About Savitar

Savitar welcomes James Corin as the Director of Tennis for Hotels and Resorts of Singapore. He brings a wealth of global experience to share with you at our central locations of Grand Hyatt Hotel, Singapore! Originally from the UK, James completed a National Diploma in Sports Science and went on to gain a degree at UWIC Cardiff, in Sports and Leisure Management whilst playing university tennis and competing in Welsh Premier league teams.After University, James’ coaching career took him all over the world in a variety of roles held at 5-star clubs and resorts. His roles include Junior Development co-ordinator at the world-renowned Jumeirah Beach Hotel in Dubai, Head of summer camps in Atlanta, USA and Director of Tennis at the exclusive Al Bustan Palace in Muscat.  He also coached at La Samanna Resort on the Caribbean Island of St Maarten and most recently at the Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort in Thailand where he built and ran an exciting and popular program of coaching and events.James enjoys working with all ages and levels of players from beginners to regional and nationally ranked players (including ITF, Orange Bowl and Academy/Tour Level players). Qualifications include Lawn Tennis Association, PTR, USTA, British Tennis Coaches Association, UK Racket Stringers Association and RPT. His interests outside of tennis include travel, fitness, movies, martial arts, reading, music, psychology and philosophy.James looks forward to hearing from you: [email protected]

Originally from New Zealand, Adam Branks comes to Singapore with years of tennis experience. Adam was first introduced to the sport at an early age through his family’s legacy. Adam’s father ran a large tennis school in Auckland and that is where he learned and developed the passion for the sport.At the University of North Carolina, Asheville, Adam continued his on-court successes, playing NCAA Division I college tennis.Adam has coaching experience in the United States, New Zealand, and now working with Savitar at the Swiss Club and Willow Stream Spa Tennis Facility.His other qualifications include:

• the RPT Europe and International Professional Tennis Director Certification
• Estess Athletic University Level 5 Coaches Certification
• Professional Tennis Coaches Association Certificate of Recognition regarding RPT Education Program
• International Coaches Institute Tennis Professional Certification

Paulo Baran hails from the Philippines where he was a prominent member and key player in their local tennis community. He established himself as a star player and successfully achieved and cemented his place as #1 in the region during his secondary education. Not only that, Paulo has always been in the top 10 of his country from U12-U18. He also became the top seed in the men’s doubles and singles category. He was the first Team Captain to finally lead his university to a championship. Right after graduating, he became the Assistant Coach for his Alma Mater’s Varsity Team UAAP in Manila, Philippines. Paulo has been with Savitar for two fulfilling years and is based at Marlborough College Malaysia as an Assistant Coach, providing assistance with coaching of all school teams, school curriculum tennis classes, holiday camps, and private lessons.

YANNICK GUBA has come to us from Beijing, where he was Head Tennis Coach at a leading American Tennis Academy and International School for the last 4 years. Prior to that he was the Assistant Coach for the School Varsity Team UAAP in Manila Philippines and coached many of the top players in the Philippines. Yannick has also been a travelling coach for 14/U ATF and ITF players. Yannick has represented Philippines at Davis Cup, senior and junior level.Yannick is the Full Time Tennis Coach for MCM, and will be living on site throughout the year, coaching all school teams, groups, school curriculum tennis classes, holiday camps and private lessons.

An Australian and Dutch citizen, Frank Bruinsma has over 25-years of tennis playing and coaching experience. Frank has coached all over the world, including Australia, United States, and nowhere in Singapore.For the past 14-years, Frank has worked with and for some of the most prestigious private clubs in Singapore, which include: the Hollandse Club, the Swiss Club, the Pines Club, the Amrita Spa Tennis Club, and the Tanglin Club.Frank’s strong tennis background and knowledge has allowed him to develop lasting relationships with the club members and students here in Singapore. He has also developed strong junior tennis and adult programs throughout the Singapore region.He holds professional tennis certifications from the Professional Tennis Registry (PTR), Tennis Australia (TCA), Singapore Tennis Association (STA), and International Tennis Federation (level III).Frank is the Managing Director of Savitar Pte Ltd.

A native of the Philippines, Paul Millendez started playing competitive tennis at the age of nine-years-old. Paul competed against some of the country’s top players, earning a top ranking in the boys’ 12s-18s age division. While attending college in the Philippines, Paul competed on the Men's National Tennis Circuit, sponsored by the Philippine Tennis Association (PHILTA).Paul is Director of Tennis,Oneº15 Marina Club in Sentosa. Paul’s strong passion for tennis clearly transfers over to the juniors and adults in the tennis programs. With Paul’s enthusiasm and knowledge of the game, Millendez has proven to be one of Savitar’s most loyal and top coaches.At the prestigious University of Saint La Salle – Bacolod City, Paul continued his on-court success, receiving a full tennis scholarship. Paul earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and is a registered nurse.His other qualifications include:

• the RPT Europe and International Professional Tennis Director Certification
• Estess Athletic University Level 5 Coaches Certification
• Professional Tennis Coaches Association Certificate of Recognition regarding RPT Education Program
• International Coaches Institute Tennis Professional Certification
• USPTA Level Elite Professional

Michael Saunders from Christchurch, New Zealand. Michael is Director Junior Performance Tennis at Savitar Tennis Centre,HQ. He played NCAA college tennis at Newberry College in South Carolina for four years, where he attained a Bachelor of Science in Sports Management and Business Administration. Michael brings with him a huge passion for the game; he has been sharing this enthusiasm and knowledge with students for the past 6 years at various clubs and academies across the USA and New Zealand.

A coach known to be adored by all the little boys and girls on court is our coach Adrian! With his energy level alongside the junior players, you cannot help but try and keep up! For the past 20 years, the Singaporean-born, Adrian Ng has been a prominent tennis coach with a wide-range of experience teaching both kids and adults of all ages and levels. He has coached in multiple high-end hotels, private clubs, and international schools including, Swiss Club, One Degree 15, Dulwich College, and the Shangri-La. As head professional, Adrian's bases these days are at UWCSEA East campus, and at Savitar Tennis Centre HQ at Fairmont Hotel!His qualifications include:

• the RPT Europe and International Professional Tennis Director Certification
• Estess Athletic University Level 5 Coaches Certification
• Professional Tennis Coaches Association Certificate of Recognition regarding RPT Education Program
• International Coaches Institute Tennis Professional Certification

Benjamin is Singapore-born local talent, he has been a prominent tennis player participated in junior college level. After finishing NS Benjamin left Singapore to study in US where he gained his full sports coaching certification from USSA, majoring in Tennis.His qualifications include:

• Certification at Rick Macci Tennis Academy- Elite Certificate
• Professional Tennis Registry
• Australian Academy of Tennis Coaches- Level 1 & 2
• National Registry of Coaches certified
• National Standards for Youth Sports for Coaching in Singapore School Schools Workshop by MOE

Armed as an Elite Sports Performance Coach and Mental Games Coaching Professional Benjamin can provide his students with key strategies to overcome mental blocks and achieve optimal performance.

If you have met our coach Kan Tsi Kwong, you know that his smiling personality has been with us at Savitar for almost 10 years! But for over 20 years, he has been highly involved in the game of tennis. As a junior player, Kan represented and competed for Anglo-Chinese School in Malacca, Malaysia and other parts of Asia. His extended coaching career began when he was recruited to teach at the Singapore Sports Council/Robertson Wilson Junior Tennis Training Scheme. Soon after, he earned his Tennis Instructor Certificate from the Singapore Sports Council and Singapore Tennis Association (STA). He then continued on his pursuit to be a professional tennis coach and trained to receive multiple accredited certifications such as:

• the RPT Europe and International Professional Tennis Director Certification
• Estess Athletic University Level 5 Coaches Certification
• Professional Tennis Coaches Association Certificate of Recognition regarding RPT Education Program
• International Coaches Institute Tennis Professional Certification

Coach Kan has assisted in developing numerous junior and adult tennis programs at Savitar and continues to introduce the game of tennis to young players in Singapore!