Applications for the 2027 BSA Tennis Program
The BSA Tennis Program supports talented young tennis
players from the Barwon Region who are committed to developing their game and progressing through the tennis pathway.
The program combines tennis-specific coaching, squad hitting, strength and conditioning, athlete education and pathway support to help players continue developing both on and off the court.
REGISTRATION LINK FOR 2027 TRIALS COMING SOON
Develop your game. Build your pathway.
The BSA Tennis Program is positioned to support players aged approximately 11–16 who are progressing through the development stage of their tennis journey.
The program is designed for talented players already identified within the Tennis Victoria high-performance pathway or performing strongly within the Universal Tennis Rating (UTR) system.
BSA also recognises the broader Barwon tennis pathway, providing opportunities for athletes at different stages of development to continue progressing through local clubs, coaches, development squads and future pathway opportunities.
Our Tennis Program Philosophy
The goal of the BSA Tennis Program is to provide tennis-related skills and understanding that give players the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Athletes may aim to:
- Establish themselves in national development squads
- Progress into Pennant tennis
- Compete at a high level through UTR
- Compete in ITF tournaments
- Pursue USA College tennis opportunities
The program takes a holistic approach to development, combining technical, tactical, physical, mental and lifestyle components.
What You'll Develop
Technical Development
Build and refine the technical foundations of your game, including:
- Stroke mechanics
- Consistency
- Movement and court positioning
- Developing a reliable game under pressure
- Refining strengths and areas for improvement
Technical development is supported through targeted coaching and regular squad hitting.
Tactical Development
Learn how to make better decisions and understand what is happening within a match.
This includes:
- Match-play strategy
- Patterns of play
- Adapting to opponents
- Situational awareness
- Point construction
- Surface-specific tactics
- Developing and using your individual game style
- Identifying strengths and optimising tactics
Physical Development
Build the physical qualities required for tennis through:
- Strength
- Power
- Speed
- Agility
- Endurance
- Mobility
- Flexibility
- Recovery
Strength and conditioning is incorporated into the BSA Tennis pathway alongside tennis development.
Mental & Lifestyle Development
Develop the mindset and habits that support long-term performance, including:
- Goal setting
- Confidence
- Resilience
- Managing competition pressure
- Taking responsibility for development
- Preparing effectively for training and competition
High Performance Testing
Access to the BSA High Performance Testing Series, with two testing windows each year.
Athlete Profiling & Screening
Athlete profiling and musculoskeletal screening to help identify areas for development and support.
Goal Setting & Athlete Development Planning
Two goal-setting and Athlete Development Plan sessions to help establish priorities and track progress.
Your Tennis Pathway
BSA Tennis sits within the broader Tennis Victoria and Australian tennis pathway.
The pathway can include:
Clubs & Local Coaches → BSA Next Gen → BSA Development Squad → BSA Program → Zone Squads → National Development Opportunities → High-Level Competition
The broader pathway includes opportunities such as National Development Squads, zone squads, regional competitions and higher-level competition.
For athletes progressing beyond the BSA program, potential goals can include Pennant tennis, US College tennis, UTR competition and ITF tournaments.
More Than Tennis
Being a developing tennis player is about more than what happens during a hitting session.
BSA's athlete education program helps players understand how to train effectively, prepare for competition, look after their bodies and take responsibility for their development.
Education includes:
- Goal setting
- Nutrition for competition
- Injury prevention
- Understanding your body, training loads and recovery
- Tennis-specific mindset and psychology
- Understanding the pathway to USA College tennis
- Insights and Q&A with tennis ambassadors
Athletes also have access to broader BSA education and opportunities to learn from athletes and alumni across the Academy.
What's Included?
The BSA Tennis Program combines structured tennis development with the broader BSA athlete-development environment.
Tennis Development
The program includes:
- Weekly squad hitting
- Tennis-specific education
- Match-play and tactical development
- Pathway education
- Competition and development opportunities
The pathway flyer identifies weekly squad hitting alongside the six 3-hour BSA coaching sessions.
Strength & Conditioning
BSA Tennis athletes have strength and conditioning incorporated into the program, supporting the physical demands of tennis.
Development Opportunities
BSA also provides pathways for athletes who are developing toward the main squad.
This includes:
- A BSA Development Squad
- A BSA Next Gen pathway for younger athletes
- Opportunities to participate in AJP competitions and regional team events
- Connections with local clubs and coaches
- Opportunities to continue progressing after the BSA pathway
The Next Generation
Not every talented player will enter the main BSA squad at the same point in their development — and that's okay.
BSA's pathway includes a Next Gen program for athletes aged approximately 10–14, providing an opportunity to continue developing through coaching, competition and regional team events.
The Development Squad also provides a pathway for athletes preparing to move into or contribute to the main BSA squad.
The aim is to create a connected regional pathway rather than a single “you're in or you're out” moment.
Who Can Apply?
The BSA Tennis Program is designed for talented tennis players from the Barwon Region who are progressing through the development stage of their tennis pathway.
The program is positioned for players aged approximately 11–16.
Applicants may demonstrate their development through:
- Tennis Victoria high-performance pathway involvement
- Universal Tennis Rating (UTR)
- Tournament history
- Previous squad experience
- Local coaching environment
- Club participation
Younger athletes may be given preference where a final squad selection decision is closely balanced.
What Are We Looking For?
Selection considers the whole athlete and their potential for continued development.
Tennis Performance
Your current level of play, UTR and tournament experience.
Development Potential
Your capacity to continue improving and progressing through the pathway.
Coachability
Your willingness to listen, learn and apply feedback.
Commitment
Your approach to training, competition and ongoing development.
Pathway Fit
Your current involvement in the Tennis Victoria, Barwon or broader tennis pathway.
How Selection Works
Registration for trials include information such as:
- Athlete name
- Age
- Universal Tennis Rating
- Local coach
- Club
- Tournament history
- Previous squad experience
Trials are a mandatory part of the selection process with applicants assessed on their current development and pathway potential.
Program Leadership
Program Manager
Jason Schoenmaekers
0407 057 376
Jason works with BSA, coaches and pathway partners to support the development of BSA Tennis athletes.
