The Awards

Newcombe Medal

The Newcombe Medal is awarded to Australia’s most outstanding elite tennis player in 2012. Nominees for the award are selected by an esteemed panel of Australian champions and highly respected individuals in the tennis community. The award is in honour of the achievements of Australian tennis legend John Newcombe.

President’s Spirit of Tennis Award

The President’s Spirit of Tennis Award recognises the person who has personified the essence of leadership, passion, sportsmanship, goodwill and dedication to the sport while making a major contribution to the stature of tennis. The Newcombe Medal and the President’s Spirit of Tennis Award are closed awards. Nominations and award recipients are selected by a panel appointed by Tennis Australia.

Coaching Excellence – High Performance

The high performance coach is instrumental in producing successful elite tennis players.  The recipient of this award is delivering a quality, comprehensive, holistic coaching program which focuses on the technical, tactical, physical and psychological development of high performance players.  In addition the coach will currently be coaching junior and/or adult players who have achieved outstanding results and travel regularly to tournaments with his/her high performance players.

Coaching Excellence – Club

This award recognises the coaches that work within their local communities.  The coach provides quality coaching programs, is actively involved in growing the game and provides competition opportunities for players to progress their game.

Coaching Excellence – MLC Tennis Hot Shots

MLC Tennis Hot Shots coaches offer a program that includes a developmental pathway with red, orange and green progressive stages, a “learning through play philosophy” and use of modified equipment.  This award acknowledges the important work these coaches do to grow the game and introduce more kids to tennis.

Junior Athlete of the Year

Junior Athlete of the Year is awarded to the player 18 years and under that is ranked number 1 in their age group (ATP/WTA/ITF/AR), has demonstrated a record of playing for Australia in teams events and has displayed a positive attitude at all times.

Most Outstanding Athlete with a Disability

Most Outstanding Athlete with a disability is awarded to the player ranked in the top 10, participated on at least one Grand Slam (inc. the Australian Tennis Championships), has demonstrated a record of playing for Australia in teams events and has displayed a positive attitude at all times.

Most Outstanding Tennis Community

This award recognises the town, local government or club that through tennis engages their community.  They can demonstrate an inviting culture, accessibility and the ability to attract players and provides a range of programs to their community that meet the needs of the area.

Volunteer Achievement Award

The volunteer often goes unrewarded for the many hours of work that they contribute to tennis.  This award honours the volunteers within tennis, those people that foster relationships within and between their club and the community and for the contribution they make to the sport, specifically in the area of delivering more active players.

Most Outstanding 35+ Senior

The mission of 35+ seniors tennis is to increase the playing opportunities and social interaction for tennis players of all standards over age 35.  This award recognises involvement in 35+ seniors tennis as a player or administrator or both.  The recipient of this award has been involved in raising the public profile of 35+ seniors tennis through demonstrated excellence in playing performance, or administration and demonstrated behaviours that exhibit a high level of integrity.

Excellence in Officiating

Officials play an important role in tennis, and set the standards for players at tournaments of all levels.  The recipient of this award has provided an outstanding contribution to tennis officiating in Australia through their dedication, skill, attitude and knowledge.  Their performances set them apart from their peers at either a domestic or international level and they have been a positive role model for other tennis officials

Most Outstanding Club

Tennis clubs and centres provide facilities and programs to the community that get people playing tennis.  This award recognises clubs that have an inviting culture, are accessible to the public, has implemented Tennis Australia Programs and has increased competitive opportunities for players

Most Outstanding Tournament

The Most Outstanding Tournament is selected from a Pro Tour, Australian Money Tournament or Optus Junior Tour event.  These events are the stepping stones for players to develop their games.  The recipient of this award will have offered a complete package of on and off court activities and player amenities to a high standard allowing for a positive tournament atmosphere and implemented strategies to engage local sponsors, media attention and community involvement.

Most Outstanding School

Schools play an important role in the tennis community, by introducing primary and secondary students to tennis and providing links to their local club and coach.  This award recognises schools that have aligned with a Tennis Australia qualified coach, has a dedicated staff member assigned to tennis, has strong links with the local club and coach and has tennis as an incorporated part of the curriculum.