Your Coaches

Spencer Mackoff grew up in Vancouver and attended Lord Byng Secondary during high school. While involved in other sports, Spencer dedicated significant time to tennis during juniors and university.

Spencer began coaching when he was hired to teach programs by Mount Pleasant Community Centre in 2005. Since then, he has taught at community centres and tennis clubs across the city, before founding Summer Smash in 2012 with his brother Marshall.

Spencer first developed his passion for teaching at a young age, later pursuing a career as a teacher and coach. In both athletic and academic contexts, he is driven by a commitment to equity and excellence.

Off the court, Spencer enjoys movies, the ocean, and cycling.

• Tennis Canada Instructor Level 1
• First Aid and CPR-C certified
• 20 years coaching experience
• McGill University Varsity Tennis Team 2010-2012
• University of Toronto Varsity Tennis Team 2014-2015
• BA English, McGill University 2012
• MA Cinema Studies, University of Toronto 2014
• BEd Secondary Teaching, University of British Columbia 2016
• BC Ministry Certified Teacher
• IB Certified Teacher
• San’yas Anti-Racism Indigenous Cultural Safety – British Columbia Core Training

Marshall Mackoff was born and raised in Vancouver and attended St. George’s during high school. Marshall joined his first summer tennis camp at 8 years old and would continue to play and compete in the sport throughout juniors and university. Marshall has significant experience in leadership positions, having captained the St. George’s senior team and later, Queen’s University’s Men’s Tennis Team. Marshall competed for the UBC Men’s Tennis Team while completing his Juris Doctor at UBC.

Marshall first began to teach tennis at St. George’s Summer Camps at the age of 15. He realized his love for teaching during his first summer as an instructor, and since then has coached at the UBC Tennis Centre, Dunbar Community Centre, and Kerrisdale Community Centre. Marshall is always looking to improve as a coach, having completed his Club Pro 1 designation in 2015 and having coached alongside some of the most experienced coaches in Vancouver during his time at Matchpoint Tennis Academy, from 2015-2017.

Off the court, Marshall enjoys weight-training, playing guitar, and mushroom foraging.

• Tennis Canada Club Professional 1
• Tennis Canada Instructor Level 1
• 18 years coaching experience
• Queen’s University Men’s Tennis Team 2010-2014
• UBC Men’s Tennis Team 2017-2020
• BSc Biology, Queen’s University 2015
• JD, Peter A. Allard School of Law 2021
• Member of the British Columbia Bar, Admitted 2022

Gui was Born and raised in Brazil, where he grew up playing local and national tennis tournaments in the Brazilian Tennis Federation. Gui has been playing tennis for 19 years and has been coaching for 11 years. Gui moved to Vancouver in 2019 but just returned from Europe where he worked in a tennis program working with students of all ages and levels.

Gui is passionate about helping people develop their tennis and fitness skills. He feels his best when he is on the tennis court or in the fitness room. Gui is also a professional level jiu-jitsu fighter and personal trainer, with a degree in kinesiology. 

• Tennis Brazil Certified Instructor
• Certified Personal Trainer
• ACE Certification (American Council on Exercise)
• Tennis Head Coach Course (FPT) 2013
• CREF (License to coach tennis) 2018
• Post Graduate Diploma in Health Promotion, Albert Einstein Teaching and Research Hospital Institute 2019
• BSc Kinesiology, FMU 2017

Katerina is a dynamic leader, adaptable coach, and passionate mentor to the next generation of athletes. With international playing experience, including ITF Junior and ITF Challenger events, she knows firsthand what it takes to compete at the highest level. Katerina has held the #1 ranking in BC across U16, U18, and Women’s Open categories and has been ranked among the Top 14 female players in Canada.

Beyond her playing career, Katerina holds one of the highest Tennis and Fitness Certifications in Canada being a Club Professional 2, as well as a Coach Level 3 certified coach with the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) and Tennis Canada—the equivalent of a Master’s Degree in Sports and Coaching.

With over a decade of coaching experience, Katerina has worked with players of all ages and levels, from young athletes taking their first swings to junior high-performance contenders and National Champions. She brings a wealth of competitive insight, an infectious love for the game and the training process, as well as a knack for making hard work feel fun!

Off the court, Katerina enjoys camping and exploring the great outdoors.

• Tennis Canada Certified Coach 3
• Tennis Canada Certified Club Professional 2
• Tennis Canada/USTA Certified Cardio Tennis Instructor
• Standard First Aid + CPR-C Certified
• 15+ years of elite playing experience
• 10+ years of coaching experience
• Tennis BC U9/10/12 Provincial Training Coach 2016-present
• Canadian Nationals Coach (Team BC) 2017-present

Yohann grew up all around the world in Hong Kong, Mexico, France, Latvia, finally settling in Vancouver in 2013 where he attended Lord Byng Secondary. Throughout his travels, one thing that stayed consistent was his love of tennis which he started at the age of 5 in his home country, France.

Yohann got his first taste of coaching tennis when he volunteered at UBC summer camps in 2014. He then started working as a coach during the summers at UBC in 2016 before joining Summer Smash Tennis in 2021.

Off the court, Yohann graduated Queen’s university, studying to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Life Sciences in summer 2022, and enjoys a variety of sports such as football and spike ball as well as movies and going to the beach.

• Tennis Canada Club Professional 1
• Tennis Canada Instructor Level 1
• CPR-C / First Aid Certification
• 15+ years of tennis experience
• Dogwood Diploma (2018)
• BSc, Queen’s University (Honours) (2022)

Yan started playing tennis since she was ten years old in China. Yan won many championships in her hometown as a junior. She attended Zhejiang University in 2006 and played for the highly ranked Zhejiang University varsity team. This is where Yan started teaching kids and adults during university. Yan moved to Vancouver in 2012. She was certified as an instructor by Tennis Canada in 2013, and has since continued teaching tennis in Vancouver.

• Tennis Canada Level 1 Instructor
• Champion Mixed Doubles 8.0, 2024 Capilano Cup & National Bank Family Day
• Finalist Women Doubles 35, MT700 Vancouver Masters 2024
• Champion Women Singles 35, MT700 Vancouver Masters 2024
• Finalist Women Doubles 35, MT400 Vancouver Masters 2023
• Champion Women Singles 35, MT400 Vancouver Masters 2023
• Finalist Mixed Doubles 4.5, 2023 Delta Open
• Finalist Women Singles 4.5, 2023 Burnaby Open
• Champion Women Singles 35, 2023 BCSWTA Amica Grand Prix Championships
• Finalist Mixed Doubles 4.5, 2015 Burnaby Open
• Champion Mixed Doubles 4.5, 21st Coquitlam Open 2014
• Champion Mixed Doubles 4.5, 82nd Stanley Park Open 2013

Zan is a versatile sports professional that has a deep-seated passion for the game of Tennis. A consistent national-level competitor, Zan has represented the Pacific Northwest division in Junior World Team Tennis and has competed internationally and professionally across the world. Zan brings a wealth of tennis knowledge and is a Tennis Canada Certified Club Professional 2 with over 12 years of experience in coaching, as well as 20 years of elite level competitive play.

Passionate about player development for students of all ages and levels, Zan brings a deep understanding of the game and a commitment to excellence both on and off the court.

Off the court, Zan enjoys camping and exploring the great outdoors.

• Tennis Canada Certified Club Professional 2
• Tennis Canada/USTA Certified Cardio Tennis Instructor 
• 12+ years coaching 
• 20+ years playing experience
• Standard First Aid + CPR-C Certified

Jeremy Tang was born and raised in Vancouver and graduated from Prince of Wales Secondary. He has been passionate about tennis since he was 7 years old, and has been a part of Summer Smash Tennis as long as he’s been playing the sport. Jeremy competed in tennis and basketball while in high school and still plays for pleasure.

Over the years, Jeremy has developed his skills as a mentor and coach, and has furthered his passion for teaching the sport he loves. Jeremy looks forward to coaching more in the future continuing to bring a positive attitude onto the court.

Jeremy is currently completing his Kinesiology degree at Langara and is pursuing a career in physical therapy. In his free time, Jeremy loves to listen to music, play basketball and enjoys his time at the beach with some spike ball.

• Tennis Canada Club Professional 1
• Tennis Canada Instructor Level 1
• 8+ years coaching experience
• CPR-C Certification
• Played with Summer Smash for 8 years
• Prince of Wales Tennis Team (2017-2019)
• Prince of Wales Basketball team (2015-2019)
• Dogwood Diploma 2019
• BA, UBC 2019-2021
• BKin Transfer Program, Langara College 2021-2023

Gen Wright-Smith grew up in Kerrisdale and has played with Summer Smash Tennis since she was 8 years old. Gen enjoys many sports like skiing, tennis, gymnastics and surfing.

Before coaching tennis, Gen started tutoring at the age of 13, where she developed her love for teaching. Working with a variety of ages and personalities has enhanced her leadership skills. Gen believes that developing a positive attitude and good sportsmanship is just as beneficial as technical tennis ability.

Gen hopes to pursue a career in mental health and social work. She just finished her undergraduate degree in Global Health and Sociology at the University of Toronto. She’s worked many customer service jobs at restaurants, cafes, and retail stores. In her free time, Gen enjoys making music and art and watching RuPaul’s Drag Race.

• Tennis Canada  Instructor Level 1
• CPR Certification
• Heads Up Concussion Certification
• Serving it Right
• Played with Summer Smash Tennis for 8 years
• 7+ years of coaching experience
• Over 6 years of experience in the service industry
• Captain of UBC High School Gymnastics Team
• Dogwood Diploma (achieved 2019)
• BSc, University of Toronto (2023)

Victor is a certified tennis coach from Recife, Brazil, the city of sharks, where he lived until he was 17 years old.

As a junior, he was the #1 ranked Brazilian player in 2013, winning several national titles. He earned a bronze medal at the U12 Coupe Le Blanc in Quebec and a silver medal at the South American Championship, representing Brazil.

Victor works with beginners to Open level players, helping them develop their skills and love for the game. He has coached for over several years in the Lower Mainland at indoor facilities, helping children and adults develop their games. Victor also has experience volunteering with the Canucks Autism Network, teaching tennis to young children on the autism spectrum.

Off the court, Victor loves surfing with his dad, and enjoys snowboarding and football (the real football).

• Tennis Canada Instructor Level 1
• 18+ years tennis experience
• First Aid and CPR-C certified
• Diploma in Marketing Management, Langara College

Noah grew up in Victoria, B.C. where he attended Oak Bay High, as well as the Canadian Sport School program at the Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence. He has played tennis since the age of 4, and has pursued the sport at a competitive, high performance level since the age of 12. In the junior category, Noah qualified for the provincial championships on four occasions. Now, Noah is co-captain of the UBC Men’s Tennis Team, helping lead them to a victory at the Canadian University National Championships in 2022.

 Noah’s started coaching at Oak Bay Recreation Centre in Victoria B.C., where since 2016 he has led both group and private lessons for a wide range of ages and levels. From 2018-2021 Noah held the team lead position at Oak Bay where on top of being the lead tennis coach, he was responsible for overseeing programs and student success. Noah has significant experience in creating a safe, organized, and fun environment for tennis players of all ages.

Noah holds  an undergraduate degree in Natural Resources Conservation from UBC. Outside of tennis, he enjoys backcountry camping, playing piano, and reading in the forest.

• Tennis Canada Instructor Level 1
• 10+ years of coaching experience
• First Aid and CPR-C certified
• UBC Men’s Tennis Team 2018-2022 (Captain 2020-2022)
• BSc Conservation, University of British Columbia, 2023

Kateryna was born in Ukraine and played tennis competitively as a junior in the Soviet Union. As a junior Kateryna has won the Soviet Union championship in doubles and has been on the Soviet Union national junior team. 

Kateryna coached tennis full time in Lviv, Ukraine, between 1990 and 2000. Several of her students were top 3 ranked junior players in the Soviet Union and Ukraine.

After moving to Vancouver in 2002, Kateryna coached in Town & Country Delta Inn and Richmond Centre Club in 2002 – 2005 but moved on to a busy career as a licensed real estate professional continuing to play tennis competitively in her free time.

Kateryna has joined VanLawn Tennis and Badminton Club in 2011, her best achievements in senior tennis since then are:

• Tennis Canada Instructor Level 1
• Canadian Senior Women Championships in singles and doubles
• BC Provincial Championships in singles and doubles
• Representing Team Canada at ITF Worlds Team Championships several times   
• Silver and Bronze in doubles at ITF World Individual Championships 
• Career high ranking of #2 in doubles and #8 in singles in the world under ITF Senior Tennis Circuit in 2019
• Career high ranking of #1 in Women 45, Pacific NorthWest, USTA

Raul Francisquiny was born and raised in Brazil. Sports has always been a passion of Raul’s and he has practiced tennis since he was 4 years old. Raul competed at a high level since he was 10 years old, being one of the five best players in the country throughout his junior career (U14, 16, 18). He was a  professional level tennis player for 2 years, collecting 10 ATP points and being ranked as high as number 960 in the world at 19 years old. 

Raul has a Marketing and International Trade & Logistics Degree and worked a year as social media analyst for a first division soccer team in Brazil. In Canada, Raul has worked as  tennis professional for 7 years. 

Off the court, Raul enjoys playing soccer, movies and nature/hiking.

• Tennis Canada Instructor Level 1
• Tennis Canada Club Professional 1
• 16 years tennis experience
• Top 5 ranked Junior in Brazil ( U14,16,18) 
• 10 point ATP (*967) – 2012 
• Marketing Degree, Facamp – Brazil
• International Trade & Logistics – BCIT

Derek Lau grew up in the Kitsilano neighbourhood and attended St. George’s Senior School. Derek first started playing tennis at the age of 6 and began to play competitively during his high school years. Derek was selected to represent British Columbia at the Canadian National Championships in the Under 16 and Under 18 age categories.

Derek’s first experience in coaching was in 2009 as a volunteer at UBC Tennis Centre. The opportunity to teach and develop the next generation of tennis players is what drives him to be the best mentor possible. Derek was then hired to coach at the West End Community Center in 2010 teaching junior programs. Since then Derek has coached at St. George’s Summer Camps, Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club, and Cameron Recreation Centre. Derek has significant experience teaching all ages and levels of students ranging from beginners to high-performance players.

Derek completed his undergraduate degree in Criminology at Simon Fraser University. Off the court, Derek enjoys mountain biking, listening to music, working on cars, and fitness.

• Tennis Canada Instructor Level 1
• Tennis Canada Club Professional 1
• Tennis Canada Club Professional 2 (in process)
• 15+ years coaching experience
• Top 5 ranked Junior in British Columbia 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
• Top 20 ranked Junior in PNW USTA 2008, 2009, 2010
• Team BC 2008, 2010
• Simon Fraser University Varsity Team 2010-2014
• BA Criminology, Simon Fraser University

Martin was born and raised in Vancouver, attending Vancouver College for high school and taking up tennis at the age of 11. He consistently competed in ITFs and Tennis Canada tournaments as a junior, representing Team BC at Nationals in U18.

Martin recently graduated from the University of British Columbia, where he played on the UBC Men’s Tennis Team and served as the team’s Travel and Safety Officer.

• Tennis Canada Instructor Level 1
• Emergency First Aid CPR Level C Certification
• Team BC 2017 at Rogers Junior Nationals
• UBC Men’s Tennis Team 2017-present (Travel and Safety Executive)
• BA, Political Science, and Law and Society, University of British Columbia (2022)

Yoshi Matsubara grew up in Vancouver and went to St. George’s School during high school. He picked up tennis at the young age of 7, in part due to his father’s passion for the sport. Tennis was Yoshi’s first competitive sport growing up, and he pursued the sport at a high level until the age of 14, playing in junior tournaments across BC. He then made the switch to basketball and played on his high school basketball team from Grades 8-12. Although basketball became his main focus during this time, he continued to play tennis on the school tennis team.  

Yoshi began volunteering as a tennis coach at Summer Smash Tennis in 2018 and has been a full-time coach since 2019. He strives to use his experience as a player to enhance the development of his students. His goal for every lesson is to be able to teach the sport he loves to the best of his capabilities. He also has a passion for working with children, and has spent multiple summers volunteering at youth summer camps. 

Yoshi recently graduated from University of British Columbia, earning a degree in Sciences. Off the court, Yoshi loves to play basketball, workout at the gym, and travel.

• Tennis Canada Instructor Level 1
• CPR Certification
• 12 years of tennis experience 

• BSc Combined Major in Science at UBC (2022)

Graeme grew up in Richmond, BC and attended McMath Secondary School. Graeme has competed in tennis for over 10 years and represented BC at Nationals in U14, U16 and U18, along with competing in international tournaments. He currently represents UBC in university tennis on the UBC Men’s Tennis Team, and plays in various Open level events. 

Graeme began coaching at a young age through volunteering with all age levels at Richmond Country Club and has been coaching recreational players of all ages for Summer Smash Tennis since 2021. He loves to coach as he values giving back to the sport that has taught him so much over the years.

Off the court Graeme spends time golfing, hiking, camping and skiing. He also has an interest in the life sciences and is pursuing a career in medicine.

• Tennis Canada Instructor Level 1 
• UBC Men’s Tennis Team 2019-present (Team Captain) 
• Top 10 BC ranking U14/U16/U18, 4x Team BC at Nationals, player on 2022 and 2024 UBC National Title Team
• BSc Cellular and Physiological Sciences UBC 2024
• MEng Biomedical Engineering UBC 2025

Andy has over 25 years of tennis experience, starting his coaching career in 2000 with the Ho Chi Minh City children’s team. After graduating with an MBA in Malaysia, he moved to Saskatoon in 2020 and joined the coaching staff at Lakewood Indoor Tennis Club for 3 years. From July 2023, He was proud to be one of the coaching members of Summer Smash Tennis.

Andy has been competing in national tennis tournaments since 2007, and was a member of Prince Team from 2010-2020.

• Tennis Canada Instructor Level 1
• 15 years of coaching tennis experience
• Standard First Aid / CPR LEVEL C / AED
• ITF Academy ‘Training female tennis players’
• Master of Business Administrator
• Bachelor of Information Technology
• Founder of NewSky Tennis Club – Saskatoon
• Top 5 S.K. Men’s Singles and Doubles Ranking 2021-2022

Reid grew up in Vancouver and attended Magee Secondary School. He is currently attending the University of Western Ontario pursuing a specialization in Finance. From a young age, Reid developed a passion for tennis, playing competitively throughout his junior years and representing Team BC at young age. Reid’s passion for the sport naturally led him to begin coaching. 

Reid began coaching at Summer Smash in 2022, where he gained valuable experience leading group lessons. In 2024, he worked at Jericho Tennis Club, providing private, semi-private, and group lessons to players of all ages and skill levels. As a coach, Reid’s ultimate goal is to create a fun and engaging learning environment that encourages growth and confidence in his students.

Outside of tennis, Reid enjoys skiing, squash, and basketball.

• Tennis Canada Instructor Level 1
•  First Aid/CPR-C certified

Parsa grew up in Iran and moved to Vancouver in 2017. He attended West Vancouver Secondary School, where he played tennis for the school’s senior team, before completing a diploma in Business Information Technology at BCIT. Currently, Parsa is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at BCIT.

Parsa is passionate about coaching and leadership, having completed his Tennis Canada Club Professional 1 Certification in 2023. His career goal is to become a well-rounded leader, and he applies this focus as a coach and in his role as a Product Operations Educator at Lululemon, where he combines his academic knowledge with practical retail experience.

Outside of his work and studies, Parsa has been playing tennis for 14 years, and continues to develop his love for the game recreationally.

• Tennis Canada Club Professional 1
• Tennis Canada Instructor Level 1
• 10+ years of playing tennis
• 4+ years of coaching tennis

April started playing tennis at the young age of 5.  She started entering tournaments 3 years later. She is still playing tennis competitively to this day. 

April is entering her final year at Lord Byng Secondary School in the Arts Mini Program for Visual Arts. April is also the co-founder of her school’s tennis club, and won a medal for MVP on the tennis team for the 2022 season.

April is fluent in both Chinese and English and her favourite hobbies are creating art and reading.

• Tennis Canada Instructor Level 1
• 10 years of tennis experience
• Red Cross Babysitting Course completed
• Executive of Lord Byng Tennis Club

Keaton was born and raised in Vancouver and is a graduate of Kerrisdale Elementary and Vancouver College. He will begin his undergrad at Rotman Commerce at the University of Toronto this fall.

Keaton has always been athletic, and has been active in soccer and tennis since he was a young child.  When he was 8, Keaton enrolled with Summer Smash.  Marshall and Spencer’s passion for tennis inspired Keaton to continue with the sport, and at the age of 12 he started played competitive tennis. At Vancouver College, he co-captained his school team to the AAA Provincial Tennis Finals in his senior years. 

Before receiving his certification, Keaton volunteered as an assistant coach at Summer Smash and the Richmond Country Club.  He is looking forward to his third summer of coaching with Summer Smash.

When not in school or on the tennis court, Keaton enjoys skiing, playing basketball and hanging out with his friends.

• Tennis Canada Instructor Level 1

Jessica was born and raised in Vancouver and is an undergraduate engineering student at UBC. Jessica first picked up a racket at the age of 8 and has played competitively since the age of 11. Jessica qualified for the 2020 Canadian National U16 Indoor Tennis Championships and competed in International Tennis Federation tournaments.

Jessica plays on the UBC Women’s tennis team and is the club lead for the 2024-2025 season.

• Tennis Canada Instructor Level 1

Aleksa was born in Vancouver and grew up in Serbia where he attended high school before graduating from the University of Belgrade, studying in the Faculty of Civil Engineering Department for Geodesy and Geoinformatics. 

He started playing tennis at the age of 10 and became interested in coaching while playing competitive tennis during high school and university.

Aleksa returned to Vancouver in 2023 and enjoys sharing his international tennis experience with his students. He is inspired to help contribute towards the successful development of players pursuing the sport of tennis.

Besides tennis, Aleksa’s other passions include skiing, biking and playing the guitar.

• Tennis Canada Instructor Level 1
• 15+ years of tennis experience
• BEng, Geodesy and Geoinformatics, University of Belgrade, Serbia

Celina was born and raised in California and has been living in Canada since 2014 with her son Carlos. Celina now resides in North Vancouver close to her home community of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation.    

During her time in the US, Celina studied pharmacology and spent several years working in human resources and intelligence with the United States Military before transitioning into human resources and administration nonprofit work. In Canada, Celina continues to work in the nonprofit sector supporting First Nation communities. 

Celina stumbled into the sport of tennis later in life when Summer Smash Tennis delivered a beginners course at the Tsleil-Waututh Nation in the fall of 2023. Over the course of a year, Celina continued to work with SS through the Indigenizing Tennis initiative further developing as a player and co-coach. In September 2024, Celina completed the Tennis Canada Instructor Level 1 certification and continues to co-coach and support tennis programming in First Nations communities with Summer Smash. 

Outside of her career and tennis, Celina enjoys spending time with her son, kickboxing, weightlifting and hiking. 

• Tennis Canada Instructor Level 1

Jiajia Grew up on Vancouver Island and moved to Vancouver in 2024 to attend UBC for the Masters of Physical Therapy program following completion of her BSc in Kinesiology at UVic. Jiajia has been involved in sport since a very young age and has a passion for sharing her love for movement with people from all walks of life. She has extensive clinical experience leading group exercise programs for adults, has volunteered with Special Olympics Canada programs for kids ages 5 to 12, and served as a running leader for marathon training clinics. 

In her spare time, Jiajia loves to run and trains competitively in the sport. She has competed in distances ranging from the 5k up to the marathon and has qualified twice for the Boston Marathon. Outside of running, she enjoys tennis, camping, hiking, and finding new recipes to test out in the kitchen.

• Master of Physical Therapy Candidate, UBC (2024-Present)
• BSc Kinesiology, UVic  (2023)
• First Aid and CPR-C certified

Daniel grew up in Coquitlam attends UBC studying Psychology. Daniel dedicated a significant amount of time to tennis, excelling both in his junior years and at university. Daniel won the Provincial Championships as a junior and played a pivotal role in leading the UBC Men’s tennis team to nationals.

Prior to teaching at Summer Smash Tennis, Daniel volunteered at Elite Tennis Academy where he coached high performance tennis players. He is looking forward to sharing his tennis experience with players new and old to the game.

Outside of tennis, Daniel enjoys running, pickleball, and watching movies.

• Tennis Canada Instructor Level 1
• UBC Men’s Tennis Team (2023-Present)

Alan was born and raised in Vancouver where he attended St. George’s School. He began his competitive tennis journey at the age of 12, and has continued to play at a high level. Apart from tennis, Alan is also involved in soccer, water polo, and both concert and jazz band at school. 

Alan looks forward to using his experience in many different sports to be able to coach others to success. Alan is fluent in both French and English, and enjoys playing spikeball with his friends.

• Tennis Canada Instructor Level 1

Arnav was born and raised in Vancouver where he attended St. George’s. In the fall, he will be starting his undergrad at UBC, studying science and European history.

From a young age, Arnav was involved with a number of sports, particularly tennis and basketball. He first joined Summer Smash as a student of the summer camps when he was nine years old. He was coached by Marshall and Spencer, who he now is fortunate enough to work with. Their attention to detail and desire to leave no student behind is one of the reasons that Arnav loves tennis. Before becoming a coach, Arnav volunteered as a junior coach at Summer Smash Tennis. This summer will be his fourth year coaching.

Outside of school and coaching, Arnav loves to play basketball, work out, and spend time with his family.

• Tennis Canada Instructor Level 1

Tenaya grew up in San Francisco and moved to Vancouver in 2021 to attend UBC, where she completed a degree in history and international relations. She began playing tennis at age six and has loved the sport ever since. She has worked as a tennis coach for five years, working with groups of children ages 5 to 15, primarily in camp environments. Beyond camps, Tenaya has experience teaching adults in group and private lessons contexts.

During her non-tennis free time, she loves to surf, hike, and read mystery novels.

• Tennis Canada Instructor Level 1
• 15+ years of tennis experience
• 5+ years of coaching experience
• BA (hons) History and International Relations, UBC 2025

Luke was born and raised in Vancouver and currently attends the French immersion program at Churchill Secondary school. His passion for tennis sparked at a young age when he joined the renowned Summer Smash Tennis program. Since then, Luke has dedicated himself to the sport and now competes at a competitive level, proudly representing British Columbia in the U14 National and U16 National tournaments.

Luke’s enthusiasm for teaching others developed early on, and he started his coaching journey as a volunteer at Summer Smash at the age of 11. Excited about the prospect of continuing to contribute to the program, Luke eagerly looks forward to helping others find their passion for tennis.

In addition to his love for tennis, Luke also enjoys playing hockey, spending time with friends and watching his favourite Netflix series.

• Tennis Canada Instructor Level 1
• Team B.C. U14
• Team B.C. U16

Barbora first started playing tennis at the age of six-and-a-half in Montreal, Quebec before moving to BC at age 7. She then began her competitive tennis journey, later playing tournaments provincially, nationally, and internationally.

Barbora was selected into the Tennis Canada National Junior Training Program at age 10, giving her the opportunity to train with the top juniors in Canada as well as some of Canada’s professional players. This, along with many training sessions in Mexico and her home country, Czechia, allowed Barbora to gain valuable experience in many professional sport environments. Barbora received the sportsmanship award at the 2022 Indoor U14 Nationals. 

Apart from her tennis life, Barbora finds joy in many hobbies, from learning new languages, travelling, hiking, snowboarding and dancing, to crocheting, reading and cooking. With her growing interest in human anatomy and a goal to help others, Barbora plans to complete her First Aid training and looks forward to pursuing a career in Sports Medicine.

• Tennis Canada Instructor Level 1 (expected June 2025)
• 10 years of tennis experience
• U14 Indoor Canadian Nationals Sportsmanship Award 2022
• TC NJTP athlete 2018 – 2023
• Top-5 ranked BC player in U12, U14, U16
• Junior ITF Circuit 2022 – Present

Diana Craciun grew up in Coquitlam and is currently in her first year at school in Alabama, playing D1 tennis at Alabama State on a full athletic scholarship. Diana started playing tennis at the age of 4 and was ranked in the top 5 players in British Columbia for U12, U14, U16, and U18 girls. She is currently studying Business Management in hopes to one day run her own business.

Diana was selected for the Canadian National Tennis Team at the age of 11 and played on the National Team until 16. This gave her multiple opportunities to travel and play tennis against many good players from around the world. Her biggest accomplishment is winning the Victoria ITF in doubles since it was so close to home and she could play it with one of her best friends as her partner. 

In her spare time Diana enjoys going on hikes, hanging out with her friends, and playing tennis with her family. She comes from a tennis family, which makes it super fun to  play and arrange little tournaments with her parents and siblings. 

Diana loves to travel and explore other countries and is looking forward to upcoming trips.

• 2+ years of coaching experience
• Top 5 BC Junior U12, U14, U16, U18
• ITF Junior Circuit 2020-2024

Talia was born and raised in Vancouver, and attended Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School. She grew up as a multi-sport athlete and enjoyed playing field hockey and tennis for her high school team. Her passion for tennis started when she joined Summer Smash the first year it was founded! 

This year, Talia graduated from the University of Ottawa, where she studied Health Sciences in the French Immersion Stream. While in Ottawa, she worked as a faculty mentor, and helped start the university’s first run club!.

Talia has experience working with kids and has a passion for volunteering with diverse community groups. In her free time, she loves running, biking, painting, and spending time with her friends,

• Tennis Canada Instructor Level 1 (expected 2025)
• 6+ years tennis experience
• BHSc Honours Health Sciences Program, French Immersion Stream, University of Ottawa 2025

From a young age Devon has chased new opportunities in all aspects of his life. Being born and raised in Abbotsford, Devon made the most of what the city had to offer by actively participating in every sport his high school offered, specializing in the Decathlon for Track & Field. Following a Provincial gold medal in 2016, Devon decided to further focus on his education, which inspired the move to North Vancouver to begin his Bachelor of Legal Studies.

While completing his degree, Devon earned multiple certifications, worked over a dozen different jobs and began to actively participate in community events. Rather than simply focus on school, Devon wanted to leave with much more life experience than just a college degree. This led Devon to work in places such as Mt. Seymour, as a Residence Advisor and as an Active Health Coach. Devon also began and learned a couple local sports including skiing and bouldering.

Now working as a Corporate Paralegal, Devon moved to Kitsilano and decided to pick up another local sport, tennis. This led him to take lessons with Summer Smash and work part time at the Vancouver Lawn and Tennis Club. Developing a love for the sport and with his passion to help others in the community, Devon completed his level 1 instructor training to begin coaching with Summer Smash.

Certifications

• Tennis Canada Instructor Level 1
• 200H hours Registered Yoga Teacher Training
• Level 5 168 hours – Teaching English as a Foreign Language 
• First Aid & CPR Certification

Experience

• Worked at a tennis club and trained by Summer Smash 
• 2016 BC Provincial Track and Field Champion and Medalist (400m Relay, Multis)
• Track and Field + Cross Country Youth Coach

Education

• Bachelor of Legal Studies at Capilano University (2023)

Youhanna discovered his passion for tennis at just six years old after watching the sport on television in his hometown of London, England. From that moment, tennis became a central part of his life, leading him to begin playing and coaching at a young age.

At 15, he moved to Vancouver, Canada, to pursue academic goals, but his love for tennis never wavered. He continued playing competitively in high school and re-established himself as a certified coach in Canada. Now in university, Youhanna remains deeply passionate about coaching, bringing the same enthusiasm and dedication he’s had since childhood.

• Tennis Canada Instructor Level 1

Lana is a student-athlete currently attending Notre Dame High School. She began playing tennis competitively at the age of six and has remained committed to the sport ever since. In addition to tennis, Lana has been actively involved in other school sports, developing a strong foundation in teamwork, discipline, and leadership.

Lana took her first steps into coaching in 2023 as a volunteer at the UBC Tennis Centre. Through this experience, she discovered a genuine passion for teaching and mentoring younger players. Lana finds joy in helping others build confidence and improve their skills, and she thrives in environments where she can create a positive and inclusive atmosphere. Her growing interest in education, paired with her coaching experience, has inspired her to pursue a future in teaching.

In her coaching, Lana brings energy, empathy, and a thoughtful approach, always aiming to create meaningful learning experiences for those she works with. She is guided by values of equity, excellence, and encouragement whether on the court, in the classroom, or in everyday life.

• Tennis Canada Instructor Level 1 (expected 2025)

Kosuke Roger Matsubara was born and raised in Vancouver and is a dual citizen of Japan and Canada. He in his senior year of high school at St. George’s School. From a young age Kosuke had a passion for sports, picking up tennis from his brother, but especially his father, who gave Kosuke the middle name of his favourite tennis player, Roger Federer. His passion for tennis began when he was 5, and he went on to play competitive tennis through elementary and high school. Kosuke is excited  to give back to the community and provide the next generation with the same experiences of joy and friendship that he enjoyed as a student at Summer Smash.

Kosuke hopes that he will be able to use his prior experiences with different sports, teams, and coaches, to help create an enjoyable and meaningful experience for his students.

• Tennis Canada Instructor Level 1

Ashton Wong was born and raised in Vancouver and grew up in Kerrisdale. He graduated from Kerrisdale Elementary and currently attends Vancouver College.  Ashton started playing tennis at the age of 5 years old and learned to play through many years of Summer Smash programs. Although basketball is Ashton’s first sport, he has a deep connection to tennis and a true love for the game. 

Ashton first developed his passion for teaching at a young age watching Spencer and Marshall coach. This inspired and motivated Ashton to do the same for others, leading him to volunteer in basketball camps and tennis lessons. Ashton truly enjoys coaching others and strives to be a leader on and off the court. 

Outside of tennis, Ashton loves playing basketball, eating food, buying, trading, and collecting shoes, and traveling around America.

• Tennis Canada Instructor Level 1

Emily was born in Vancouver and attends York House School. She started playing tennis at the age of 10 and has played competitively for several years. Through her love for working with youth in athletic contexts, Emily decided to complete her tennis coaching certification and has been an active coach for children’s tennis classes and camps. Besides tennis, Emily loves hiking, spending time with friends, and playing a variety of other sports.

• Tennis Canada Instructor Level 1
• 6+ years of tennis experience

Jeff first picked up a racket at the age of 5 and has played tennis competitively since the age of 13.  He was the captain of his Sentinel Secondary tennis team in his senior year, winning back to back AAA BC provincial tennis championships in 2009 and 2010. Today, Jeff enjoys playing and coaching tennis, and is grateful for what the sport provides in terms of mental and physical benefits. Some of his favourite tennis memories include being a hitting partner for ATP and WTA players during the Odlum Brown Vancouver Open and travelling to the Australian Open.

Jeff truly believes that tennis is a sport for life and as a coach brings this enthusiasm to lessons for all ages and abilities. He first started teaching in 2009 at Hollyburn Country Club as a coaching assistant while in high school and continues to coach today.

Jeff completed his Bachelors of Business Administration with a specialization in Digital Design and Development at BCIT. His career background includes being a software developer at a leading prop tech company and a manager in the property management industry. Jeff’s other interests include volunteering as a basketball coach, hiking, reading at the beach, and playing the drums.

• Tennis Canada Instructor Level 1
• 20+ years of playing tennis
• BBA, Digital Design & Development
• UBC Men’s Tennis Team (2011)
• 2x BC AAA Provincial Champion