Members of Tennis Outaouais Performance (TOP) will finally be able to count on the presence of a coach. The club has formalized the hiring of Ghita Nassik, a 27-year-old former elite player who notably played in the NCAA in the United States.
The young coach has already been at work for several days on the Sporthèque grounds.
To have someone with his experience is fantastic! We’ve been looking for the rare pearl for a long time and we sincerely believe we’ve found it.
says general manager and head coach Mathieu Toupin, with stars in his eyes.
TOP had never had a full-time female coach. She completes the club’s small team, which has only had Toupin and Jean-François Tremblay as permanent coaches for two years.
Mathieu Toupin is the general director and head coach of Tennis Outaouais Performance.
Photo : Radio-Canada / Nick Persaud
It was very active [comme arrivée]. There is a lot to learn. I have to adapt because I arrived in the middle of things
says Nassik, in Gatineau for ten days. I really liked the group of players I coached and I can’t wait to see how I can help them develop their game.
An arrival by chance
It was a bit of chance that brought the Moroccan to the region, while she was pursuing a career in marketing in the United States. She visited TOP during a trip a few months ago and was charmed by the club’s approach.
Ghita Nassik notably wore the colors of Southern Utah in the NCAA.
Photo : Radio-Canada / Nick Persaud
I would like to help players not to make the same mistakes I made, but also to give them shortcuts, whether in their private life or in their life as a tennis player.
launches the former player who has experience in the International Tennis Federation and the WTA.
Nassik, who wore the colors of Southern Utahwill focus on physique and preparation in his style.
I am a big believer of the preparation. If we prepare well, we can really achieve all the goals we have in mind
specifies Nassik. Tennis is a sport that is really very physical. You have to avoid injuries and use your body intelligently to perform in the long term.
she adds.
The big man of TOP believes that his arrival will allow the young people and the club to continue their development.
With her experience and background, she has instant credibility with young people
says Toupin, who does not hide the fact that a certain fatigue has been felt at the club for some time. We are a bit like magicians at TOP. We find ways to gain weight from the inside. Ghita will allow us to offer more programming
he mentions, adding that his new protégé will offer more tools to the club.
Tennis Coach, Ghita Nassik
Photo : Radio-Canada / Nick Persaud
It’s a tribute because I have to be the example for all the girls here who want to become either professionals or good tennis players.
says Nassik about being a first female coach at TOP. Girls can also have varied play like boys. It’s not just flat play. And to show them that, I have to do it to show them that it’s possible
humbly affirms the coach who hopes that she and the two coaches in place can complement each other.
Financial aid and athletes continuing their journey
The club took advantage of an event with its members late Wednesday afternoon to announce private financial assistance of $50,000 over five years from Gérik and Maconnerie Dépôt / Permacon.
This is the largest amount of money we have received from private companies to help us. It will make a big difference for us
insists Mathieu Toupin.
The general director of TOP, Mathieu Toupin
Photo : Radio-Canada / Nick Persaud
TOP has more than 200 members, of which approximately 60 are registered in its competitive component. The financial assistance will allow young people to have development workshops and players to participate in different competitions. A young member, Xavier Nguyen, will also participate in the Orange Bowl in Florida in the coming days.
It’s almost 10 years, to the day, after having participated with Mélodie Collard
Toupin ignites. It gives a lot of hope with new coaches like Ghita. We are here to develop the little ones, but we always like to have good level players to dream at the local, national, but also international level.
Gatineau tennis player Mélodie Collard during her participation in the Australian Open. (Archive photo)
Photo: Courtesy of Stephanie Myles
The Gatineau resident Mélodie Collard has just won the National Championship of NCAA in doubles with his partner from the University of Virginia.
I get chills with all the work that goes into his journey. It hasn’t been easy with COVID in particular. I knew that Mélodie had this potential and seeing her achieve things never done at her University. She writes history. It makes me very proud
rejoices Mathieu Toupin.
