About

Meet Our Team

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  Steve Matthews

  Founder

  Steve had an impressive playing career, even representing Great Britain. He then moved on to become a tennis coach for a number of years before entering into facility management.

  Steve worked for David Lloyd Leisure managing their racquets programmes nationally before founding Virtus Leisure Management.

  Facility Management

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  Sarah Langford

  Director

  As a junior Sarah was a county player but she always had a passion for helping others. She started as a tennis leader and progressed to being a Level 2 coach, specialising in working with Tots and Red stage players.

  Sarah has a degree in Sports Development and Coaching Science and having managed Bromley Tennis Centre, she is now the director of Virtus Leisure Management. Sarah oversees the development and growth of all aspects of our business.

  Facility Management

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  Emma Wanostrocht

  Senior Manager

  Emma is Systems and Business manager for Virtus Leisure Management. Emma has vast experience operating and managing online systems to administrate indoor facilities as well as finding time to get on court and help some young players at our Tennis Centres develop their skills.

  Away from tennis, Emma has a degree in BioVeterinary Science and is a very keen artist.

  Facility Management

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  Liz Branton

  Coach Education Coordinator

  Liz joined Virtus to lead on the day to day administration in the Coach Education team and has gained an insight into the role of coaches having completed the L1 Assistant Coaching Qualification.

  Liz has played tennis for many years and has been proactively involved in volunteering and working at tennis venues in Kent.

  Outside of work, Liz enjoys walking her dogs, travelling and hiking, exploring new areas in UK and abroad.

  Coach Education

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  Luke House

  Head of Coach Education & LTA Coach Education Tutor

  Luke is Head of Development Tennis at Bromley Tennis Centre. Luke is a Level 5 Master Club Coach. He has 16 years’ experience working with children and adults in tennis. Luke tutors on the Assistant, Instructor and Coach qualifications as well as delivering across various CPD courses. In 2018 Luke was named LTA National Coach of the Year.

  Outside of tennis Luke is a new father, keen dog walker and loves watching any sport he can.

  Coach Education

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  Sue Bamford

  LTA Coach Education Tutor & Coach Education Coordinator

  Sue has been the Coach Education Coordinator for Virtus Leisure Management for the past 12 years. Sue has 20 years of experience tutoring across the LTA qualification pathway. Sue is a Level 5 Master Club Coach who in her career has established numerous club coaching programmes, helping players from just picking up the racket to a national level.

  Outside of tennis Sue is an avid golfer, expert on the BBQ and proud supporter of South African sport.

  Coach Education

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  Tom Carlton

  LTA Coach Education Tutor

  Tom is a Level 5 Master Club Coach and has been tutoring since 2006, delivering LTA Qualification Levels 1,2,3 and 4.  In addition Tom delivers the yearly LTA Coach Forums and CPD Courses, plus he also Mentors coaches to further develop their skills and help them reach their goals.

  Tennis Experience - Tom has run coaching programmes in Central and East Kent from 1999-2021, specialising in the development and growing of under performing clubs.  Tom is an experienced player in Local League and Kent League Fixtures. 

  Other interests - all sports, farming, trail running.

  Coach Education

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  Clint Harris

  LTA Coach Education Tutor

  Clint is an LTA Level 5 Master Performance Coach and gained New Zealand Professional Coach Qualifications before arriving in the UK.

  Over a 38 year period, Clint has coaching and management experience in New Zealand, Germany and the UK, predominantly helping players develop from grass roots into competitive players achieving national success. Clint has been tutoring since 2000 and recently requalified in 2021.

  Interests outside Tennis Coaching include playing tennis himself, golf, cabinet making and travel.

  Coach Education

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  Lorna Woodroffe

  LTA Coach Education Tutor

  Lorna is a level 4 Senior Performance Coach and has been coaching for 20+ years working with all levels from grassroots up to world ranked players and everywhere in between. She has been captain of GB teams and county teams. A former professional tennis player, British no 1 and Olympian representing Great Britain.

  Outside of tennis Lorna enjoys time at the beach walking her dogs, paddle boarding and kayaking.

  Coach Education

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  Zane Cheeseman

  LTA Coach Education Tutor

  Zane is an LTA Level 5 Master Club Coach and he qualified as an LTA Tutor at the end of 2023, supporting new coaches through Assistant and Instructor courses.  Zane is also the Disability Champion for Virtus, which involves supporting inclusive training to all tutors and embedding it into the coaching qualification. 

  Tennis Experience - Zane started playing tennis at age 4 and has represented Kent, in addition to having captained and played for the GB 40's team. He started his coaching journey aged 16 and now runs HotshotZ Tennis, offering coaching programmes across multiple venues in Kent and Sussex and developing many coaches from tennis leaders up to level 4 coaches.

  Other Interests - Zane enjoys playing tennis tournaments, playing golf with friends, going out for a nice meal or watching a crime mystery.

  Coach Education

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  James Lilley

  LTA Coach Education Tutor

  James is a Level 5 Master Club Coach and has run multiple club programmes. James is now working in a college to educate students in sports development. James has been tutoring for six years on the Level 1 and 2 courses and is soon to be working on the Coach qualification. James brings a fun, vibrant personality to the course and a wealth of experience playing and coaching in different environments.

   

  Outside of tennis James loves to see the world, in particular finding the best spots to ski!

  Coach Education

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  Mike Lavey

  LTA Coach Education Tutor

  Mike is an LTA Level 4 - Senior Performance Coach and LTA Tutor, running LTA Assistant and Instructor Courses.

  Tennis Experience - A Regional Performance Squad player up to the age of 13 years. Mike has also competed regularly in County League well into middle age and managed and coached the 14U Surrey Girls County Cup team over a number of years.  In addition to this and tutoring, Mike is an experienced Head Coach, managing club coaching and competition programs, including school links and learning disability tennis.  

  Other Interests - Mountain biking in the North Downs, watching Premiership Rugby (go Leicester Tigers!) and keeping his two boys active and busy.

  Coach Education

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  Tom Defrates

  Senior Manager & NUCo First Aid Tutor

  Tom is a Level 3 tennis coach, Centre Manager at Aldershot Tennis Centre and Advantage Padel Kingsley, plus a NUCO First Aid Trained Tutor.

   Before working in tennis, he had extensive experience in the fitness industry; in particular specialising in developing athletic skills in children under ten.

  When Tom isn’t working, he loves to travel, especially if he is following a rugby tour.

  Coach Education

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  Toby Bawden

  LTA Padel Coach Education Tutor

  Toby is a our key tutor for all courses to train Padel coaches. Toby has over 10 years experience working in Padel and now spends most of his on court time activating new Padel sites across the country and running clinics. Off court Toby is heavily involved in the installation of Padel courts nationwide. Toby brings a fun and welcoming environment to all of his courses.

  Outside of Padel Toby is a big Ipswich Town fan!

  Coach Education