Shelly Mars, Director

Shelly has been involved in organizing and running adult and junior tennis programs since 1990. As director of the Brookline Tennis Academies, Shelly oversees a day camp for children ages 3-16 years of age, weekend camps for adults, private and semi-private lessons, and group lessons for both adults and juniors during the spring, summer and fall months. Prior to the Brookline Tennis Academy, Shelly was the director of the Brookline Recreation Tennis Program, a program she created, developed and operated from the summer of 1984 through the spring of 2006.

Shelly’s coaching experience also includes two years of NCAA Varsity Men’s and Women’s tennis teams for Newbury College.

Qualifications:
Bachelor of Science in Physical Education with an emphasis in Exercise Physiology and Adaptive Physical Education

New York Teacher Certification, K-12

United States Professional Tennis Association Certified, Elite Pro

USTA Member since 2006

Professional Ski Instructors Association Alpine Certified, Level 1

Played top-level Division III Collegiate Varsity Tennis

Rodrigo Mendez, Head Pro, USPTR Level 1

Rodrigo Mendez is one of the most dedicated, responsible and motivated teaching professionals in the New England area. He brings twenty years of experience instructing players of all ages and different abilities. He is able to conduct private and group lessons for all abilities to both children and adults. Coaching experience also includes two years of NCAA Varsity Men’s and Women’s tennis teams for Suffolk University. Rodrigo has also been the Sports Director for the Ward After-School program since 1994.

Timothy Songer USPTR/USPTA certified

Timothy comes to Brookline Tennis Academy with a wealth of knowledge and experience. He was a Head Pro at Easton Tennis Club, a Head Pro at Weston Tennis Club and worked as a tennis teaching pro at Boston Sports Club (BSC) Newton, Waltham Athletic Club (WAC). Most recently, Tim worked as Head Pro for City of Newton over 18 years. Tim’s style of coaching blends technique/stroke based drills balanced with game based drills to make a well rounded tennis player all the while motivating the student to become the best version of themselves whether it be kids or adults.

Yvonne Murphy

Yvonne is an extremely dedicated tennis instructor bringing over 15 years of coaching experience to the Brookline Tennis Academy. Her passionate and analytical approach to coaching with an emphasis on fundamentals allows for novice and advanced players alike to move at their own pace and improve their level of play. Whether molding children or motivating adults Yvonne’s ultimate goal is the same: instill a love for the game of tennis, discover the joys of community and inspire her students’ desire to reach new heights on the court, and beyond.

Chris Jarrell

In over 20 years as a USPTA-certified Tennis Professional, Chris Jarrell has been deeply involved in the game of tennis. As the Assistant Director of the Newton Tennis Program for more than 10 years, Chris was involved in every facet of the operation and worked closely with Tim Songer in teaching kids, juniors, and adults. Chris previously worked with Shelly at the Brookline Tennis Academy and they share an infectious passion for tennis and an approach to teaching which believes that building skills go together with building self-esteem and self-confidence. His energetic and positive approach to teaching and engaging personality has made him a hit with players of all ages.

Chris previously served as Owner/Managing Director of Commonwealth Tennis Academies, where he developed a curriculum and managed the operations of tennis camps throughout the South Shore.

Diego Alvarado, Former Beaver Country Day School Boys’ Tennis Coach, quoted feedback, “Chris’s effectiveness as a coach is a direct result of his passion and commitment to the game of tennis. As a top junior player, the level of effort Chris demonstrated on the court when training was something many of us always strove to replicate. Hands down, Chris is one of the great junior tennis coaches in Eastern Mass.”

Junior Academy Counselors
The Junior Academy staff is a talented group of Counselors that have grown up being a camper with the Brookline Tennis Academy. These Counselors understand our approach to teaching, understand the daily schedule and truly loved their experience with us and want to share this unique experience with our campers.