John Playle:
High Performance Tennis Coach | ITF, WTA & ATP Coach | Elite Athlete Development www.hobarttennisacademy.com.au
Head Tennis Coach John Playle has over 15 years coaching experience, and has coached players of all abilities in the UK, USA and Australasia. John is a qualified Tennis Australia Coach Member, with a club professional and national talent development coaching certification. John and his staff offer both private, group and squad lessons, and can tailor lessons to meet the needs of all ages and abili
11/03/2026
It’s been a busy month for Hobart Tennis Academy players.
Competing in both the Burnie and Launceston Junior Internationals and Burnie and Launceston International Pro events.
Well done to the players and coach Jess Fowler. The foundations have been set.
27/02/2026
Thank you.
It has truly been a remarkable journey over the past 25 years coaching in Tasmania. I will always be deeply grateful to those who have supported both the athletes and myself along the way — your support has meant more than you know.
Most importantly, I could not be prouder of the hundreds of performance athletes who placed their trust in us throughout their journey. It has been both a pleasure and a privilege to watch you develop — not only into exceptional athletes, but into outstanding people. Your growth is a credit to you and the hard work you committed to every single day. Never forget that.
Hopefully a legacy of belief, determination, resilience and hard-work has been left behind. I wish every single one of you all the very best in whatever journey you decide to take.
As I step back from full-time coaching in Tasmania, I do so knowing that the club and the state are in excellent hands with and the dedicated coaches who will continue to build on what has been established.
“Believe. Be determined. Let your actions speak for themselves. Challenge yourself every day to be 1% better.”
John Playle
Celebrating a remarkable journey for this young man. From coaching this youngster from grassroots level at the age of four, to achieving number 1 in the country for his age group, and now achieving his ITF world ranking. It’s been a roller coaster 14 years learning to put the jigsaw puzzle together.
Every athlete’s journey is unique and one they must explore and navigate in their own time. It has been an absolute pleasure to watch you balance your personal/career goals off the court while pursuing your tennis ambitions with such dedication. Remember, it’s not about achieving every goal, but taking pride in and enjoying the ones you do.
In the coming weeks, enjoy one of those special moments in the upcoming Internationals on home soil. Well done, mate — I’m incredibly proud of the effort you’ve put in behind the scenes to get here.
It’s never easy in Tasmania, as we all know, but your resilience and character are a true credit to you.👏
Inspiring and mentoring the next generation that it is possible
14/02/2026
Looking forward to heading back to this great tournament for a 6th year. This time coaching some home grown Tas talent - George Anderson
Highly recommend getting down to the Burnie Tennis Club to watch some world class tennis.
08/02/2026
Great to see these 3 young Tasmanian tennis players starting their journey on the ITF World Junior Tour.
Competing in the back to back J100 Junior Internationals provided not only challenges for the athletes but valuable and humbling learnings for the coach.
Refreshing stepping back for a moment from Pro level to challenge comfort zones through a growth mindset. Key takeaways for both athletes and coach.
- Learning to be comfortable being uncomfortable.
- Humble in learning.
- Absorbing the environment and embracing the challenges.
- Understanding/experiencing the level and what is required.
Not often we see Tasmanian tennis players at such a young age competing at this level. Through determination, resilience and hard work the right culture and environment can be achieved in Tasmania.
30/12/2025
Congratulations to Head Development Coach on an extremely successful year.
Jess has developed multiple national players and title winners throughout the year.
Your hard work, dedication and commitment is a testament to the person you are. The Academy, athletes and Tasmanian tennis community are lucky to have you. We greatly appreciate everything you do.
An impressive portfolio of athletes this year competing at nationals.
Australian Clay Court National Championships
Australian Grass Court National Championships
Team National Championships
Bruce Cup under 12 National Championships
Pizzey Cup under 18 Nationals Championships
Super 10 National Championships
Well done on an amazing year of growth Jess 👏🙌
Fantastic to see so many Tasmanian sporting codes investing in and supporting performance (home grown talent) in Tasmania.
AFL Tasmania, Cricket Tasmania, Netball Tasmania, Hockey Tasmania, Basketball Tasmania, Football Tasmania, Tasmanian Rugby Union 👏
Giving athletes the opportunities and support to aspire towards professional careers, high performance environments and cultures. Resulting in growing the foundations of grassroots.
Let’s hope tennis in Tasmania takes note of these sports and other tennis States doing an amazing job in this space.
The long awaited strategic plan hopefully supports and fosters performance not just every other area.
Too many performance athletes in Tasmanian tennis have been lost due to the lack of support.
It’s time to stop dragging our feet with words and start acting upon. Supporting the stakeholders putting the hard work in this area.
A growth mindset before it’s too late.
Tennis Tasmania
25/11/2025
Great to see these two training together towards their individual goals with coach JP.
Blocking the noise out and putting the work in behind the scenes.
Growth mindset and
Having the right culture, environment and standards.
Developing athletes for the long term.
Success leaves clues.
learning from the Pro’s at and coach JP 😉😂
09/11/2025
Congratulations to these two Hobart Tennis Academy players winning the Grass Court National trials 👏💪🏽
Tony Park - 12 Boys winner
Anna Zhao - 12 Girls winner
Great effort by youngsters Mason and Arnie in the 14 boys and Nick Wang in the 12 boys.
26/10/2025
Well done to these Hobart Tennis Academy athletes competing at Bruce Cup Nationals this week.
Compete hard legends 💪🏽