With a highly experienced, qualified and committed team of coaches and support staff, the Academy has created a supportive environment that provides first class opportunities for its players to succeed on the world stage.
Our holistic approach covers all aspects of performance training, recovery and competitive match play.
Sebastian Lavie is the founder and Director of Lavie Tennis Academy. As a former New Zealand Davis Cup player and top-30 ITF junior in the world, Sebastian knows what it takes to compete at the highest levels. He grew up travelling the globe, playing in some of the biggest junior events, from Les Petits As and the Orange Bowl to all four Junior Grand Slams.
He spent his development years training at the Mouratoglou Academy in France, where daily standards were uncompromising, and expectations matched those of the professional tour. Competing internationally from a young age gave Sebastian a deep understanding of the global tennis pathway, but more importantly, going through it step by step taught him the mindset, consistency, and habits required to actually succeed.
Later, as a coach, he saw how much of a player’s growth comes from the environment around them, the structure, the feedback, the discipline and how often those things are missing at home.
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When Sebastian returned to New Zealand, his mission was clear: to bring that level of structure and purpose into a local system that had the talent but lacked the tools. In 2019, he founded Lavie Tennis Academy with the belief that players shouldn’t have to leave New Zealand to get world-class training.
Lavie Academy is built on the same principles that shaped his own journey, clear standards, daily accountability, and a relentless focus on long-term development. Whether a player is chasing college tennis or a professional career, the same mindset applies: show up with intent, train with purpose, and compete like it matters.
Lavie Tennis Academy isn’t just about producing results, it’s about raising the expectations of what’s possible in New Zealand tennis, and proving that with the right setup, Kiwi players can take on the world.
“The only player you should compare yourself to is the one you were yesterday” - Each day is an opportunity to surpass our previous achievements and push past our own limitations. This mindset encourages us to strive for progress, pursue personal growth, and consistently elevate our performance. It reflects a dedication to becoming better versions of ourselves and embracing the journey of development and self-mastery.
Valuing the opportunity to challenge ourselves and demonstrate our skills. We believe that success is earned through dedication, hard work, and perseverance, and this belief motivates us to consistently give our best effort, on and off the court.
We approach every challenge with a mindset geared towards victory, always seeking opportunities for growth and success. This attitude sets the stage for our wins, weather in the heat of battle or in our daily lives.
Our Academy programme at Next Gen is focused solely on junior and performance players, starting from Orange Ball through to Full-time training. Entry is by invitation only, with players selected based on attitude, level, and commitment.
With a dedicated classroom for study support and daily access to top level training facilities, this is where our most driven athletes come to train, study, and prepare for the demands of the pro tour.
Pompallier Lawn Tennis Club sits proudly above Westhaven Marina in Saint Marys Bay, surrounded by leafy streets and heritage homes in one of Auckland’s most iconic city fringe suburbs. Just minutes from Ponsonby Road, the club offers five synthetic grass courts and a stunning view of the Auckland Sky Tower. It is a space where tradition meets ambition, and where our academy programmes have become part of the local rhythm.
We run Red, Orange, Green Ball, and Competitors sessions here, alongside weekly Cardio Tennis for adults. Whether it is an after school hit out or an early morning cardio session, Pompallier provides a tight knit, high standard tennis environment where players of all ages can thrive.
Blockhouse Bay Tennis Club is based in one of Auckland’s most family friendly suburbs and has grown into a key location for our academy in West Auckland. With five indoor and five outdoor courts, it is one of the few clubs in the country offering year round training regardless of the weather. Just 15 minutes from the city, with easy access and plenty of parking, it brings together players from across the region.
We deliver Red, Orange, Green Ball, and Competitors programmes on site, as well as adult coaching and Cardio Tennis sessions. With access to indoor courts, all our programmes run as scheduled, creating a reliable training environment that ensures everyone continues to develop week in and week out.
