OUR CLUB
North Bay Tennis is an active friendly club located on Trout Lake Road in beautiful North Bay, Ontario. Our club has been in existence for over 50 years, where the sport of tennis has flourished in our community, reaching all ages and abilities. Our non-profit organization is home to nearly 250 members who enjoy an assortment of membership options, organized play opportunities, instructional programs, and various events.
Our facility consists of 5 lit outdoor tennis courts and 2 lit outdoor pickleball courts. In addition, our seasonal operation boasts a number of great features including, but not limited to...
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Internationally experienced Tennis Professional
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Full-time professional management
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Clubhouse with attendant, sitting area, canteen, and pro shop
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Extensive office hours
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Comprehensive programming
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Ball machine rental available
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Park-like surroundings with picnic tables, shelters, and bleachers
OUR TEAM
Fransua Rachmann
Tennis Professional
Fransua is a qualified Tennis Canada Club Pro 2 Tennis Coach with over 20 years of international tennis coaching experience. He started instructing in his home country of South Africa in 1996 and has since travelled to take positions in the UK, USA and Dubai before landing in North Bay. Fransua has a collection of trophies and stories from playing amateur tournaments in all of these countries and more. Fransua has a diploma in Sport Psychology and completed his Business Diploma at Canadore College in 2012. If you want to learn tennis or are seeking an exhilarating summer tennis experience, Fransua is the guy to get you on the court and get your game in shape. He says he has not yet seen anybody that cannot play tennis and he has enough patience and knowledge to teach you how to play, no matter how inadequate or uncoordinated you think you are!
Laura Johnston
General Manager
Laura brings to this position years of experience working in a not-for-profit organization at the Fire Marshal's Council of Ontario, as well as bookkeeping and marketing experience with G.E.M. Contracting. Laura's background in education is Law and Business Administration from Ottawa University and Algonquin College.
Laura has been a member of the North Bay Granite Club since 2014. Obtaining her National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) Competition Coach in 2019 as her previous role of Regional Curling Professional at the Granite Club from 2019-2022.
Proud wife and mother of three children. Laura was first introduced to curling at age 5 from her Grandfather at the Prescott Curling Club. Highlights from curling competitively, include a silver medal at the Canada Winter Games for Team Ontario in Bathurst, NB; winning the Junior Toronto Curling Association earning a trip to Switzerland; and most recently, playing vice on Team Northern Ontario at Mixed Nationals 2020 in Saguenay, QC. Privileges such as Brockville and Area Sports Hall of Fame Inductee, recipient of Quest for Gold Bursary, and the camaraderie of teammates are her most memorable. Laura also played recreational tennis during her high school years.
Laura is looking forward to being involved, working with the Granite Members, key stakeholders and community dignitaries sharing with them her passion and love for the sports of curling, tennis and pickleball!
Sports Coordinator
Laura has a combination of academic and professional experience that will allow her to make a positive contribution to the North Bay Granite Club. Laura completed her Master of Human Kinetics in Sport Management at the University of Ottawa where she gained experience with various organizations including the Ottawa Sports & Entertainment Group, Canadian Armed Forces Sports Program and the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz, Germany. Prior, Laura attended Nipissing University where she earned her Bachelor of Physical and Health Education degree. Her community involvement in North Bay includes playing for Nipissing Lakers Women’s Hockey Program, conducting many research related projects within the youth sport community and acting as a volunteer hockey coach with the North Bay Ice Boltz. Laura looks forward to contributing towards the growth of curling and tennis in North Bay.