• Head Coach : Peter Kari

My journey in tennis began when I was just 13 years old, inspired by my sister Mirja, who first introduced me to the beauty and discipline of the sport. Tennis quickly became more than a game — it became a passion that shaped my life and my future.

When I was 15, my father asked me what I wanted to do when I grew up. Without a moment’s hesitation, I told him I wanted to become a tennis coach. He encouraged me to think about a “proper job,” but instead of discouraging me, his words strengthened my resolve. From that day, my determination to coach only grew deeper.

As I continued in the sport, I saw something that stayed with me:
many families, especially those on average incomes, struggled to afford quality coaching. Tennis — a sport that should be accessible and enjoyable — was becoming unreachable for many young people who dreamed of improving.

This realisation is what inspired the creation of Soul Tennis Academy.

My goal was, and still is, simple:
to give every player the opportunity to pursue their tennis dreams without being held back by cost.

Together with our dedicated staff, we expanded our services to ensure the academy stays affordable while continuing to provide outstanding coaching. Our long-term mission is ambitious but meaningful to me:
to offer some of the most accessible, high-quality coaching sessions in Australia.

In the near future, I will also be adopting my mother’s surname — a personal decision made out of honour, gratitude, and respect for the strength and guidance she has given me throughout my life.

Soul Tennis Academy was created for the community, and it will always remain true to that purpose.

• Head Coach & General Manager : Mirja Rachow

My journey in tennis began when I was around 13 years old, spending countless hours on court at the Caboolture Tennis Club. I played with passion and intensity, never imagining that one day I would step into the world of coaching.

Everything changed when my brother, Peter Kari, began playing tennis. The two of us trained for hours together, pushing each other, competing, growing. What started as siblings sharing a sport soon became the foundation of something much bigger.

At a time when I had no plans of becoming a coach, Peter encouraged me to join Soul Tennis Academy and help establish a new branch in Deception Bay, QLD. His belief in my ability sparked a turning point in my life — a direction I had never considered but one that instantly felt right.

I completed my professional training with ATPCA (Australia Tennis Professional Coaches Association), and from that moment onwards, I never looked back.

Today, as Head Coach and General Manager, I am proud to lead with passion, discipline, and a commitment to making tennis accessible for every player who walks through our doors. What began as childhood passion has now transformed into a lifelong mission:
to inspire, to teach, and to elevate the next generation of tennis players