Tennis Ireland is delighted to welcome Simon McFarland who has joined us as Competitions Manager. Simon has worked with us for a number of months part-time and now joins us on a full-time basis.
Simon has a number of years’ experience in our sport having worked as Director of Tennis at Windsor Lawn Tennis Club, Belfast, for the last 13 years. During his time with Windsor he has directed a number of tournaments both at Junior and Senior level, including the Belfast ITF. Also, he has refereed the Ulster T1000 Hardcourt Championships and a number of Junior and Senior Inter-provincials. He has recently qualified as an ITF International White Badge Referee.
Simon has made a significant contribution in Enjoy Tennis and worked with the first Blind Tennis groups in Ulster. He was the Head Coach for the Irish Blind and Visually Impaired Team at the World Championships in 2019 and coached the Ulster Wheelchair team at the recent U.K. School Games in Loughborough. He has travelled internationally to assist other countries in their development of Inclusive Tennis, setting up Blind Tennis in India in 2018 and 2019 and coaching for the U.S. Tennis Association in February 2023.
Simon was a Junior Ulster Interpro and has competed in the Over 35s Circuit. Also, he has served on tennis committees at club, provincial and international level.
John Foley, Interim CEO, said “Simon has an unique depth of experience in tennis, as a player, referee and administrator. He has already been a significant contributor to the Competitions Department we are delighted that he is taking up the role of Competitions Manager”.
Simon McFarland said “ Tennis is my passion and I am looking forward to working with my colleagues in Tennis Ireland, parents, clubs and all other stakeholders in the development of Competitions throughout the country”.
