Reuben Havenga

Working Front of House at The Padel Hub placed me in a role where strong communication, organisation, and teamwork were essential every day. As the first point of contact for members and guests, I was responsible for ensuring the smooth running of day-to-day operations, whether that is greeting customers, managing court bookings, handling payments, or resolving queries quickly and professionally.

This has further built my confidence in communicating and tackling problems, with a wide range of people, from regular members and families to new visitors and suppliers, while maintaining a calm and welcoming presence in a busy environment.

Because our team was small, my role often went beyond typical front-of-house duties. I became involved in discussions about scheduling, customer feedback, and operational improvements with my manager, learning how decisions affected the business as a whole. Being trusted to share ideas and take part in business discussions - especially as The Padel Hub had only just opened its Southampton site, where I’ve worked since the launch, gave me valuable insight into how effective teamwork relies on open communication and a shared sense of purpose.

Time management was another key part of the role. On busy weekends or during tournaments, I had to juggle multiple tasks at once; coordinating bookings, preparing refreshments, and supporting coaches or maintenance staff, all while keeping customer service standards high. This taught me how to prioritise effectively, stay composed under pressure, and solve problems in real time when plans changed unexpectedly.

Additionally, I became increasingly aware of how small operational details can significantly impact the overall customer experience. Such as, ensuring facilities were prepared before opening, following up on member requests, or flagging potential issues to management. I learned to think ahead, anticipate needs, and take initiative rather than simply be reactive.

As a Level 1 High-board Diving Coach, I was responsible for leading and supporting structured training sessions within a highly disciplined and elite, safety-focused environment. I carefulully balanced planning, leadership, communication and adaptability.

I worked closely with senior coaches to design and deliver sessions for beginners up to more advanced athletes. Coaching involved both micro and macro planning, structuring individual sessions whilst also mapping out long-term development goals for each diver, for example a competition in 6 months time. This process taught me how to break large objectives into smaller, short-term achievable steps, monitor progress, and adapt plans when challenges arose.

A core part of my role also involved ensuring a safe and professional environment. I supervised equipment setup, monitored safety procedures, and supported divers in performing high-risk dives with confidence and saftey measures in place. This developed my risk awareness, attention to detail, and ability to stay calm and decisive under pressure.

Communication was another vital part of my role. I regularly interacted with athletes, parents, and other coaches, ensuring clarity and trust within the team. Managing a squad of younger divers while being only slightly older myself (through ages 16-18) required emotional intelligence and adaptability. I learned how to tailor my communication to different individuals, maintain authority while remaining approachable, and provide constructive feedback that motivated and built confidence.

In addition to my coaching duties, I balanced my own training as an elite international diver with academic commitments. Managing these conflicting priorities enhanced my time management and organisational skills, ensuring I could meet expectations across multiple demanding areas effectively.