Former professional and respected coach heads back to ‘coalface’ after 18 years with Tennis Australia

Simon Youl is synonymous with tennis in Tasmania, having played a significant role within the national talent pathway for nearly two decades. Now he is returning to the sport’s “coalface”.

ONE of Tasmania’s most respected tennis figures will head back to the “coalface” as a private coach following nearly two decades within the Tennis Australia ranks.

After 18 years as a national and state coach under the TA umbrella, former professional Simon Youl will return to his first love after he finished his own playing career.

Despite turning 55 earlier this week, Youl’s passion for the game has never been stronger and moving into the private sector will allow him to not only work with some of the state’s best junior prospects, but anyone who is eager to improve their game.

“I started off as a private coach and then went into working with Tennis Tasmania and now I have circled back around,” Youl said.

“When you are say 25 as a professional tennis player, you feel like the next five years are your absolute prime.

“I turned 55 [on Wednesday] and I feel like everything I have learnt as a player and coach, my next five years are going to be my absolute prime.

“I feel like I’m just getting started. I am in my prime and ready to go, in my other job it was very administrative as well, lots of organisation.

“Now I will be right at the coalface with the athletes.

“I have the opportunity now to give my expertise also to anyone, not just juniors, it could be someone who wants to have a bit of fun.”

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One of the state's most decorated coaches Simon Youl has finished up with Tennis Tasmania and will head into private coaching. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

A restructure at Tennis Tasmania will see Trent Constance move into a talent operations manager position, while another former professional, Raphael Durek, has been appointed national development squad coach.

Tennis Tasmania chief executive Darren Sturgess paid tribute to the Youl’s work during his tenure.

“I have only been here a short time, a bit over three and a half years, but Simon has obviously been involved with tennis in Tasmania for a number of years since finishing his pro career,” Sturgess said.

“He has had an involvement with virtually every player that has come out of the state … and also the coaches he has developed underneath him as well that have gone on to national-based roles.

“He is going to leave a legacy when he is finally done that will be up there with any of the other top people who have contributed to tennis in Tasmania.”