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
Franusa 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!
Luís Catalão
Pickleball Level 2 Certified Instructor
Luis' commitment to quality instruction tailored to the specific needs of each student, whether you're a complete beginner, an intermediate player looking to refine your skills, or an advanced competitor seeking to consolidate your game.
Originally from Portugal, Luis Catalao earned a Bachelor degree in Physical Education from ULHT in Lisbon (1998) and spent six years teaching high school.
Luis is a NCCP Level 2 Certified Instructor and has recently taken on the role of a Course Facilitator for Pickleball Level 1 Instructors for Tennis Canada. This expertise ensures that all instruction at the North Bay Granite Club, through this new partnership, will be of the highest caliber.
With three years of dedicated Pickleball instruction and a playing history dating back to 2020, Luis Catalao brings a wealth of knowledge and a unique teaching philosophy to the court. At the core of Luis’ approach is the belief in building a solid foundation for every player. This means going beyond just hitting shots, focusing instead on the "why" and "when" behind shot execution and strategic decision-making.
This partnership will progressively create a solid foundation and the best environment for new players to start playing, and for intermediate and advanced players to develop and consolidate their game.
Get ready to elevate your pickleball experience at North Bay Granite Club!
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!
Andriana Nadeau
Coach & Clubhouse Attendant
Andriana has been coaching at the North Bay Tennis Club since 2022. She is a certified TPA Tennis Instructor. She has been playing tennis consistently every summer since 2017. She has been to multiple tournaments in Barrie and Sudbury, along with winning NDA, NOSSA, and attending OFSAA for the high school division. She is very passionate and dedicated to the sport. Over the years her performance, commitment and leadership skills have been recognized through numerous achievement awards. She is now attending the University of Ottawa for Human Kinetics and was asked to play for their tennis program. She is patient and enjoys working with younger kids. If you are interested in learning how to play or improving your skills in this thrilling sport, contact our junior tennis coach Andriana.
Lorie-Ann Cotter
Custodian
Lorie is thrilled to be a part of the North Bay Granite Club, welcomed to the team as our new Custodian. She plays an important role in maintaining a clean, safe, and welcoming environment for our staff, members, and visitors. With a strong work ethic and attention to details, Lorie takes pride in ensuring our facilities are well cared for each day.
Her hobbies include gardening fun fruits like grapes to pears. She also loves kayaking and snorkeling. Her son is in college in North Bay. Lorie has a background in real estate, then went into nursing and caregiving at Easthome & Community Living.
Behind every great organization is a well-cared-for space — and we’re thankful to have Lorie helping make that happen.