About Us

Matt Goodwin

Director of Coaching

At 11 years of age, Matt discovered his love for tennis. Originally from the UK, he pursued his dream of becoming a tennis pro by playing competitively up to 6 times a week.

Emigrating to Australia in 1995, Matt settled in Port Macquarie with his family and progressed through the junior ranks with grit and determination. Playing with Aussie tennis legend Lleyton Hewitt in the Under 18’s Australian Championships remains a career highlight!

Channelling his enthusiasm from playing to teaching tennis was a natural progression. As a highly ranked player with over 10 years of coaching experience, Matt’s energy for helping his clients learn is contagious. With accreditation as a Master Tennis Professional with the Australian Tennis Professional Coaches Association (ATPCA), Matt’s teaching style is dynamic, fun and practical.

Still driven to be competitive, Matt currently holds the title of NSW State Champion 2019 for Men’s Singles 40-45, is currently ranked 5th in Australia and 154th in the world (International Tennis Federation) for his age group.

Laura Marsh

Director of Business/Operations

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Behind every good business, there’s an awesome multitasker looking after the day to day operations. Lucky for us, we have one of the best!

With a strong background in marketing and events, Laura is an effervescent member of our team. She’s the friendly voice you’ll hear when you call us. The efficient one to answer your online enquiries. And the tech-savvy one who looks after our social media and website.

Originally from the UK, Laura is also partner to Head Coach Matt and mum to their little boy Rio. The ultimate multitasker, she’s currently studying a Bachelor of Psychological Sciences while juggling her business role with being a mum and a student like a champ.

With not a lot of time to spend at the courts, Laura brings a great balance of professionalism and fun to Goodwin Tennis - a true asset in customer service and everything that goes on behind the scenes!

Emily Dennis

Marketing

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When it comes to marketing, authenticity is key—you want to believe in the brand and trust its story and that’s why Emily is our marketing co-ordinator.

Born and raised in Port Macquarie, Emily now lives here with her husband, Aran. She first joined Goodwin as a young adult looking for a new hobby and quickly fell in love with playing tennis each week. Now, as our Marketing Coordinator, she’s the creative force behind our social media, website, and digital content.

Currently completing a Bachelor of Business in Marketing and Event Management, Emily balances her studies with crafting engaging campaigns that connect our community and grow the Goodwin brand. Whether she’s capturing highlights on the tennis court or sharing club updates, she brings energy, creativity, and a love for the game to everything she does!

Nathan Wilkins

Tennis Coach

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Meet Nathan, our tennis whiz from Forster turned local hero at Lake Cathie. Growing up as a national-level junior tennis ace and a school pathway star in cross country and athletics, Nathan has always had a knack for sports. After hanging up his competitive sneakers, he found his true calling in coaching, mentored by the great Jaime McDonagh. In 2006, he took the plunge and got his formal coaching stripes to help mould the next generation of tennis talent.

Nathan's journey took him to Tennis NSW, where he played a pivotal role in promoting tennis across Central West NSW and spearheaded the Central West Regional Squad. His flair for coaching caught the eyes at Tennis Australia, making him the go-to ambassador for their Cardio Tennis Program and a presenter at the Grand Slam Coaches Conference.

Not one to shy away from a challenge, Nathan took the helm as Head Coach in Mudgee, where he transformed a modest group of 6 juniors into a bustling community of over 250 eager players in just a few years. Under his guidance, local kids have clinched both local and regional titles!

Ready to up your game with Nathan? He’s just as excited to meet you as you are to hit that first ace!

Vanessa Kendal

Tennis & Pickleball Coach

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Vanessa, affectionately known as Ness, is a cornerstone of the West Port Macquarie Tennis Club, not only serving as our dedicated Secretary but also as one of Goodwin Tennis’ esteemed coaches. An ATPCA Graduate Tennis Professional and a certified Pickleball Level 1 Coach Vanessa brings fun, commitment and a strategic mindset to the courts - qualities that deeply enrich our community.

Vanessa is a formidable presence in tennis, renowned for her skill and passion for the game. Her love for tennis transcends the sport, embracing the physical and mental benefits it brings to her life. She's more than just a coach; she's a vital part of our tennis family, inspiring players with her dedication and zest for life on and off the court.

Her blend of professional rigor and sporting excellence makes Vanessa a beloved and respected member of our community, constantly pushing us all to strive for greatness in every serve and volley.

Paul Fox

Tennis Coach

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Paul, better known as Foxy, to his friends and clients, has been playing tennis for nearly half a century!!
Having coached for over 28 of those years, Foxy brings great knowledge and experience to Goodwin Tennis. He lives & breaths the game!

Foxy is an ATPCA Graduate Professional and has many tournament and competition wins under his belt which he continues to add to year by year!

Foxy has coached all over NSW including Penrith, Cowra, Bathurst and finally settling in wonderful Port Macquarie where we were lucky enough to bag him!

Foxy's main aim of coaching focuses on improving technique and gameplay as well as ensuring everyone has fun! Foxy is a hit with the little kids who adore him and for anyone whos aim of lessons is to be able to play social tennis - Foxy's your man!

Ko Urayama

Tennis Coach

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Meet Ko, one of our awesome Tennis Coaches here at Goodwin. Ko grew up playing tennis since he was 7 years old but his love for playing competitively started when he was 10. Ko is an ATPCA Graduate Tennis Coach who brings his expertise to every lesson. Ko's favourite part about playing competitively was getting to meet new people and experience new places around Australia from Sydney to Melbourne. Growing up on the Gold Coast, Ko recently moved to Port Macquarie at the start of 2025 to study a Bachelor of Physiotherapy at Charles Sturt University. Ko being described by some of his students as Arne Slot (A British football legend), which is high praise indeed and we are so lucky to have him as one of our experienced coaches.

Elijah Livingston

Tennis Coach

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Introducing Elijah, a cornerstone of the coaching team at Goodwin Tennis, whose lifelong passion for tennis started at the young age of 7. Growing up in a family where tennis was a staple, Elijah not only embraced the sport but excelled in it, becoming a competitive player celebrated for his numerous wins on the court.

While a gifted athlete in multiple sports, Elijah chose to dedicate himself to tennis, captivated by its intricacies and the profound satisfaction it offers. His decision to become an ATPCA Graduate Tennis Professional Coach was driven by a desire to share this love for the game and the personal growth it fosters.

Elijah’s coaching style is marked by his empathy and exceptional ability to connect with young players, making every session both fun and enriching. He thrives on seeing his students develop and for Elijah, the ultimate reward is watching someone's pride when they realise how much they've progressed.

His deep understanding of the sport’s emotional and technical complexities makes him a beloved coach here. Elijah’s guidance is sure to enrich your tennis journey.

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Goodwin Tennis is an independent tennis coaching academy located on the Mid North Coast of NSW.

Our Values

Radiate Positivity

Nurture our Community

Embrace Professional Excellence

Champion Mental Well-being

Create a Lasting Impact

The Team

Matt Goodwin

Laura Marsh

Emily Dennis

Nathan Wilkins

Vanessa Kendal

Paul Fox

Ko Urayama

Elijah Livingston

Banjo Ferris

Our Approach & Ethos

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