“Children who play tennis develop skills & strategies that also serve them well in life off the court.”
For over 10+ years, Tennis Australia has had an increased focus on working with schools and teachers across Australia to provide Aussie kids with the chance to learn valuable life skills, in a fun and encouraging environment. More than just a game, Tennis offers physical, cognitive, psychological, and social benefits that serve students well, both on and off the court. And as a non-contact, mass participation sport, Tennis can be participated by children of all abilities, and is linked to the Australian Curriculum for Health and Physical Education.
Recognising these benefits, Tennis Australia has designed specialised programs for primary and secondary school educators, taking all the fuss out of designing a program for your students– and with participation options for schools of all sizes, it’s even easier to get your students out of the classroom and onto the tennis courts.
Start early
Research indicates that the primary school and early-secondary school years are crucial for children's physical and cognitive development. Tennis, with its emphasis on hand-eye coordination, motor skills, and overall fitness, provides the perfect platform for children to hone these skills. From improving bone strength to enhancing agility and flexibility, tennis promotes a healthy lifestyle while instilling lifelong fitness and participation habits in students.
Lessons for life
Beyond overall physical fitness, tennis teaches valuable life lessons that will also serve students off the court. Through tennis, children learn to accept responsibility for their actions, decisions and mistakes, and can begin to manage these more effectively. They learn to respond to adversity, adapt to different situations and environments, and deal with stress, often compounded when scores are tight. Both in practice and competitive environments, tennis fosters work ethic, discipline, and sportsmanship in children, and hones their strategic and problem-solving skills, benefiting their academic and professional pursuits.
Working together
Tennis also fosters social skills – whether playing doubles or engaging in friendly play or competition, students learn the importance of communication, cooperation, and mutual respect. These social skills are invaluable, fostering strong relationships and promoting a positive school culture where every student feels valued and supported.
Tennis for Schools Programs
The Tennis Australia Schools Programs for Primary and Secondary schools, offer a range of options to suit the needs of all teachers and schools alike. From an initial introduction to embedding curriculum programs that are aligned to the Australian Curriculum: Health and Physical Education (AC:HPE), all programs are designed to be fun, inclusive, and promote confidence in students to move and be physically active.
Get your school involved today
Whether you're looking to enhance skill or movement competence, promote social development, or instil essential life skills, Tennis Australia has a program for you. Join the thousands of schools across Australia that have already embraced tennis as part of their educational journey and be ready to watch your students thrive both on and off the court.
As the summer of tennis approaches and the sport prepares to take centre stage on screens across the country, now is the perfect time to get in touch and be set for
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