Presentation

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Keynote and Workshop speaker

Title

Safety and Well-Being in Tennis- What Coaches need to Know

Abstract

Safety and Well-Being in Tennis- What Coaches need to Know
Author: Kathy Martin, Player Welfare Officer, ITF and Director, Athlete Assistance, Sony Ericsson WTA Tour

In 2006 the ITF and the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour (the Tour) Player Security Task Force (PSTF) examined policies and procedures related to player safety, security and well-being and provided recommendations in-line with international best practices. Since 2007, the WTA Tour adopted the PSTF recommendations which include:
1. Revisions to Code of Conduct (also adopted by the ITF in 2007)
2. Director of Athlete Assistance position
3. Education for players, player support team personnel and WTA Tour staff
4. Criminal Background Checks for WTA personnel and Player Support Team members
In 2009, the ITF created the part-time position of Player Welfare Officer, specifically to assist with:
1. Development of Player Welfare Code of Practice for all ITF events
2. Establish Player Welfare procedures and guidelines for the ITF and National Associations
3. Develop and implement Player Welfare education for ITF constituents (players and their Support Teams, the ITF and National Associations)
4. Coordinate the provision of 24 hour telephone counselling services (offering access to trained staff in 150 different languages) and on-line resources for players
Player Welfare is an important issue in both the professional and developmental tennis environments. Tennis players of all ages are subjected to many stressors including international travel, injuries, access to quality health care, financial pressures, media attention, education, and obligations to sponsors, families and Associations.
The potential for abuse of all kinds exists; research indicates that elite young athletes may be more susceptible to abuse than their contemporaries in recreational sports.
Coaches are an integral and vital part of a tennis player’s development and career. Coaches hold a unique position of trust, power and influence over players. Coaches need to understand and apply current athlete welfare best practice guidelines in their coaching sessions. This will help them to be an effective and positive influence on their players and to safeguard their own well-being and professional careers.
This presentation will discuss the steps taken to implement the ITF and the Tour’s innovations in this important area. It will also provide coaches with practical guidelines about ethical and safe practices to protect their own and their players’ health and welfare.

Keywords

player welfare, safety, coach well-being

Title 2º

Schedule for Success- Mental and emotional

Abstract 2º

There are many factors that influence a player’s tournament schedule. These include the player’s age and physical, mental, emotional and tennis developmental level. The Sony Ericsson WTA Tour has developed a unique tool to assist players and their coaches to compose their yearly tournament schedule. This on-line resource, called “Schedule Zone” applies healthy principles of periodization, recovery and training. It provides an impactful, interactive method to design a schedule that works to enhance the player’s performance and health. The presenters will demonstrate and discuss the tool from four different perspectives: the coach/tennis and tactical (Carl Maes); the physiotherapist/physical (Nicky Dunn) the educator/athlete development (Kathleen Stroia) and the counsellor/mental and emotional (Kathy Martin).

Needs

Projector

Other

internet access for the workshop please- we have an online system to demonstrate

Dinner

I am planning to attend the speakers' dinner

Conditions

I agree with ITF Worldwide Coaches Conference 2009 conditions

CV

Name

Kathy

Surname

Martin

Curriculum vitae

Kathy Martin is a mental health counsellor and sports physiotherapist with 25 years experience in sports and tennis. After her undergraduate degree in physiotherapy, Kathy has completed her specialisation in sports physiotherapy (1999) and a Bachelor Arts (1991), a Graduate Diploma in Adolescent Health & Welfare (2004) and Masters in Counselling (2008).
Her tennis experience includes Australian Olympic Team Physiotherapist (2000), Australian Fed Cup Team Physiotherapist (1994-2000), and Sports Medicine Consultant to Tennis Australia (1998-2003). She joined the WTA Tour as a Primary Health Care Provider in 1991. She is currently the ITF Player Welfare Officer and Director, Athlete Assistance, for the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour. In these roles, Kathy is responsible for overseeing the ITF and the Tour’s strategy regarding the safety, security, and well-being of ITF and WTA players. Kathy develops and administers ITF and WTA player, player support team, and staff education programs relevant to safety, security, and abuse.

History

Member for

2 years 23 weeks