At Fairfield Indoor Tennis, our entire staff shares
one thing in common. A whole-hearted love for tennis.

Val Collison - Manager

Anne LaBelle - Facility Manager

Karen McCormick - Junior Coordinator

Edith McDonald - Child Care Provider

Keith Bliska - Tennis Professional

A Connecticut native, Keith took up tennis at age 13. He attended Central Connecticut State University where he studied English and played on the tennis team. A USPTR certified tennis professional, he has taught for 10 years, including being head pro at the Redding Country Club and working summers at the Long Ridge Club in Stamford where he was junior program coordinator. In 2005 he was named Director of Tennis at the Newfield Swim and Tennis Club. He has spent the bulk of his recent indoor seasons teaching at both Kings Highway Tennis Club and Fairfield Indoor Tennis.

Boardman Festus - Tennis Professional

Boardman is a native of Nigeria, West Africa. He attended Hastings Coillege in Nebraska where he played #1 singles and doubles and graduated with a major in physical education. Boardman has been USPTA certified for the past eight years and has been teaching tennis for 20 years in different parts of the country, most recently at the Sports and Wellness Club in Danbury. In his spare time, he enjoys playing soccer, ping pong and volleyball.

Dave Fowler - Tennis Professional

This tennis pro has seen it all! A USPTA professional for 39 years, Dave has also taught at our Kings Highway, Shippan and  Trumbull indoor facilities and been head pro at nearby clubs like Shorehaven Golf Club, Shore and Country Club, Wee Burn Country Club and Brooklawn Country Club. Students have thrived under Dave’s tutelage, with over 400 earning National and Sectional rankings, four being named collegiate All Americans, ten ranking #1 in USTA New England, two winning the National Sportsmanship Award and four playing professionally. Dave is a past recipient of the William Friedman Award for his contributions to Junior Tennis in New England.

Mike Helmuth - Tennis Professional

On the collegiate level, Mike was a key member of the Moravian College tennis team in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. As a senior, he captained the squad and made the Mid Atlantic Conference All-Conference team. He holds school records for the most single season and career doubles victories with 15 and 40 respectively. A USPTR certified instructor for the past 5 years, Mike enjoys teaching adults and children of all ages and abilities. He has been teaching full time at Fairfield Indoor Tennis since 2005. In the summer, he is an instructor at the Fairfield County Hunt Club. Off the courts, Mike enjoys spending time with his family and hitting the ski slopes.

Michael Kember - Tennis Professional

A tournament tested player, Michael brings 15 years of teaching experience to his work at Fairfield Indoor Tennis. He earned All American honors at Washington College in Maryland, including two NCAA National Championships. He also achieved top 3 Sectional and State rankings in Florida and the Mid-Atlantic. His teaching background includes working with touring pros, NCAA national champions, nationally ranked juniors, and state high school champions. He also enjoys working with beginners through the most experienced tournament player  and every level in-between. He is Director of Tennis at Brae Burn Country Club in Purchase, NY, and enjoys spending time with his wife, Mary, and their dog, Miami.

Dusan Tabak - Tennis Professional

A native of Serbia, Dusan came to the U.S. to attend college at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, eventually transferring to Louisiana Lafayette. During his college career, he played Division 1 singles and doubles. At both colleges, his teams reached the NCAA tournament, and he compiled a 15-3 record. As an instructor, Dusan taught tennis in his native country before coming to America. He was an instructor during summers here at Lafayette, and, most recently, at Shore and Country in Norwalk. In his spare time, he enjoys snowboarding and working out.

Andy Vonderheyde - Tennis Professional

Born in Oakland, California, Andy earned a BA Degree in Music from Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, where he was captain of the tennis team and played #1. A USPTA certified instructor for over 32 years, he has taught at the Country Club of Fairfield, The Patterson Club, The Westport Tennis Club and Aspetuck Country Club. He is currently teaching summers at the Paugusset Swim and Tennis Club in Orange, Connecticut. He enjoys working with juniors because he gets a kick out of “seeing them improve and growing to love the game.” Married with two children, Andy seeks the water when not on the courts, finding time for windsurfing and sailing.