Tennis NZ Professional Coach Register

One of the national initiatives includes in the Modernising Tennis Plan is the implementation of a Professional Coach Register. Over the course of 2022, Tennis NZ engaged independent consultants to assist in gathering insight from the Tennis Industry. The most recent engagement was surveying the wider tennis community to formulate a fit for purpose register in New Zealand. 

The preparatory phase of gathering feedback for a Professional Coach Register has concluded and insights, from the survey delivered to the wider tennis community, are now available. 

 The survey reached a diverse group of individuals, from a variety of roles involved in Tennis. The results, represented in the insights, show an overwhelming support for a professional coach register. Respondents also indicated the importance of coaches maintaining a satisfactory level of training in safeguarding, ethical obligations and first aid. 

Tennis NZ Coach Education 

Current coach education courses delivered in NZ are recognised to the highest standard by the International Tennis Federation (ITF). The Development (ITF Level 1) and Club Professional (ITF Level 2) courses are overseen by Tennis Australia with delivery standards maintained through strict guidelines set by both Tennis Australia and the ITF.  

The Professional Coach Register will include international qualifications that are recognised by the ITF to be of similar rigor to the current courses Tennis NZ provides.   

In consultation with Tennis Australia, Tennis NZ will aim to provide opportunities for coaches who hold international qualifications which are not recognised by the ITF to upskill. 

INFOGRAPHICS

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Next steps 

• Tennis NZ, alongside independent consultants and other stakeholders will establish a plan to build a system that meets the needs of the tennis community. 
• Consult with coaches across NZ to create, and refine, a Coaches Code of Ethics. 
• Offer support courses to coaches, in New Zealand, that wish to become qualified to an International Standard.