
One on one with tennis coach Brett Cottrill
How long have you been involved with Gympie tennis?
About 29 years I coached part-time in Brisbane before moving to Gympie and coaching full time.
When did you turn pro?
I was 21.
I finished all of my qualifications just before getting to Gympie.
What was your biggest success as a player?
I finished in the top 10 of Queensland men's singles rankings before I started coaching.
I was also part of the Australian Satellite tour.
That involved playing in several tournaments and masters.
They were generally played interstate and featured some really good players like Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde.
Darren Cahill and Mark Kratzmann were part of that tour as well.
What is the best part of coaching tennis?
Interacting with the players and seeing them improve.
It is great to be able to spend time with a player who may not be a world beater but has the attitude and motivation to do something with their tennis.
Who has been the best player you have coached?
Thomas Arnell is probably the best ball striker I have coached.
Gavin Lorensen was a Sunshine Coast aged champion; I coached him all the way through as well.
Where do you see Gympie Tennis in 10 years?
I would love to see an expansion in both junior and senior tennis in town.
We are implementing competitions like fast fours and I see that as the way forward.
The format caters for all players.
The traditional tennis player will find the format more intense.
It gives them another format of the game and it is fun.
