Director of Racquet Sports
Rafael Coutinho is a dynamic, certified multi-racquet sports professional with extensive experience across tennis, platform tennis, and pickleball. Recognized for his energetic, relationship-driven coaching style, Rafael brings a proven track record of developing inclusive adult and junior programming, high-performance coaching, and building vibrant club communities.
Before joining our team, Rafael served as Senior Racquets Professional and Director of Paddle at Innis Arden Golf Club in Greenwich, CT, where he led paddle operations, expanded adult leagues, and directed clinic programming across all racquets disciplines. His prior coaching leadership also includes roles as Head Tennis Professional at New Canaan Racquet Club, and Senior Professional Coach at Burning Tree Country Club.
Rafael boasts an elite international and collegiate playing career. A former #1 junior in Venezuela across the U12, U14, U16, and U18 divisions, he achieved a career-high ITF Junior World Ranking of #111, won 15 national championship titles, and was selected to represent Venezuela in the Davis Cup. At the collegiate level, Rafael was a 3-time NAIA All-American, NAIA Rookie of the Year (2016), and NAIA Senior of the Year (2019) at Georgia Gwinnett College, leading the Grizzlies to multiple national team titles and contributing to the longest winning streak in U.S. intercollegiate sports history. Rafael remains an active top-tier competitor today, holding an APTA Top-20 national ranking (#18) in platform tennis.
Certifications & Education
- Certified Director of Racquet Sports – University of Florida / USTA
- PTR Certified Professional – Tennis
- PPTR Certified Professional – Platform Tennis
- PPR Certified Professional – Pickleball
- B.S. in Psychology – Georgia Gwinnett College