Midland Tennis Club coaches, Chelsea Church and Jessica Chaine were recently announced as two of the three successful WA applicants to receive a 2017 Tennis Australia Women’s Coaching Scholarship, which will support them in the completion of a Tennis Australia 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.
Eighteen year old Chelsea Church, from Ellenbrook, has been coaching since she was fourteen years old, and is currently an assistant coach at Midland, Bassendean and Lesmurdie Tennis Clubs.
Church is using the coaching scholarship to fund a Junior Development Course, which she believes will not only further develop her skills as a tennis coach, but will also assist with her teaching degree.
“I want to improve my coaching as much as I can. I want to see the players that I have coached improve and continue playing, and enjoying the sport. I also want to take my tennis coaching into schools when I finish university and become a secondary health and sport teacher. Ultimately, I want to show as many people as possible that tennis is a great sport for fun and fitness” Church said.
Jessica Chaine (27), from Midland, is currently the Head Coach at Maida Vale Tennis Club as well as an Assistant Coach at Bassendean, Lesmurdie and Midland Tennis Clubs, and is applying her scholarship to the completion of a Club Professional Coaching Course.
Chaine, as one of only a small number of female coaches in WA, knew from an early age that tennis coaching would form part of her career path, and believes the scholarship will allow her to become more independent as a coach.
“Tennis has always been my primary job, and I realised quite early that I love working outside and with people, particularly children, so tennis ticks both of these boxes. My future goals are to become more independent as a coach and increase my knowledge and skills to coach at a high performance level” Chaine said.
Scholarship recipients are provided with mentoring during the completion of their studies. Both girls have chosen to work with Midland Lawn Tennis Club Head Coach, Cameron Fenner as their mentor.
“I have received a great deal of support and encouragement as part of this scholarship, and I am so excited about being mentored – it will be a great opportunity and learning experience”. Chaine said.
WA Coach Development Manager, Christina Ladyman said the scholarship will allow both Jess and Chelsea to further their 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.”
“Both ladies are very worthy recipients who are doing fantastic things at their clubs.” Ladyman said.
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