Codie George is a coach at Tennis Australia’s National Tennis Academy and works closely with Perth rising teenager Talia Gibson.
Brisbane, Australia, June 12, 2024 | Lee Rogers
Codie George has turned her love of tennis into a successful and fulfilling career.
“Tennis has been a big part of my life since I picked up a racket at six.” George said. Tennis.com.au.
“I played a lot in the Northern Territory and South Australia as a junior. Obviously, as a kid, your aspirations are about playing, not coaching, in any sport.
“But after having surgery on my wrist when I was 16, I started helping out behind the desk at a local club, and one day I was called to hotshot tennis program. “I thought it was going to be a nightmare, but I really enjoyed it and it just kept growing from there.”
Now, 15 years later, George is one of Australia’s best coaches.
After working as a private coach and then at Tennis SA, the 31-year-old is now part of Tennis Australia’s National Tennis Academy coaching team.
George works closely with rising star Talia Gibson and was invited by Sam Stosur to support Australia’s Billie Jean King Cup team at their recent qualifying match in Brisbane.
> Read: Codie George takes on new role with Australia’s Billie Jean King Cup team
“Coaching can be very difficult, but ultimately very rewarding,” George said.
“Every day is different, and in my current role I’m doing a lot of different things, including my recent opportunity at the Billie Jean King Cup.
“I’ve been traveling a lot over the past two and a half years since moving to Brisbane. It’s an experience I never would have had anywhere else.”
Personal development opportunities are also huge, according to George.
“You have to learn to be patient and figure out different ways to implement change,” she explained. “A big part of the job is solving problems in different ways to get the message across in a way that makes it understandable.
“Coaching has definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone. I moved interstate for my NTA role, so I spend a lot of weeks on the road and am constantly surrounded by great tennis people who have been in the sport for a long time.”
She learned a lot working under Milo Bradley, Sandon Stolle and Brent Larkham, while Rohan Fisher and Belinda Colaneri have also been huge supporters, both professionally and personally, from the start of her coaching journey.
“I am confident that whatever type of career I have had in tennis has been due to the great people I have had the opportunity to surround myself with and learn from,” George said.
“Dave Taylor has had a huge impact on my coaching as well and I couldn’t be more grateful for his mentorship. His passion and wealth of knowledge about the women’s game are beyond imagination. He always says, ‘Hold the line.’ It’s about confidence in the message and what you believe in as a coach.”
George is especially grateful for the support of his partner Colin Ebelthite, a former professional player and fellow National Tennis Academy coach.
“I’m sure there’s an unhealthy amount of tennis chatter sometimes,” she laughed. “But I probably learned the most from him. He has a great tennis brain.”
Finding time for loved ones, friends, and family is one of the biggest challenges George faces as a full-time travel coach, but she recognizes that this is a sacrifice that comes with the role.
“There’s a lot of traveling to do, but it’s something I have to do and I enjoy seeing the world,” she said.
“It’s great to see different places and tennis environments. It was also very helpful for me to see what the level of play and coaching was like around the world.”
George is encouraged by the progress of 19-year-old Gibson, who this week reached his highest singles world ranking of No. 179.
“My coaching philosophy is about the importance of discipline standards that we consistently bring every day,” George said. “That’s where the magic happens.
“Thalia has made a conscious effort to strengthen her stamina, strength and willpower, and through this she has made great progress.”
Talia Gibson in action at an ITF tournament in Portugal.
These improvements made George proud.
“I love seeing things I’ve been a part of grow,” she said.
“I watch them go from working on a daily basis to competing under pressure. What I find most fulfilling are the small things rather than specific results. And that’s true whether I’m on the court with my 10-year-old or with the Billie Jean King Cup team.”
George, a recipient of Tennis Australia’s Presidential Women’s Tennis Scholarship Program, admits her career has been remarkable.
“When I first started coaching, I definitely didn’t think it would work out this way.” She mentioned her ambition to work in the high-performance field.
“But it’s a great career to pursue because there are so many different roles and paths you can take in tennis, both off and on the court. There are a lot of opportunities, and there are a lot of opportunities for women in sports now.
“I’m lucky to have people around me who always believe in me.”
Learn more in our Coaching Spotlight series.
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