The Victorian Community Tennis Awards recognise Victoria’s on and off court success in a community tennis celebration. Congratulations to the following 3 finalists for the Coaching Excellence – Club or Centre award!
Better Tennis Plus – Steve Foot
Better Tennis Plus offers a comprehensive coaching program across two venues, Frankston Centenary Tennis Club (FCTC) and Mt Eliza Tennis Club (METC). They cater to all ages and abilities with Hot Shots classes, Cardio Tennis, beginner adult lessons, and a range of group, semi-private, and private lessons. The program also includes high-performance squads, pickleball classes at FCTC, and a private bus service for player transport between venues.
Better Tennis Plus works closely with both clubs, taking on roles like junior and senior tennis coordinators, and handling club operations such as score entry, team selection, and uniform design. They also engage in community outreach, running open days, promoting tennis in schools, and offering pathways for players from beginner to competitive levels.
The coaching team includes highly qualified staff, such as Tennis Australia Club Professional coaches and Junior Development coaches. They emphasise continuous coach development, mentorship, and support for aspiring coaches. Marketing efforts include a website, social media, email marketing, and out-of-home advertising.
Better Tennis Plus also focuses on inclusivity with programs like Girl Power squads for female participation, and they partner with organisations like the South East Special Schools Sports Association (SSSSA) to provide tennis for children with disabilities. They offer payment plans for lower socio-economic individuals and have a zero-tolerance policy towards bullying and discrimination.
Bionic Tennis Coaching – Nicole Bauer
Nicole Bauer is the Owner and Coach of Bionic Tennis Coaching, serving players of all ages (2 to 70+) at Longford, Stratford, and Briagolong Tennis Clubs. She offers a variety of programs, including Toddler Tennis, Hot Shots, Cardio Tennis, All Abilities Tennis, and Pickleball, with over 500 participants in 2024/25. As Head Coach, Nicole plays a key role in player recruitment, event organisation, and club development, including fundraising efforts like Superhero Week, which raised $4,105 for the Royal Flying Doctors charity.
She is also the Head Tennis Coach at the Gippsland Sports Academy and East Gippsland Regional Tennis Coordinator. Nicole supports coach development, mentoring young coaches and offering extra opportunities to them. She has helped drive post-COVID participation growth by introducing flexible systems, such as a Punch-Card system, and fostering family involvement. Her outreach extends to underprivileged schools, promoting tennis to a wider audience and creating lifelong connections within the community.
Hubble Tennis – Adam Hubble
Hubble Tennis, led by Adam Hubble, offers a range of programs at Grace Park Hawthorn Club (GPHC) and across two venues. Key offerings include Hot Shots (Blue Stage, Red Stage, Orange Ball, Green Ball), Yellow Ball squads (Compete, Performance, Elite), Cardio Tennis, and private/semi-private lessons. New additions include Blue Stage (ages 3-5), Development Squad, Performance (UTR 5+), and Elite Squads (UTR 7.5+), plus AO Holiday clinics and UTR performance camps.
Adam has transformed GPHC’s coaching program by aligning it with Hubble Tennis’ core pillars: Professionalism, Coaching Excellence, and Player Development. He manages over 90 Pennant players, 78 junior competition players, and runs Premier League teams, in-house competitions, and annual Club Championships, with over 110 participants in 2025. Adam’s initiatives have led to increased membership and engagement, such as “Bring a Friend for Free” weeks.
Hubble Tennis focuses on female coach development through PD opportunities like the Women Leaders in Tennis program and promotes LGBTI+ inclusivity. Hubble Tennis also actively partners with local schools and supports students with disabilities, including at Rossbourne Special Education School. Hubble Tennis donates free lessons to schools and offers a supportive, fun coach culture with regular training and team-building activities.
Notable achievements include hosting the Oceania Para Standing Tournament in 2024 and 2025 at GPHC, supporting international players like Adam Hills, and strengthening local tennis community ties.
Congratulations, once again, to the three coaches that have been selected as finalists for this category!
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