International support creates new opportunities for tennis coaches in South Africa
Tennis SA announced that, with the help of one of the biggest sponsors of tennis around the world, they will soon launch a major development project for tennis coaches in South Africa.
The transformation of tennis in South Africa has received a boost with the news that one of the world’s leading financial institutions, BNP Paribas, has become the title sponsor of a new Tennis South Africa (TSA) coaching mentorship programme.
The pilot initiative is aimed at widening the demographic of registered coaches in South Africa, by creating more sustainable opportunities for both black and female coaches.
The programme’s main objective is to support coaches who have undertaken TSA coaching courses previously, but have not had the opportunity to create a sustainable career for themselves as tennis coaches.
“Tennis has been an integral part of the BNP Paribas identity for more than 45 years, and this passion forms the basis of our partnership with tennis federations and competitions all over the world, including of course, Tennis South Africa (TSA). BNP Paribas is very proud to be a part of this inaugural mentorship programme, which not only diversifies the coaching of tennis in South Africa, but also propels the sport forward internationally,” said Jacques Michel, Head of BNP Paribas Middle East and Africa.
Vikas Khandelwal, CEO of BNP Paribas, South Africa added that their involvement with Tennis South Africa represents their multi-faceted commitment to the support and promotion of access and equality.
“We are delighted to not only meaningfully support the advancement of tennis in the country, but specifically, the development of female coaches, which reflects our Group ambition to promote and take concrete steps to foster equality between men and women,” said Khandelwal.
TSA will be rolling out the new coaching mentorship programme on a pilot basis in 2018. This first year will focus on the development of 45 coaches across South Africa, with the intention to extend the programme in 2019 to a further 90 coaches across the country.
Speaking about the initiative, TSA Development Manager, Mpho Makhoba revealed that the programme has a strong female empowerment focus.
“44% of the coaches in year one of the programme are black females and we expect to reach at least a 50:50 gender balance in our coaching demographic in 2019,” said Makhoba.
The 45 coaches in year one of the programme will receive:
- Sponsorship of their 2018/19 TSA coach registration fees.
- Sponsorship to attend TSA coaching courses.
- Access to ‘Continuous Professional Development’ coaching workshops.
- Additional skills training – covering areas such as business administration and computer skills, first aid and child protection.
- Work integrated learning at TSA Growthpoint Development Centres or TSA accredited Centres of Apprenticeship.
- Assistance with drafting CVs, as well as job placements as tennis coaches – on either a full-time or part-time basis.
Richard Glover, CEO of Tennis South Africa said TSA believes that the future growth of tennis in the country begins and ends with the provision of quality coaching to all communities in South Africa. He stressed that the coaching mentorship programme is a key initiative to deliver on this ambition.
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