Q: Congratulations on your appointment. What does this role at Maties Sport mean to you?

Pascal Guebert:
It is an absolute privilege to be appointed as the Head Coach for Maties Tennis. In my view, this role represents the pinnacle of university coaching, combining the opportunity to work with elite student-athletes alongside the world-class facilities available here in Stellenbosch.

Q: You bring a wealth of coaching experience. Can you tell us more about your background?

PG:
I have coached professionally for 27 years, serving as Head Coach at several leading tennis schools and academies. I’m also the owner of Edge Tennis Academy, which operates across Stellenbosch, Paarl, and Somerset West. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to develop players from grassroots level through to national success, coaching ten national winners and helping several athletes earn placements in the American collegiate tennis system.

Q: What is your coaching philosophy?

PG:
My philosophy is simple: I aim to give my absolute best to every player and team I work with. Every athlete is different, so development cannot follow a one-size-fits-all approach. As a coach, it’s important to adapt to the specific needs of the individual or group to ensure continuous progress and improvement.

Q: What attracted you specifically to Stellenbosch University?

PG:
This appointment is a major milestone in my career. Because I hold the position in such high regard, I’m deeply motivated to contribute to the proud legacy of Maties Tennis and help drive sustained competitive success for the programme.

Q: What are your immediate priorities for the tennis programme?

PG:
My immediate focus is on creating a highly competitive environment where players remain engaged, disciplined, and constantly striving to improve. I believe a strong culture of accountability and competition is essential for long-term success.

Q: How do you plan to elevate Maties Tennis competitively?

Pascal Guebert:
One of the key additions this semester has been the implementation of our new challenge system. By introducing a dedicated challenge window, we’ve already seen a significant increase in match play, which is crucial for university-level development. We’ve paired that internal competition with organised fixtures against leading local schools and a comprehensive training programme designed to develop every aspect of high-performance tennis.

Q: What role does student-athlete development play in your approach?

PG:
While there is always room for minor technical refinements, university players primarily need to master the art of winning. My focus is on helping players identify their best path to victory and enhancing their existing strengths. I prioritize developing the strategic and tactical 'IQ' necessary to compete under pressure, using both our structured training and the live match play of the challenge system. 

Q: What message do you have for current and prospective Maties Tennis players?

PG:
Very few players are ever the finished product. There is always another level to reach. For those looking to join Maties Tennis in the future, I can guarantee a focused, high-intensity program dedicated to both singles and doubles excellence—within an environment that is as rewarding and fun as it is competitive.

As Maties Tennis continues to build on its strong tradition of success at Stellenbosch University, Guebert’s appointment signals an exciting new chapter for the programme and its student-athletes.