Director of Tennis and Head Tennis Pro of RAF1 Tennis @thewoodbridgeclub: Chris Raffone

Chris Raffone, a seasoned tennis professional with a rich history in Connecticut's tennis scene, assumed the role of Head Women's Tennis Coach at University of New Haven in August 2023. His journey began in 2001 when he embarked on his coaching career as an Assistant Coach for men's and women's tennis at Central Connecticut State University, his alma mater. Following this, he continued to carve his path in collegiate coaching, serving as an assistant coach for men's tennis at Quinnipiac before becoming the head coach for boy's tennis at Amity High School in 2007.

During his remarkable 16-year tenure at Amity, Raffone transformed the Spartans into perennial contenders, guiding them to numerous championship victories, including the Class L State Championship in 2015. His leadership garnered recognition, earning him four New Haven Register Coach of the Year awards and two Connecticut High School Coaches Association Coach of the Year accolades.

In addition to his role at Amity, Raffone has taken on pivotal positions within the tennis community, serving as the Director of Tennis and co-Owner of the Oak Lane Tennis Club since 2012. Furthermore, he assumed the role of Director of Tennis and Head Tennis Professional at Woodbridge Club in May of the preceding year. Alongside his tennis endeavors, Raffone co-owns Adinolfi and Raffone Court Resurfacing, a testament to his commitment and passion for the sport both on and off the court.

RAF1 Assistant PROs for 2024 season: Karim and Valentinna

Hey Pool Club Members! Get to know our tennis star, Karim Carreras! In 2022-23, rocked the Northeast-10 Conference, snagging a trio of postseason accolades. Named to the NE10 First Team All-Conference in doubles, earning All-Conference First Team honors in doubles alongside Valentinna Ferrarini and Third Team accolades in singles with a stellar 6-2 record at No. 2. With a perfect 6-0 record at No. 1 doubles, she and Ferrarini dominated the fall season. Not stopping there, she closed the year with an impressive 12-7 singles record and a 13-7 doubles record, showcasing her versatility and skill on the court. Off the court, she's just as impressive, earning academic distinction on the Northeast-10 Academic Honor Roll and making the New Haven Dean’s List. With a tennis journey spanning 10 years, she brings passion and dedication to every match. Let's give a warm welcome to our engineering major and tennis sensation!

Let's welcome our tennis sensation! In 2022-23, Valentinna Ferrarini rocked the Northeast-10 Conference, snagging a trio of postseason accolades. Named to the NE10 First Team All-Conference in doubles alongside Karim Carreras, they dominated with a flawless 6-0 record. In singles, she earned NE10 Third Team All-Conference and All-Rookie honors, wrapping up her rookie year with a stellar 14-6 record, mostly at No. 1. Plus, she aced it off the court too, making the Northeast-10 Academic Honor Roll and the New Haven Dean’s List. Majoring in international affairs, she's not just a force on the court but a star in the classroom too!

Associate PROs for 2024 season: Cookie Bernard

Let's welcome Cookie Bernard to our club on Sundays! An accomplished coach with over 20 years of experience in tennis coaching across all levels. Attended the ITF World Coaches Conference in Bogota, Colombia in 2023 and served as the main assistant and protege to renowned coach Nick Bollettieri. Coached a select group of high-performance juniors at IMG Academy, including Sloane Stephens, Vicky Duvall, and Shelby Rogers. Also served as a hitting partner to professional players such as Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams. Coached winners and finalists in ITF level 7 tournaments and achieved the rank of #2 adult male tennis player in the Dominican Republic from 2002 to 2003

Adult or KID Clinics or private lessons upon request! Reach out to Chris directly. He and his 2024 Staff can arrange for excellent clinics for all levels!