Tennis Australia rolls out refreshed and re-designed participation programs

Tennis Australia are rolling out refreshed and re-designed programs across the country aiming to appeal to new generations of players along with current participants.

The design and changes to programs such as Hot Shots Tennis and Cardio Tennis come following more than 12 months of consultation and planning with coaches, parents, children, players, clubs and event organisers across Australia.

More than 500 tennis coaches from around Australia, as well as industry experts and researchers, have taken part in the project to redefine the future of national programs, coloured ball competition and the Tennis masterbrand.

Tennis Australia Chief Tennis Officer Tom Larner advised “as we head into a huge summer of tennis, we are excited to roll out our new look across the country and get more people playing our great sport.  

“For more than 15 years, Hot Shots Tennis has provided Aussie kids a fun introduction to tennis with a modified format making it easier to play from the first time they pick up a racquet.

“We have spent the last 12 months looking at ways to ensure its future success by working with coaches, parents, kids, players, clubs and event organisers around the country to adapt the program to suit today’s kids and their parents.

“The new look Hot Shots Tennis program offers greater flexibility and choice with a specific focus on engagement and fun at every stage, age and ability. In addition, the program will now place a bigger emphasis on values and life skills to create good people and good players.”

Match Play will now be integrated into the Hot Shots Tennis program so that coaches can offer a fun, friendly introduction to competition as part of their regular sessions. The vibrant new-look for Hot Shots Tennis is also designed to broaden its appeal to children of all ages, especially those at the upper end of the program.

In addition to the new look Hot Shots Tennis, a new Coloured Ball Rating has been developed in collaboration with Universal Tennis and coaches around Australia. The rating will help coaches and parents find the right level of competition for their young players as they learn and develop through the Hot Shots Tennis program.

“We have also made some exciting updates to the Cardio Tennis program, which will see the launch of four streams – Lite, Classic, Play and Max – designed to suit the varying motivations and confidence of participants,” Larner continued.

The flexible framework will include an expanded activity library with a more holistic approach to how coaches can engage and retain people in the sport.

Tennis Australia Head of Programs Rebecca McDonald enthused “our team is thrilled to deliver these new programs and provide both children and adults more ways to play.

“Research shows that racquet sports can increase life expectancy by almost 10 years** and we want to remind everyone that tennis can literally extend your life. We are proud to have adapted and grown our programs and accessibility to the sport to suit today’s changing lifestyles and competence levels of people of all ages.  

“The innovative Hot Shots Tennis and Cardio Tennis programs are hugely important to the continuity of our sport, the development of players and the building of healthy communities.”  

To bring the new look programs to life, Tennis Australia has been working with the highly regarded brand agency Hulsbosch to revitalise the brand of Tennis in Australia.

The refreshed Tennis brand connects the different ways to play, including Hot Shots Tennis, Cardio Tennis and more of Tennis Australia’s portfolio of programs.

“We want our new look to represent our vision of creating a playful world through tennis in a way that is relevant for today’s audiences and media channels,” Larner explained.

“The ultimate goal is to build equity in the brand of Tennis, following the success we have achieved with the AO, to drive growth opportunities and efficiencies.”

The new system lays the foundation for elevating Tennis as a Masterbrand and leader in today’s sports & recreation landscape.  

More information on finding your way to play at play.tennis.com.au

*Study: Intergenerational Review of Australian Sport 2017

**Study: https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org

About the new look Hot Shots Tennis
Hot Shots Tennis is the fun way for children aged 3-10+ to Play and Learn Tennis!

The Hot Shots Tennis program has developed a number of key enhancements designed to boost the motivation and engagement of all children to play.

In addition, the vibrant, contemporary and mature brand is designed to equally appeal to all children aged between 3-10+.  

For more information visit hotshots.tennis.com.au/

About the new look Cardio Tennis
Cardio Tennis is the energised way to learn and play tennis for all ages and abilities.

• Cardio Lite - For people who would love to get into tennis: The low intensity session getting people active and learning tennis in a relaxed environment.

• Cardio Play - For people who love to play points: The point play session focusing on intense rallies and competitive team games.

• Cardio Classic - For people who love working up a sweat: The balanced session focusing on blending drills and play with high energy.

• Cardio Max - For people who love pushing their limits: The high intensity session focusing on tennis drills and a high volume of hitting.

For more information, visit cardiotennis.com.au/

Image top: Cardio Tennis; image above: Hot Shots Tennis