In this episode, host Lauren chats with Nick Jacques, Tennis Australia's Coach Relationship and Education Manager for Western Australia, about his role in coach development, his personal journey with ADHD, and the importance of creating more inclusive and supportive environments for junior tennis players.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

• Nick's role with Tennis Australia and his journey through tennis
• His personal experience of being diagnosed with ADHD and how it impacted him as a tennis player
• Why ADHD is still misunderstood in junior sport and the behaviours coaches can sometimes misinterpret
• The importance of workshops for tennis clubs, including VTA, in building awareness and equipping coaches with the tools to support neurodiverse players

This is an important conversation about looking beyond behaviour, recognising individual strengths, and understanding that every child learns differently. By creating more inclusive coaching environments, we can help more young players feel understood, build confidence, and develop a lifelong love of tennis.

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with your fellow tennis community.

Stay connected with Victorian Tennis Academy! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

To learn more about the Victorian Tennis Academy, explore our tennis programs, or book a free junior tennis trial lesson, visit www.victennisacademy.com.au.

VTA acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded.

Welcome to a new fortnightly theme on VTA Courtside, inspired by the Coaching Fortnight focus across all Victorian Tennis Academy venues!

In this episode, Lauren chats with Charlie Corsini, Head of Adults at Fawkner Park, about two of the most important shots in tennis: the serve and the return.

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player, there are practical takeaways to help you make the most of your next session on court.

Our Coaching Fortnight theme connects players and coaches across Fawkner Park, Powlett Reserve, Caulfield Park and Oakleigh Tennis Club, bringing a shared focus to learning, developing and enjoying the game.

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To learn more about the Victorian Tennis Academy, explore our tennis programs, or book a free junior tennis trial lesson, visit www.victennisacademy.com.au.

VTA acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded.

In this episode, host Lauren chats with Victorian Tennis Academy Director Jack Glennane, getting to know the person behind the role and his journey through tennis, coaching, and leadership.

From his early days at VTA to becoming Director, Jack reflects on his journey, the milestones that have shaped the academy, and his passion for helping develop the next generation of players and coaches.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

• How Jack first discovered tennis and what sparked his love for the game

• Jack's journey to Australia and how he first became involved with VTA

• His journey at Victorian Tennis Academy and how his role has evolved over the years

• Some of the biggest changes and milestones Jack has been part of since becoming Director

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with your fellow tennis community.

Stay connected with Victorian Tennis Academy! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

To learn more about the Victorian Tennis Academy, explore our tennis programs, or book a free junior tennis trial lesson, visit www.victennisacademy.com.au.

VTA acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded.

In this episode, host Lauren chats with VTA Coach José Mainella, getting to know the person behind the coach and hearing about his journey from growing up in Argentina to building a career in tennis coaching in Australia.

José shares stories from his childhood, how he first discovered tennis, and the experiences that shaped his passion for the sport and approach to coaching. He also reflects on his journey to Australia and his seven years working at Victorian Tennis Academy, including his experiences developing and supporting junior tennis players.

From discovering tennis in Argentina to coaching the next generation of players in Melbourne, José gives us an insight into his life, coaching philosophy, and what tennis has taught him both on and off the court.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

• How José first discovered tennis and fell in love with the sport
• His journey from playing tennis to becoming a coach
• What brought José from Argentina to Australia
• His seven-year journey with Victorian Tennis Academy
• José's coaching philosophy and approach to player development
• The lessons tennis has taught José both on and off the court

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with your fellow tennis community.

Stay connected with Victorian Tennis Academy! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

To learn more about the Victorian Tennis Academy, explore our tennis programs, or book a free junior tennis trial lesson, visit www.victennisacademy.com.au.

VTA acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded.

In this episode, host Lauren chats with Caroline Scully, Board Member of the Victorian Tennis Academy Foundation (VTAF), to explore the Foundation's work to make tennis and sport more accessible to people in the community.

Caroline takes us behind the scenes of the Foundation, sharing how it began, the work it does within the community, and the programs and initiatives helping make tennis more accessible to everyone.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

• What the Victorian Tennis Academy Foundation is and its purpose
• How Caroline first became involved with the VTAF
• The biggest barriers preventing disadvantaged people from accessing sport
• How the VTAF is working to address these barriers
• How clients, families, and members of the tennis community can support the Foundation

To learn more about the Victorian Tennis Academy Foundation click here.

To support the Foundation's work, donations can also be made here.

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with your fellow tennis community.

Stay connected with the Victorian Tennis Academy! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

VTA acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded.

In this episode, host Lauren chats with Patrick Gould, Venue Manager for the Victorian Tennis Academy's Caulfield and Oakleigh venues.

In his role at VTA, Patrick oversees two busy venues, giving him a unique perspective on coaching, venue management, and creating programs that help players enjoy and progress in the sport.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

• Patrick's journey into tennis coaching
• What led Patrick to the Victorian Tennis Academy
• Managing the Caulfield and Oakleigh tennis venues
• What makes a great tennis coach
• Advice for parents choosing the right tennis programme for their child

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with your fellow tennis community.

Stay connected with the Victorian Tennis Academy! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

To learn more about the Victorian Tennis Academy, explore our programs, or book a free junior trial lesson, visit www.victennisacademy.com.au.

VTA acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded on.

• Emma's journey into tennis coaching and business
• Building a tennis operation across London's public parks
• Making tennis accessible to new and underrepresented players
• Women in leadership and the importance of female representation

In this episode, host Lauren chats with Associate Professor David Chong, a highly respected plastic and reconstructive surgeon, VTA tennis player, and passionate volunteer who has dedicated much of his career to training cleft surgeons and supporting healthcare initiatives in lower-middle-income countries.

David shares his journey into medicine, what motivates him to give back, and the impact he is most proud of throughout his career. Alongside his work, David talks about his love of tennis and the important role it plays in maintaining balance and wellbeing.

Whether you're interested in medicine, global volunteer work, or simply how tennis can fit into a busy life, this episode offers an inspiring insight into David's career, passions and connection to the game.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

• David's tennis journey at VTA
• Balancing life as a surgeon and tennis player
• How tennis supports his wellbeing
• His career in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery
• His experiences training cleft surgeons across the world

You can watch Samba's Mercy Ships journey here

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with your fellow tennis community.

Stay connected with the Victorian Tennis Academy! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

To learn more about the Victorian Tennis Academy, explore our programs, or book a free junior trial lesson, visit www.victennisacademy.com.au.

VTA acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded on.