At the Australian Junior Claycourt Championships in Canberra, a group of women coaches gathered for a workshop, each of them being recipients of Tennis Australia’s President’s Women in Tennis Scholarships. The coaching credentials of these women were unquestionable, as they were already established professionals who had made significant contributions to the sport. Tennis Australia President and Chair, Jayne Hrdlicka, congratulated the group on their coaching scholarships, acknowledging their achievements and looking forward to their continued progress.

The workshop provided a valuable opportunity for these coaches to connect and learn from one another, thanks to Tennis Australia’s Coach Connect program. This program aims to engage, educate, and connect women coaches through mentoring and professional development opportunities, fostering a supportive network for coaches across the country. The diversity of the group, with ages ranging from 18 to 60s, and participants coming from various regions of Australia, contributed to a melting pot of experiences and ideas in the pursuit of giving back to the sport through coaching.

Nicole Pratt, the Women’s Coach Lead at Tennis Australia and coach of Australia’s Billie Jean King Cup team, was instrumental in establishing the Coach Connect program. She observed that having women at different ages and stages within the coaching pathway has been a winning formula, leading to a passion for sharing knowledge and supporting others through tennis. Helen Magill, an award-winning coach with over four decades of experience, also appreciated the networking opportunities provided by the President’s Women in Tennis Scholarship. She hoped the group of female coaches would become strong role models and mentors for aspiring coaches, shaping the pathway for the next generation.

The Coach Connect program’s online digital platform allows mentoring relationships to flourish in both structured and informal ways. Mentorship ranges from one-off advice to regular catch-ups, offering flexibility to cater to individual coaching needs. The program facilitates connections among coaches, enabling them to share knowledge, skills, and build confidence on and off the court.

Karen Webber, a former top Australian junior player who transitioned into coaching, expressed the importance of having female role models in coaching. She now mentors younger women coaches and appreciates the unique empathy and understanding that women bring to coaching. For Webber, mentoring is a way to give back and provide opportunities for the next generation.

Not only do the mentees benefit from these relationships, but the mentors also experience personal growth through the process. The opportunity to learn from trainee coaches is particularly valuable, as they bring fresh perspectives and ideas. Genevieve Lorbergs, a former President’s Women in Tennis Scholarship recipient and now a Talent Programs Assistant Coach, emphasized the critical role of supportive mentors in her coaching journey. Mentors who foster a psychologically safe environment and promote learning have helped her gain confidence and belief in her abilities.

The positive impact of networking opportunities like Coach Connect is evident in the increased number of women’s coaches in Australia, rising from 26 to 28 percent since 2021. Pratt is proud of this progress but emphasizes that it’s about creating opportunities for women coaches to thrive and be recognized for their exceptional work in their communities. Overcoming challenges and barriers for women coaches benefits not only the coaches themselves but also the entire sport, as limitless possibilities open up for everyone involved.

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Photo Courtesy Tennis Australia

Courtesy Tennis Australia