Tennis West is pleased to announce its partnership with Thriving in Motion, aiming to help improve the health outcomes of young people who experience barriers in participating in activities and sports due to neurodevelopmental conditions.
Tennis West’s partnership with Movement Disorder Foundation has helped provide funding to support the delivery of an eight-week-long program throughout Term 2 for approximately 120 participants, led by accredited exercise physiologists. A transformative exercise service, Thriving in Motion uses exercise expertise to improve the health of young people in an inclusive environment that celebrates uniqueness and diversity. The program is targeted towards children and adolescents whose ability to participate in community or school-based physical activity is impacted by behavioural, social or medical conditions and allows young people to improve their physical and mental health through exercise.
The program is modelled on the successful Thriving in Motion program which has been running at the University of Western Australia for over a decade, with a specific focus on tennis skills. The program will use tennis-themed activities and sessions in a game play environment to develop participants’ physical competence including strength and motor skills as well as establishing individual learning and management strategies for participants.
“The aim of our partnership is, firstly, to provide kids with the experience of tennis who wouldn’t normally have this opportunity, the desire or the confidence to participate,” said Felicity Austin, Thriving in Motion Operations Manager.
“Secondly, it will help increase the knowledge and understanding of local tennis coaches and clubs to work with a targeted group of children through education and training,” she added.
A significant emphasis of the partnership is on education and evaluation, ensuring a lasting impact on the lives of young people. Tennis West and Thriving in Motion will collaboratively prepare and deliver training modules for tennis coaches and clubs focused on key principles of physical literacy and working with young people with neurodevelopmental conditions. Tailored workshops will focus on interactive learning styles to build capacity within the tennis community to encourage the participation of children with complex needs, including learning how to manage complex behaviours and emotions in an exercise setting and building motivation and confidence. A detailed evaluation of the program will be conducted to help shape and make recommendations for future programs.
“As the first sport to partner with Thriving in Motion, we have a fantastic opportunity to create an inclusive and integrated tennis program that will support these young people in leading healthy and confident lives,” said Michelle Magdy, Tennis West’s Head of Tennis – South.
“Not only is the delivery of the program significant, but the ability to also conduct a thorough evaluation and further education at the end of the program will be momentous in helping shape inclusive tennis initiatives moving forward,” she added.
Thriving in Motion parents and participants will be supported with further tennis education through the provision of a Tennis Support Pack which will include activity cards, resources and tennis equipment so participants can continue their tennis journey. Thriving in Motion staff will also conduct a handover with relevant coaches to support subsequent engagement at participants’ local tennis clubs, along with information for families to continue to develop their child’s confidence to achieve.
“By the end of the term, the children would have had the opportunity to learn and develop their basic skills of tennis through fun, engaging games and activities, in a supportive and inclusive environment,” Felicity said.
“This will help to improve their knowledge, understanding, fundamental skills and fitness as well as develop a love for tennis.”
To celebrate the partnership and create a sense of community, Thriving in Motion will host an ‘All Abilities Tennis Event’ at the conclusion of the program. Tennis clubs and coaches will be invited to interact with families in anticipation of future community tennis participation and uptake.
To learn more about Thriving in Motion, please visit: www.thrivinginmotion.org/
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