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Our Instructors
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Stacey L. Venker - Tennis Director USPTR Certified
 Stacey Venker lives for tennis! Her involvement in the sport spans over her lifetime; including over a quarter-century of professional coaching and instruction under her belt.
Stacey graduated from The University of Georgia in 1987 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Recreation and Leisure Studies. Stacey founded Tennis For Life that same year with the desire to spread her love for tennis to the surrounding Athens community. Ever since, Stacey has been promoting, developing, and organizing a love for the game among individuals of all ages in the Athens and Oconee area.
Holding a Professional status membership in the United States Professional Tennis Registry since 1992, a membership in the United States Tennis Association since 1976, and a membership in the Georgia Professional Tennis Association since 2000, Stacey is more than qualified to teach any aspiring tennis player of any skill level!
Over the years, the Athens community has not overlooked Stacey’s enduring and passionate work on the tennis court. In 2012 the Georgia USTA nominated Stacey the “Professional of the Year”. Furthermore in 2009 Stacey received the “Community Services Award” from the Athens Athletic Hall of Fame.
Besides her evident love for the game of Tennis, Stacey loves to travel, instruct cycling classes at the Athens YMCA, enjoy the performing arts, play the piano, golf, and walk her beloved pug, Kody.
Email: Stacey@tennisforlife.net
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Janet Darvill
All who know Janet understand that Tennis For Life would not be where it is today without her. From making the rosters to managing local league play, Janet makes the Tennis For Life engine run smoothly.
Janet’s contribution to the TFL team goes far beyond her administrative skills. Janet has over 10 years of teaching experience, which is invaluable to her ability to place new students in the right classes with the right coaches.
Other than playing tennis Janet enjoys keeping fit, cooking, and spending time in her garden and with her family!
If you ever wondered whom the nice person answering your calls and returning your emails from Tennis For Life is now you know. It’s Janet!
Email: Janet@tennisforlife.net
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Paul Allen - USPTR Certified
Paul Allen’s involvement with Tennis For Life spans the better part of a decade. His success in translating his love of sport, competition and tennis to young and old makes him a cherished part of our team.
With many years of teaching experience and a lifetime of dedication to the game of tennis, Paul’s credentials speak for themselves. He has successfully taught the skills of the game to individuals and groups of all ages and abilities.
Besides teaching others the game of tennis Paul enjoys spending time with his family, strumming the guitar, and playing basketball.
Email: Paul@tennisforlife.net
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Ralph Tozzi
Known by all at Tennis For Life as “Toz”, Ralph Tozzi has almost as much teaching experience as Stacey. First stepping onto the court as a coach in 1977, Toz has coached off and on for over 30 years!
When Stacey learned that Toz was coming to Athens to obtain a new degree she immediately asked if he would be interested in coaching during his time out of the classroom. Toz agreed and TFL has gained much from his addition to our staff.
Besides Toz’s obvious love of the game he enjoys riding his motorcycle, listening to jazz music, and driving his recently restored 1995 Mazda Miata!
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Michael Hansen
Michael’s addition to the Tennis For Life staff in 2010 has proved very valuable over the past three years. Since that time Michael has become one of our top coaches with experience in leading groups of all ages and skill levels. Michael currently heads up TFL’s Quickstart tennis program.
Michael began coaching in 2008 assisting several tennis camps for children in Atlanta. When he joined our staff he immediately showed his skill as a coach and a communicator on and off the court. Michael helps to make the game of tennis easy to understand and enjoy regardless of one’s experience.
Off the court Michael enjoys spending time with his wife Caroline, playing soccer, and wishing he had a dog!
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Jacob Fratkin
As a current student at The University of Georgia, Jake is one of the newest members of our team. Jake has helped facilitate and teach our junior tennis programs for over a year now and has been received well by all in our tennis community!
Jake began playing junior tennis when he was under the age of ten and played competitively up until he began attending UGA in 2010.
Other than playing tennis Jake is a passionate follower of the Georgia Bulldogs, and an avid country music fan. Jake also enjoys playing golf, football, and basketball.
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Daniel Youmans
Daniel began his coaching career when he started running a small tennis camp in his neighborhood as a teenager. Daniel began to work for Tennis For Life when he was a student at UGA and continues to teach at TFL post-grad as he serves as an intern at the UGA Wesley Foundation.
Daniel’s coaching has been instrumental in the development of TFL’s Quickstart Tennis Program, which introduces the game to young children in a fun and age appropriate way.
Outside of the sport of tennis Daniel enjoys working out, eating really good food, and honing his dance moves!
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Matthew Holland
Matt’s experience in competitive tennis is topped only by Stacey in the Tennis For Life’s stable of coaches. As a high school player Matt received the “Middle Georgia Player of the Year” award in ’05, ’06, & ’07. In college Matt won the 2009 National Title at the National Junior College men’s tennis tournament for the Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College where he played 2 years of college tennis.
Beyond his experience as a competitive tennis player, Matt has spent many years coaching others throughout his high school and college years. Tennis For Life is more than pleased to have Matt as apart of our coaching team as he pursues a master’s degree at the University of Georgia.
When Matt is not on the court or in the classroom he enjoys spending time with his new puppy! |
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Duane Smith
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Duane Smith began playing tennis when he was 10 years old and quickly got "Tennis Fever". Duane played number 1 singles and was awarded the MVP award on his high school team. He received a full tennis scholarship to Truett McConnell College where he played number one singles and again received the MVP award. After graduating from the University of Georgia with a degree in Science Education, Duane has taught science and coached tennis at South Gwinnett High School and Grayson High School. Many of his high school teams have won their region and one team won state. Duane has coached many junior and adult ALTA and USTA teams and individual players over the years. Duane recently retired from full time high school teaching and is looking forward to spending more time on the tennis court. Duane was USPTA certified in 1982 and has spent the last 30 years learning as much as he can about the game. Duane looks forward to helping you improve the physical and mental parts of your tennis game. Hope to see you on the court soon!
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