Our team is here to SERVE you!

RUFUS NEL
Director of Tennis
I am originally from South Africa and immigrated to Canada 22 years ago. My love of tennis started when, at the age of 5, I began to play with a wooden paddle against a wall.
I’ve been coaching for 37 years and am a level 3 coach with Tennis Canada. I’ve coached in South Africa, Germany and Canada. Through my coaching career one of my students reached top 80 in world rankings. I began coaching Philip Bester when he was 5 and he was a French Open Junior Finalist, ranked 225 in the world and played in the Davis Cup for Canada.
Coaching doubles is of particular interest as I enjoy the strategies involved. My strength is coaching technique, technique, technique. It is very satisfying to help players improve their game leading to even more enjoyment of a great sport.
Before joining the Abony Family Tennis Center in 2013, I was the Director of Community Development for Tennis Canada and prior to that, I was the Tennis Director at a 25 court facility in Vancouver for 14 years.
A personal tennis highlight for me was coaching Neville Godwin at Wimbledon.
​Favorite player: Roger Federer
Favorite mantra: "Believe in yourself"
Favorite food: Sushi

DAN GODWIN
Assistant Tennis Professional

​I was born in Saint John and grew up in Riverview. My life as a tennis player started when I was 13. I began coaching at age 16 and am cardio tennis and wheelchair certified, have my Club Pro 1 and currently working on my Club Pro 2.
It has been a privilege to coach across the province in Riverview, Moncton, Saint John and now Fredericton. Count me as one of the originals who started working at the Abony Family Tennis Center upon its opening.
Personal playing highlights include:
  • 2015 Saint John singles and doubles titles
  • 2015 Fredericton Open title
  • Currently ranked 3rd in men’s open singles
  • Ranked in NB since U14 with highest ranking of 3rd for U18
  • Multiple junior singles and doubles titles
I received my BBA from UNB which includes 3 years in the Faculty of Science specializing in Kinesiology and finishing my degree with a year and a half in the Faculty of Business.
​Favorite player: Rafael Nadal
Favorite snack: Sour candy (Fuzzy peaches and Sour Patch Kids are personal favs)

SHARON GOYA
Front Desk & Instructor

I was born in Mexico City. I started playing recreational tennis when I was in grade 3 and it has become my favorite sport ever since. I came to Canada in 2015 and did my last year of high school at OHS.
I love teaching kids and teens because it is the age when players are starting to build up their skills and develop love for sports.
My goals  to get more girls involved in sports and in tennis;  to build confidence in my students and teach them good sportsmanship.
Coaching tennis is a learning process that goes both ways: the students learn from you and you learn from them. That’s why I like coaching tennis; there’s always something new to learn.
Favorite player: Rafael Nadal and Bianca Andreescu.

Mantra: “You only learn by trying” and  “Anything that you love requires patience.”

Favourite food: Tacos al pastor.
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Favourite snack: Fruit with Tajín

ZACH RUSSELL

Tennis Instructor


My name is Zachary Russell but people usually calls me Zach. I was born in Ottawa Ontario in 2003 and I moved to the city of Fredericton in 2006. 
I started playing tennis when the Abony Family Tennis Center first opened and since then it’s become one of my favorite sports.
I am fluent in both English and French and I’m close to finishing high school in Fredericton. 
I completed the Tennis Instructors Course in 2017 and started coaching in summer 2019.
​I have coached mostly Red ball and Orange Ball.

Favorite player:  Bianca Andreescu.

My favorite food: Eggs Benedict.

Favorite pastime: Ye-yoing.