Our Vision
To become an Elite Tennis Academy within South Africa.
Our Mission
To develop talent amongst our students, while mentoring them towards becoming players at ATP & WTA level.
Inspire growth and excellence within each and every one of our students.
Create a deep-rooted passion for the game of tennis
Our Values
Commitment
Passion
Loyalty
Integrity
Enthusiasm
Hard Work
Excellence
Vaughn Hunter – Academy Director / Coach
Playing Career:
As a junior tennis player, I finished off my U18 campaign ranked #2 within South Africa and a World Junior Ranking of #371. Some of my highlights were winning 3 IFT’s (International Tennis Federation) Titles. I then attended Tyler Junior College in Texas, The USA, which was and still is ranked #1 in the Nation for their Division, on a Sports Scholarship. I completed 2 years at Tyler, and then transferred to Mississippi State University, which was and still is ranked Top 20 in NCAA. I am currently ranked #5 in South Africa for Men’s Singles and #3 for Men’s Doubles with an ATP Singles Ranking of #1170 and ATP Doubles Ranking of #760
Coaching Career:
My Coaching Career started in 2015 when I was afforded the opportunity to work as a Coach for the Summer Camp hosted at Tyler Junior College during the Summer Break. In 2016 I had the privilege of working at the Nike Malibu Summer Camp hosted at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California for 3 months. I became a full-time Coach in 2017, coaching at Eagle Fustar Elite Performance Academy in Santa Clara, California, where I got to work with some of the Top Juniors in the USA. In 2018, I decided to move permanently back to South Africa to pursue my Coaching Career. I started coaching at D.F.T.C. in 2019, and have found my forever home. January 2021, saw me and Janet Jooste take ownership of D.F.T.C and have now been given the opportunity to grow something that has already had a successful foundation with an exponential amount of potential to become something far greater.
Janet Jooste – Academy Director / Coach
Playing Career:
Tennis has been a part of my life since the age of 9 years old.
During my Junior Career, I topped the TSA’s (Tennis South Africa) ranking list at a high of #10 in singles and #8 in doubles. I finished my U18 campaign ranked within the Top 50 of South Africa. After completing my School Career, I started coaching Tennis and decided to start my studies towards a BEd Degree in the Foundation Phase. I am currently completing my final year of studies
Coaching Career:
I have been coaching Tennis for the past 15 years. Some of my highlights thus far have been able to work in the UK during 2008 with some of the Top Junior Players and Schools in Salisbury. I spent some time at the Nick Bollteri Tennis Academy in Florida, the USA during 2009 gaining knowledge and experience working with junior players.
From 2009 to 2012, I coached the St Andrews Girls School tennis teams, where our A-Team topped the League in their school district. I also spent some time working with surrounding schools like Holy Rosary and Saheti.
I joined DFTC in 2013, where I have been heading up the School Tennis section within a number of schools like Waterstone College, St Martins High School, Marais Viljoen, Randhart Primary and Orion. Our aim has always been, and continues to be to develop talent within our surrounding schools.
Tremayne Mitchell – Coach
Playing Career:
I started playing tennis around the age of 5 years old and have not put my racket down since.
As a junior player, I constantly ranked Top 10 within South Africa at every age group, reaching a career high of #2 in the country.
During 2012, I was selected as part of the U19 SA School team which toured the United Kingdom.
Furthermore, in 2013, during my 1st year at WITS, I was selected as part of the SA Varsity Tennis Squad.
In 2014, I was awarded a Tennis Scholarship in USA at Winthrop University, which is a Division 1 university of the NCAA. I played at the Top of the line-up and helped my team win back-to-back Big South Conference Championships.
Coaching Career:
Once I completed my Degree in Psychology, I was appointed as Graduate Assistant Coach for the Winthrop Men’s Tennis Team. My Psychology degree helped me to focus on individual and group strengths and abilities which I used to get the best out of the players. During this time I also completed my MBA.
The last 2 years I have worked with several high performance juniors at High Performance Tennis Academy in the USA, many of whom went onto Division 1 programmes.
In addition, I have worked with some of the top juniors in the Middle States Region, including Pennsylvania’s U18 number 1 ranked men’s player who held a National Ranking of 15th for U18.
The most rewarding aspect of Coaching for me has not only been to help players realize their potential, but also having the privilege to witness their personal growth throughout their journey.
Christian Egglestone – Coach
Playing Career:
My Tennis career started at the age of 5 when I started lessons at the school I attended. At age 8, I joined Glenvista Tennis Academy and started with private lessons. During this time I won many Social Tennis Titles and Trophies.
Once I went to High School I started attending Squads at Alberhart Tennis Club. At Age 15 I entered my first TSA (Tennis South Africa) Tournament.
At age 17 I moved to I moved over to Bedfordview Country Club where I played continued to play competitive Tennis. During 2019 my TSA ranking improved within the Top 250 within South Africa.
I continue to play competitive Tennis with South Africa.
Coaching Career:
In 2019 I completed my Play and Stay Coaching Qualification and started coaching at King David Victory Park High School.
In 2020 I joined the DFTC (now Legacy Tennis Academy) as a Full Time Coach.
I currently assist with the coaching at Waterstone College and Marais Viljoen as well as private lessons.
I began my Level 1 ITF Coaching Instructor Course in 2021, and I am determined to continue to improve my coaching skills through various programmes as well as working with other Top Coaches.
Pinki Montlha – Coach
Playing Career:
I started playing Tennis at the age of 10 years in Lesotho, my country of birth. During my playing career I have played at major events such as All Africa Games in 2003 and 2007 and the Commonwealth Games in 2010.
Coaching Career:
My coaching career started in 2011 with DFTC (Darryl Fourie Tennis Coaching), which became Legacy Tennis Academy in 2021. I have completed my Play & Stay Coaching certification course. My main focus is on beginner players where I develop the basic skill and passion for the game of Tennis. During 2021, I took over running our Teddy Tennis Programme at our partner schools.