13 September 2024 | Tennis West

On Wednesday, September 4th, Jay Deacon (Professional Learning Project Specialist with Tennis Australia) hosted a valuable workshop at Robertson Park Tennis Centre, focusing on enhancing player development, enjoyment, and retention in youth tennis. Attended by over 20 coaches, the session provided insights into creating engaging environments that foster a love for the game while improving performance.

Key topics included strategies for building a strong development base and increasing player retention within the Hot Shots Tennis program. Coaches were given hands-on experience with modified environments including court sizes and equipment, simulating the perspective of young players, and received evidence-based guidance to improve their coaching methods.

Nick Jacques, Tennis Australia Coach Relationship and Education Manager for WA, said: “Jay busted myths around technical misconceptions with scientific evidence, and the practical court sessions were eye-opening. I’m excited for parts two and three to learn more about improving engagement and retention.”

The event, hosted by Tennis Central and Ben McLaughlin, left coaches with practical tools to create supportive environments for young athletes, with future sessions planned to dive deeper into these critical coaching elements.