Meet The Coaches

At Prestwick Tennis all our coaches are highly qualified and LTA Accredited with experience in a wide range of coaching abilities for adults, juniors, wheelchair users and individuals with learning difficulties. Coaches are available for individual lessons which can be arranged by contacting the coach directly.

Brian Griffen – Head Coach
LTA - LEVEL 4 SENIOR COACH

I have been coaching full time for more than 25 years. Originally from Kilmarnock, my own children played at the centre when it first opened. I have worked in tennis academies in both Europe and Asia and for the last years coaching in London at The National Tennis Centre, Bromley Tennis Centre and AELTC (Wimbledon).

My coaching philosophy is game based to allow players of all levels and abilities to participate in our sport. I have worked with beginners of all ages together with performance players of national standard. My tennis hero is Bjorn Borg and Roger Federer is the best all court player I have seen.

Ilona Stubley – Head of Pathway to Performance
LTA LEVEL 3 COACH

Before taking up my role in Prestwick I was based down in Suffolk where I coached County Champions from orange ball through to yellow. My coaching experience ranges from coaching players of all ages and abilities from Tots Tennis through to working with performance juniors. My goal is to work on all aspects of the game with players helping them not only have the technical tools to win matches but also the mental and tactical skills.

Since moving back to the area I am pleased to have been appointed Tennis Ayrshire District Coach helping develop the best players in the district.

I began playing tennis at Prestwick at a very young age and I quickly got into competitions playing throughout the UK whilst also representing the South of Scotland as a junior and continue to play for the county as an adult.

Colin Dunbar
LTA SENIOR PERFORMANCE COACH LEVEL 4

I have been coaching for almost 30years, in which time I have been a District/County Coach and Club Development Officer. I’ve had the pleasure of coaching GBR National champions and Scottish National champions. I love seeing players progress at every level and getting to know every player as a person on their journey. I’ve been very proud to represent South of Scotland at county level over many years and love working with the team at Prestwick. My favourite shot is my backhand slice and have loved watching players like Marat Safin and Tommy Haas as favourite players. Currently my favourite players are Stefanos Tsitsipas and Daniel Altmaier

Mark Gore
LTA LEVEL 3 COACH

I have been a qualified coach since 2003 and have experience in coaching both adults and juniors in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, before moving to Prestwick. I understand the challenges of improving your tennis, having played competitively as a junior and then left the sport for many years. I got back into tennis through my children playing and qualified as a club coach. If you are just taking up tennis, or returning to the game, I can help you develop your skills to improve your game and have fun.

Callum Rogerson — Callum Rogerson
LTA LEVEL 2 - INSTRUCTOR

I have played tennis at Prestwick since the age of 3. I represented the club as a player and then later as an Assistant Coach. I was part of the 2018 Tennis Scotland Apprenticeship Programme and have been a full time coach at Prestwick ever since. I have experience coaching players from red ball through to yellow, and particularly enjoy taking the Tots Tennis classes. My goal as a coach is to provide enjoyable and insightful tennis lessons to anyone of any age or any ability. My favourite tennis player ever is Rafael Nadal and growing up I made sure I always used the same rackets as he did. My favourite shot is a drop shot and my favourite tennis moment was watching Emma Raducanu win the US Open in 2021.

Nicole Clarke — Nicole Clarke
LTA LEVEL 2 - INSTRUCTOR

I have been playing tennis since the age of 5 and have always loved the game. I spent 4 years in the states at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee playing Division 1 college tennis whilst earning a degree, and at the end of 2021 I won the Scottish National Championships. I want to use everything I’ve learned over the years to help players at Prestwick develop their game and become more confident. I enjoy learning from the other coaches at the club to improve my own ability to work with a variety of players.

Ross Houston
LEVEL 1 - LTA ASSISTANT

Hi my name is Ross, I first picked up a racquet at this tennis centre when I was 4 and have loved playing tennis ever since. In 2017 I started assistant coaching as part of my Duke of Edinburgh Award. After completing the award, I continued as an assistant coach and achieved my LTA Level 1 certificate in April of 2022. I find coaching very rewarding as I get to see players gain confidence while progressing through different stages of tennis. When I’m on court, I aim to make my lessons fun and engaging for everyone and hope that they enjoy playing tennis as much as I do.

Harrison Crann – Tennis Apprentice
LEVEL 1- LTA ASSISTANT

I first started playing tennis at TOTS tennis at Prestwick Tennis Centre when i was 3, and have loved playing since. I have competed in many tournaments and played at county level. I first started assisting when i was 13, and i am in the process of sitting my level 1 coaching course. I enjoy coaching and seeing players progressing and having fun. I continue to love playing tennis, bettering my game, being supported by the club and looking forward to the years ahead for me and also to all the players I will help develop at Prestwick Tennis.