Coaches & Staff

A good coach is not only one who teaches and trains,
but who impacts every component of the student’s development.

GS Academy coaches are all recruited from overseas, with our current staff from Australia, Great Britain, and America. They train regularly to compliment their professional tennis skills with professional coaching skills.

Our weekly training program keeps them current with today’s fast-moving game, and up-to-date with new techniques and equipment. We hire professional coaches with personalities who embody the best of the sport both on-and-off the court. For our most dedicated students, GS Academy coaches provide mentorship as part of our commitment to our students.

Vernon Cheung (Australia) – Director of Programs

Vernon has played tennis at an international level, competing in Futures and ITF events. He has coached tennis for over 15 years, seeing players to ATP ranking. He has worked as a Talent ID selector for NSW Tennis.

Vernon represented Australia in Handball at the 2000 Olympic Games, 2001 East Asian Games and 2003 World Championship. Vernon has also served as the assistant coach to the Australian National Women’s Handball Team at the 2008 World Championship.  He holds a Bachelor of Health Science (Human Movement).

As Director of Tennis at GS Academy, Vernon understands that everyday life and outside factors can affect a person’s play either negatively or positively. So he has designed the tennis curriculum with this in mind for players to take responsibility and mentor each other. It’s not just about technique.

Robin Palmer (United Kingdom) – Head Coach

Racquet – Tecnifibre T-FIGHT 320 V02Max

Strings – Tecnifibre Black Code

Bag – Tecnifibre Tour V02 Max Red

 

Rob is a well-trained tennis professional and coach with certifications obtained from PTRuk (Professional Tennis Registry United Kingdom), USPTA (United States Professional Tennis Association), RPT (European Registry of Tennis Professionals), LTA (Lawn Tennis Association), and PBI (Peter Burwash International).

He has played in ITF 35 World Ranking Tournaments and holds a world ranking of 613.

As a coach, he has coached players of many different levels from Pee Wee, British National, ITF and WTA players with experience in varied locations, including England, UAE, the United States, and China. Rob is an Etcheberry certified tennis fitness specialist and a cardio tennis licensed instructor.

As an equipment expert, he has strung racquets for many professional players, and had been advisor to Li-Ning Sports for development of their sports equipment.

Rob has knowledge in Biomechanics, Human Structure & Movement, Sports Nutrition, Sports & Social Psychology, qualified in First Aid and can speak fluent French. He’s also good at and/or has played at a high level in many other sports, like hockey, badminton and rugby.

With his rich experience and knowledge in diversified fields as well as tennis, Rob will make an immediate impact on your tennis game.

Michael Collins (Bangladesh) – Senior Coach

Racquet – Tecnifibre T-FIGHT 320 V02Max

Strings – Synthetic Gut

Bag – Tecnifibre Tour V02 Max Red

 

Michael Collins, also known as “Collins”, has been coaching tennis in Beijing for 6 years and has over 14 years of coaching experience.  Collins’ ten years of playing experience include winning two championships and placing 2^nd eight times.  Collins also represented his home country of Bangladesh in the Davis Cup 3-times.

Collins holds a Level 2 ITF Coaching Certification and has experience coaching junior players of all levels.  Collins is a gifted coach for players developing power and learning to use their serve more effectively.

Bishop Osuebi (United Kingdom) – Senior Coach

Racquet – Tecnifibre T-FLIGHT 295 V02Max

Strings – Synthetic Gut

Bag – Tecnifibre Tour V02 Max Red

Bishop comes from Scotland United Kingdom and joins GS Academy with 10 years of coaching experience in the UK and the United States.  He holds a Level I & II qualifications from the International Tennis Federation (ITF), Level 3 Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) and Professional Tennis Registry Coaching Certification.  Bishop has coached ranked ITF Players including a top 100 ITF Junior Player.  Bishop started his coaching career with the Nick Bollettiere Tennis Academy and has continued to work with coaching super stars, Desmond Osigwe and Claude N Goran.

As a player, Bishop has 6 years experience in the ITF Junior and Senior Circuits competing in ITF Satellites and Futures Tournaments throughout Europe, Africa and the Americas.  Bishop graduated from The Robert Gordon University with degree in accounting and finance.

Jack Thornton (England) – Staff Coach

Racquet – Tecnifibre T-FLIGHT 295 V02Max

Strings – Synthetic Gut

Bag – Tecnifibre Tour V02 Max Red

Jack owns a top-10 county ranking in England’s Southwest Regional Junior Tennis Circuit.  He is also a PTRuk (Professional Tennis Registry – United Kingdom) certified tennis coach and brings with him 4 years of coaching experience.  Jack also hold a Bachelor of Arts honors degree from the University of Birmingham in England.

Jack has coached a variety of players from mini tennis up to aspiring ranked junior tennis in England and the United States.  Jack is excited and thrilled to be coaching with GS Academy and looks forward to meeting the challenges of helping you set and reach your tennis goals.

Kris Derban – Project Manager

Kris manages special projects and events for GS Academy including our exciting new tennis tournament series.

Kris comes from New York City and graduated from Shaw University in North Carolina with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice with a minor Psychology.  Kris has lived in Beijing for 8+ years and loves it.

 

 

Chelsea Chao – Program Coordinator

Chelsea is responsible for matching you with the right coach, program and tennis court to fit your goals and time.  She is your primary contact in arranging your classes, settling payments and answering any question you might have about coach/class scheduling and tennis court reservations.

 

 

 

Amanda Li – Associate Program Coordinator

Amanda currently assists in running special projects and is our backup Program Coordinator.  She might contact you for one of our tournaments or assist you in registering for special events and programs.  She is also tasked to help arrange your classes, settle payments and answer any question you might have about coach/class scheduling and tennis court reservations.

 

 

 

Zhang Long – Transportation Coordinator

Zhang is responsible for transporting coaches and other business travels within Beijing. He also supports our coaches and clients equipment services. Zhang is available to direct clients’ through the Beijing traffic and provide directions to all of our coaching facilities and events.

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