3 February 2016 | Tennis Victoria

High school students from across Victoria have graduated from the 2015 Tennis Victoria Future Leaders Program, after each completing a three day leadership camp and a 40 hour project at their local tennis club.

The program aims to provide young members of the community the skills to become leaders at their local tennis club, in the hope of fostering the next generation of volunteers.

“The Future Leaders Program is something we are really proud of at Tennis Victoria,” said Senior Participation Leader James Madder. “We’re really lucky we’ve had four Future Leaders graduates become employed by Tennis Victoria. The program provides these students with a pathway into the sports industry and gives them opportunities to network which gives them the edge over other students.

“From Tennis Victoria’s point of view we’re looking at finding the next generation of volunteers. For these teenagers who may lost in the club environment and become disengaged – this is an opportunity to really engage them and look at how they can become involved in the club and how the club can retain them,” said Madder.

The 2015 program took 40 year 10 and 11 students on a three day camp to regional Victoria’s Kyenton, where the group participated in leadership style activities including orienteering, Fitbit Cardio Tennis and intro to ANZ Hot Shots.

Each student then completed a 40 hour project at their local club, with initiatives including introducing social activities, a facility development or activating the club’s website and social media accounts.

“The students then report back to us and we take them through a graduation which involves them being able to go to the Australian Open for the day at the end.

“This year a couple of the girls from the Mornington Tennis Club raised funds to support their ATL side who played at the centre in December,” Madder said.

Expressions of interest are now open for the 2016 program, click here for more information.