Earlier this year Tennis Australia’s Head of Women’s Professional Tennis Nicole Pratt announced a series of scholarships for female coaches as part of Tennis Australia’s commitment to promoting women in tennis and increasing opportunity at all levels.
In an ongoing drive to increase the number and quality of female tennis coaches nationwide, eligible women can now access additional funding to pursue their Tennis Australia coaching qualifications.
Thirty-five scholarships are on offer to women undertaking coaching qualifications to develop players at all levels, from ANZ Tennis Hot Shots to elite performance pathways. There are currently 542 registered female coaches in Australia, 21 per cent of the national total.
Congratulations to the following South Australian women recently awarded scholarships!
Scholarship recipients include:
| Caitlin Heath
(Bottom Left) |
Coaches at Flinders Park Tennis Club.
Currently participating in the Junior Development Coach (JDC) course, held over 17 days |
| Theodora Kotsiou
(Top Left) |
Coaches at Prospect Tennis Club.
Currently participating in the Club Professional Coach (CPC) course, held over 23 days |
| Jasmine Peck
(Bottom Right) |
Coaches at Seaside Tennis Club.
Currently participating in the JDC course. |
| Amy Sneath
(Top Right) |
Coaches at both East Adelaide Payneham and East Torrens Kensington Gardens (ETKG).
Currently participating in the CPC course |
“Having more quality female coaches helps the sport at every level, from our kids playing Hot Shots to social players at clubs, young women playing competitively and elite athletes working towards a professional career,” Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley said.
“We need more diversity in our coaching ranks and we want to make our internationally recognised coaching qualifications more accessible to women. It’s no surprise women make great coaches so this is about providing more opportunity, and from there, more flexibility.”
Scholarships will be awarded in four coaching categories: junior development, club professional, master club professional and high performance.
Recipients will undertake coaching courses in a supportive and innovative learning environment, with access to mentoring and networking opportunities.
Pratt said the scholarship program would ensure female coaches are encouraged and assisted to achieve their ambitions.
“Women already make an enormous contribution to our tennis coaching community and this program is designed to encourage more of them to get involved and achieve their qualifications,” she said.
“Tennis relies on qualified coaches at all levels, whether it’s introducing new players to the sport through ANZ Tennis Hot Shots, helping club players develop their skills or guiding our elite players to Grand Slam success. Women are central to our sport and these scholarships are designed to recognise and reward their roles.”
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