Margaret Walsh - Tennis Coach

Dundee
United Kingdom

Hi guys, Maggie here 🙂 I started tennis when I was 9 years old in Kilkenny LTC in Ireland and instantly fell in love with the game. Soon after I began playing tennis I was accepted onto a provincial squad in Ireland and during this time I was on various high performance development squads for the Dublin Centenary clubs Carrickmines and Clontarf LTC where I represented them at under 18 club competition under coaches Pat Crowe and Alan Beadie. I also represented Kilkenny and Carlow LTC where I won multiple club championships. In the summer of 2018 I travelled abroad to represent Ireland in the 10 pro tennis tour of Europe where I played in most notably the Rafael Nadal, Dominica Cibulkova and Kim Clijsters academies. I coached the Irish Blind and VI Tennis National Team in 2024 and we placed top 10 during the world champs in Venice. In 2025 I coached pickleball onboard Celebrity Cruises Constellation where I met the coolest clients and had the best time helping them improve their game. I currently coach private clients and work as an independent contractor during the summer months while attempting to check off my travel bucket list one country at a time.

Qualifications

I am currently completing my Tennis Ireland Level 1 coaching qualification which is internationally recognized.

I hold a Pickleball Coaching License from the Pickleball Association of Canada.

Coaching times & fees

40£ an hour for private lessons

15£ an hour for group

5-7 day exclusive coaching and retreats 600-800£ excluding flights and living costs.

Further information

About Me

I am a young female player turned coach who loves playing tennis, pickleball and badminton. I have played football, hurling, volleyball, squash and enjoy swimming and rock climbing. I really enjoy music theory and art. I adore travelling and am checking off my bucket list one country at a time.

I am an aspiring forensic pathologist and anthropologist, who is extremely passionate about forensic science and medicine. I currently attend the University of Dundee where I’m competing a BSc in Forensic Anthropology.

I am an advocate for women’s rights and volunteer with a charity called Women’s Aid who support women who have experienced domestic violence.

Experience

I began playing tennis when I was 9 in Kilkenny LTC, soon after I was accepted onto the Leinster provincial squad in Ireland where I trained for 3 years. I trained on development squads in Carlow, Carrickmines and Clontarf LTC for additional years of training. I also represented all the above clubs at u 18 when I was 12 years old. I trained 4 times weekly at academies and 2 times weekly with multiple private coaches for a period of 6 years.

The summer of my 12th birthday I represented Ireland in the 10-pro tennis tour of Europe abroad at the Rafael Nadal academy in Mallorca, Kim Clijsters Academy in Belgium and BASE academy in Germany. I trained for a further 3 months at the Dominika Cibulková academy in Bratislava Slovakia and competed weekly in the Czech Republic.

At that stage I hit my top ranking of no. 5 in Ireland at u 14. It was at this time I began to prepare for obtaining a D-1 tennis scholarship for university in America, unfortunately life had other plans and I became sick for a few years and had to give up playing tennis on an extremely high level. I found the idea of coaching extremely fascinating and fun and found this was a way to get back to tennis.

I now really enjoy being a tennis coach and believe my experience as a young player has really aided me as a coach. In 2023, I coached and assisted coaching multiple tennis camps for kids 4-16. Additionally I coached and assisted coaching kids groups in Claremont Railway, Kilkenny, Shankill and Carlow LTC. I coached blind and VI tennis once a week in Naas LTC with Peter Lowther and was invited back for a second term.

In 2024, I coached privately in Shankill LTC and received the position of Assistant Coach for the Blind and VI Irish Tennis National Team from Liam O ‘ Donohue one of the directors of Tennis Ireland and director of Blind and VI tennis in Ireland. We prepared to attend the World Blind and VI Tennis Championships taking place in Venice Italy in September for 6 months. I was also given the task of privately coaching half the players on the 16 person national team. We placed top 10 following the World Champs and even got to meet the Irish prime minister.

In 2025, I headed the sports department and coached/ supervised tournaments for pickleball daily onboard Celebrity Cruises Constellation. It was the best time and I felt so proud anytime my students returned to visit me and excitedly told me about how much they had improved and how much confidence that gave them to keep practicing and enjoying the game.

Testimonial

Maggie has attended Blind and VI tennis in Nass LTC on a number of occasions throughout 2024. She has made an immediate impact on the group both socially and through her tennis coaching skills. Her playing level is such that she can really challenge the best VI players easily. She shows a great understanding of the issues involved. Off court she engages with all the participants. Maggie is a great addition to the Blind and VI tennis community.

Pete / Naas LTC / Level 3 Tennis Coach

Testimonial

I am pleased to write this letter of reference for Margaret, who has been an invaluable part of our team at PICKLESTARS™. During her time with us, she consistently demonstrated professionalism, reliability, and a strong work ethic that made her an asset to our operations. Margaret served as a Pickleball Coach onboard Celebrity Cruises, where she was responsible for leading group and individual pickleball sessions for players of all ages and skill levels, from complete beginners to advanced players. She regularly managed and delivered instruction to groups of up to 50 guests, ensuring each participant received quality attention and guidance. In addition to coaching, Margaret oversaw the organization and execution of open play sessions, social mixers, and tournaments, creating an inclusive and energetic environment that enriched the guest experience. Working in this dynamic, guest-facing environment, Margaret adapted quickly, communicated clearly, and collaborated effectively with both guests and colleagues. Her ability to manage large groups while still delivering personalized instruction speaks to her strong leadership, organizational skills, and dedication to racquet sports. She was also highly adaptable and dependable when asked to take on additional responsibilities, whether assisting with ping-pong activities or stepping in to support other recreational programs onboard, Margaret consistently showed flexibility and a team-first attitude. Beyond her coaching capabilities, Maggie brought a positive and uplifting energy wherever she went. Her friendly and respectful demeanor made her well-liked among guests and team members, and her dedication to personal and professional growth was evident in all she did. On behalf of myself and the entire PICKLESTARS™ team, I highly recommend Margaret for any future opportunities.

Scott / Picklestars CEO & Level 3 Tennis Coach

Testimonial

My acquaintance with Margaret Ann and her family began several years ago when they first came for coaching to my Tennis Club Bective LTC in Donnybrook. I have been working as a tennis coach for well over 30 years with pupils of all standards and nationalties and yet to find anyone who outmatched her for work effort, determination, and team work. Margaret Ann is exceptionally goal and task orientated and will work extremely hard and focused to achieve her aims. Her academic and intellectual skills are also of the highest level. Finally, just to add that this reference is one of the easiest I have ever been asked for and which I can stand over a 100% as a person and as a Tennis Ireland Coach.

Tom / Bective LTC / Level 3 Tennis Coach