From court to cafe, and back again!

Paul Scidone is familiar to many in Southbank, but most haven’t seen him like this before.

The popular restaurant manager of La Camera in Southgate has swapped the rat race for a racquet and headed back to his first love, tennis coaching.

Mr Scidone said he was thrilled to be back out on the court, enjoying his first passion in life.

“As much as I love working at La Camera, and I really do, my kids come first now, and it is hard working Friday and Saturday nights,” Mr Scidone explained.

He also said his tennis coaching style had evolved since he was last out on court.

“My perspective has completely changed after having my own kids. 99 per cent of kids are there just to have fun, so I want to develop a program I know kids will really enjoy,” he said.

The move to the tennis court is part of his Kaizen School of Tennis.

“The word Kaizen means ‘continual improvement’. I think that is best achieved for kids by having as much fun as possible, so that’s what these lessons are all about.”

Mr Scidone said he was also planning to bring a cardio tennis program to Southbank.

“I’d like a way of keeping in touch with all the people I have met here in Southbank and I know they are always on the look out for local activities like this.”