OUR COACHES

Charles du Toit

Head Coach & Founder

QUALIFICATIONS

Charles du Toit is the Head Tennis Professional at Great West Fitness & Tennis Club and the Founder and Head Coach of Valley Tennis Academy. Coming from a respected multi-generational tennis family, Charles brings over 18 years of international coaching experience, having worked at academies in the United States, Canada, and South Africa. His coaching background includes experience at the VanderMeer Tennis Center (South Carolina USA), the Julian Krinsky School of Tennis (Philadelphia USA), Langley Tennis Centre, and Total Tennis (George, South Africa).

Born in South Africa, Charles began playing tennis at the age of four under the guidance of his father, Andre du Toit. Andre founded his own tennis academy in the early 1970s and went on to build one of South Africa’s largest and most successful tennis academies. As a junior tennis player, Charles competed at a high provincial level in South Africa and at nationals in under-10, U12, and U14 age groups. Alongside tennis, he also played competitive rugby and track and field at school.

After relocating to Canada during high school, Charles continued to compete at a high provincial level in BC (Under 16 and Under 18), as well as in provincial high school track and field. After high school, he studied Kinesiology at Trinity Western University.

Tennis excellence and passion run deep in the du Toit family. Charles’s siblings, Trudie and Riaan, were both nationally and internationally ranked junior players. Trudie went on to compete on the professional WTA Tour and earned a Division I NCAA scholarship at the University of Oregon, while Riaan earned a Division I scholarship at the University of New Mexico and later competed on the ATP men’s professional circuit.

Charles believes in creating a strong balance between technical and tactical development while ensuring that on-court sessions remain engaging, motivating, and enjoyable. He has extensive experience working with players of all ages and levels—from beginners to high-performance competitors—and is committed to helping each athlete build confidence, improve their game, and develop a lifelong passion for tennis.

Riaan du Toit

Coach & Footwork/Conditioning Trainer

QUALIFICATIONS

Riaan du Toit, the younger brother of Head Coach Charles du Toit, began his tennis journey at a young age under the expert guidance of his father, Andre du Toit—one of South Africa’s most respected and influential tennis coaches. From the moment he picked up a racket at age six, Riaan demonstrated exceptional talent and a love for tennis. His hard work quickly propelled him to the top junior rankings in both South Africa and Canada. In British Columbia, he consistently held the No. 1 or No. 2 provincial ranking from under 12 through under 18.

Nationally, Riaan reached a career-high ranking of No. 4 in Canada for Under 18 juniors. His success on the international stage included competing in ITF junior events worldwide, eventually earning Division I tennis scholarships to the University of New Mexico and later to the University of Central Florida.

In addition to his role as a Tennis Coach, Riaan also serves as VTA’s Footwork & Conditioning Trainer. His first-hand experience as a national and international junior player, former ATP-ranked professional, and NCAA Division I athlete gives him unique insight into the demands of high-performance tennis. This background makes him exceptionally well suited to train competitive juniors, high-performance pathway players, and athletes aspiring to collegiate or pro-level competition.

As a valued member of the Valley Tennis Academy coaching team, Riaan brings a rare combination of technical knowledge, athletic expertise, and passion for player development. He is dedicated to helping athletes improve their movement, fitness, and on-court efficiency—ensuring they build the physical foundation required for long-term success in the sport. 

Noteworthy Articles and Awards of Riaan du Toit:

• Abbotsford tennis ace lands scholarship from NCAA's New Mexico Lobos
  https://abbynews.com/2012/06/28/abbotsford-tennis-ace-lands-scholarship-from-ncaas-new-mexico-lobos/
  
• Rogers Radio Stanley Park Open — Doubles Finalist (Vancouver Pro Tournament)
  https://abbynews.com/2014/07/31/du-toit-a-doubles-finalist-at-stanley-park-tennis-tourney/

Below: Riaan's practice match against Kaichi Uchida, ATP men's professional tennis player career high ranked number 147 in the world.

Andre du Toit

Coach & Co-Founder

QUALIFICATIONS

Tennis coach Andre du Toit possesses a wealth of knowledge and extensive experience in coaching, training, and managing tennis players at all skill levels. With a prestigious coaching certification from the International Tennis Federation, Andre is exceptionally equipped to guide players towards resounding success on the court. Moreover, his profound insights and expertise are bolstered by a Bachelor's degree in Sports and Exercise Science.

Perhaps most impressive is Andre's remarkable tenure as the founder of a highly successful tennis academy in South Africa, spanning over 30 years. During its peak, his academy taught an astonishing 1200 students per week, effortlessly demonstrating his ability to train both players and coaches skillfully. Andre's impact extended beyond local borders as he nurtured and groomed players from provincial, national, and international professional levels. Additionally, numerous of his former students received Division 1 scholarships in the United States, including his children.

Today, Andre du Toit is a valued Valley Tennis Academy team member. It is evident that Andre's passion for the game of tennis shines through in his unwavering dedication to teaching players of all ages and abilities, from aspiring beginners taking their first steps on the court to nurturing the rise of international ATP & WTA professional tennis players.

Cyrus Martin

Coach & Tournament Coordinator 

QUALIFICATIONS

Cyrus is passionate about making tennis an enjoyable and welcoming sport for players of all ages and skill levels. He developed a deep love for the game at a young age, which quickly grew into a lifelong passion. After years of competitive training and tournament play, he transitioned into coaching to share his enthusiasm for the sport in a fun and inclusive environment.

Specializing in recreational players, Cyrus works with beginners and intermediate players looking to improve their skills, build confidence, and stay active. He tailors his coaching to each student’s needs, ensuring lessons are engaging, easy to follow, and enjoyable. His patient and encouraging approach helps players develop strong fundamentals while having fun on the court.

Cyrus believes tennis is a sport for life, and his goal is to help every player improve, feel comfortable, and gain confidence while playing. Whether you're picking up a racquet for the first time or returning to the game after a break, he is here to support your tennis journey with enthusiasm and expertise.

Mansi Singh

Coach

QUALIFICATIONS

Mansi began her tennis journey at the age of seven in India, where she received professional coaching early on. She competed in junior tournaments throughout her province and across India, gaining valuable on-court experience.

Now living in Canada, Mansi continues to coach and participate in local Tennis Canada leagues. She believes tennis is a powerful tool for personal growth—teaching respect, discipline, determination, and character both on and off the court.

Passionate about recreational player development, Mansi enjoys helping players build confidence, improve their technique, and develop a lifelong passion for the game.

Natalia Martin

Coach

QUALIFICATIONS

Natalia discovered her passion for tennis at the age of 9 when she began training with Head Coach Charles du Toit. By age 10, she was competing in Tennis BC tournaments and rapidly developing her skills through dedicated training with Coaches Charles, Andre, and Riaan du Toit.

At age 12, Natalia achieved a Top 6 provincial ranking in British Columbia. She has competed in the finals of 16 Tennis BC-sanctioned tournaments, capturing 8 titles along the way. Natalia has also competed in Under 16 and ITF J30 International Tennis Federation junior events, gaining valuable experience in international junior events. Her tournament experience has helped shape her strong work ethic, discipline, and passion for player development.

While Natalia enjoys the competitive side of tennis, she is equally passionate about helping young players grow and develop in a positive environment. She specializes in coaching children ages 4–7, creating a fun, supportive, and encouraging atmosphere where young athletes build confidence, develop strong tennis fundamentals, and foster a lifelong love for the game.

Trudie Puskedra (du Toit)

Guest Coach

QUALIFICATIONS

Trudie Puskedra, the younger sister of Charles du Toit, serves as a distinguished guest coach at Valley Tennis Academy. Her influence and expertise play a significant role in shaping the academy's core values. Known for her fierce drive, energy, and positive attitude, she is a source of motivation for all those around her. With a deep passion for nurturing young tennis talents, Trudie is devoted to helping aspiring athletes unlock their full potential. She enjoys working with young players and adults across various skill levels. Her extensive background in national, international, and college tennis and her unwavering commitment to mentoring the next generation of players make her a valuable member of Valley Tennis Academy.

Her dedication to both athletic excellence and personal development serves as an inspiration to all her students.

Noteworthy Articles and Awards of Trudie du Toit:

• Hero of the Week Article: Acknowledgment of Trudie du Toit as an exceptional student-athlete at Oregon.
  Read the article here. https://goducks.com/sports/2012/4/25/205419699
  
• Pac-10 Women’s Tennis Player of the Week.
  Read More here. https://goducks.com/sports/2011/3/15/205116232
  
• B.C.'s Fantastic Four serve up a future in the NCAA
  https://theprovince.com/news/bcs-fantastic-four-serve-up-a-future-in-the-ncaa
  

Cary Blackburn

High-Performance Hitting Partner & Director of Marketing

QUALIFICATIONS

Cary Blackburn is the Director of Marketing for Valley Tennis Academy and high-performance student of Charles du Toit for over 10 years. His tennis game has developed from a 3.0 to 5.0 level in that time. Over the past number of years Cary has helped Charles and Valley Tennis Academy as a hitting partner and match play partner for the high-performance juniors in the Academy.

As the Director of Marketing, Cary has helped develop marketing strategies to help grow Valley Tennis Academy into the biggest in the Fraser Valley. He is also a co-founder and co-owner of Results Grow Inc. which manages millions of dollars of marketing for hundreds of HVAC (heating and air conditioning) and roofing companies across North America.

Cary also has an extensive background in competitive sports including playing on the World Curling Tour where he was a part of teams that won three World Curling Tour events and a two-time Pacific International Cup champion in 2001 and 2006.