COACHING TEAM

ZSC Academy's reputation as having the best sports coaches is because we've earned it - ZSC Academy coaches have high standards to meet. Whether coaching aspiring ice skaters, cyclists or future Wimbledon tennis players, all of our coaches have proven technical and practical experience. Each tennis coach, cycling coach and ice skating coach on our roster holds internationally recognised certification to ensure our players develop solid foundations and proper techniques.

TRAIN UNDER THE BEST CYCLING, TENNIS & ICE SKATING COACHES IN THE UAE

SIGI MEEUWS

Director of ZSC Academy

Sigi is genetically engineered to love sports. As the son of a World Cup footballer, he was encouraged to try many athletic endeavours, particularly football and tennis, since the age of 4 and began a career in coaching at 17 years old. This passion for sports allowed him to successfully build a private sports school and now, to lead ZSC Academy. In addition a university degree in Sales and Marketing, he holds certification as a tennis coach with the Belgian Tennis Federation and Tennis Emirates.

His family is a priority in his free time.

Nationality: Belgian
Languages: English, Dutch, German, French
Ask About: His experience at Wembley

ADEN DEMAS

Tennis Coach

Aden has been a tennis player since age 9. Despite his late start, he excelled in the sport as a junior, ranking amongst the Top 10 in South Africa, and participating in ITF tournaments around the world, having faced Kevin Anderson as a youth player.

He transitioned into coaching at age 19 and previously owned his own academy and led the 15,000-strong South African tennis development programme as Head Coach. He’s taught tennis in South Africa, the USA and UAE and loves watch children having fun on the court. Aden is certified by the South African Tennis Association.

Aside from tennis, Aden is an avid athlete with a special interest in rugby and cricket.

Nationality: South African
Languages: English, Afrikaans
Location: Zayed Sports City
Ask About: His marbles mishap

DINA JOKSIMOVIC

Head of Tennis, Sport Psychologist

Dina is a former professional tennis player who started at age 4. She played in the Junior Australian Open and earned Top 10 rankings in the European ITF before joining WTA tournaments at age 16. A coach since 22 years old, Dina is certified through PTR and has worked with top players, including Serbia’s #1 and #3 ranked juniors.

Holding a PhD in Clinical Psychology, Dina worked as the sport psychologist for Serbian U20 National Football Team during their World Cup winning season and is a licensed Transactional Analysis psychotherapist well equipped to deal with anxiety and motivation in young athletes.

For fun, Dina skis, reads novels and does puzzles.

Nationality: Serbian
Languages: English, Spanish, Italian, Serbo-Croatian
Location: Emirates Palace
Ask About: Learning to tie her shoes

DJORDJE ZAFIROVIC

Tennis Coach

A tennis player since age 6, Djordje (Georgie) is a former Serbian National and European junior champion with more than six years of coaching experience. In his tenure, he’s worked with ranked players, notably doubles specialist Xenia Knoll, who reached no. 40 in WTA play.

He is well versed in not only tennis, but in general athletic development, having run a youth sports academy before transitioning into tennis full-time. Licensed with PTR and GPTCA, his coaching experience has included stints in Serbia, China and the UAE. Inspiring a love for tennis is what motivates his coaching sessions.

In addition to being an avid skier and fitness lover, George also has an eye for fashion.

Nationality: Serbian
Languages: English, Spanish, Serbo-Croatian
Location: Zayed Sports City, Emirates Palace
Ask About: Fishing on the Danube

Erika Piñate Acosta

Tennis Coach

Erika is a former professional beach tennis player who is just as adept on the hard courts used by ZSC Academy as she is on the sand. Rising quickly from a 13-year-old newbie to a 2-year undefeated college player, Erika’s success was fueled by focus, determination and a positive outlook. She’s turned this into a career, earning a degree in physical education and coaching, then becoming certified with the ITF.

She has played with, alongside and against many top players, serving as a coach for a WTA 111-ranked player and running sessions with Andy Roddick and Andy Murray at events. On the beach, she faced tough competition against Venezuela’s best players in final matches at 8 national tournaments.

If she’s not on the court, you might find Erika at the beach or watching movies.

Nationality: Venezuelan
Languages: English, Spanish
Location: Zayed Sports City
Ask About: Her beach tennis partner

George Kikaleishvili

Tennis Coach

George Kikaleishvili

Tennis Coach

Strong enough to make the Georgian National Team at the age of 8, George is a fierce yet compassionate tennis professional who has played throughout the world. As a coach for more than two decades, he has also earned a number of qualifications from RPT, ITF USPTA and PTCA, as well as an MBA in Sport Management. The strategic side of the sport – game planning, developing and evolution – are what keep him hooked and drove him to turn his childhood favourite sport into a career.

George is active off the tennis court too, often walking or hiking outdoors.

Nationality: Georgian
Languages: English, Russian
Location: ACTIVE, Al Maryah Island
Ask About: His favourite match

GORANA STEVANOVIC SARCEVIC

Tennis Coach

Gorana’s first tennis lesson was at age 6, and since that time she has proven herself to be incredibly talented in the sport. As a player, she reached No. 7 in Europe, was ranked by WTA, also earning three national championships before becoming a tennis instructor in 2011. Having worked in Germany, Serbia and the UAE, Gorana’s favourite thing about tennis is the feeling of proudly lifting a trophy. This talented female tennis coach is licensed by the Tennis Federation of Serbia.

When she has free time, Gorana can be often found studying to finish her sports degree or spending time with friends.

Nationality: Serbian
Languages: English, Serbo-Croatian
Location: Zayed Sports City, Mubadala Tennis in Schools, Ministry of Education
Ask About: Her dog, Kan

LOUANN CORTEZ

Ice Skating Coach

Louann started ice skating as a teenager and quickly took to the sport, finding a hidden talent in many disciplines on the ice. Having fallen in love with ice hockey, she’s proven her abilities representing the Philippines on the ice for eight years and as a current coach for the UAE Women’s National Team. She also holds coaching certification from the Ice Skating Institute of Asia which allows her to coach Learn to Skate through Delta level. Balance and control are the critical elements of skating that she appreciates most.

Off of the ice, Louann can be found relaxing by the beach, cycling or camping.

Nationality: Filipina
Languages: English, Tagalog
Ask About: Why she hates shoes

MARILOU DELA CRUZ

Ice Skating Coach

Marilou has a unique perspective on ice skating, beginning her formal training as an adult in 2013. This allows her to be empathetic to the challenges of adult learners and patient with young ones alike. She has coached since 2016 and proudly holds certification from the Ice Skating Institute of Asia.

A convert to Islam, Marilou spends free time learning to read the Quran and write in Arabic.

Nationality: Filipina
Languages: English, Tagalog
Ask About: The sport she loves but cannot do well

Mark Taylor

Cycling Coach, Gulf Multi Sport

Mark is your friendly neighbourhood coach. qualified in football, swimming, and hockey, as well as cycling, which he coaches at ZSC. He's been biking for as long as he could walk and is eager to get everyone in the UAE as excited for a bike ride as he is.

If he's not on a bike, Mark is probably with his family or busy with another sport.

Languages: English, but hoping to learn a bit of Arabic

Location: ZSC

Ask me about: Anything to do with sports or how he's getting on at chess

Nationality: British
Languages: English
Location: Zayed Sports City
Ask About: His best chess match

OLLY CHAFFEY

Cycling Coach, Gulf Multi Sport

Olly is an all-around sportsman who has been riding a bike since he was 4. After learning the basics, he took up off-road cycling and mountain biking and taught classes in the UK. He’s made his passion for sports a profession; he is certified to coach swimming and football, and his cycling qualification was earned from British Cycling.

When Olly isn’t busy with sports, you can find him watching sports or at the beach.

Nationality: British
Languages: Engish
Location: Zayed Sports City
Ask About: His favourite thing to collect

OMAR MOHAMMED

Arabic Tennis Coach

Omar has been involved with tennis for nearly two decades. A coach since 2006, he spent a year working with the South African national team, a stint on the staff of Juan Carlos Ferrero Academy and developed his U12 team into the Top 10. He holds certification from the ITF and has attended courses with renowned tennis specialist Mark Tennant. The variety in tactics is his favourite part of tennis.

Omar enjoys sports in his free time, such as running and watching football matches.

Nationality: Egyptian
Languages: English, Arabic
Location: Zayed Sports City, Mubadala Tennis in Schools, Ministry of Education
Ask About: Snow City

STEVEN PALER

Ice Skating Coach

After going ice skating for the first time at age 12, Steven became hooked. Moving from basic moves to figure skating techniques, he became competitive on the international level by age 16. Two years later, his career as a coach began. He has worked in the Philippines, Singapore and UAE, including almost 10 years at Zayed Sports City before returning in 2021.
Steven is registered with the Ice Skating Institute of Asia to coach skaters up to Freestyle 4. He’s particularly fond of jumps.

Physical fitness is an interest of Steven’s outside of work.

Nationality: Filipino
Languages: English, Tagalog
Location: Zayed Sports City
Ask About: His most spectacular fall