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Tennis Australia has revealed an innovative new app to help facilitate a fun environment for teachers and coaches to arrange tennis competitions in schools.

Backed by the Federal Government’s $100 million Sporting Schools program, the new app aims to help schools increase the number of students playing tennis.

Sporting Schools pilot programs involving 12 sports will be rolled out over the next six months, with the programme to include more than 30 sports in total from July 2015.

Federal Minister for Health and Sport Sussan Ley yesterday (29th January) joined executives from Tennis Australia and the Australian Sports Commission at the Australian Open in Melbourne today to launch the new app.

Minister Ley said Sporting Schools - announced in the 2014/15 Federal Budget - was Australia’s largest school based participation program for children.

She explained “we know that supporting participation at a young age is critical to help children develop a deep connection to sport and lead healthy and active lifestyles.

“This is particularly important when one-in-four children are now overweight or obese.

“Sporting Schools is a key part of our plan to ensure sport continues to play an important role in delivering positive health and well-being outcomes for our children.

“With this investment, the Australian Sports Commission will help bring schools and sports together to provide a supportive environment that encourages participation for more than 850,000 Australian children.”

Each year more than 5,700 schools will be funded through Sporting Schools for practical delivery of sports activities that suits their local needs.

All registered schools will also have access to teaching resources and skilled coaching networks across Australia to support their involvement.

Australian Sports Commission Chief Executive Simon Hollingsworth said it was important for sporting bodies to work together to develop a supportive environment for Australian children.

Hollingsworth added “we are excited to be partnering with Australia’s key participation sports to develop the Sporting Schools program..

“From tennis to bowls, athletics to cricket, we are committed to providing an environment for Australian school children to get involved in sport based activity before, during and after school.”

Tennis Australia Participation Director Craig Morris explained “at Tennis Australia, we see technology as a key enabler of new participation strategies.

“Our research shows that parents and teachers struggle for inspiration to arrange sporting competitions in schools. This new app, or platform, will support schools to plan and manage competitions and bring the fun back into school tennis.”

Tennis Australia’s new app will be made to all schools as part of the Sporting Schools program once the current pilot is complete.

More information on Sporting Schools will be made available at www.sportingschools.gov.au.

Image shows (from left): John Alexander MP, Minister for Health and Sport Sussan Ley, Simon Hollingsworth, Pat Rafter and Craig Morris.

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15th May 2014 - FEDERAL BUDGET FUNDING BACKS SCHOOL SPORT AND COMMONWEALTH GAMES

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