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 MacDonald - Child Care Provider

Dawn Cocozza - Director of Tennis

Dawn is Director of Tennis at Fairfield Indoor Tennis. Her tennis career took off at Central Connecticut State University where she was an All American for four years and later inducted into the University’s Hall of Fame. In 1989 she obtained her USPTA certification and, for the past 15 years, has put it to good use teaching adults and juniors at Fairfield Indoor Tennis. During the last five years, she has also been responsible for coordinating all of the juniors and evaluating and placing over 400 kids in appropriate clinics. In addition, this busy pro has been coordinating the juniors, ladies' interclub and junior interclub at The Fairfield Beach Club for the past 15 summers. This summer she will be Director of Tennis at the Black Rock Yacht Club.

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.

Phil Dukes - Tennis Professional

An impressive competitor and instructor, Phil began winning New England sectional titles in various age categories when he was 11. He helped his New Canaan High School win the Connecticut State Championship in 1972 and went on to captain the tennis team at University of South Carolina. As a Gamecock, he compiled an outstanding collegiate singles and doubles record of 129 wins and only 23 losses. He has been ranked as high as #8 in New England singles and #3 in doubles. On the teaching front, Phil has taught at many indoor facilities in the area and at nearby country clubs during the summer, including the Country Club of New Canaan for the past 11 years.

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.

James Spence - Tennis Professional

A New Zealand native, James played on the nationally ranked University of Memphis tennis team from 2003 - 2006 where he was three-time All Conference USA in singles and doubles. He was ranked as high as #8 in NCAA Division One men's doubles in 2006 and held national rankings in doubles from 2004 ­- 2006. He received sportsmanship awards from 2003 - 2005 and has been teaching tennis for the past 10 years. In the summer he works alongside fellow Fairfield Indoor Tennis pro Michael Kember at Brae Burn Country Club in Purchase, NY. His interests outside of tennis include rugby, golf, fishing and reading.

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.