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Neo Will Theodore Mashaba - Tennis Coach

Pretoria
South Africa

I am a passionate tennis coach who truly loves the game and values building strong relationships while meeting new people. I enjoy helping players discover themselves and grow through the sport. Whether your goal is to play professionally, socially, competitively, or you are just starting out, I am here to guide you. Learn the ins and outs of tennis while having fun, staying motivated, and improving every time you step on court.

Qualifications
  • ITF Play Tennis Course – International Tennis Federation (ITF), May 22, 2022
  • National Instructor Coach – Tennis South Africa (TSA) / International Tennis Federation (ITF Academy), Face-to-Face Course, June 26, 2024 – Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa

Coaching times & fees
  • For details on coaching times and fees, please contact me directly via email or WhatsApp.
  • WhatsApp: +27 79 309 9677
  • Email: thetennisdr.green@gmail.com

Further information
  • Neo Mashaba is affiliated with Tennis South Africa (TSA) as a registered coach and with the International Tennis Federation (ITF)

About Me

I coach players of all levels, from beginners to tournament athletes. I have worked with several academies, gained experience through workshops, camps, clinics, CPD courses, and traveled with teams to local tournaments around the country. I enjoy building strong foundations, confidence, and adaptability in players while supporting those competing at higher levels, including ITF events.

I have played in school leagues as a junior player, competed in leagues for different clubs, participated in competitive tournaments, and reached several finals. I have represented my province at school championships and was awarded a ministerial bursary by the Department of Sports and Recreation of South Africa. I also received sports colours from my school.

I enjoy working with all groups of players including, high-performance players, particularly those starting out on the ITF tournaments, and I am also interested in learning about the ATP and WTA athletes which requires a lot of experience. Although opportunities in our country are limited, and challenges such as my own developing experience as a coach and the high costs of international competition can make the journey difficult for many players, I remain committed to preparing and supporting tournament-level athletes.

Favorite Player

My all-time favorite player is Novak Djokovic. He changed the game, proved that anything is possible with hard work and resilience, and I admire his straightforward approach both on and off the court.

Experience

Early Coaching Experience

  • I developed a love for coaching in my final year of high school as team captain. Planning our games, helping my teammates get through matches, and motivating them sparked my interest in guiding and supporting other players.
  • Discovered a passion for helping others improve and learning how to adapt to different players’ needs.

Atteridgeville Tennis Center

  • Officially started my coaching journey, working with young players in the community.
  • Focused on building solid foundations and inspiring enjoyment of the game.

First Paid Coaching Job (with Coach Solly)

  • Learned the importance of preparation, structured drills, and detailed player analysis on and off the court.
  • Gained mentorship that shaped my coaching style and planning approach.

Irene Country Club / Proactive Tennis Academy

  • Spent most of my teenage years training here, then later on became one of the coaches, also learning about the business side of tennis and admin.
  • Ran a wide variety of squads, including boot camps, ladies’ squads, men’s squads, end of year functions and school tennis.
  • Helped organize and plan tournaments, including Wimbledon-style events with over 200 junior participants and adults yearly.

Silver Lakes Golf Estate (Current)

  • Coach players from diverse cultural backgrounds, especially Europeans, both adults and juniors.
  • Adjust coaching methods to suit different styles, abilities, and expectations.
  • Continue to expand experience working with families, recreational players, and competitive juniors.

The VDWTA Tennis Academy – Waterkloof, Monument Park, Pretoria (Current)

  • Work with players of all ages, including local and international juniors, ITF competitors, and school league players.
  • Run group lessons and tournament preparation programs tailored to competitive needs.
  • Mentor upcoming coaches, guiding them in training methods and player management.

Tournament & Player DEVELOPMENT, GT(Current)

  • Through private bookings, I assist players with hitting sessions, match play, and pre-tournament preparation, staying actively involved in the competitive side of the game.
  • I pay very close attention to technique, movement, players’ grips, and biomechanics to ensure optimal performance and long-term development.

Padel Coaching – Rosemary Hill (Current)

  • Serve as the main padel coach, running squads and introducing new players of all ages to the sport.

Tournament Experience & Playing Abilities

I have competed in numerous South African Tennis Association (TSA) sanctioned tournaments, often traveling to different provinces to earn ranking points and secure good draws at the bigger events. My experience includes:

  • Playing in the American Express Super 8s and the KeyHealth Tournament.
  • Regular participation in South African Open Tournaments, competing at a UTR level of 10–11 during that stage.
  • Competing in the TSA Junior Nationals three times.
  • Representing my province in the Interprovincials four times, where I was selected as team captain in 2018.
  • Competing in Top Gun events and various league competitions.

These experiences gave me valuable exposure to competitive tennis, the discipline of traveling and competing at a higher level, and the thrill of leading a team. Every moment on court was a learning opportunity, and those experiences strengthened my playing ability, leadership skills and decision making.

Highlights

  • TSA Junior Nationals 2016
  • 2017 TUKS Open
  • 2017030 TSA Junior Nationals
  • Rand Show Beach Tennis Event
  • 2018004 Growthpoint Super 8 GN
  • 2019032 GN Pro Kennex Open
  • 2019105 Growthpoint GN Super 8, MS Qualifying
  • 2019103 GN Wilson-Ronmark Grand Prix, MS
  • 2019094 GN Wilson Mini 2, MS

Professional Development:

  • Have had the privilege of being on court with some of South Africa’s best coaches, including those who have produced top players and former Davis Cup athletes.
  • These experiences inspire me to continually refine my craft, adapt to every player’s unique needs, and keep growing as a coach.

Testimonial

To Whom it may Concern My Name is Tamara Pieters, and I am the Owner/Head Coach of Proactive Tennis Group CC, as well as the Co-Owner/Managing director of Proactive Padel SA Pty Ltd. I have built, owned and run Proactive Tennis Group, which is a tennis academy in the Centurion/Pretoria/Joburg area for the last 14 years. Our team has worked with all different levels and ages of tennis players, with our main focus on building confidence in the individual and ultimately create enjoyment in the game at no matter which level it is played. I have also started up and run Proactive Padel SA since 2022, which has grown into three venues and offers a variety of services related to padel, which includes coaching. I have employed over 80 employees so far throughout my business career, and I have had the pleasure of having Neo Mashaba work for me in this timeframe. Neo started as a very promising junior tennis player, joining our group coaching and our Advanced touring groups in his youth, and then when he became of age was trained and employed as a tennis coach with us. Neo is a lovely young man, with strong work ethic, great ideas and always willing to grow and learn. He is reliable and has learnt to communicate well with both his clients as well as his working team and has since turned into a skilled Tennis and Padel coach. I would highly recommend Neo to any tennis or padel coaching academy, as he will only be an asset to any team he joins and brings his skills and positivity too. It was our pleasure to have Neo as part of our team, and we trust this reference will provide valuable insight into his skills, work ethic, and contributions during his time with us Yours Sincerely, ____________________ Tamara Pieters Owner/Head Coach

Tamara Pieters

Testimonial

To whom it may concern, My name is Willie van der Westhuizen, I am the director and head coach at the VDWTA, and part of a proud coaching legacy that goes back to the early 70s. I have 30 years of coaching experience and I have worked with thousands of young players of all ages in the last three decades. I have produced many top 10 national players, national championship winners and college players through the years. Many of these players hit their first tennis balls on court with me. Through the years I have had many coaches that have worked for me and that have gone on to become great coaches in their own right. Coach Neo Mashaba is one of the most promising and knowledgeable young coaches that have crossed my path through the years. Neo is not only a very good technical and tactical coach, but also a very good team player, always hungry to improve himself and give back to our great game. Neo will be a great asset to any program, anywhere in the world. He has the ability to work with everybody from promising grassroot players to top tournament players and will never shy away from a challenge. He has always been punctual, professional and trustworthy. Regards, Coach Willie van der Westhuizen Director and head coach VDWTA. www.vdwta.com +27824659287

Willie van der Westhuizen, Director and head coach at the VDWTA

Testimonial

It is with great pleasure that we share our testimonial for Coach Neo, who has been an exceptional influence on our tennis journey since we arrived in South Africa in October 2022. As a family of five, with two adults and three children, relocating frequently due to our work in the diplomatic field, we have had the opportunity to experience coaching in various countries. However, our time with Neo has truly been a standout experience. South Africa, being a renowned tennis nation, provided us with the perfect opportunity to pursue our interest in the sport. After exploring various coaching options, we were introduced to Neo, and from the moment we began working with him, it was clear that we had found someone who could elevate our game to a higher level. One lesson with Neo was all it took for us to realize that he possesses an in-depth understanding of the game, not just in terms of technique, but also in his approach to individual players. He skillfully identifies areas for improvement while respecting the unique attributes and physicalities of each player. His coaching focuses on refining the fundamentals of tennis, but also extends to correcting the finer details of our technique, whether it be the forehand, backhand, volley, lob, or smash. Neo has an incredible ability to diagnose and resolve issues swiftly, always staying one step ahead of the game. What truly sets Neo apart is his holistic approach to coaching. He doesn’t just analyze his clients on the court, but off the court as well. On numerous occasions, he has encouraged us to watch clips of our sessions, pushing us to continue training and improving between lessons. Despite two of us not being young and up-and-coming players, Neo never once showed doubt in our ability to improve. His unwavering belief in us has been a powerful motivator. Neo’s positivity and understanding extend beyond technical coaching. He handles both the good and bad days with grace, offering unwavering support even when motivation is lacking. A prime example of this is how he has consistently turned our younger daughter’s unmotivated, sometimes grumpy starts into positive, rewarding sessions. His ability to connect with and encourage players, regardless of their mood or skill level, speaks volumes about his character. What we truly appreciate about Neo is his genuine commitment to his clients. He consistently goes above and beyond, offering reliability, insight, and personalized attention. Beyond his impressive coaching abilities, Neo is simply a kind and generous person, always maintaining a positive and respectful demeanor both on and off the court. We wholeheartedly believe that Coach Neo has the skillset, dedication, and character to continue making a profound impact on the players he works with, wherever his journey may take him. Without a doubt, we trust him completely and are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work with him. We highly recommend Coach Neo to anyone looking to improve their tennis game, as he is not just a great coach, but a remarkable individual who fosters a supportive and encouraging environment for players of all levels.

Jessica Aronsson from Sweden

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