In line with the Tennis SA Board’s Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, Tennis SA is working hard to improve diversity in leadership positions across the sport.
Last year, Tennis SA released a new strategic plan for 2021-2024 to drive grassroots participation. This plan included Amy Sneath moving into a new role within the Tennis Development team as Women and Girls/Program Pathway Coordinator, aiming to drive participation and improve the retention of women and girls in tennis.
Leading from the front, a tenth director position was added to the Tennis SA Board in 2018, with the position to be filled by a woman. This was the most significant constitutional change regarding the composition of the Tennis SA Board since the merger of the South Australian Hardcourt Tennis League and the South Australian Tennis Association in 1996 and now sees the Board composed equally of men and women. This change came following the introduction of the South Australian Government’s Women in Sport Taskforce Action Plan. Key aims of the plan include addressing the inequalities in participation, leadership and recognition of women in sport. It is now nationally and globally accepted that more diverse Boards and Committees make better decisions and produce better results.
A success story is that of Henley South Tennis Club President and Tennis SA Board Member Liz Campbell, who recently accepted the position of President for Western Districts Tennis Association. We caught up with Liz to get some insights about her time as a volunteer and her advice for other women looking to get involved:
What do you enjoy most about your committee roles?
I really enjoy being a part of great teams all with a common goal of making tennis available to more people within our community.
I also like knowing that I am giving something back to the sport that has given me so much since moving to Adelaide from the United Kingdom. Thanks to Henley South Tennis Club I have an amazing group of friends and feel part of a community.
I love seeing our club grow due to the combined efforts of our passionate committee volunteers. When we work together, it is amazing what we can achieve.
What have been some outcomes or highlights?
Winning the Newcombe Medal for Most Outstanding Club is my proudest moment as President. Seeing the hard work of our committee recognised as being the best of the best was incredible.
It has been great to be part of the committee to secure funding to improve the club’s infrastructure – lights on the remaining four courts, new fencing and all courts resurfaced. It is also wonderful to be a part of a committee that is growing, with gender and age balance.
Seeing the number of female teams playing social and competition increase year on year has been another highlight for me – five ladies teams last year plus three mixed in the 2021/2022 summer season.
The relationships I have built both within and outside of the club have enabled me to feel comfortable to nominate to be the President of the Western District.
What have you learnt/what have been some benefits for you?
I get as much out of volunteering as I put in – I never realised how important it was to me to feel I am making a difference in my community until I got involved at Henley South.
We all want to belong and I am proud that Henley South has the reputation for being such a welcoming family friendly club. I know I am not the only one for whom the club plays an important role in their life
Don’t be afraid to delegate. People want to help but sometimes they are just waiting to be asked.
Each time I have put myself forward for a leadership position I have questioned myself as to whether I should, but I am so glad I was brave enough to put my hand up. You never know what you can achieve unless you try and I am very proud of what we have achieved at Henley South Tennis Club during my Presidency.
What is your advice for other women wanting to get into leadership positions at their local club or association?
Go for it! Let the first thing you think of be the positive attributes you will bring to the role rather than what you think you can’t do. When these opportunities arise ask yourself why not, rather than why?
It’s not all down to you – you will be part of a team of people who want to see you succeed and will be there to support you on your leadership journey. If we don’t step up then who will? We need to be role models for future generations so seeing women in leadership positions is the norm and not the exception. I would like to think there are female junior players in our club thinking I want to be Club President one day.
I love being the President at Henley South and I am really excited to see what the future holds as I take on the role of President for Western Districts Tennis Association.
With women taking up just 20% of President positions around the state and with many Annual General Meetings being held around the state in coming weeks, women are being encouraged to join their local tennis club or association committee.
Tennis SA is keen to profile other success stories from around the state, please get in touch with your Tennis SA Club Development Officer to discuss further.
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