tournaments and events

• Former Main Draw LTD Director (Albany Youth Regional, over 250 players)
• Organised around 6 club tournaments per year at Eden Epsom Tennis Club (average 140 players), over 50 tournaments as a director.
• Director of Hot Shots Junior Tournaments, Leagues and Fun Events

AWARD-WINNING TENNIS AUCKLAND CLUB COACH OF THE YEAR 2017-2018

Rates: 

Mission Bay Tennis Club members:

1 Hour: $85

10 Hours package: $750 (6 months expiry date, non-refundable, transferable to another person)

Non-Members:

1 Hour: $100

10 Hours package: $900 (6 months expiry date, non-refundable, transferable to another person)

 

 

Krista Kivi | Tennis Coach and Client Manager

Phone number: 021 176 1829

Background

I started playing tennis at the age of 7 in Pärnu, my hometown. As a kid, I found in tennis a long-lasting hobby and passion that has become a big part of my life to this day. I have been a graduate of Pärnu Central Tennis School for 12 years. During this period I have gained experience on many different tennis courts, with different coaches. 

Even after finishing tennis school, I had no idea that I would be teaching tennis, organising camps and gaining so much more experience.

Coaching experience

• First experience as an assistant coach at Pärnu Central City Tennis School
• When I moved to Tallinn, I started my coaching career at the biggest tennis academy in Estonia, USTA, where I taught children for 5 years and where I also had the opportunity to become a coach at an adult tennis school.
• After a long journey at the Academy, we started working with another coach to create Traveling Rackets for tennis camps and major events, in which we made 2023 the most successful year ever.

My experience as a tennis coach has grown over the years through working with different coaches, through ETL and ITF tennis trainings, and through different experiences in Estonia and abroad.

I have organised children's camps 46 times over the years and adult tennis camps 30 times, which I still organise today. I am a very versatile coach, teaching beginners, adults and advanced players. I organise tournaments, camps as well as many large sporting events.

 

Howard Ho | Tennis Coach
Phone number: 027 5720638

Background
Howard started playing tennis at the age of 5 and was a strong junior player, ranked
7 in NZ in the 18 and unders, with an international junior ITF ranking of 660. He
played in the top team for St Kent’s prep where he was Dux and Tennis champion,
and then in the top teams for King’s College where he was offered a scholarship. At
this time he was also chosen to represent the Auckland team to play against other
regions in junior events.

Howard is an enthusiastic, encouraging and energetic coach who can help you reach
your tennis goals. He has coached tennis, both group and private lessons, since the
end of high school, and has coached at Takapuna Tennis Club, Remuera Rackets,
ASB Tennis Centre in Parnell (now known as Next Gen), Waiata tennis club (where
he was junior interclub controller), and Belmont Tennis Club, as well as at private
tennis courts.
Howard has a master’s degree with first class honours from the University of
Auckland, with a double major in Maths and English, and Masters level Latin. He has
done extremely well academically and was the top scholar in NZ for English in his
final year of high school, receiving over $20,000 worth of scholarships and being
flown to Wellington to receive his awards.
For the last 10 years Howard has been coaching both boys’ and girls’ teams at
King’s College where he has been working together with former NZ no. 1 Mark
Nielsen. Howard has been in charge of all afternoon lessons there. This year he was
the main coach for the King’s Premier Girls team and had the privilege to be their
designated on-court coach when they won the National Title for the first time ever,
defeating the always strong St Kent’s Premier Girls in the semifinal and Wellington’s
Queen Margaret College in the final. He is currently splitting his time between
coaching at King’s College and coaching at his home club, Mission Bay, with Nelson
and his Tennis One team.
During the last 10 years Howard also occasionally travelled to money tournaments in
Australia where he achieved a ranking inside the top 200 in Australia. He is a high
level player who is the current captain of the Mission Bay Caro Reserve team. To
keep fit, Howard does yoga daily and basic gymnastics as well (some of you may
have seen him do a backflip on court before).

Rates:
Mission Bay Tennis Club members:
1 Hour: $75

Non-Members:
1 Hour: $90

Professional Stringing Services: $55 including standard strings (may be more for select premium strings)
$30 if providing own strings

 

Aaron Hansen | Tennis Coach 

Phone number: 021 609 000

Winning Team Captain, Auckland 1st Grade Championships 2015-2016, 2013

 

If you’re just starting out, a bit rusty or even a seasoned pro, professional tennis coach Aaron can help you reach your goals.

Perform at your best by turning your weaknesses into consistent neutralising shots. We can look at improving your footwork and movement or fine-tune your strengths. Refine your game and learn what it takes to win by working on strokes, strategy, reading your opponent and learning the psychology the best players employ.

Mission Bay Tennis Club members:

1 Hour: $75

Non-Members:

1 Hour: $90

 

Gerardo Gotelli | Beginners Hitting Partner

Phone number: 027 333 7261

Gerardo is a dedicated Tennis Hitting Partner for Beginner and intermediate Players with a passion for helping players develop strong foundational skills, specializing in the two-handed backhand. His expertise lies in guiding players through the technical and tactical aspects of this stroke, ensuring they build consistency, power, and control. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your technique, Gerardo’s coaching approach is tailored to help you master the two-handed backhand and elevate your game.

With a life that balances technical expertise, artistic expression, and physical activity, Gerardo embodies a diverse and enriching professional and personal journey in New Zealand.

Mission Bay Tennis Club members:

1 Hour: $65

10 Hours package: $600 (6 months expiry date, non-refundable, transferable to another person)

Non-Members:

1 Hour: $75

10 Hours package: $700 (6 months expiry date, non-refundable, transferable to another person)