Morningside Tennis Centre | Our Staff
The Morningside Tennis Centre employs two full-time management staff, six full-time tennis coaches and also has a number of self-employed and junior tennis coaches providing group and private coaching.
All of our coaches are Tennis Australia qualified, licensed, Blue Card checked and first aid trained.
Assistant Manager: Benita Smith
Benita joined the Tennis Gear team in and came across to Morningside as the Assistant Manager in 2013. Benita achieved a Bachelors Degree in Business from the Shorter University in Rome, Georgia and achieved academic merit in Management, Finance, Communications and Human Resources. Benita was educated at Townsville Grammer School and was awarded a tennis scholarship to study and play in the USA. The Shorter University womens tennis team played in the highest college tennis division and were qualifier national champions (NAIA). International travel and a life of tennis gives Benita the necessary skills to make an outstanding contribution to our centres.
Head Coach: Ross Orford (Queensland Club Tennis Coach of t
he Year)
Ross Orford brings a huge amount of experience into his role as Head Coach at the Morningside Tennis Centre. As a player Ross travelled the world competing in numerous ATP tournaments including the Australian Open. Before joining TennisGear Ross was the Head Coach at the UQ Sport for nearly 20 years and has coached players of all ages and standards. A previous Tennis Queensland Coach of the Year winner, Ross’s affable nature combined with his experience and knowledge of the game make him one of Queensland’s best tennis coaches.
Gabriel Uzum: Coach
Coaching Style 
My opinion about tennis is that every player has his own game style and this cannot be missed. I aim to contribute so that each student can develop and improve their natural skills as players and their personality as well. I also believe and look for creating respectful and disciplined atmosphere, where they can learn and have fun, which are key points for success in the learning.
Experience
Gabriel joined Tennis Gear in 2016. Passionate for Tennis since his first game, Gabriel is engaged in this sport for 12 years. He has been coaching since beginners to intermediate players, as well as having been captain of his university tennis team for 2 years.
Key attributes
Commitment
Discipline
Fair play
Bao Tran: Coach
I believe that coaching is all about INSPIRATION. 
Not to dominate clients with our know it all.
It is essential to know who they are as a person,their character ,their struggles and most importantly,their direction and desire.
I believe that unless you know who you are as a coach,you won’t be able to succeed in this role. Coaching should be a partnership between you and your clients’ journey.
My key attributes are being more of a mentor and a life coach.
Also being an example for others through my personal life journey.
I have learned so much from being so poor for so long. I bring the mindset of never giving up! And you are the leader of your life.
I have been a tennis coach for 28 years and I believe the first Vietnamese level 2 Tennis Coach in QLD for 15 years.
Have worked with:
– Ace Tennis
– BBC College
– Bladey’s Tennis Centre
– Millman’s Tennis Centre
– Coaching in Vietnam and was offered a head coaching job for the Vietnamese Team.
I am now inspired to create an opportunity for Australians and Asians to experience each other’s culture through TENNIS.
TennisGear Accounts Administrator and Coach: Shane Gordon
Shane brings a wealth of experience to his Accounts position having completed a Bachelor in 
Business and Commerce, and working as QLD Manager for a global recruitment company. After living and working in a number of countries, including Japan, New Zealand, and Australia, Shane enjoys an appreciation for many different cultures. With his kind and easygoing nature, Shane has built customer rapporteur and is a key figure in our tennis community. He is a customer service specialist and Senior Tennis Coach at the Morningside Tennis Centre, and keeps our operations running smoothly.
His role is to prioritise ensuring your fortnightly payments are correct. Shane can be contacted at accounts@tennisgear.com.au
Clive Martin – Coach
Believe in getting the best out of each player , by teaching good technique and getting the player to play
smart tennis. We are all handed a set of skills , its how we use them that counts. Using straightforward and practical tips we can all play better. Tennis is a simple game sometimes made complicated.
Has coached in the UK , Europe and Australia. 33 years coaching experience. LTA (UK) representative coach and hitting partner 1985-1989. Head coach at clubs and tennis centres in UK and Australia. 4 years ATP tour experience. 10 years of Hertfordshire LTA (UK) team representation
Career highlight Wimbledon qualifying (singles) 1984, and was a coach to Cliff Richard and other high profile entertainers.
QUALIFICATIONS LTA (UK ) Development Coach 1987 and ATPCA (Australia) Level 3 Master Pro 2013
Phill Byhalove : Coach
Coaching Style:
I like to create an environment where players can learn and improve consistently. There is nothing more I enjoy from coaching than seeing a players work hard and improve their skill set. I like things to be fun but at the same time keep on track with players progressing and working hard. Parents are always welcome to come on court and give feedback so we are all on the same page working towards the player’s goals.
Experience:
Phill has been coaching at various schools around the Brisbane area before doing the Tennis Australia Junior Development accreditation at the start of 2017.
Phill started with TennisGear in April 2018 and have been coaching the Hotshots program, Orange and Green ball development squad training, Villanova squad training and Private lessons.
Key Attributes
- I am a parent which definitely helps with communicating with various ages of children.
- I feel passionate about what I do on court and try to pass that on to players.
- Always looking to learn new techniques and methods for delivering my coaching.
- Care about player’s welfare.
Qualification:
- Tennis Australia Junior Development Coach
Diego Diaz Rodriguez: Tennis Coach
Coaching Style : Every player is different in terms of technique, physical skills and determination. My Job is to help players find their own style and try to develop it to its full potential for ideal results. I believe Tennis is a unique sport that contributes and Improve skills not only related to the sport as in also as a person. He coaches for the purpose to make life fun in a healthy social way.
Experience: Diego is been with TennisGear since 2017 fulfilling the role of a coach for Hot shots program, squad players, school tennis and private lessons.
As a junior Diego played nationals in his home country in singles mode. On 2004 he was part of a competitive league in the US, later on he spent a few seasons playing tennis in Canada.
Qualification :
Business Graduate Student
2019 TennisGear Coach of the year
Alex JOYE: Head Coach
Coaching Style:
His coaching philosophy is based on friendship and development. Success is built on effort and resilience.
He is practicing this lovely sport since he was 7 and has been playing competition for 15 years.
Experience:
Alex joined TennisGear in 2018, he came from Paris where he worked as a Head Coach since 2013. He built his career around 2 points: performance and management. He used to work in team with the French Federation by developing tennis level for young players. He also managed a club of 400 students for 4 years before moving to Australia.
Key Attributes
- 10 years of coaching in France
- 2 years of coaching in Australia
- High French ranking for many years
- 2 years experience with the French Federation working with kids 8-10 years old.
- 4 years experience managing a team of coaches
Qualification:
- French Diploma in Sporting Development focused on Tennis
- French Baccalaureat (degree at the end of high school) specialized in Marketing
Other Key TennisGear Staff
Owner / Director: Mark Bloomfield
Mark is the owner and operator of Tennis Gear, a tennis centre management company that operates 
three of Brisbane’s best tennis centres. He is a qualified Tennis Australia accredited Development Coach and Hotshots Provider, a former member of the Tennis Coaches Australia (TCAQ), a member of USRSA (United States Racquet Stringers Association) and also a Chartered Accountant. Mark purchased the Everton Tennis Centre in 2000 and has since built up the centre to be widely regarded as one of the best managed tennis facilities in Brisbane. Everton Tennis Centre, Shaw Park and Morningside Tennis Centre proudly boast the most successful specialist tennis pro-shops in South-East Queensland. Mark is dedicated to tennis facility administration while maintaining the highest level of customer service and tennis equipment knowledge.
General Manager: Gareth Keating
Gareth has returned to Brisbane after 11 years playing and coaching overseas. After a strong junior career in Queensland, he was awarded a scholarship in the USA to play 4 years of Div 1 College tennis. After completing a Business degree, Gareth worked for 5 years coaching at a high performance academy in Nice, France. Recently Gareth has worked as a travelling/touring coach for some of the top doubles players in the world, travelling to the Grand Slams and other pro tournaments. A recognised “Talent Development Coach”, Gareth is now responsible for the coaching programs at the Shaw Park Tennis Centre, the Everton Tennis Centre and 14 schools in the area.