All of our coaches are fully qualified and highly experienced at working with a wide variety of players of all levels and ages. The coaching team wants to help you develop and improve your game so please contact or speak to the Head of Tennis for more information.
Meet the Coaches

Stuart McQuitty
Tennis Ireland Level 3 Coach
Head of Tennis
Former Performance Director of Ulster Tennis (2015-2018) and Head of Tennis in Downshire TC (2005-2014) as well as a career in media, Stuart has always enjoyed finding the right class for each player to ensure they gain the maximum enjoyment from the sport. He has overseen record breaking numbers in terms of junior coaching, memberships and club teams entered wherever he has gone, as well as acting as Tournament Director for Tennis Europe and Tennis Ireland events.
Tennis is a sport for life and Stuart’s aim is to give each player the spark and encouragement to play for a lifetime.
Twice capped for Ireland in the Masters World Championships, and Ulster senior Interpro Captain for three years , Stuart enjoys coaching all standards of juniors from beginner to Ulster level, as well as some adults too. The junior recreational programme in the club is a massive success with coaching, events, social nights and a full annual programme both on and off the court which Stuart has helped create.
Stuart specialises in coaching players aged 10-18 and has helped several to high levels of success in tournaments and with an enthusiasm and ability to connect with people on their level, it is what makes Stuart stand out as a coach.

Jim Watt
Tennis Ireland Level 4 Coach & Tutor
Adult Coach & Junior Competition Coach
Former Ulster Development Officer (1990-2010) and Director, Jim was appointed development officer for Ulster tennis in 1992 before Tennis Ireland appointed him as regional coach and development officer in 1995. He has been non-playing captain of Ulster junior and senior teams as well as non playing captain of Irish junior and senior 4 nations teams . He has been the Irish wheelchair coach since 1999.
He then took on the role Director of Coaching in Malahide from 2014 – 2019, before joining the Boat Club coaching team in late 2019 with a focus on the adult groups as well as a few competition junior ones.
His greatest achievement was Coaching the Irish wheelchair team at Flushing Meadows in New York to finish 22nd in the World Team Cup. He also has great memories of a time now documented in “The Racket” – William Hills UK Sports Book of the Year 2024 – when he was with an Irish U14 Team where Conor Niland beat Roger Federer in a practice match.
Jim establishes a great rapport with all who he coaches, with an aura of knowledge and confidence oozing from him. Jim is always in good form and can be seen wearing shorts even on the coldest of days.

Carlos Miranda
Tennis Ireland Level 2 Coach
Adult Coach & Junior Competition Coach
Former Ulster Performance Director (2019-2024), Carlos has been coaching at the club for over 15 years and brings the Spanish flavour to our set up.
He is a high octane ball of energy on court, giving lessons to a wide variety of players from European ranked juniors to beginner or tournament adults. His style and passion for the game make him enjoyable to watch as a player too and Carlos has represented Ulster numerous times at senior level with countless titles to show for his on court prowess.
One of Carlos’ career highlights was acting as the Davis Cup Captain for a tie in 2021.
Carlos is available for private lessons to all ages and levels and is an integral part of our team.

Ben Neal
Tennis Ireland Level 4 Coach
Junior Competition Coach & Adult Coach
Ben set up the Belfast Boat Club Academy almost 30 years ago, and has worked with players at every level, including national junior champions. His greatest achievement was being awarded Sport NI children’s coach of the year 2016 while also acting as Captain for Ireland’s Four Nations teams and Interpro junior captain for Ulster for 6 years.
Currently he is head of the Enjoy Tennis programme for Ulster which sets up programmes for those with intellectual or physical disabilities.
Always smiling, Ben is a calm, professional and precise coach who can bring the best out of anyone’s game.

Will Boyd
Tennis Ireland Level 2 Coach
Coach of Adults, Juniors and Competition players
Will is currently the UBTI Competitions Convenor as well as Director of Tennis at Cavehill TC, while also being an important part of our coaching team.
He enjoys working with a wide range of players from beginner adults starting out to competitive teenagers looking to improve. He also enjoys competing himself, regularly playing Ulster tournaments and representing the Belfast Boat Club in external leagues.
Some of his highlights include coaching a junior from a very young age to Top 10 in Ireland U14, coaching two players on Ulster Interprovincial teams and being the Ulster Senior Interpro Asst Captain in 2024.
Will has a very easy-going demeanour and exhibits great patience and humour during coaching, and is an ideal coach for a range of players.

Kerri Russell
Tennis Ireland Level 2 coach & National Tournament Referee
Coach of Adults, Juniors and Competition players
Kerri coaches a few hours at the club while also being the Manager of Gottosports, and Irish number one in her age group, having captained Ireland on numerous occasions in the World Championships.
Kerri is a wonderful coach and patient enthusiast who works expertly with adults at all levels, and performance juniors. She co-founded ATT tennis club in Antrim which she still helps run alongside her twin sister.
One of her best experiences in coaching was working with Roy Emerson at the John Newcombe ranch in Texas, while she cites her greatest achievement in coaching as creating ATT – a tennis family for everyone, teaching tennis to all ages from novice to international level, so they have a sport and social circle for life.

Aaron Stubbs
Former U16 national champion, Aaron still competes in Ulster tournaments and in league teams but his focus now is on coaching players from beginner adults to tiny tots, as well as performance juniors.
Aaron is liked wherever he goes with a passion and enthusiasm for coaching that is demonstrated every time he steps on court.
Recently he coached a player to gain their first Ulster U14 Interpro cap, and he splits his time between Boat Club, David Lloyd and Donaghadee.
Aaron is part of our junior recreational and competitive coaching team and he also takes an adults group too.
Interested in Joining Us?
Ready to get involved and become part of our vibrant community? Join us today and start enjoying all that Belfast Boat Club has to offer!
Want to Make a Booking?
Ready to reserve your spot? Non-members are welcome to book and experience all that Belfast Boat Club has to offer!