About Us

Jacob Grills - Head Coach

Jacob Grills is a local from Ocean Grove who represented the Ocean Grove Tennis Club in his first season of junior pennant.

Jacob recently came off the professional tour when covid hit and has been coaching locally since. Jacob's tennis achievements include:

Competing in the Qualifying of the Australian Open.
Winning multiple ITF Pro Circuit events both in Australia and abroad.
Reaching a career high singles ranking of 16 in Australia and 369 in the world.

Jacob has been a training partner for Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal during the Australian Summers of tennis and was apart of Venus Williams's team in 2015 when she made the quarterfinals of the Australian Open.

Jacob is currently coaching 3 players ranked in the top 10 in Australia for their age and is working with Tennis Australia as the Head Coach of the Barwon Region Zone Squads.

Jacob is a qualified Tennis Australia coaching member who is passionate and enthusiastic while working will all levels of players and finds enjoyment out of seeing gradual improvement from his students.

David Franks - Head Coach

David is currently one of the head coaches at the Ocean Grove Tennis Club. He has been a certified coach for over 17 years locally, and more recently at Geelong College with the Girls Inter A's.

With his many years of experience and his level 3 Master Pro Coaching Certificate, he has built a successful business coaching all levels and ages from 4 to 80 years old. His coaching style is friendly and enthusiastic and he is very technique driven with an emphasis on footwork.

A few years ago, David attained his level 2 Bailey method footwork certification under the guidance of world renowned footwork specialist David Bailey. Making him the only practicing level 2 footwork coach in the Geelong and Bellarine area.

If you're looking to get your movement on track or getting back on the court after a break, give David a call - 0448274709.

Julie Golightly - Head Coach

Julie is passionate about her coaching and encourages all standards, ages and abilities to play. Julie especially enjoys her cardio tennis lessons - “its so fun!”

Julie has had a fantastic tennis career and has played successfully at a state level. She is very highly regarded amongst her peers and is regularly considered as one of the most knowledge coaches in the Geelong region.

Julie began her professional coaching career 34 years ago and has been the head coach at Ocean Grove Tennis Club for the past 15 years. Julie is qualified with Tennis Australia as a Club Professional Coach. She has also completed her Master Pro level of coaching with ATPCA and is a member of the USTPA.

Ned Simpson

Ned began his tennis journey at the age of 6 and has spent the majority of his junior career at Ocean Grove Tennis Club. He grew up playing competitively throughout Victoria, competing in Local and State level tournaments. Ned has been fortunate enough to represent Victoria in the past and this season will compete in section 1 Melbourne pennant.

Ned has been coaching for the past 4 years and has recently completed his Tennis Australia Junior Development Coaching Course. Ned combines his wealth of tennis knowledge and passion for the game to maximise players potential out on the court. Ned has a strong desire to coach tennis at all levels and help players develop and enjoy the game.

Bowie - Team Mascot

The youngest and most loved member of the J GRILLS TENNIS team.