Brisbane, Australia, 17 August 2023 | Leigh Rogers
In a coaching career spanning more than 25 years, Alison Scott has experienced many different challenges.
Her current position, as the Australian national coach for players with an intellectual impairment (PWII) and deaf and hard of hearing (DHoH), is proving one of the most rewarding.
“Well, every day is different. I can tell you that,” Scott laughed when asked what makes the role so enjoyable.
“I think you have a higher level of respect for players with a disability. They try their hardest and they don’t let their challenges get in their way.
“I find it really rewarding to see how they adapt to different situations. They definitely keep you centred in the sense that they are wanting to be a fantastic tennis player and it’s our role to give them the knowledge to try and achieve those goals.”
It was this ability to inspire others that initially encouraged Scott to pursuit a coaching career when she was 23 years old.
“I just love to be able to share my knowledge,” Scott said. “I had a really, really good coach growing up and he was very, very good at teaching.”
Scott, who started playing as a nine-year-old in Coffs Harbour, is proudly following in his footsteps.
“I’ve really enjoyed learning how to share knowledge in different ways,” said the Brisbane-based coach.
“Because as a coach, you have to be able to teach in multiple methods to be able to connect with your players.
“Plus, I really love being out on court. So, I think if you love being where you are, it’s going to flow through to how you share your knowledge with other people.”
From teaching juniors and adults, leading private lessons and squads, as well as running school programs and managing tennis clubs, Scott’s coaching experience is vast.
Her work in the inclusion space initially happened through chance circumstances, but has proven a major passion.
“I have coached players with a disability since I started coaching. There was always one or two players here and there,” Scott said.
“When coaching interstate for a couple of years, I was working one-on-one with one of the Australian representative players with an intellectual disability.
“I took the time then to learn more about the pathway for PWII just to see what was available.”
After returning to live in Brisbane, Scott was approached by Tennis Queensland to become their state PWII coach and run monthly squads.
It was an…
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