Tennis Pro finds the Greatest Love of All - Playa Maya News,Playa del Carmen,Mexico

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Tennis Pro finds the Greatest Love of All

Sunday, 21 November 2004

Tennis Pro finds the Greatest Love of All

Meet one of our Playa Heros

By The Sporting Guy

Everybody’s searching for a hero. In fact, kids need someone to look up to and help them find that hero in themselves. Of course, It’s always hard to find that special teacher, that life coach that can guide them. And that is especially true here in Playa del Carmen where the local community is growing so quickly with an brand new infrastructure that is working overtime to catch up to the demand.

This predicament is especially highlighted by the need not just for more teachers, but for educators to reach out and believe the children are our future, to teach them well and let them lead the way – to stand up and show them all the beauty they posses inside and to truly give them a sense of pride.

Enter Coach Valeria Listinghart; an Argentine, A Teacher, A Tennis Player, A Woman, A Bright Light and one of our Playa Heros.

Oh, she’s not a conventional teacher in the public school system as you would imagine but a Tennis Pro who labors day in and day out for the children here in Playa del Carmen. This writer calls her one the Playa Heros – you know, one of those special individuals that give our community character – know what I mean?

Now, this special Playa Hero is hard to spot because she blends in so well.

She can pass you by on 5th avenue or you can mistake her for any one of the beautiful people who visit our fine beaches. Or maybe that’s her, the one drinking coffee at one of famous trendy cafes?

But if you really want to see her, you need to go to “her office” as she calls it.

It’s green on the floor and behind the fence at the Deportivo Stadium on the north side of 10^th avenue. Some people call it a Tennis Court. I say we should call it the Tierra de Luz – The Land of Light. She is there from 4pm and 10pm during the week and you can recognize her quite easily.

She is the one wearing that Gabriela Sabatini-esque sports outfit, holding a tennis racket, and surrounded by a bunch of playful kids jumping, laughing, and playing the game of Tennis.

Originally from Argentina, Coach Valeria Listinghart played her favorite game of Tennis in the well defined and competitive city system of Buenos Aires. Valeria was a dedicated competitor from 8 years old to the age of 18. She worked her way all the way up to the # 8 ranking. A success!

For a town that produces some of the greatest players in the world like Guillermo Vilas and Gabriela Sabatini, Valeria was extremely proud to be in the top of her field.

After her pinnacle of achievements in her beloved sport, she entered school to study Accounting and Business and shortly thereafter found that the stoic dry world of numbers left her void and without passionate direction.

Fighting to find that certain something, she obtained her Tennis Training Certification from the Argentina Tennis Association (AAT) and embarked on the road that would bring her, eventually, to Playa del Carmen.

First, she traveled to Miami in the USA to visit her sister and work in the tennis industry as an instructor. During 2001, she obtained certificates from the United States Professional Teachers Registry (USPTR).

“The USA was a wonderful place to play and teach and Miami was so beautiful” said a proud Valeria.

In 2001, on a short vacation to the Riviera Maya with a very close friend, Valeria frolicked on our beaches and feel in love with Playa del Carmen. Sound Familiar?

Speaking for those that live here, I know we all did the same thing - right?

So crazed and filled with adventure, Valeria packed her bags and headed for Playa del Carmen. Originally, she thought she would teach at the Resorts. After all, they offered a great life, excellent pay, and a chance to live the Playa life.

“It’s a lifestyle of health, sport, and mind that appealed to me” says a happy Valeria.

Then, she had a chance to teach some of the local kids that live here and the light went on for her. She wanted a long term relationship with her students -something where she could guide them, teach them, and watch them blossom.

With the help of the city leaders and specifically Martin Reed, the City’s Sports Director, Valeria was sponsored to get court time at the Deportivo and they gave her underprivileged kids from the Colossio to teach. It was a guiding light for her and she’s been doing it ever since.

To add to her abilities to perform for the kids, she has taken the SICCED Certification which is the Mexican Government official certification for sport teaching.

3 years on, Valeria has taught hundreds and taken kids from beginners to tournaments in Cozumel, Cancun, and Chetumal.

She now teaches local kids, kids who come from other parts of the world with their parents who come to the Riviera Maya to work and live, and yes, even adults too!

“I really believe that we have champions here in Playa del Carmen. Our players come from diverse backgrounds and that gives us a competitive edge…” Valeria says.

There are weekly ranking matches so players can challenge themselves against others. “It is so much fun to watch a beginner come is rise up” says a prideful Valeria.

“In the future, we will even be more assertive….we expect to have more travel competition and expect to have a few more pros join the teaching staff and we hope to build a Professional Tennis Center for serious competition.” Valeria says with vision.

“We have classes all during the week and everyone from 5 years old to adults, from beginners to pros are welcome to come and join” Valeria invites.