When asked what makes a good tennis coach, Tony Blom did not need to pause.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing passionate,\u201d he said. \u201cYou have to love doing it.\u201d<\/p>\n
The answer is not surprising from the hard-working Blom, who has built a reputation as one of the state\u2019s best coaches. That reputation was further enhanced at the 2018 Tasmanian Tennis Awards, where Blom received the Coaching Excellence Award for a third consecutive year.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is nice to be recognised for all the hard work,\u201d the Hobart-based Blom said, before humbly adding: \u201cBut all coaches work hard.\u201d<\/p>\n
> Find out all the Tasmanian Tennis Awards 2018 winners\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Blom, who grew up playing tennis in Tasmania, began coaching when he was a teenager. He is now the head club coach at the Domain Tennis Centre, Geilston Bay Tennis Club and Rosny Park Tennis Club. He conducts weekly coaching sessions with more than 10 schools and for the past nine years, has also run his Ace Tennis Coaching<\/a> business.<\/p>\n \u201cSeeing the kids enjoying playing is the most rewarding part, whether that is at beginner level or in tournaments,\u201d Blom explained of what drives him most.<\/p>\n A dedication to providing more opportunities for others to learn and play tennis is one of the main reasons Blom is a\u00a0big supporter of the state\u2019s first inter-club ANZ Tennis Hot Shots Match Play competition, which launches in November.<\/p>\n \u201cI think that is really crucial to have that link between what you are doing in coaching programs and into match play in a fun, social environment,\u201d Blom said.<\/p>\n