Tom Price Primary School teacher Sara Mohamed was recently announced as one of three successful WA applicants to receive a 2017 Tennis Australia Women’s Coaching Scholarship to support her in the completion of a Junior Development Coaching Course.
The scholarship is part of Tennis Australia’s commitment to increase the number and quality of female tennis coaches in Australia, and was introduced to provide an opportunity for female coaches to access funding to support their completion of a Tennis Australia qualification.
Mohamed, who has always loved tennis, said that coaching was not something she had considered in the short term until realising that her town’s tennis club was close to closing.
“The club had no organised social play, no junior programs and memberships were low. So I joined with a few people at the tennis club to bring a Tennis Australia representative up to the region to run some coaching courses for teachers and community members so we could get the school’s sports program and the club’s ANZ Tennis Hot Shots program running at the same time” Mohamed said.
This initial coaching program, and the interest it ignited at the club and school, encouraged Mohamed to continue her education and undertake a Junior Development Course, which has now been funded as part of the scholarship.
Mohamed, as one of only a small number of female tennis coaches in WA, is excited at the prospect of becoming a role model to other tennis players, particularly young girls.
“When you are young, I feel it is so important to have role models that you can see yourself growing up to be. So I hope that by completing this course, I will be an effective coach that young girls and boys will look up to” Mohamed said.
Mohamed’s work as a teacher at Tom Price Primary School is also allowing her to engage the local students in tennis programs.
“I am currently getting primary aged students out on the court having fun, whilst developing those who wish to progress further through the local club. I’m looking forward to utilizing the skills I develop as a coach to produce highly effective tennis programs at my school” Mohamed said.
WA Coach Development Manager, Christina Ladyman said the scholarship will allow Sara to further her knowledge and skills in the coaching industry.
“The Women’s Coaching Scholarship is a fantastic initiative from Tennis Australia. It gives female Coaches the opportunity to further their development by completing a Tennis Australia Coaching course and also by having the opportunity to be mentored by a highly skilled and qualified Tennis Australia employee.”
“Sara is a very worthy recipient who is doing fantastic things out in her community, and as a result tennis will continue to flourish” Ladyman said.
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