By Evan Midford, Website & Social Media Coordinator
Jared Connell’s journey into tennis wasn’t typical. Unlike many elite players who pick up a racket as soon as they can walk, he didn’t step onto a court until he was 16.
Growing up, team sports dominated his life, but tennis remained out of reach until he could afford to play on his own. Once he did, the individual challenge hooked him. Every win-and every loss-was entirely his own.
Balancing Mind and Body; A Holistic Approach to Prep for the Games
Head Coach for Team Toba Tennis, Jared holds his athletes to a high standard, training them at a national under 18 level. Having a smaller pool allows for developing players to compete at that level.
“Tailoring strength and conditioning programs to their individual needs, but always with that national benchmark in mind,” said Jared.
He gives a lot of credit to their team’s fitness coach, who is also a tennis coach and physiotherapist, for playing a big role in the athletes physical development.
But physical training is only part of the equation. Tennis is as much a mental game as it is a physical one.
“Mentally, we focus a lot on visualization, breath control, and routines. [These are] key elements in handling pressure.”
The Competitive Edge
For Jared, raw talent isn’t the only thing he looks for in a player. When selecting and developing athletes, he and his coaching team focus on defining the values that shape their provincial program: grit, determination, and teamwork.
No easy points, No easy games. He also wants players who are feisty and difficult to play against – players who won’t give away easy points.
He spoke about how doubles is a strategic advantage in a tournament like the Canada Summer Games, so he makes sure his players are strong in that area. Not having many opportunities to play high-level competition, training these athletes to be scrappy and mentally tough is important.
Leadership is another key trait Jared values, especially in a sport where players are used to competing alone.
“Players who can step up, encourage their teammates, and adapt to a team-based competition,” he emphasized.
Beyond the Court: Building Team Culture
Team Toba’s tennis team has placed a big emphasis on team bonding.
“Tennis is normally an individual sport, but the Canada Summer Games is a team event.”
They’re working hard to build a strong, supportive group by organizing activities, including board game nights, a trip to a gaming centre, and team BBQs. These moments outside of training help build connections that translate to better chemistry on the court.
Every team Jared’s coached has had a different dynamic, and part of his job is to build trust among players and between the team and coaching staff.
But Jared’s approach extends beyond just team bonding – he also wants his players to engage with their community.
“Tennis players [may] come from privileged backgrounds, so we are planning volunteer work at a soup kitchen, providing them a chance to see a different side of life and develop as people – not just as athletes.”
Unity and Resilience
This is one of the most tight-knit groups they have had in years. And while they don’t have a single dominant player, Jared says coming together as a team will be the difference-maker when competition time comes around.
That mental edge they’ve developed—their unity, resilience, and belief in each other—it just might be enough to turn the tide.
Follow the Herd on their journey to Canada Games on Instagram.
