Maine’s Claret Torrents Turns Coaching Interest Into a Passion
SCARBOROUGH, ME – Xavier Claret Torrents is a lifelong tennis player and fan, and at 50 years old, he decided to try his hand in coaching. The Barcelona, Spain native and Scarborough, ME resident is currently in his second year leading the Scarborough Tennis in the Parks program, and in June, completed his first season as boys’ varsity coach for Portland High.
“The idea of introducing tennis to new players was interesting to me. I saw a USTA coach promotion, so I reached out to Eric Driscoll (USTA New England Tennis in the Parks Manager), who I had met years ago in a tournament, and mentioned I was interested,” Claret Torrents said. “I told him I was a player, not a coach, and he said, ‘You’ll be fine, you have great playing experience’. He really encouraged me and has been a mentor for me through the process.”
Following his first year of coaching Tennis in the Parks, Claret Torrents saw the chance to build on his experience and open the door to more potential coaching opportunities. He applied for and received a USTA New England scholarship for a reduced PTR Level 1 certification course.
Through the connection he made with his instructor, Gavin Glider, he was tipped off to the vacant position at Portland High, which he would soon claim.
“Xavier is a prime example of a player who had some interest in coaching and was eager to learn. He has embraced the resources and opportunities we’ve provided, and it’s great to see him thriving in Tennis in the Parks and high school tennis,” Driscoll said
“I have seen many great resources developed by USTA New England so you don’t feel like you’re on your own when coaching,” Claret Torrents said. “The well-thought-out documents and the support I’ve received have helped me immensely along the way.”
Tennis in the Parks was developed with a structure in place for each session and season to correctly and efficiently teach new players the basics. Claret Torrents praised the system and has applied it to more than just his program.
Xavier Claret Torrents is in his second year coaching Tennis in the Parks.
“The way the classes are structured makes it very simple to teach and learn. I was able to replicate it and implement it for my high school team as well, which has helped a ton,” he said.
Claret Torrents credits his tennis success and love for the game to his former coaches.
“Coaching brings back memories. From an early age, 7-8 years old, I remember all the coaches I had, and they were great influences on me,” he said. “I love that I have the opportunity now to introduce tennis to little kids knowing it’s going to be good for their body and mind, and they’re going to make friends along the way.”
“Xavier is a kind and patient coach and is great with his kids. It’s rewarding to see when a coach realizes their interest and grows that into a passion,” Driscoll said.
When he’s not coaching tennis, Claret Torrents works as the CEO of Digitalia, a company that distributes academic resources to universities and libraries. Growing up multilingual, speaking Spanish, Catalan and English, and spending extended time in Latin America as a working professional, he has developed a natural appreciation for languages.
“When living in Latin America, I saw the beauty of other languages and how many they spoke down there, from Spanish to all their local languages. The thing I love about Tennis in the Parks and coaching is that no matter where you’re from or what your ability is, we all speak one language on the court, and that’s tennis.”
Claret Torrents is currently coaching the fall Tennis in the Parks program in Scarborough and hopes to continue coaching the high school team next season.
To learn more about Tennis in the Parks or how to become a coach, click here.
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