How Well Do We Know People in Our Community?

Marco De Groot

Originally from De Bilt, Utrecht, a small town in the Netherlands, Marco grew up with a passion for sport. “At primary school we would play football and baseball. When Wimbledon was in session we converted the carpark into a tennis court so that we could compete with each other. It was serious competition.

Following secondary school, I really did not know what I wanted to do but after spending four years at the College of Economics and Administration I realised that I wanted to pursue a career in sports. I qualified for a Sports Academy specialising in squash, fitness, and tennis. It was here that I gained my experience in coaching which led to my first coaching position in my hometown.

Tennis is an extremely popular sport in The Netherlands. Even though De Bilt has a population approximately the size of Masterton, there were 4 to 5 tennis clubs. The one where I became the coach had nearly 700 members. I stayed there for 12 years before taking a break and working in an office position for a year. 

Then it was time for some overseas travel to South America, Australia, and New Zealand. 

A tennis coach friend of mine in Holland had family in New Zealand, and contacts in the Wairarapa. A coaching position at Rathkeale was a great starting point. 

In New Zealand while chatting at a BBQ I heard about the Coast-to-Coast competition. I was intrigued and determined to participate.

Returning to Holland to prepare was a little challenging. In Holland there is no white water, nor are there any sizeable mountains. I prepared for the cycling by biking in Nepal, Tibet, but the white-water preparation had to wait until my return to New Zealand. With the help of a Scottish instructor, I trained up the Waiohine River Gorge. 

The Coast to Coast is a testing competition. The section I found hardest was the mountain running. John Taylor was my support crew and I reciprocated for him the following year. I found being a support crew member was almost as hard as taking part. Getting to the right place at the right time was a different sort of challenge. But the sense of achievement was well worth it.

Now during the winter, I coach 45 Juniors for squash on Monday afternoons. On Fridays it is Junior Squash Club night. The Mums and Dads come along to watch. It is fun and very social night.

As for tennis, I coach approximately 50 to 60 students during the summer months. Throughout the year I offer Active tennis classes on Mondays and Fridays. It is competitive and gives a good warm up. Groups are relatively small, usually from 6 to 8. The drills test both the muscles and the heart. 

Both clubs do well with the Junior players mainly because we have so much parental support. That is the strength of the clubs.

Lyle Griffiths