Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Seminole High Performance: A Year in Review

On Christmas Eve, as with all the national holidays, you start reminiscing about the year you've had. I know I've had quite an interesting one myself. I certainly learned a lot more about myself, about my students, and about coaching. Embark with me on the path of Seminole High Performance: A Year in Review, and frolic down memory lane for a moment (and, let's take some time to be proud of how awesome we are!).

Firstly, let's celebrate that this blog has had over 2,500 hits and views, and has 60 posts and counting. We started out the year focusing a lot on fitness, from yoga to pilates to weight training and running, but as the year wore on, we discussed topics of mental preparation, match readiness, and how to handle specific situations. I always get ideas from fellow coaches, players, and parents, but remember, you can always comment or send me an email at kova1227@gmail.com to ask me for a specific topic, or even, send interview questions so that I can help answer them.

FSU Indoors
Heading back on the court, Seminole High Performance continues to be the best tennis training that tennis players of all levels and ages can join in North Florida, and the number one tennis training facility and coaching staff in Tallahassee for more than eight years, and counting. We continue to boast the most knowledgeable and most talented staff, a team of coaches that lead their players by example. In latter months this year, we have seen our young talent grow, and now have multiple, easy locations to get to, both at the FSU tennis courts, and at the Killearn tennis courts, two convenient areas in Tallahassee that make SHP accessible to all. We also are the ONLY tennis training that has access to the FSU Indoor courts for clinics, summer camps, and private lessons.

Our summer camps this year have been the best ever, with stellar upgrades in overnight housing in one of the nicest dorms on campus (coming from me, being very picky, and having been in Tallahassee for six year, that's saying a lot), food, and recreation (fun-station, bowling, and a night at our very own reservation, where cooling off in the local lake is a welcome contrast from the heat of the summer).

Our young talent at SHP representing
at the local Tallahassee tournament
by wearing our dri-fit SHP t-shirts!
An awesome coaching staff that I am honored
to be a part of. And our little cheerleader,
Brooklyn!
After some awesome summer camps that can only be described through the thousand words a picture communicates, I had the pleasure of taking a bunch of kiddos to tournaments throughout the fall. I loved being a traveling coach and being able to see the kids in action at various Florida tournaments. Our very own players got top ranks in the tournaments that I have taken them to; a few won the tournament (in their own division, specifically Boys 16s and 18s singles and doubles). We are super proud of these boys. In local Tallahassee tournaments, SHP takes the top spot in trophies won. Our coaching staff in full is out there every day all day representing SHP with pride and helping kiddos get prepared for their matches. Our kids compete their hearts out at these tournaments and a lot of them come away with big match wins, while some come away with the number one spot.

Winter camp this year was a new addition to SHP. We had over twenty kiddos at every level, and over ten out of towners join us for the festivities and, instead of Davis Cup that we host over the summer at our summer camps, our very own Christmas Cup! We had fun and worked hard, as usual!

The three chickadees I took to Amelia Island for a
Super Series Tournament. From left to right, Drew, Brian,
& David. 

All in all, my favorite part of being a SHP coach is hard to choose. I would say being part of such an awesome team of passionate, talented coaches, which is definitely true, but at the end of the day, my inner teacher comes out and my answer is definitely the kids. At the end of the day, chickadees, you are the reason why I'm out on the court everyday. What a year, but I have a feeling that 2014 is going to be bigger and better. Go Noles! 

http://www.seminoletenniscamps.com/

Cosmic bowling and Chiles at summer camps this year were a blast. 

Chalk Talk during summer camps 


Our WINTER CAMP this year had 

Ready for Christmas at SHP today!


Get it! Awesome picture from the SHP summer camps. 

Halloween get-ups by the coaches!


Our Killearn young talent!

More summer camp fun at the REZ!

Our SHP summer camp!

Ladies and gents from SHP. 

Tanned and ready for some fun at Fun Station after a full day of tennis at SHP summer camps!

The small group of the wonderful ladies from SHP summer.


The winning team, and the winningest coach of Davis Cup history, Coach Eddie!