Welcome to JL’s Tennis Academy – Eyes on 2026! 🎾
Welcome to JL’s Tennis Academy, and thank you to every player, parent, and supporter for an outstanding year on and off the court.
Your trust, commitment, and support have played a vital role in the continued growth of JL’s Tennis Academy. From grassroots development to high-performance pathways, 2025 has been a year of progress, teamwork, and exciting expansion — and we are looking ahead to 2026 with great energy and purpose.
A Growing Team, A Strong Foundation
JL’s Tennis Academy continues to grow not only in player numbers, but in coaching depth and leadership experience.
We are excited to welcome Marisabelle and Charisabelle to our Midstream programs, where they work primarily with preschool and primary school players. Their passion, structure, and ability to connect with young players have already made a meaningful impact, and we are thrilled to have them as part of the team.
Mohau, who is no longer new to the academy, continues to be a driving force with his high energy, consistency, and dedication. His commitment to player development across sessions has not gone unnoticed, and we thank him for the value he brings to the academy daily.
At Laerskool Tygerpoort, Adriaan and Blaise are doing exceptional work, with tennis at the school going from strength to strength. Their structured approach and focus on fundamentals have contributed to steady growth and improved standards across all age groups. We would also like to congratulate Blaise on his recent marriage and wish him every success in this exciting new chapter.
Caleb heads the primary school programs at Midstream and works closely with Anthony at Midstream College. Caleb’s players have achieved excellent results in TSA tournaments this year, reflecting strong planning and development consistency. Anthony, who has worked alongside Caleb for many years, has also grown a strong adult tennis program. Adults in the Midstream area looking to get involved in tennis are encouraged to contact us regarding Thursday evening group sessions from 18:00.
Braden has once again traveled to Uganda, where he continues his impactful work educating coaches and developing players as part of the Vania Kings Tennis Program. His contribution to coach education and player development internationally is something we are incredibly proud of.
Leadership & Academy Direction
John-Laffnie (JL)
John-Laffnie, founder of JL’s Tennis Academy, remains closely connected to the competitive side of the game and continues to represent the academy at a high level.
JL returns for his fifth consecutive season with the Falcons in team tennis, a testament to his consistency, experience, and competitive mindset. His involvement at this level continues to shape the academy’s culture, reinforcing the importance of work ethic, accountability, and performance under pressure.
Good luck for the season, JL — we’re proud to have you representing the academy.
Denton Meintjes
Denton Meintjes is the Head Coach of JL’s Tennis Academy and oversees all on-court operations across venues. His responsibilities include player development oversight, technical standards, long-term player periodization, training load management, and performance planning.
Denton ensures that every player — from beginner to high-performance level — follows a structured, age-appropriate development pathway. His attention to detail and consistency in planning allow the academy to maintain high standards while adapting to each player’s individual needs.
Auret Jansen
Auret Jansen heads the academy’s structural development, research, and strategic direction.
His role focuses on designing sustainable systems that support long-term growth, integrating data-driven decision-making into player development, and ensuring that the academy operates efficiently across coaching, scheduling, venues, and performance pathways.
Auret’s background in research, planning, and business development allows JL’s Tennis Academy to function not only as a coaching environment, but as a professionally structured sports organisation — balancing performance outcomes with operational excellence, scalability, and future-focused planning.
Administration & Communication
Tanya – Accounts & Administration
Tanya manages the academy’s accounts and administrative operations. She is a friendly, approachable administrator who plays a key role in keeping communication clear and efficient.
Tanya assists parents and players with:
- General enquiries and information
- Communication support
- Billing and account-related matters
She is always willing to help and ensures that the off-court side of the academy runs smoothly and professionally.
New Venue: Modderfontein
We are excited to announce the expansion of JL’s Tennis Academy to Modderfontein, where the program will be headed by Mike.
Mike has worked with some of the country’s top junior players and has built a strong reputation among high-level players, as well as their parents. Over the years, he has grown a large and loyal following through consistent results, strong relationships, and a clear understanding of competitive player development.
His return to JL’s Tennis Academy brings valuable experience, credibility, and leadership to the Modderfontein venue, and we are eager to see the impact he will continue to make in this next phase.
Court Bookings – Modderfontein
All court bookings at our Modderfontein venue are managed via the Playtomic App.
Please search for:
“JL’s Racquet Sports @ Taroko Club”
https://playtomic.com/clubs/jls-racquet-sports-taroko
For information about programs, coaching, or availability, contact us at:
Email: admin2@jlstennisacademy.com
Phone / WhatsApp: 081 386 4840
Tennis Programs & Enrolments for 2026
We are currently enrolling players for 2026 across all venues.
JL’s Tennis Academy offers structured programs based on age, ability, and long-term development goals.
Group Programs
- Preschool PlayTennis
- Hot Shots
- Top Gun
- Smoking Aces
- High Performance
Individual Coaching Options
- Individual lessons
- Semi-individual lessons
Each program follows a clear progression model designed to support confidence, technical growth, match awareness, and competitive readiness.
Full-Time Tennis & Education Pathway – BSI
For players seeking a full-time tennis and education pathway, JL’s Tennis Academy has partnered with the Balderstone Sports Institute (BSI).
BSI provides a high-performance environment that combines:
- Intensive daily tennis training
- Strength & conditioning support
- Sports science and performance monitoring
- Flexible academic options aligned with athlete schedules
- Boarding and structured living environments
This pathway is ideal for committed junior players aiming to pursue competitive tennis while maintaining strong academic foundations.
Looking Ahead
JL’s Tennis Academy remains committed to building players, people, and systems that last.
We look forward to welcoming new players in 2026 and continuing to grow a professional, supportive, and performance-driven tennis environment across all our venues.
For any enquiries, please get in touch — we would love to hear from you.
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