BISP Tennis Academy is pleased to welcome Coach Victor Garriga as the High-Performance Coach. With a distinguished background in professional tennis, Victor brings a wealth of experience from coaching at the national and international levels. His expertise will undoubtedly contribute to the growth and success of our players at the academy. 

As he joins the BISP community Victor answered a few questions for us to get to know him better: 

What is your role as a High Performance Tennis Coach and how do you anticipate students and parents will connect with you?

My role as a high-performance coach is centred around helping players to reach their full potential in every aspect of their lives. I have to demand the maximum effort on the court and encourage them to be responsible with their nutrition and rest while maintaining a high academic level, especially when they are competing in tournaments away from school. My main objective is to be a role model for the children, serving as a mentor – emphasised further in the absence of their parents at competitions; it is key to emulate the values parents expect their children to reflect on a daily basis. 

What do you enjoy most about working in education?

What excites me the most about my job is the impact I can have on the future of my players. Though it is quite a significant pressure because you are helping shape individuals’ futures, I love the challenge ahead because I’ve spent years preparing myself to share my knowledge and experience to assist them in the best way I possibly can. Over the years, there is a realisation as to how important a figure you have been in players’ lives; most importantly in the challenging times where difficulties present themselves and you become their compass assisting them to navigate their way through the challenges. 

What attracted you to BISP?

BISP is a highly renowned school worldwide with over 1000 students. When I checked the website I could see the importance they place on sports for children’s development, which presented an unbeatable opportunity for me to help the team grow and improve the tennis section. Coaching is predominately how to transmit a message that resonates, and learning to communicate effectively in a multicultural environment will only better me as a coach and person. 

What do you like to do when you’re not working?

Whenever the chance presents itself, I like to connect with nature. I love sports and adventure; from spending time on a mountain bike searching for new routes or checking where I can surf waves. I am a huge fan of FC Barcelona, so where possible follow their matches. 

What behaviour or personality trait do you most attribute your success to, and why?

I believe in listening to the athlete and understanding what they need at each moment. I enjoy empathising with the problems they may be experiencing and try to provide a different angle or perspective to help them face life’s challenges. Having a close relationship with the player is imperative, to build an unbreakable mutual trust.

What advice would you give to your teenage self?

Don’t be afraid to fail. Mistakes shape you if the right attitude is applied.