OUR COACHES

Brian Dorval is a Partner in Think Better Play Better and a USPTA certified tennis teaching professional who specializes in the mental aspects of sports. He works with regionally and nationally ranked junior players to improve their mental toughness and enhance performance under pressure situations.   Brian is also the co-developer and head tennis professional of the Buffalo Niagara Community Tennis Assocation's Shining Stars Adaptive Tennis Program™, a program specially designed to bring the experience of tennis to children with autism.   Beyond tennis, Brian is the President of Think First Serve Inc, a consulting company that helps organizations worldwide figure out new ways to grow. He has delivered more than 500 innovation programs and training courses in 20 countries around the world, and is the author of over 60 articles, chapters and books on the subjects of creativity, problem solving and mental imagery.   When working with his clients Brian uses the VIEW™ assessment to help them understand their natural style of thinking and problem solving; and use the insight to collaborate better internally and compete better externally. Now, with Think Better Play Better, Brian is bringing the benefits of VIEW™ to tennis.

Tom LaPenna has been coaching tennis for over 30 years and is a graduate of the USTA’s national high performance coaching program. Tom has built an impressive reputation in Western New York, having trained many of the most successful junior tennis players from the area. He is a past coach of the men’s tennis team at the State University of New York at Buffalo, assistant coach of the men's and women's tennis teams at Niagara University, past owner of a tennis and fitness club, and a member of the Buffalo Tennis Hall of Fame.  Tom has trained a number of nationally ranked junior players and is currently Director of High Performance at the Village Glen Tennis Club in Williamsville, NY.