Ollie Toms: Tributes to Stansted and Newport tennis coach, 35, who died five days after emergency heart operation

Tributes have been paid to Stansted and Newport tennis clubs’ coach Ollie Toms who has died at the age of 35.

The sporting community and children taught by Ollie have expressed their shock at his passing following complications arising from emergency heart surgery earlier this month.

Stansted Tennis Club chairman Jamie Hogg described his death as “a huge loss and shocking”.

“Ollie was an incredible guy and what he has done for tennis is amazing,” said Jamie.

“I met him five years ago when I took over as chair and we had just three juniors – now we have 85 and that’s down to Ollie.

“It’s a tragedy and a lot of people are very upset, children as well.”

In a statement issued on the club’s website, Mr Hogg said: “Ollie underwent an emergency heart-related operation on Sunday 1 October. The initial information was that the operation went well, however we were informed that his situation had deteriorated. It is now with great sadness that we have to tell you that Ollie lost his fight and passed away at 11.20am on Friday 6 October.

“We know for many people who knew and loved Ollie this will be very shocking and sad beyond comprehension.

“Ollie was by any measure an extraordinary person. He dedicated himself to helping people and especially the young to thrive in a sport which he so loved. He had a very special ability to encourage and nurture people, regardless of their abilities.

“His passion for tennis, passed on to so many, will be his legacy. He will be hugely missed. Our thoughts go out to his family at this difficult time.”

Ollie grew up in Newport where his parents, Peter and Glenis, live and was a fully qualified and licensed LTA (Lawn Tennis Association) coach.

He worked as coach for Stansted and Newport tennis clubs and regularly taught pupils at Newport, Clavering and Saffron Walden’s St Thomas More primary schools.

On his website, Ollie explained how he developed a love for the game quite late on, as a 15-year-old, but within a year was travelling all over the country competing and had been “hooked on the game ever since”.

Having completed his coaching qualifications at 18, he set up his own business, Ollie’s Tennis, in 2015, running junior and adult coaching sessions, tennis camps, school coaching and organised junior tournaments.