Posted on: Friday, December 5, 2003
Coaches featured at Hawai'i's banquet
Advertiser Staff
Dr. Gavin Hopper, who has coached ATP and WTA players, will join U.S. Professional Tennis Association president David Porter as featured speakers at the Hawai'i Pacific Tennis Foundation's annual meeting and Awards Banquet.
The event will be at the Okinawan Center in Waipi'o Gentry Thursday, Dec. 11, from 6 to 9 p.m.
Hopper, a professor in sports science at Australia's Bond University, will talk about Life on the Pro Tour. He has coached players such as Pat Cash, Monica Seles, Mark Philippoussis, Amanda Coetzer and Tommy Haas.
Porter, who coaches BYU-Hawai'i's men and women, is the USPTA's national president. He will speak on Qualities of a Champion.
Hopper will conduct a High Performance Junior Clinic on Friday, Dec. 12, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the CORP complex in Waipahu. After the clinic there will be an exhibition, featuring Jade Hopper, one of the best 12-and-under girls in the world, and Ben Mitchell, ranked No. 1 in Australia in 11-and-unders. Jade is the youngest athlete to sign an endorsement contract with Fila.
The Friday High Performance Junior Clinic is limited to eight players, but Hopper will have an open clinic for adults and other juniors on Dec. 13, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The session will work on stroke production, physical training and strategy with a focus on how top professionals train.
Participants also get lunch. Cost is $50 for foundation members and $65 for non-members. Tickets for the annual meeting and Awards Banquet are $50 for the general public and $45 for foundation members. An $85 rate is available for those wishing to attend the banquet and clinic.
For tickets and information, email the Foundation at dav@hawaiitennis.org or call 677-1334.
• James promoted: The Hawai'i Pacific Tennis Foundation has promoted Chris James, its 2003 Employee of the Year, to Head Tennis Professional. James will replace Stefan Pampulov. James is a recent graduate of BYU-Hawai'i who played on its national championship teams.
The foundation also honored Marc Manaois as its 2003 Junior of the Year. Manaois, 14, is a freshman at Moanalua High School.
