Tennis roadshow hits Bendigo

SUPPORTING clubs, volunteers, and coaches with the tools, training, and confidence they need to make tennis thrive locally was the aim of a Tennis Victoria visit to Bendigo last weekend.

The visit, hosted by the Bendigo Regional Tennis Centre in Nolan Street, was the sixth of 12 stops across regional Victoria on the Sustainable Regional Tennis (SRT) Roadshow.

Bendigo participants experienced on and off-court upskilling opportunities with Tennis Victoria’s leaders in coaching, programs and advocacy, and received information on new and expanded participation programs – Hot Shots and Cardio – both volunteer delivered.

The roadshow follows the launch earlier this year of Tennis Victoria’s $1 million Sustainable Regional Tennis Project.

The project aims to support coaches and community champions by providing additional funding, networking and development opportunities, expand participation across all ages through high-quality coaching and programs and increasing coaching availability, build stronger, sustainable communities by investing in the people in grassroots sport, and create clear pathways from player to coach, official or administrator.

Tennis Victoria CEO Kim Kachel said the roadshow was another step in reshaping how volunteering in tennis was experienced and supported in Victoria.

“Through the Sustainable Regional Tennis project, we’re redefining what it means to volunteer,” he said.

“This roadshow is about creating supported pathways for people to get involved in tennis whether as a coach, club volunteer, or community champion.

“By covering program fees, offering training, and backing volunteers every step of the way, we’re making sure regional tennis has the people and programs it needs to thrive.”

By strengthening the foundation of tennis across Victoria, this initiative aims to ensure long-term growth, increased participation, and a brighter future for regional clubs.

The roadshow will make its way to Shepparton this Saturday and Yackandandah in the state’s north-east on Sunday.