From grassroots to Grand Slams, volunteer to executive level, the growing number of women occupying off-court roles in tennis set an important benchmark in the sport.
Melbourne, Australia, 22 July 2023 | Vivienne Christie
Healthy, challenging, social and offering many opportunities for development, there are few pursuits that provide a more positive pathway for girls and young women as tennis.
And while many might consider the benefits in the context of a playing career, it resonates equally for the many women who are shaping the sport in a range of professions off the court.
From grassroots to Grand Slams, volunteers to executives, women are strongly represented in a range of important positions. And it’s perhaps unsurprising that as many vigorously pursue equality and further opportunity, they are most inspired by other women in the sport.
Andrea Buckeridge, the Head of Women and Girls at Tennis Australia, recalls how her love of tennis started at age eight as she watched her mother and sister enjoy the game at the club adjacent to the family home.
“This was the beginning of a lifelong love of sport,” says Buckeridge, who completed her coaching qualification while studying at university and worked part-time as a coach for more than 15 years.
As her career expanded, Buckeridge valued the many practical skills she’d developed in tennis. Those she’d learned in gaining her coaching qualification, for example, were transferable to a role as a secondary school physical education and science teacher.
Joining Tennis Australia as Women’s Tennis Manager more than 25 years ago, Buckeridge focused on advancing women’s tennis in participation, tournaments, including management of the Australia Fed Cup team and several tournament director roles.
Returning to the organisation after a maternity leave break, Buckeridge – who had also established the first Sport Science Advisory group – transitioned into coach education and coach development.
Andrea Buckeridge, far left, with Pacific Women Leaders in Tennis graduates at Australian Open 2023. Picture: Tennis Australia
The Melburnian is now drawing on the passion developed in a lifetime of tennis experiences.
“The opportunity to move into the Head of Women and Girls role a few years ago allowed me to circle back to where I started,” she relates.
“In my current role I am driving the implementation of the Tennis Women and Girls strategy to achieve our vision of no…
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