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Meet the coaches

Craig Haworth

Start Date                October 1991

Qualifications       LTA Professional, Qualified Referee

LTA Board Director, Northamptonshire Councillor & Lead Volunteer. 

Role                            Director of Coaching, General Manager

Craig has been at Corby Tennis Centre since its inception back in 1991, previous to that he was coach to the LTA National Tennis School and various Great Britain national teams for over 8 years.

Craig’s strengths lie in helping players to reach their full potential based on his experience, and has coached numerous juniors to National titles.  Prior to Craig’s coaching days he was himself a strong player reaching the semi-final of the junior event at Wimbledon (doubles) and the last 16 of the singles event and later that same year winning the Irish open (1982).

Craig’s off court passions include spending time with family, (good job too! As ¾ of the family also work at the Centre!)

With such a competitive nature, Craig can also be found giving it his all on the golf course and in the vegetable patch!

Justin Chacksfield

Start Date             June 2014

Qualifications    LTA Level 4 Senior Performance Coach, BSc Sports Science & Physical Education

Role                         Head of Mini Performance Tennis

Justin previously worked for the Lawn Tennis Association as a Tennis Development Officer before joining us at the Centre.

Justin specialises in U11 performance players endeavouring to enhance children’s technical and tactical understanding of the game, preparing them for the competitive circuit.  Justin also delivers workshops for U10 performance players.

Justin is one the Centre’s total sports fanatics with interests in a wide variety of sports.

Mark Taylor

Start Date             October 1991

Qualifications    LTA Level 4 Performance Coach, CCA and USPTR Qualified, PTR pro

Role                         Performance Coach

Northamptonshire 18U & Senior Mens County Captain and player.

Mark is currently Men’s County Captain, U18 captain and over 35’s captain, he has also been awarded county colours for Northamptonshire!

Off court Mark enjoys sport, especially football and socialising with friends and family.

Darren Underwood

Start Date            July 2012

Qualifications    LTA Level 4 Coach, CCA/USPTR Qualified

Role                         Club Coach

Darren has nearly 30 years coaching experience of all ages and abilities.  His experience includes positions in the Carribean, America and 17 years as Head Professional in the United Emirates.

Off court Darren enjoys playing golf, going to the gym and travelling.

Luke Wainwright 

Start Date            September 2018

Qualifications    LTA Level 3 Licensed Tennis Coach

Role                         Club Coach

Luke has been coaching for nearly 6 years, going full time as a level 3 coach from January 2014 (with a period of coaching being undertaken in New Jersey/New York, USA)  He competed in Men's ITF Pro Circuit Futures Singles & Doubles events around the workd, and was a member of the junior Elite Training Squad at Nottingham Tennis Centre's Performance Academy.

Luke received coaching sessions from several former top world ranked players, at a number of leading academies around the world.  He represented Derbyshire at Junior County Cup, and was a member of the U13 Boys Winners group squad.  He won numerous Grade 3 singles events, and was ranked No1 in his County at 16U & 18U.

Dominic Whalley    

Start Date            September 2017

Qualifications    LTA Level 3 Licensed Tennis Coach

Role                         Club Coach

Dominic has been with us for a number of years as one of our assistant coaches. He has since stepped up to fulfil a role as one of our lead coaches taking on both groups sessions and individual hitting lessons. Dominic also has coaching qualifications in football along with refereeing qualifications.

Dominic enjoys most sports and plays football and darts in his own time. He also enjoys listening to music and hanging out with his friends.

Neil Shorrock

Start Date            January 2019

Qualifications    LTA Level 3 Licensed Tennis Coach

Role                         Club Coach and 10 and Under Coordinator

Neil has been a qualified tennis coach for 3 years, having retired as a Physical Education teacher. He taught the full age range over 37 years of teaching in the Maintained and Private sectors, finishing his teaching career as Head of PE at Brooke Weston Academy for 21 years. He has represented Northamptonshire at tennis since 1977, playing in all the age groups from U18 up to his present role as captain of the county U55 team. He currently coaches the county U11/12 girls teams. He still competes regularly in ITF veterans tournaments around the country as well as representing Corby Tennis Club and Beechwood Tennis Club in Coventry.

Outside of tennis he is keen cyclist, loves watching all sports, is a keen gardener and enjoys painting and drawing.

Othelia Stallbom

Start Date            March 2020

Qualifications    LTA Level 2 Licensed Tennis Coach

Role                         Club Coach

Othelia recently joined us as a part-time assistant coach whilst training for her Level 1 and then Level 2 LTA coaching certifications. She now runs both children’s and adult’s group sessions at the club.

Othelia also works as an engineer in the highways sector for most of her working week. Outside of work she plays matches for Corby (Northamptonshire league) as well as St Neots (Cambridgeshire, Huntingdon and Peterborough leagues). She recently represented Cambridgeshire at the over 35’s County Cup in Eastbourne, and has played at various ITF tournaments. When she is not working / playing tennis she enjoys gardening, cycling and walking.