After being inundated by floodwaters in 2022, a north Brisbane tennis school has transformed itself a year later, even adding four new coaches from Europe and South America.
Pure Tennis Academy owner Wayne Brumm told ABC Radio Brisbane Mornings presenter Rebecca Levingston the community support after Kedron Brook floodwaters tore through his Ferny Hills property was so great he had no choice but to "build back better".
"[The community] gathered together and at no request arrived the very next day, families with shovels in hand. The fire brigade showed up and hosed down main driveways," he said.
"We now have six courts back, a coffee service back on deck, resurfaced hard courts, new LED lights and massive plans going forward.
"It was a total wipe-out [in February last year]. I've been here 21 years and I've never experienced it. It was beyond anything I ever expected."
An enormous amount of rain also resulted in the flooding of nearby Keperra Golf Club and Mitchelton Football Club.
"I don't think I would have got through without the support we had," Mr Brumm said.
"Thanks to the local community and friends and family, as a result the club's numbers are at an all-time high and we're moving forward with a bit of a spring in our step."
Recruiting from overseas
Part of that enthusiasm has come from the recruitment of four new coaches from Spain and Argentina.
Mr Brumm said a shortage of workers during and after the pandemic prompted the team to start networking overseas.
"We made a decision six months ago to venture overseas and start talking and start making some links," he said.
"We've found some quality international coaches and their eyes are wide open and they're ready to work."
Marc Morral Salom, Gerard Closas Perello and Marti Sola Vslchez arrived in Brisbane from Barcelona last month, joining Nicolas Coronel Marquez from the Argentinian city of Santiago del Estero.
Mr Morral Salom said the group was excited to teach and had been at the courts most days, despite not starting work yet.
The three young Spanish men had all grown up playing tennis at the same club and praised the good behaviour of the Aussie students.
New tennis variations for club
The four coaches are also experienced in padel, a new variation of tennis using smaller racquets, that is already popular in Europe.
Mr Brumm said he hoped to start offering padel at Pure Tennis Academy in coming weeks.
"We'd have the first padel courts in Brisbane," he said.
"The game is highly accepted in Europe by thousands, even more so than tennis.
"These four guys can all coach padel, so we're ahead of the game.
"They're also talented soccer referees."
While there was one more court and the back fence at the Ferny Hills site to be finished, Mr Brumm said two more courts would open next week at a nearby location.
He said the last 12 months had been "a struggle" waiting for insurance payouts and tradies to become available.
But, with the new coaches, who Mr Brumm hopes will stay for one to two years, he said the centre had a bright 2023 planned.
