May 5, 2020 | Outdoors
With their wide variety of activities and educational impact, summer programs offer more than just giving kids something to do while they’re out of school. Even if a child isn’t the most outdoorsy or outgoing individual, these programs provide something for everyone....
Jan 10, 2020 | #BHFLife: Shootin' The Breeze, Outdoors
January is primetime for seasonal hibernation, but if you’re like many others, getting outside in the wintry weather is essential to keeping fit and staying in good spirits. But getting outside can be tough if you don’t have a plan for what to do once you get out...USPTA Elite & PTR Professional. Luis was ranked in the top ten during his junior Tennis career in Colombia from age 8 to18. He was also ranked in the top 30 in South America at the age of 15 and played professional tournaments before moving to the United States. Luis started his college career at Shorter University in Georgia, where he qualified two consecutive years for nationals, was captain of the team and ended up being ranked #31 in singles and #13 in doubles nationally. That year, Luis won the coveted “The Champion of Character Award” by the NAIA.
After two years in Georgia he moved to New York City, where he graduated from Hunter College in 2013 with a Film and Media Studies degree. In his first season at Hunter, he won the conference championship and was named most valuable player. In 2012, Luis was named scholar-athlete of the year.
As a coach and manager Luis just finished a successful 2nd season at The New Canaan Racquet Club in Connecticut as the Tennis Director. At the New Canaan Racquet Club, Luis has led a team of professionals during a restructuring process that has elevated the club to new standards. The Club started a new 10& Under protocol and teaching system which had increased the junior participation and formed a High-Performance program with college level players. The adult USTA teams have almost doubled and is one of the clubs with more USTA and UTR tournaments in Fairfield County besides starting a new Pickleball program.
Luis worked for 9 Summers at the New Canaan Field Club, one of the biggest tennis programs in the North East. At this seasonal Club, Luis learned the ropes of the private club industry. The past two years he was the Assistant Director and Junior Coordinator. Luis had also been Men’s Coordinator, Women’s Coordinator and Events Coordinator. Luis has extensive experience with both adults and children. He has also coached in high performance programs in Bogota, Colombia, Camp Starlight in New York, Nike Tennis Camp in Amherst, Massachusetts and Kings Highway Tennis Club in Darien Connecticut.
Luis will bring all his energy, personality and discipline to grow the Buck Hill Falls Racquet Sports program.
Everything started when I was about 5 years old. My dad took me to watch him play the final of a prestigious tennis tournament in Bogota, Colombia. This tournament was a big charity event and only doctors could play in it. I remember how excited I was to watch my dad play, and I also remember how annoyed my dad’s opponent was with my chants and celebrations every time my dad won a point! My dad won that match and since that day, there was not another sport I wanted to play.
My passion for playing tennis was noticeable: I refused to play any other sports. When my parents would take me to camps, I would throw tantrums for hours until they took me back to the tennis club. At home, I would hit balls against all the walls and I just could not get enough. My passion for winning was noticeable too: When I started playing tennis matches at age 7, whenever I lost or was losing (not very often!) I would cry, hit my racquet and sometimes trash talk my opponents (which helped me win some matches). I had a complicated temper growing up, but tennis helped me to mature and control my emotions and energy positively.
Around age 10 or 11, my tantrums and misbehavior on court went away and I dedicated more and more time to tennis. Consequently, I started getting positive results. I represented my city, my state and then my country as well. Tennis was my priority throughout high school. After I graduated high school, I played some professional tournaments, but then I decided to go to college.
In 2009, I came to the United States to play college tennis. I had a successful career, and I was ranked #32 in singles and #13 in doubles nationally. Every summer throughout college I had a tennis summer job. After I graduated college, I briefly pursued a career in film, which was my major in college. After some time, I decided to go back to my life passion of tennis!
Irene had a successful junior career in Spain, she was in the top 100 nationally and won a few state tournaments. Irene started her college career in the United States at Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville (Missouri), where she achieved considerable mentions both as a tennis player and as a student. During her first year at Northwest, she was ranked #15 in the D2 women’s national ranking. She qualified for nationals during her second year and advanced to the quarterfinals during Spring 2019. Irene ended up ranked #6 in the nation for singles and she got the “All-American” mention by NCAA.
After two years in Northwest Missouri State University, she moved to The University of West Florida (Pensacola, Florida), where she is achieving her Exercise Science degree. This last season, she lost the final of the conference championship but still advanced to the regional championship. In this tournament, she was the finalist.
As a coach and manager, Irene has worked several summers in the Bellreguard Tennis Club (Spain). At this club, Irene led a lot of different groups, including kids, adults, and teenagers. With her help, the club hosted a couple of state tournaments, which helped to elevate the club’s recognition. Irene has also worked for Oliva Tennis and Club Roger Scott Tennis Academy in Orlando Florida.
Irene will bring all her hard work, self-discipline, professionalism, and character to grow the Buck Hill Falls Racquet Sports program.
Joaquin started playing tennis when he was 8 years old in Paraguay. He was number 1 during his junior career in age categories under 14, 16, and 18 years old. He was also ranked in the top 40 in South America. When he was 16 years old, he also played several ITF tournaments and prize money tournaments in Brazil and Argentina. He represented Paraguay in the Davis Cup when he was 19 years old. After that he received a tennis scholarship to play for Jacksonville State University, a Division 1 school in Alabama. In his Junior and Senior years, he played as the number 1 player in singles and doubles and was named All Ohio Valley Conference first team in both years.
Joaquin has coached Juniors and adults both in Paraguay and the United States. His last experience was at Aniston Country club.
Joaquin will bring all his passion, energy, personality, and commitment to make better the Buck Hills Falls Racquet Sports Program.
Eduardo is currently working as the graduate assistant coach for the tennis team at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. As a junior, his highest ranking was #285 ITF (International Tennis Federation) and #2 in his native country, Ecuador. He completed his undergraduate degree playing D1 college at Samford University, earning a business degree in Finance and Management. In college, he played as high as #2 in singles and #1 in doubles winning two individual events in the fall.
After graduation, Eduardo moved back to Ecuador to start working in his family business. However, after one year, the opportunity to serve as an assistant coach arose, and he decided to start the coaching journey. In his first year, the team finished with a 13-8 record and finishing #2 in the conference. The #1 doubles pairing had an outstanding season, qualifying for the NCAA tournament for the first time in the program’s history. Eduardo has been working with some of Birmingham’s junior competitive players and assisting in the tennis clinics in the local clubs.
Eduardo will bring a lot of positive energy and will push individuals to achieve their tennis goals successfully.
Alexander started his Tennis career in Moscow, Russia when he was 5 years old. In the beginning, he was coached by his grandmother, who is a former USSR tennis champion. At the age of 10, he started playing national tournaments in Russia and was successful in winning a few events. At the age of 12, he represented his country in European junior tours, being as high in the ranking as #120. After that, Alexander started to play International Tennis Federation (ITF) tournaments around the world, visiting different countries and gaining a lot of experience competing, practicing, and winning matches.
At the age of 17, he decided to continue his tennis journey in the United States of America, enrolling in Jacksonville State University, a Division 1 school in the Ohio Valley Conference. In his sophomore year, Alexander’s team was TOP-70 in the United States, and he led his team to a conference regular season win, as well as a silver medal in a final conference tournament. Last year, he became the team’s captain.
Alexander just finished his 2nd season as a tennis coach, at Anniston Country Club, in Alabama. While working there, Alexander gained a lot of knowledge and experience teaching juniors and adults. His prior experience as a tennis coach was working in Moscow, Russia, at the Moscow Tennis Academy. There he oversaw the junior program. He helped junior players of all levels to achieve their best results. Alexander was also working as a manager and event coordinator.
Alexander looks forward to meeting everyone in Buck Hill Tennis Club and give his best to the Racquet Sports program.