Our Coaches
We Only Teach High-Quality Tennis.
High-Quality (HQ) Tennis caters to those as young as 3 years old. After training with some of the greatest athletes in the world, we have developed our own unique and effective teaching methods guaranteed to improve physical skills, social skills, leadership skills, and cognitive skills.
Learn About Our Head Coach.
Frances Nadine Ferdinand
Head Coach & Director, HQ Tennis LLC
Frances Ferdinand recently returned from London where she received her Masters in Sports Management from the University of East London, and a Level II coaching certificate from the LTA. Frances holds certifications by PTR and USPTA for over 10 years. France’s number goal is showing her players that anyone at any level can play tennis because it is a great sport! Let Frances teach you how to improve your game while enjoying the process.
Frances Nadine Ferdinand has coached, assisted, and participated in several tennis camps, clubs, and schools across NYC. Growing up in Brooklyn, Ferdinand’s mother struggled to find affordable tennis programs and often ended up paying very high rates for quality lessons. Despite these obstacles, Frances continued to play and compete in tennis for over 20 yrs. She received a scholarship to NCAA DI Morgan State University and as mentioned previously, went on to attain her Master’s degree in Sports Management while also competing for the University of East London.
Kiel Cariah
Tennis Pro
Kiel started playing tennis in his home county of Trinidad & Tobago after being an avid fan of the sport on TV. He migrated to Baltimore, MD to attend Morgan State University where he studied Theatre and was a walk-on on the college’s tennis roster for 2 years. After graduating he moved to NYC because he wanted to be as close to art and artists as he could. Kiel has also made use of his Math knowledge by being a math tutor and mentor to middle and high school students. In 2021, Kiel began coaching with HQ Tennis, as well as, Kings County Tennis League where he continues to be a mentor to the youth!
Sandra Khissa
Tennis Pro
Sandra Khissa is a 24 year old Ugandan/Kenyan. She has played tennis for about 14 years now, and coached both children and adults for over 2 years.
She is comfortable with both beginners and advanced players, as well as intermediate.
Sandra describes herself as a fun coach who enjoys making tennis interesting, to enhance learning.
Additionally, Sandra is a Veterinary Technician, and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Procurement and Supply Chain Management.
Ethan Raduns-Silverstein
HQ Volunteer
John Boy
HQ Guest Coach
Ethan Raduns-Silverstein
HQ Volunteer
Ethan, a born-and-raised New Yorker with a deep passion for tennis, is all about making the game accessible and enjoyable for everyone. With years of training under his belt, he’s got a ton of tricks, mini games, and drills up his sleeve to help you improve your game. Whether you’re picking up a racket for the first time or looking to level up your intermediate skills, Ethan’s here to share his knowledge and guide you every step of the way.
George Haugh
HQ Volunteer
George grew up playing tennis in London before competing in county and national tournaments as a junior. He returned to the game during COVID and began coaching part time in 2021. Since moving over the NY , he has taken on a number of private students and is especially interested in the mental and physical wellbeing offered by high a quality tennis practice. He will typically be available for Adult Group Lessons.
Jonah Candelario
Jonah Candelario is from San Antonio, Texas. He is a former collegiate tennis player and has been coaching tennis for over ten years. Jonah has taught at high-level tennis academies, non-profits, and seasonal country clubs. He is comfortable teaching all ages and levels but does prefer adults or experienced juniors. Jonah coaches for private, semi-privates, and group lessons.
Pascal Lee
Pascal played tennis at Kenyon college. He coached for a year in Los Angeles and has worked with players of all ages. Outside of tennis, he enjoys making music.
Job Postings
Hiring Position: Tennis Professional
This position is open location within Brooklyn.
About HQ Tennis:
HQ Tennis is responsible for the maintenance and operations of the vibrant purple public tennis courts of Jackie Robinson Park in Bed-Stuy Brooklyn along Malcolm X Blvd. In addition to maintaining high-quality court conditions, HQT is responsible for managing the play on the courts, as well as lessons and programming for the community.
HQ Tennis is always looking for ways to break down boundaries in tennis. We provide and create safe spaces for participants from diverse backgrounds to reach higher levels of quality tennis exposure, lessons, opportunities, and experiences.
We are looking to fill coaching openings for the following programs:
The HQ Adults Program will begin on March 18th, 2024.
The Adult Group schedule is as follows:
- Adult Beginner – Mondays & Wednesdays from 7-8 am, and Thursdays from 6-7 pm
- Adult Intermediate – Monday & Wednesday from 8-9 am, and Thursday from 7-8 pm
- Adult Advanced – Sunday tbd
The HQ Juniors Program will begin on April 8th, 2024.
The Junior Group schedule is as follows:
- 10-week Afterschool Spring and Fall Programs
Monday -Thursday from 3-5 pm, and Saturday from 10 am-12 pm - 6-weeks of Summer Camps
Full-day camps Monday – Friday from 8 am – 3 pm, and half day camps - Our Junior Tournament Team Program
Saturday from 1-3 pm
Position Summary:
Join a one-of-a-kind team as we create unforgettable tennis experiences for players of Bed-Stuy Brooklyn. As an HQ Tennis Coach, you will play a crucial role in fostering the love of the game. For many of Jackie’s players, this will be their first experience playing the sport.
Depending on your skillset and coaching background, you may also have the opportunity to work on our advanced programs, adult programs, or private lessons.
Essential Duties/Responsibilities:
Facilitate the successful day-to-day operation of tennis programs at assigned site.
Assess participant tennis skills, maintain program records including participation and performance.
Make student referrals to other HQ Tennis programs as appropriate.
Conduct engaging and skill-appropriate tennis lessons for juniors and adults, encompassing adult drills, cardio drills, and private/semi-private lessons.
Manage the administrative and physical aspects of tennis lessons, coaching, drills, tournaments, and gameplay.
Assists in all activities needed for the orderly operation of the program: supervising children during snack, facilitating dismissal, conducting field trips, hosting special events, etc.
Contribute to court preparation after rainouts, manage setup and court breakdown, ensure cleanliness and safety. ensuring a seamless playing experience.
Increase visibility of tennis offerings within the community.
Engage more members in more programs and with more coaches.
Foster effective communication with parents and clients, providing progress updates and addressing inquiries promptly.
Collaborate seamlessly within a team environment, working alongside the Executive Director, HQ Tennis employees, and fellow tennis professionals.
Infuse the tennis courts with your warm and engaging personality to create a positive and inclusive atmosphere.
Adhere to a positive coaching philosophy motivating participants through encouragement and praise.
Attends required meetings and staff development workshops.
Perform other duties and special projects as requested by management.
Qualities/Qualification Requirements:
USPTA / PTR certified
USTA Safe Play Approved
Completion of HQ Tennis coaching seminars.
High school degree or equivalent.
CPR/AED/First Aid certified — If you are not, we can help facilitate these certifications before the season begins
Tennis Experience – prior experience coaching and/or playing the sport with a strong knowledge of the fundamentals of the game.
Please send a cover letter of interest to [email protected].
Salary range:
Determined based on skill
Pay: $30.00 – $75.00 per hour
Group Lessons- $30-40/hr – 10-20 hours a week
Private Lessons – $65-75/hr- 5-15 hours a week
Expected hours: No less than 20 per week
Schedule:
Monday to Friday
Weekends as needed
*The Tennis Professional will also be eligible to have his/her children attend HQ Tennis at a highly reduced rate!
**Worried you don’t have enough tennis experience? Don’t worry, we offer full training and ongoing support! The Spring season lasts for 10 weeks, starting in early April and running through mid-June. Candidates must be willing to commit to the entire season of classes with sessions typically taking place on Saturday mornings and/or midweek evenings, in blocks of 2 to 3 hours. Successful hires will be provided with comprehensive paid training, along with a complete uniform, equipment, and curriculum necessary for the role.
