Tennis SA and the National Academy were thrilled to welcome Cara Black, along with her husband Brett ‘Moose’ Stephens for a Player Development Camp last week.
Born in Zimbabwe, Cara is a former world No.1 doubles player, winning ten Grand Slam doubles and mixed doubles titles in her career. Cara was the third woman in history to win a Career Grand Slam in mixed doubles, following her win at the 2010 Australian Open. Cara peaked at world No.31 in singles in March 1999.
Brett was a professional footballer from 1979-1993, playing at Essendon, Fitzroy and East Perth. Brett earned various accolades including Best and Fairest (East Perth 1985), runner-up Best and Fairest (Fitzroy 1989 and 1991), Deputy Vice Captain (Fitzroy 1991 and 1992), Captain (Victoria 1990) and represented Australia versus Ireland in 1990. Following is football career, Brett worked as a mental fitness coach on the professional tennis circuit, working with Pete Sampras and our very own Sandon Stolle.
Athletes took part in a range of physical and mental activities over two days, with a focus on understanding what it is to be a great competitor and striving for your best effort.
Brett’s business, The Winning Formula, has a clear message: “It’s not the result, it’s the effort”. In the world of sport, young athletes need to deal with being uncomfortable. The athletes were tested physically and mentally, competing in a number of competitive endurance games and activities. Some of these activities included running sand dunes, hiking Mt Lofty, team ‘tug of war’, planking and obstacle courses. The athletes decision making skills and endurance were pushed to the limit.
Due to the rainy conditions, the team were invited to use the indoor facility of the Port Adelaide Football Club’s training facility. In this time, Cara Black gave demonstrations of her infamous ‘volleying drill’ against the wall and spoke about some tactical decision making skills on the doubles court. The day ended with a good recovery in the ocean and a barbeque at the Largs Sailing Club.
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