Coach Ava’s Gold Coast Tennis Experience

Over the past year, many players in our Ready for Tennis community had the pleasure of training with Coach Ava, who joined us from Canada. From energetic group sessions to helping players improve their confidence on court, she made a great impact on our program and community.

Although she has now returned home, we wanted to catch up with her to hear about her time on the Gold Coast, some of her favourite memories from coaching in Australia, and what she is up to next.

Catching Up With Coach Ava

How did you first hear about Ready for Tennis and what made you decide to come to Australia?

In short, a quarter life crisis brought me to Australia. I had been teaching high school for about 4 months in Canada and wow did I hate it. No offense to people who have teenagers at home, but my god. Respect. So, I googled tennis coaching jobs in Australia, and I applied all along the east coast (sorry Perth). Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Cairns and of course Gold Coast. I even applied in New Zealand.

By the time I zoomed with Reid, I had offers in Sydney and Melbourne, but after my zoom with Reid it was obvious that the Goldie was for me. Plus, once I found out about the roof, easiest decision of my life.
I remember how last minute my decision was. I think it was about 4 months between the time I decided to come to Australia to my flight out of Toronto.

Me coming to Australia was one of the easiest things I’ve done. Everything fell together perfectly. The job, paperwork, housing, everything. There wasn’t one point between the decision to come to Australia and getting on that plane that hinted that this wasn’t for me. It was just the opposite.

After realising that the Gold Coast was an actual city and not just a general area, I fell in love with the beach town aura with the hint of city. And once the jet lag wore off, pfft Gold Coast had me hooked.

What were some of your favourite memories from your time coaching here?

I really enjoyed the camps. I always got the orange ball kids, and I have to say…I loved them. The constant controlled-ish chaos mixed with “oh my god I got it over” mentality was peak. I also have to shout out the fact my team won the Friday trivia game 3 camps in a row.

Before I came to Australia, I had been a country club tennis coach since I was 17, and at 24 I was over it. I wasn’t inspired, I was bored and was just on autopilot. I needed a change and something to kickstart my love for tennis again. Not necessarily one specific moment, but The Ready for Tennis team gave me that motivation and something to work towards again.

Over time, I learned so much from Reid, Mark and Pere and their lessons that I became much more confident in my coaching abilities. Anytime I got to listen or watch one of their lessons was awesome.

You coached many players during your time here. Share 2-3 moments with a student or group that really stood out to you?

One of my favourite lessons was one that I originally didn’t even have. I got asked to cover an orange ball group and Olivia immediately won me over. Her enthusiasm, excitement, humour and amazing personality made my Friday afternoons my favourite. Olivia was one of the lessons I most looked forward to, but trying to convince her topspin was a good thing…that was a challenge. Tiny price to pay for getting the opportunity to meet her.

I really loved coaching the lady’s groups in the mornings.

Some highlights include,

• Jacky calling me out for not announcing the score, which let’s be honest I lost track of 6 points ago.
• Donna testing the limits of how fast she could hit the ball versus how fast I could react to it.
• Misako constantly making me second guess whether she was going to poach or not.

I genuinely could shout out everyone in all my groups for some aspect they brought to each session, but I’d be typing this out all day.

I lucked out with my lessons. I had so many that made my job as a coach so easy.

• I remember when Saskia hit double digits rallying back and forth with me.
• I remember Evelyn hitting winner after winner on me during a tie breaker, then right afterwards proceeding to tell me about who won best picture at the Oscars (she’s a film junkie and gave me recommendations for my 27-hour flight back home).
• Carol and Emily who both came to their respective lessons just wanting to improve but also being two of the nicest human beings I’ve ever met.

Overall, I flew over 15,000km and immediately felt welcomed by the community at Ready for Tennis <3

When you weren’t on the tennis court, what were some of the best things you experienced on the Gold Coast?

Pfft where do I even start.

• Whale Watching. Epic.
• The GC 500 which I discovered ran right by my balcony. I also snuck into the pits with a friend…shhh.
• Trips to Burleigh and discovering Almond Croissants. Whew.
• Pac Fair. Now that’s a mall.
• Top Golf. I can’t golf.
• Surfers Paradise. Had to be in the mood.
• Paddock Bakery. Thank God it was far away because I would have been there constantly.
• The Spit or legit any beach. Kicks any Canadian beach’s butt.
• Tedder Ave in Main Beach. The cutest mix of Botox clinics and cafes.
• When I tried Peking Duck. Couldn’t look at it but wow delish.
• Yochi. Do I need to explain?
• Surfing in Currumbin. Won’t be trying again. I’m more of a tanning girl.
• Seeing my first kangaroo and koala. G’day.
• Bare foot bowls. I was told that was the correct Australian name.
• Discovering what Drop Bears are. Still semi convinced they’re real.

Now that you’re back in Canada, what are you currently working on?

When I landed back in Toronto, I was welcomed back by a polar vortex. About -30 degrees and all I had was cotton pants. It’s fine…that’s about as welcoming as Canada in January gets. After I got accustomed to the temperature change, I had my much belated Christmas and introduced my family to TimTams. They are now big fans. They also tried Vegemite…may need more convincing on that one.

A few of you knew that I was applying for my Masters/PhD in psychology, as of right now I am still waiting on the final decision from the Uni, but I will keep you posted. Otherwise, I am coaching very part time and supply teaching until I decide to stay or move to another corner of the world. I’ve realised that I don’t tend to stay put for very long.

I have a very exciting job opportunity out of Australia that mixes both my passions of sport and psychology! Very exciting but still too early to give any more details haha. Sorry to keep you in suspense.

What are your goals or plans for the next 6-12 months?

I think after coming off the year I just had; I have newfound motivation to make the most out of every opportunity that comes my way. Coming back to my hometown, I realised how big an adventure Australia was, and I don’t want that aspect of me to stop. I like that adventurous side. So, depending on how my school application goes, I may find myself working in another corner of the world very soon.
I also stupidly told you all that I am running the Gold Coast half marathon…so now I have to actually train for that. It was way easier to say that I was running it when it was 8 month away. But now? Ugh.

Final question - would you come back to Australia or visit the Ready for Tennis community again?

Duh.
I have been plotting my return to Australia ever since I left. Give me the word and my bags will be packed.
Aussie Ava will return.
Love y’all. Thank you so much for the opportunity you gave me! Reid, Pere, Mark, thank you for being the most welcoming, fun people I have ever had the pleasure to work with.

Reid took quite the risk hiring some random from halfway across the world but thank God he did.

Coach Reid - How was it having Ava here at Ready for Tennis?

We’re incredibly grateful for the time Coach Ava spent with our players and families here on the Gold Coast. Coaches come and go in different seasons of life, but the impact they leave on the court and in our community stays with us.

From everyone at Ready for Tennis, we wish her the very best back in Canada and hope to see her back on the Gold Coast again sometime soon.