Ask Nathan Jones about his favourite sport and it is a fair bet that he might nominate football, especially at Haverfordwest County at the Ogi Bridge Meadow, and then Goodwick United, where his brother Nick is doing a good job as first-team goalkeeper.


 
But Nathan has another string to his sporting bow because he is a useful tennis player and has now progressed to being a coach at Haverfordwest Tennis Club, where he enjoys coaching the up-and-coming youngsters, alongside the club’s head coach Tom Richards.


 

Took to tennis straight away – and to coaching too

 


Nathan started out as a tennis player when he was 14 and took to it straight away under the excellent coaching of Natalie O’Brien and Yan Morris until he was 16.



“It was around that time that I made my senior debut alongside playing for the junior teams,” Nathan told PembrokeshireSport.co.uk, “and we play in the League of Wales southern section and travel as far afield as Newport and Cardiff.


 
“At the moment I play at No 4 in the team where the others are excellent players in coach Tom Richards, Peter Warren-Lavis and Marco Fernando,  as we play four singles and two doubles in best of three sets – and if the third set is needed it’s played to ten points rather than the usual format. We enjoy playing in the summer and winter leagues and I look forward to every match.”
 
Nathan also enjoyed being involved as he started to help out at junior sessions and was really encouraged by the club to achieve his Level One coaching certificate, which involved trips to The David Lloyd Tennis Centre in Llandarcy for the practical sessions, with all the written components being done at home on the computer. He was helped by Alison Dixon, who organised all the coaching sessions.






 

Level Two coach now and aiming higher

 




“Of course, I was delighted and seven years ago now I enrolled for the Level Two course, which was more demanding as it took place over four weekends, again with loads of practical work and lots of written components, like developing specific lesson plans for different age groups and abilities. To be honest I found it challenging but I gave it my best shot and so I was thrilled when the news came through that I had passed.
 
“I’m still learning all the time now and next year I think it might be time I tried for my Level Three award if things go to plan. I enjoy working with Tom Richards and the junior squad and one of my favourite areas as been the ‘Tota Sessions’ for youngsters starting out at 4 or 5 year olds as we give them a chance to hold a racquet and have a sense of fun in all they do, especially at the Summer Camps which we held.
 

Family matters . . .

 
Ask Nathan for others who helped him along the way and he would be quick to praise the support of his parents, with mum Mary having taken up tennis and is now being coached by her son, whilst father Phil is a keen former footballer and well-known coach at junior and senior levels. Then there’s brother Nick, who is not only a keen footballer but is a good all-round cricketer with Burton, whom he helped to win the division two title in Pembrokeshire Cricket recently.  
 
Nathan often goes to watch him in both sports but it is easy to see that tennis is now his first priority – and it is always good to see someone in their 20s putting time into encouraging the development of youngsters in their chosen sport
 

And finally . . .

 
Tom Richards, the head coach at Haverfordwest Tennis Club, told us,
“The weekly coaching programme at Haverfordwest Tennis Club couldn't happen without Nathan's help  and expertise. He always turns up with lots of energy, a smile on his face and a motivation to support all players at the tennis club. I've worked with Nathan over the past two years and he's been a pleasure to work with.
 
“He has a wonderful way with all ages, ranging from tots to older players. Nathan also plays tennis to a high standard and is a regular men's first team player.
 
“Thank you, Nathan, for all your hard work and dedication to Haverfordwest Tennis Club.”
 
We at PembrokeshireSport.co.uk would find it hard to add anything to such a lovely compliment but we can say that we are delighted to know Nathan Jones and wish him every future success because no-one would deserve it more than him!