Ben Hestley - owner

---

Bull Shark Sports started in 2021 to fill a void that was missing in Coach Ben's community.  A year later, he was named GPTA's Independent Tennis Professional of the Year for his efforts in creating programs at neighborhood facilities, introducing nearly 150 kids to the game of tennis. 

With a multi-sport approach, baseball quickly became a focal point alongside tennis.  Coach Ben delivers baseball and softball hitting and baseball pitching/fielding instruction to many players in his community as well as works with baseball teams. He is also the Head Coach of one of the Lakeside Middle School baseball teams. 

Before starting Bull Shark Sports, Ben was the Director of Tennis at Druid Hills Golf Club from 2008 - 2021. Prior to Druid Hills, Coach Ben led the junior tennis program at Dunwoody Country Club.  

Ben has spent the more recent years of his career "coaching coaches," helping tennis professionals to exhibit a consistent structure and effective style in their lessons and programs.  Ben played a key role as a Coach's Trainer in USTA's launch of Net Generation which provided a lesson planning app for coaches.   Ben currently works with the RSPA as a Coach Developer, delivering workshops to professional certification candidates.  

Ben played collegiate tennis at Central Alabama Community College for two years then went on to play at the University of North Alabama where he graduated in 2004. While baseball was the main focus much of his junior career, Ben did represent his home state of Alabama on the tennis team in the 1998 Junior Olympics. 

Coach Ben's philosophy is to put players in positions to learn by having them experience activities that are most relevant to  skills needed to play the sport. Provide players with the most progressive coaching methods while staying focused on the fundamentals of the sport.  Give personal attention to each player in the group and ensure that all players remain engaged and active during a practice session.  

• RSPA Tennis Coach Developer 
• RSPA  Elite Tennis Professional
• PTR Master of Tennis Performance
• Driveline Certified Hitting Coach 
• Driveline Certified Youth Baseball Development Coach
• USA Baseball C Certified Coach
• USTA Net Generation Certified Coach
• PTR Junior Development Professional
• PTR Adult Development Professional
• PPR Certified Pickleball Coach