The Vida Education Pathway
At Vida, we are lifelong learners. The Vida coaching journey gives coaches of all levels and experiences the opportunity for continuing education and growth.
The pathway starts with coaches looking to get started in the industry and progresses through to our team leaders. At all stages, our goal is to grow and share knowledge and have exceptional learning experiences that have an impact on the way we implement tennis at our facilities. There are many facets to our education program, all of which cover all on-court coaching, business development, leadership, communication, and more.
Below, you will find more information about each stage on the pathway. Each Vida coach will have the calendar of sessions made available to them.
During the My Coaching Journey program, participants learn to develop the skills of junior tennis players through the delivery of the ANZ Tennis Hot Shots program and the linked My Vida Journey program.
There is a major focus on communication, engagement, planning, and creating positive learning environments for children. There are a number of touch points at this stage, with the major being a one-day workshop.
The workshop will focus on technical and tactical fundamentals, lesson structure and flow, effective communication, personal development, using technology, the tennis industry (what to expect), and how to get started with things like insurance, working with children’s, Tennis Australian trainee membership, and superannuation. After the workshop, there will be opportunities for real on-court experience shadowing one of the Vida coaches.
Through the My Coaching Journey stage, Vida also encourages current students to partake in Work Experience with us through their school. Vida has a structured program to ensure each student gets the most out of their week with Vida.
The aim of the course and prerequisites: To provide participants with a clear pathway to enter the tennis coaching industry and first-hand experience to fast-track their coaching.
Participants need to be at least 16 years of age with a tennis or sporting background.
Recommended for: Anyone who wants to pursue coaching, either part time or full time, in the future.
When and where is the next workshop? The next workshop is planned for December 2018. More details will be listed here soon.
The Team Vida stage is an internal stage for all coaches within the Vida network. It is delivered in three different forms:
- Group sessions
- Venue-specific sessions
- Online video sessions
Group sessions are run a minimum of four times per year, generally at the start of each term. They have a variety of themes delivered by Vida team leaders or future leaders. There are also times when an external presenter takes the group. The major focus of these sessions is always the on-court delivery of our programs. The venue for these sessions rotates between different Vida venues.
Venue-specific sessions are taken by the venue team leader and are for the team who coach at that specific venue. These sessions will be both on and off court and have a major focus on the delivery of the My Vida Journey program.
Online Video sessions are generally focused on personal or business development and taken by a Vida Team leader. Participants are sent a link to log into the session in a webinar format.
The aim of this stage and prerequisites: To provide all coaches in Vida an opportunity to grow their skills and knowledge and ensure the best instruction possible is being delivered at all Vida venues. Coaches must work with Vida Tennis to participate in these sessions.
When and where is the next session? The Vida education calendar will be shared with all Vida team members.
The “Vida Future Leaders” stage is an internal stage for coaches within the Vida network who want to pursue tennis as a career. This stage is delivered in a number of forms:
- A two-day leadership camp off-site
- Accountability buddies and mentoring
- Vision and 90-day action planning and review
- Opportunities to present back to Team Vida
- Online video sessions
Who and what is required? This stage is for a small group of coaches who are already in the Vida team. They are required to attend a minimum of four Team Vida sessions and participate in their venue sessions. They are also expected to look outside the Vida community for education opportunities and bring knowledge back to the group.
Vida will contribute funds towards education for any coach involved in this stage, including Tennis Australia coach accreditation.
Online video sessions are held every three weeks and generally focused on personal or business development and taken by a Vida team leader. These dates are shared via calendar invite with a video link.
What outcomes are created? The goal of this stage is to give clarity to the coach and fast-track their education in line with what is required to achieve their goal. Coaches who transition from this stage will also have work-to-own or incentive plans aligned with their goals.
When are the sessions? All sessions are listed on Vida’s internal education calendar.
The Vida Team Leaders stage is once again an internal stage for coaches within the Vida network who currently lead venues or business units. This stage is delivered in a number of forms:
- Three one-day workshops and social opportunities after
- Accountability buddies and mentoring
- Vision and 90-day action planning and review
- Opportunities to present and develop leadership
- Online video sessions
- External education plans
Internal workshops and external education opportunities are focused on the big picture in line with our values. The themes covered include planning (business and personal), communication, leadership, wealth creation, new ideas, technology, and more.
Who and what is required? Every team leader will have their own education plan which may or may not be specific to the tennis industry. Vida strongly encourages having a mentor both from within the Vida network as well as from outside.
Each coach is also required to continue to share the knowledge and best practices learned to the entire Vida team.
Online video sessions are held every three weeks and are generally focused on personal or business development and taken by a Vida team leader.
When are the sessions? All sessions are listed on Vida’s internal education calendar.
The Vida Coach Career Pathway
Growth is important to us, not only in education, but in coach career goals and aspirations as well. Vida Tennis has a pathway for each coach tailored to their specific needs. There are many reasons people get started in the tennis industry and understanding the “why” is important in getting the best outcome possible.
Each coach with Vida generally starts as an employee (casual, part time, or full time) and is presented with a progression pathway that is continually assessed. There are several options within the company:
- Casual employee – hourly rate plus superannuation
- Casual employee with a bonus program attached
- Part-time employee (with bonus programs)
- Full-time employee (with bonus programs)
- Work-to-own program
- Ownership model per venue/center
Coach pay rates are clearly defined in the employee contract, which also highlights the progression process and bonus/incentive program roles. There are options to fit most coaches’ goals and vision. Whether you are a uni student looking for a part-time job or a career coach looking for a long-term plan, the options are there.
As a coach progresses through their pathway, they have the option to take on more responsibility, such as managing programs, venues, or a school. Progressions are only limited to the attitude and desire of the coach, with ownership of business units an option for the right people. There are many examples currently in the Vida team where a coach has been part of the “work-to-own” program and is now the owner of a business unit.
My Coaching Journey - December 2020 Workshop
Are you interested in working in the tennis coaching industry in 2020 and beyond?
The Vida Trainee Coach program will give you an insight into all you need to know to be successful both on and off the court.
At the end of your training you will be able to:
- Plan, execute, and evaluate your own coaching
- Confidently coach red, orange, and green ball group lessons
- Assist in coaching squad lessons
- Coach beginner private and semi-private lessons
- Understand the expectations of a tennis coach
- Understand the various coaching pathways
As a trainee coach you are required to complete:
- 5 hours of shadowing a head coach at your closest Vida venue
- Shadow a red, orange, and green ball lesson
- Attend Intro to Coaching workshop
- 5 hours shadowing/teaching post workshop
- Reflect with Heach coach for holiday/term (1 hour)
The program is open to all people aged between 16 and 21 who are looking to join the tennis industry. You do not need to have been involved with Vida in the past to join the program.
The workshop will be taken by Kane Dewhurst and Ashleigh Richardson, both of whom are facilitators of Tennis Australia coach education courses.
The details:
- When: To be confirmed
- Time: To be confirmed
- Where: To be confirmed
- What to Bring: Tennis racquet, water bottle, Trainee Coach Handbook, and a pen
- What to Wear: Tennis clothes
- Cost: Free
Register your interest:
Email Leon at leon@vidatennis.com.au or contact the head coach at your nearest Vida venue
Once registered, you will receive a Trainee Coach Handbook with a checklist of tasks to achieve prior to the workshop.