Victorian winners were celebrated last night at the 2025 Newcombe Medal, Australian Tennis Awards in Melbourne, acknowledging their outstanding achievements on both the local and global stages over the past year.<\/p>\n
The Coaching Excellence \u2013 Development Award\u00a0<\/strong>was presented to Victorian coach Des Tyson,<\/strong> recognising his exceptional commitment to nurturing young talent and supporting their progression in the sport. A previous recipient of the Coaching Excellence \u2013 Performance Award, Tyson has become a highly respected development coach. In 2025, he coached Victoria to victory in the 13\/u Sproule Stephens Trophy at the Australian Teams Championships, led by Male Junior Athlete of the Year nominee Novak Palombo.<\/p>\n Phillip Goodman\u00a0<\/strong>was honoured for his leadership and influence in Australian tennis officiating. Throughout 2025, he served as Assistant Referee for the Australian Open Wheelchair event and officiated across ITF Juniors, Masters, National Junior Championships, and ATP Challenger tournaments. Goodman has been instrumental in driving the Referee Development Program, creating pathways for new officials and championing greater inclusion within the sport. His presentation on \u201cOfficiating People with a Disability\u201d at the Australian Sports Commission Conference further demonstrated his commitment to safe, fair, and inclusive officiating. Through his education, mentoring, and innovative approach, Phillip has strengthened national officiating standards and inspired future generations of officials.<\/p>\n At just 16, Jin Woodman<\/strong>\u00a0was recognised as one of Australia\u2019s rising wheelchair tennis stars. His standout 2024\u201325 season included a Grand Slam debut at the US Open junior wheelchair singles, where he reached the semi-finals, and a wildcard entry into the Australian Open wheelchair competition at age 15. Jin also represented Australia at the World Team Cup in Turkey, helping the team secure a second-place finish, and reached career-high rankings of world No.1 in juniors and world No.7 in the quad division. Off the court, Jin has demonstrated a strong commitment to promoting inclusive sport through school outreach and community engagement, inspiring young athletes with a disability.<\/p>\n The Most Outstanding Tennis Club or Venue Award<\/strong>\u00a0was presented to Oakleigh Tennis Club<\/strong>, celebrating its exceptional contribution to local tennis. The club experienced remarkable growth and success, becoming Australia\u2019s No.1 Book-A-Court venue in 2024 with over 17,000 bookings and 35,000 court hours. Membership increased from 116 in 2019 to 672 in 2024, supported by strong governance, inclusive programming, and a diverse range of offerings including Hot Shots, Cardio Tennis, social play, and 64 competition teams. Oakleigh also welcomed 350 annual tournament participants, maintained strong school partnerships, and supported a thriving coaching program led by a Tennis Australia Coaching Excellence Award winner.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Tennis Victoria CEO Kim Kachel,<\/strong> extended his sincere congratulation to all Victorian winners, saying “Last night\u2019s awards showcased the remarkable depth of talent, passion and commitment within Victorian tennis. Our winners represent the very best of our sport, from world-class athletes and dedicated coaches to officials, volunteers and clubs who continue to elevate tennis at every level. We are incredibly proud of their achievements and grateful for the passion they bring to strengthening tennis within our state.”<\/p>\n