New Look Cardio Tennis | 9 August, 2023 | All News | News and Features | News and Events

We chat with Tennis Australia Head of National Programs Rebecca McDonald to find out more about the new look Cardio Tennis

Tell us more about how the New Look Cardio Tennis project came about?

For almost 10 years, Cardio Tennis has been a fun exercise program combining a cardio workout with tennis drills and high-energy music. The number of coaches offering the program continues to grow around the country.

Over a year ago, we started talking with coaches who deliver Cardio Tennis around Australia and asked them what was working with the program and how it could be improved to make it more attractive for a wider range of participants.

As a result of this consultation, we have adapted the Cardio Tennis program and are excited to share it with coaches in October.

What did you learn during the consultation phase?

We found that the demand for Cardio Tennis has increased significantly over the past few years, however it is not just hardcore fitness fanatics that are taking part.

Some coaches have already been successfully adapting the program to suit their local environment and have seen increased participation as a result.

The motivations to play Cardio Tennis and the people playing it have changed over the years and so the new look program provides an opportunity to deliver tennis to a more diverse group of Australians.

There were more than 3000 individual items of feedback that we sorted into the following themes:

• Adding flexibility to the way the program is delivered
• Updating activities and content
• The way coaches want to learn from each other about implementing programs
• Re-examining coach education and development opportunities
• Marketing, Communications & Digital support.

How are you planning to make the program more flexible to deliver?

We have spent considerable time redefining the program philosophy and will introduce a flexible ‘framework’ to deliver the program.

Part of this work has been the development of four Cardio Tennis streams which provide choice for participants in line with motivations and skill levels. These new levels are:

Previously, sessions have had a heavy focus on Cardio Classic tennis drills. So, we have been expanding the library of activities to suit the four new streams.

Have you got any good case studies of coaches who have already…