SPC Coach Showcase: Fitness, Padel and Pickleball Coaches
This week, we are showcasing SPC coaches who identified most closely with the Fitness, Padel and Pickleball Coach category.
These coaches bring a valuable combination of racquet-sport knowledge, physical preparation, movement development and player-focused coaching. Their experience demonstrates how fitness, tennis, padel and pickleball coaching can work together to help players improve their performance, confidence and long-term development.
Sam Churchill
Sam Churchill brings an evidence-based and athlete-centred approach to fitness coaching, supported by a strong academic and professional background. He holds a BSc (Hons) in Sports Performance, is an NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and is currently completing an MSc in Strength and Conditioning at St Mary’s University, London.
His experience includes sport-specific strength and conditioning across several disciplines, working with athletes at different stages of development. This has given him a detailed understanding of the physical demands placed on tennis players and the importance of creating programmes that support performance while helping to reduce injury risk.
Sam combines sports science with practical coaching, translating technical information into clear and effective training. He places particular importance on building trust, understanding each athlete’s goals and creating an environment in which clients feel supported and motivated. His attention to detail and commitment to long-term athletic development allow him to deliver training that is both purposeful and individualised.
SPC profile:
https://sportsprosconnect.com/profiles/sam-churchill/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/samchurchill55/
Jure Podojsteršek
Jure Podojsteršek is a fitness and tennis coach from Slovenia with an MSc in Kinesiology. Having played tennis from a young age and competed until the age of 18, he combines first-hand playing experience with a broad understanding of physical preparation and tennis development.
Jure has worked with athletes across a wide range of competitive levels. His experience includes national champions at U12, U14, U16 and U18 level, ITF junior players and professional ATP and WTA players.
By combining fitness and tennis coaching, Jure takes a holistic approach to player development. He creates and adapts training programmes around the individual needs of each athlete, helping them make consistent progress both physically and technically. He describes himself as dedicated, responsible and motivated, with a strong commitment to supporting players on a day-to-day basis.
Jure also believes that effective training should remain enjoyable. He works to create sessions that challenge athletes while maintaining a positive atmosphere in which they can stay engaged, motivated and confident.
SPC profile:
https://sportsprosconnect.com/profiles/jure-podojstersek/
Instagram:
@jurepodojstersek
Alejandro Orihuela
Alejandro Orihuela combines professional playing experience with an advanced academic understanding of sports performance. As a professional tennis player who has achieved ATP ranking points and holds a Master’s degree in Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology, he understands both the technical and physical demands placed on players.
His coaching approach is centred on helping each athlete improve through training that is enjoyable, motivating and suited to their individual needs. This allows him to support players across tennis, fitness, padel and pickleball while considering the different technical, physical and personal requirements of each sport.
Alejandro aims to create a positive environment in which athletes can develop with confidence. He brings passion, reliability and a strong work ethic to his coaching, while encouraging players to enjoy the development process rather than focusing solely on short-term results.
Whether working on physical performance, racquet skills or overall athletic development, Alejandro’s goal is to help each player reach their potential and build a lasting enjoyment of sport.
SPC profile:
https://sportsprosconnect.com/profiles/alejandro-orihuela/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/tennisortenis
Filip Maric
Filip Maric has focused his fitness career on the physical demands of tennis and racquet-sport performance. He has worked with players ranging from junior competitors to professionals, giving him an understanding of how training needs change throughout the different stages of an athlete’s development.
His experience enables him to adapt his coaching to the level, goals and physical requirements of each player. Filip has also developed a strong international network of tennis coaches and performance specialists, which allows him to continue learning, exchanging ideas and developing his own coaching methods.
Filip places a strong emphasis on commitment, trust and consistency. He takes pride in helping players improve each day and works to create a positive training environment in which athletes feel supported while also being encouraged to reach a higher level.
Whether working with tennis or padel players, Filip brings energy, professionalism and a genuine enthusiasm for racquet sports. His aim is to help athletes become stronger, more capable performers through focused and purposeful training.
SPC profile:
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/filip_tennis_performance
Margaret Walsh
Margaret Walsh is a tennis and pickleball coach who believes that successful clubs and academies should support players both on and off the court. She brings enthusiasm, professionalism and a player-focused approach to her sessions, working with participants of different ages and abilities.
Margaret designs safe, effective and engaging drills that develop movement, strength, agility and technical performance. She also considers the importance of reducing injury risk and helping players build the physical confidence needed to enjoy and progress within their sport.
Her adaptable coaching style allows her to challenge players appropriately while maintaining a supportive and encouraging environment. She values teamwork, communication and continued learning, and enjoys collaborating with other coaches and members of staff to achieve shared development goals.
Integrity, patience, reliability and a strong work ethic are central to Margaret’s approach. She aims to lead by example and remains open to new coaching methods and technologies that could benefit her players. Ultimately, her goal is to help every player become stronger, more confident and more successful on court.
SPC profile:
https://sportsprosconnect.com/profiles/coachmargaret/
Instagram:
@margaretann.walsh
Are You Looking for a Coach?
The coaches featured in this showcase demonstrate the range of experience available through the SportsProsConnect network.
Whether you are a club looking to expand your padel or pickleball programme, an academy seeking specialist physical preparation, or a player searching for a coach who understands both performance and long-term development, SPC can help connect you with experienced professionals.
Visit the individual coach profiles above or contact SportsProsConnect to discuss your coaching requirements.
To find out more, visit:
Until next week!
