Josef Brabenec Sr.

Biography

Josef Brabenec Sr., a native of the former Czechoslovakia, founded the Coaching Certification Program in Canada. He was appointed as the first Canadian national coach in 1975 and held the position until 1984. Brabenec, who now lives in Vancouver, captained the Davis Cup team from 1978-1984. He led the team to the Americas Zone final in 1982 and the Americas Zone semifinal in 1983.

Brabenec is not only recognized as a coach, but also a player as he competed in several events. As a young adult he was the winner of the Belgium Junior National Championship in 1947. As a veteran player he was the winner of the Over 35 doubles event at the Canadian National Championships in 1979 and the winner of the Over 45 International and National Doubles event in 1981. He captured the Over 55 titles in Italy, Yugoslavia, Belgium and Monte Carlo from 1985-1990 and was the winner of the Canadian National Doubles Over 60 division in 1989.

Brabenec also carried out a lot of administrative work as he was the International Secretary of the Czech Tennis Association and Games Administrator in the Czech Republic from 1963-1969. He was elected as one of the 12 directors of the ITF and completed his term from 1969-1971.

As a coach, Brabenec worked out of the Jericho Tennis Club in Vancouver from 1970 to 1975 and developed several national champions. As a national coach he designed the National Coaching Certification Program and National Junior Development Program for Tennis Canada.

As a national coach, Brabenec led the Canadian Davis Cup team as captain for six years from 1978-1984 and the Fed Cup team for five years from 1978-1982. Under his leadership the Canadian Fed Cup team won the consolation round in 1980 as they defeated France in the final. Two years later, the Fed Cup team made it to the final, but was defeated by France.

Brabenec was the Team Canada coach at the 1979 Pan Am Games and a Team Canada coach at the World Student Games from 1979-1983. He was also the manager of Team Canada at the 1984 Summer Olympics.

Brabenec was recognized at the international level and was a renowned coach and ITF representative. As a clinician of the ITF, he visited over 50 countries conducting clinics and developed training camps for over 5,000 coaches and players. He was named Director of African Training Centre by the ITF from 1990 to 1992 and acted as Development Officer for the Republic of China in 1996.

Brabenec is the author of three books; TENNIS – game for everybody, TENNIS – for children, TENNIS – Decision Making Sport. His son, Josef Brabenec Jr., was a top Canadian tennis player and currently coaches at the Hazelmere Golf, Tennis, and Country Club in British Columbia.

Major Accomplishments

Biography