Codie George is a coach at Tennis Australia’s Nationwide Tennis Academy and works intently with rising Perth teen Talia Gibson.
Brisbane, Australia, 12 June 2024 | Leigh RogersScorching Photographs Tennis program. I believed it was going to be a nightmare, however I actually loved it and it simply stored rising from there.”
Now, 15 years later, George is one among Australia’s main high-performance coaches.
Following stints working as a non-public coach and with Tennis SA, the 31-year-old is presently a member of Tennis Australia’s Nationwide Tennis Academy teaching crew.
George works intently with rising star Talia Gibson and was invited by Sam Stosur to assist Australia’s Billie Jean King Cup crew throughout their latest Qualifier tie in Brisbane.
> READ: Codie George steps into new function with Australia’s Billie Jean King Cup crew
“Teaching may be very difficult, however finally very rewarding,” George mentioned.
“Day-after-day is totally different and in my present function I get to take action many alternative issues, together with the latest alternative with the Billie Jean King Cup.
“I’ve been doing numerous travelling previously 2.5 years since shifting to Brisbane, that are experiences I’d by no means in any other case have had.”
The non-public growth alternatives are additionally big, based on George.
“You need to be taught to have persistence and work out alternative ways of implementing change,” she defined. “A giant a part of the job is downside fixing alternative ways to get your message throughout in order that it’s understood.
“Teaching has undoubtedly pushed me outdoors of my consolation zone. I moved interstate for the NTA function, am spending numerous weeks on the highway and am continually round nice tennis individuals who have been within the sport for a very long time.”
She credit working below Milo Bradley, Sandon Stolle and Brent Larkham for lots of her learnings, with Rohan Fisher and Belinda Colaneri having additionally been big supporters each professionally and personally from the beginning of her teaching journey.
“I undoubtedly credit score having any type of profession in tennis to the good individuals I’ve been round and have had the chance to be taught from,” George mentioned.
“Dave Taylor had had an enormous affect on my teaching too and I couldn’t be extra grateful for his mentorship. His ardour and wealth of data concerning the ladies’s recreation is off the charts. He at all times says ‘keep on with your line’, which is about having conviction in your messaging and to what you imagine as a coach.”
George is particularly grateful for the assist from her companion Colin Ebelthite, a former professional participant and fellow Nationwide Tennis Academy coach.
“I’m positive there may be an unhealthy quantity of tennis chat at instances,” she laughed. “However I’ve most likely learnt probably the most from him. He has a fantastic tennis mind.”
Discovering time for family members, family and friends is likely one of the largest challenges that George faces as a full-time travelling coach, nonetheless she recognises it’s a sacrifice that comes with the function.
“There’s numerous journey, nevertheless it needs to be finished and I take pleasure in attending to see the world,” she mentioned.
“It’s nice to see a lot of totally different locations and tennis environments. Seeing what the taking part in and training stage is like all around the world has actually helped me as properly.”
George is inspired by the progress of her cost, 19-year-old Gibson, who peaked at a career-high singles rating of world No.179 this week.
“My teaching philosophy is concerning the significance of the coaching requirements you persistently deliver every day,” George mentioned. “That’s the place the magic occurs.
“Talia has made a acutely aware effort to step up her physicality, depth and intent, and in doing so, has made numerous enhancements.”
Talia Gibson in motion at an ITF match in Portugal.
Such enhancements have crammed George with satisfaction.
“I take pleasure in seeing progress in one thing that I’ve helped be part of,” she mentioned.
“Engaged on issues every day, then seeing that switch into matches below strain. It’s the small issues that I get probably the most fulfilment out of, quite than any particular end result. And that’s the identical whether or not I’m on court docket with a 10-year-old or with the Billie Jean King Cup crew.”
George, a beneficiary of Tennis Australia’s President’s Girls in Tennis Scholarship program, admits her personal profession trajectory has been stunning.
“It undoubtedly wasn’t how I believed it was going to go after I first began teaching,” she famous of her ambitions of working within the high-performance area.
“However it’s a nice profession to pursue, with so many alternative roles and avenues that you would be able to go down in tennis, whether or not it’s off court docket or on court docket. There are numerous alternatives, and in the intervening time numerous alternatives for females in sport as properly.
“I’m fortunate I’ve at all times been surrounded by those who had perception in me too.”
Learn extra in our Teaching Highlight sequence:
> Brad Boynton: A neighborhood chief uniting a rural neighborhood
> Brad Dyer: Embracing journey with rising star Taylah Preston
> Alwyn Musumeci: A younger chief with large desires
> Annabel Taylor: Former Australian No.1 now guiding subsequent technology
> Lara Walker: Proudly inspiring younger ladies
Discover your strategy to play: Go to play.tennis.com.au to get out on court docket and have some enjoyable!
