OVER a decade of elite junior coaching Down Under for James Connelly has culminated in the Islander winning the Coaching Excellence Development Award at the prestigious Newcombe Medal awards night.
On a star-studded evening, which the Caesarean was unfortunately unable to attend, Alex de Minaur and Matt Ebden shared the main prize, awarded to Australia’s most outstanding elite tennis player for the year.
The Elite Coach of Year went to Darren Cahill, who instructs men’s world number one Jannik Sinner, having formerly coached fellow Aussie Lleyton Hewitt and American Andre Agassi.
Connelly, who was a successful player for Jersey, earning multiple gold, silver and bronze medals across various Island Games, relocated to Australia in 2014 to pursue his coaching dreams, and has been on an upwards trajectory ever since.
The award was presented to Connelly for his exceptional work with players under the age of 18 in which three of his students laid claim to three separate national titles over recent years.
While not usually a person to pay much attention to accolades, the Islander confessed that “this one really hit home”.
“I’m pretty terrible at this sort of stuff,” said Connelly.
“Most of the time, I try not to pay close attention to awards and accolades, as it’s very subjective for the most part.
“But this was slightly different as I was recognised by a panel of my peers and people I have a lot of respect for.
“That was really humbling and certainly made me take a step back and see where I had come in the last ten years.”
Among the impressive panel of national selectors, was Scott Draper, a former professional who climbed to the dizzying heights of 42 in the world for singles.
Draper was also a professional golfer and boasts arguably one of the best sporting feats of all time.
On the same day he played in the semi-final of the Australian Open mixed doubles, Draper also played in a PGA Tour event across the road in Melbourne that same morning.
It is safe to say that Connelly, 34, has come a long way since tip-toeing into coaching locally at the Caesarean, Les Ormes and Grainville.
“It’s really easy to get sucked into always thinking about the present and what’s next,” continued Connelly.
“In the coaching world, you aim to keep improving your players and, in turn, your own ability.
“There isn’t much time to sit back and look at where you have come from.
“To think I’ve been in ‘Oz’ for ten years is crazy honestly.
“Many of these kids I have coached for years and you become such a massive part of their lives and see them grow and develop not only as players, but people off the court.”
Two of the most notable success stories of those in Connelly’s custody are Lily Fairclough and Aiden Chan.
He has guided both players since arriving in Australia, with Fairclough’s journey leading her to the University of South California, a highly-renowned US college with an incredibly successful NCAA tennis program.
Fairclough’s improvement under the watchful eye of Connelly was stark.
The Western Australia native claimed ten Junior Doubles Titles and three Women’s Doubles Titles en route to a career high ITF Junior singles and doubles ranking of 64.
Chan is the next burgeoning star on Connelly’s books.
At just 14, he has coached the prodigy from the tender age of four, when he first picked up a racket, all the way to laying claim to the 14 and under Australian Championships and obtaining the number one ranking for his age in the country.
Chan and Connelly are currently in the frozen tundra of Bolton for a lead-in tournament to the esteemed TEJT 14&U in Tarbes, as the teenager has his sights set on yet more international glory in Southern France.
The duo will be hoping for slightly more favourable conditions to those currently in Bolton.
On his bond with Chan, Connelly added: “It’s a really special feeling.
“We have been on this wild journey together for ten years now, starting from four years old.
“From his first ball ever hit to now. It’s been an incredible progression.
“It’s much more than coaching when it comes to Aiden and other juniors.
“I drive him to and from school, take him to the tennis club and travel to tournaments with him.
“It’s as much to do with everything away from the court as it is on.
“First and foremost, as a coach, I need to make sure that the kids are enjoying themselves.
“The drop-out rate around 16 years old is massive. So it’s vital that I find a way to keep them having fun and wanting to stick around the sport.
“Most of the kids I have coached are either at, or heading to college, or making a fist of it professionally.
“It really feels that the past three years or so have been a product of the work the seven years beforehand.
“As a coach you are learning constantly and ensuring that the mistakes you have made before are taken on board to improve as you move forward.
“It’s a journey for both me and the player.
“We both progress and learn more about each other and how to get the most out of their game.”
Connelly admitted that although his wouldn’t have given up the opportunity to go to the famed Orange Bowl tournament in Florida, he would have loved to have been at the Newcombe awards ceremony.
“I sent Sinner’s coach a message after to congratulate him on his award,” Connelly added.
Jokingly the Jerseyman concluded: “It would have been cool to shake his hand in person and kinda say: ‘I’m coming for you.”
While Cahill’s coaching résumé rivals the very best, with Connelly’s work ethic and desire to mould future professionals, there is no reason why the Jersey export cannot continue to make a name for himself at the highest level.
