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NTU tennis team gets new coach
Posted On 10 Feb 2016
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Despite having only one month to prepare for the Singapore University Games, new coach Ignatius Hendroff is eyeing gold
By Nicole Chia, Sports Editor
Coach Hendroff has helped strengthen bonds and improve team discipline, said team captain Mervin Ng, 24. PHOTO: KENJI KWOK
NTU’s new tennis coach is facing his first test — and he only had one month to prepare.
But coach Ignatius Hendroff, who joined the team on 11 Jan, remains hopeful.
His players will compete at the Singapore University Games (SUniG) starting 10 Feb.
“Having a new coach come in at the last minute is not easy,” said Mr Hendroff, 51. “But [our players] have been very open to learning new things.”
SUniG is usually held in the first semester, but some games, including tennis, were postponed due to last year’s haze spell.
The delay gave the university’s tennis players extra time to prepare, but also caught them in between coaches.
Mr Hendroff took over Mr Kemp Chanthanalay, who left last December.
This is Mr Hendroff’s first time coaching a varsity team. He has 25 years of coaching experience, ranging from primary school, junior college, to polytechnic teams.
“I’ve also been a coach on the international junior circuit, so I know the standard needed to win,” he said.
The players welcomed Mr Hendroff’s addition to the team, despite initial difficulties in adapting to the change in coaching style.
“There’s been a big change in how things are done here, and the team wasn’t used to it at first,” said men’s team captain Mervin Ng, 24.
“But I think the men’s team is now stronger, as there has been a huge improvement in discipline since Coach Ignatius took over.”
Ng, a final-year Electrical Engineering student, is optimistic the men’s team can improve its medal-less finish in 2014.
Women’s captain Hong Yan Qing, 24, also had good words for their new coach.
“I’m not one who likes change, but I think this is one that will be good for the team,” said Hong, a final-year student at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences.
“The girls are playing more aggressively now, and are more confident during match play.”
The women’s team clinched the silver medal at the last SUniG.
Hendroff’s contract, however, is ending right after SUniG ends on Feb 16.
Asked if the university will hire a new coach after SUniG, team manager Joseph Goh, 30, said: “It depends on the players, and on our budget.
“Our focus is on the upcoming SUniG, after which we will then discuss what comes next.”
