Meet Our Coaches
Director of Tennis & Operations
Rufus Nel
Rufus Nel
Director of Tennis & Operations
I am originally from South Africa and immigrated to Canada 30 years ago. My love of tennis started at the age of 5, when I began to play with a wooden paddle against a wall.
I’ve been coaching for 45 years and am a level 3 coach with Tennis Canada. I’ve coached in South Africa, Germany, USA and Canada. Through my coaching career one of my students reached top 80 in world rankings. I began coaching Philip Bester when he was 5 and he was a French Open Junior Finalist, ranked 225 in the world and played in the Davis Cup for Canada.
Coaching doubles is of particular interest as I enjoy the strategies involved. My strength is coaching technique. It is very satisfying to help players improve their game leading to even more enjoyment of a great sport.
Before joining the Abony Family Tennis Center in 2013, I was the Director of Community Development for Tennis Canada and prior to that, I was the Tennis Director at a 25 court facility in Vancouver for 14 years.
A personal tennis highlight for me was coaching Neville Godwin at Wimbledon.
- Favorite player: Roger Federer
- Favorite mantra: "Believe in yourself"
- Favorite food: Sushi
DAN GODWIN
Head Tennis Professional
I was born in Saint John and grew up in Riverview. My life as a tennis player started when I was 13. I began coaching at age 16 and am cardio tennis and wheelchair certified, have my Club Pro 3.
It has been a privilege to coach across the province in Riverview, Moncton, Saint John and now Fredericton. Count me as one of the originals who started working at the Abony Family Tennis Center upon its opening. I can coach all levels and abilities, from beginner to high performance in both juniors and adults.
Personal playing highlights include:
- UTR as high as 9.68
- Atlantic Masters champion for 2022 + 2023
- Many singles and doubles titles in masters, open and juniors over the years
- Ranked in NB since U14 with highest ranking of 1st in Masters 30+ in singles and doubles, 3rd in Mens Open singles and 3rd in U18 category
I received my BBA from UNB which includes 3 years in the Faculty of Science specializing in Kinesiology and finishing my degree with a year and a half in the Faculty of Business.
- Favorite player: Rafael Nadal
- Favorite Snack:Sour candy (Fuzzy peaches and Sour Patch Kids are personal favs)
Head Tennis Professional
DAN GODWIN
Tennis Professional
Tamas Legner
Tamas Legner
Tennis Professional
I was born in Budapest, Hungary.
I played competitive junior tennis and represented the University team.
I hold a Master’s degree in Physical Education and a Bachelor’s degree in sport coaching.
I worked in various clubs in Budapest and Singapore, gaining diverse tennis experiences.
I served as a traveling coach for Tennis Europe U14, U16, and ITF players.
ITF Play and Stay coach and instructor.
- Favorite player: Andre Agassi.
- Favorite food: Sushi
Tennis Professional
Jared Brooks
Jared Brooks
Tennis Professional
I was born in Florenceville-Bristol. I graduated from UNB with a Bachelor of Sport and Recreation Studies in the Management branch. I started coaching tennis in 2015 at the Abony Family Tennis Centre. In the summer of 2019, my girlfriend and I moved to Halifax. I continued coaching in Halifax and was the head of all Kids Programs at the Atlantic Tennis Centre. We moved back to Fredericton in the late spring of 2023 and look forward to calling Fredericton our home.
- Favorite player: Tennis Player: Stan Wawrinka
- Favorite Snack:Pad Thai
Tennis Instructor
Ricki Lee MacLeod
Ricki Lee MacLeod
Tennis Instructor
I was born in Prince Edward Island. I moved to Fredericton to attend UNB where I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. Just when I thought this was a Summer job at the Abony Family Tennis Centre, one good year led to another and I am still teaching here 3 years later! I look forward to further my education as a tennis coach.
- Favorite player: John McEnroe
- Favorite Snack:Pizza
Tennis Instructor
ZACH RUSSELL
ZACH RUSSELL
Tennis Instructor
My name is Zachary Russell but people usually calls me Zach. I was born in Ottawa Ontario and I moved to the city of Fredericton in 2006.
I started playing tennis when the Abony Family Tennis Center first opened and since then it’s become one of my favorite sports.
I am fluent in both English and French and I’m close to finishing high school in Fredericton.
I completed the Tennis Instructors Course in 2017 and started coaching in summer 2019.
I have coached mostly Red ball and Orange Ball.
- Favorite player: Bianca Andreescu.
- Favorite Snack:Eggs Benedict.