TCA Awards Criteria

Awards Nomination and Criteria Process

Updated: June 2025

The TCA Award nomination process follows a thorough three-stage procedure to ensure each nominee meets the established criteria. From nominations submitted by members to due diligence checks and final voting by the TCA Board, the process concludes with the presentation of awards at the TCA Annual Awards Night.

LIFE MEMBERS

The Board of Management will nominate a coach for Life Membership at an AGM or special meeting. The board will then make a motion to put forward the name of the nominee up for Life Membership to a vote by ballot. To be successful the nominee must then receive a majority vote of 75% of members who respond by ballot.

Life Member awards are made to Coaches who meets the following criteria:

• Have made an outstanding contribution to the TCA Board of Management for a period of ten or more years recognising outstanding voluntary services in elevating the coaching industry as a profession.  
• Have served the needs of TCA Coaches with energy and enthusiasm
• Have served the TCA and its members without prejudice
• Have shown exceptional commitment to the TCA and the sport of tennis
• Have shown respect for the best traditions of the TCA
• Have brought credit to the TCA
• Has represented the TCA as a coach, player, or volunteer with pride

LEGEND

The Board of Management will nominate a coach for Legend status.

Legend status will be bestowed upon a Coach who meets the following criteria:

• Holds or has held a Tennis Australia coaching qualification - Club Professional, Master Club Professional or High Performance
• Has made significant contributions to the TCA and/or tennis coaching for a period of 40 years or more

• Has been previously inducted into the TCA Hall Of Fame
• Has fulfilled a broad spectrum of requirements, including having made significant achievements in areas such as tennis teaching and coaching, business, education and volunteer work
• Lives in the memories of, and are revered and respected by their students, peers, and colleagues alike as true legends of the TCA and tennis coaching
• Has shown respect for the best traditions of the TCA
• Has brought credit to the TCA
• Has represented the TCA as a coach, player, or volunteer with pride
• Has served the needs of TCA Coaches with energy and enthusiasm

TCA Legend status together with Life Membership represents the ultimate recognition by our Association for a lifetime contribution to coaching tennis and to administering our Association respectively.

HALL OF FAME

The Board of Management will nominate a coach to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Hall of Fame status will be bestowed upon a Coach who has met the following criteria:

• Has made outstanding contributions to the tennis coaching profession as a TCA member.
• Holds or has held a Tennis Australia coaching qualification - Club Professional, Master Club Professional or High Performance or has coached State or National teams or individuals.

• Hall of Fame Inductees will generally have made contributions to TCA and/or tennis coaching for a period of 30 years or more.

• Has made enormous contributions to grass roots tennis and participation at club/centre level and/or or have produced state, nationally, or internationally ranked players.
• Has observed and upheld the TCA code of ethics at all times.
• Has made tennis coaching their principal or full time occupation.
• Has played a significant role in mentoring other TCA coaches in developing their careers.
• Has made contributions to their sport beyond their commercial enterprises.
• Has coached the sport of tennis with energy and enthusiasm.
• Has coached the sport of tennis without prejudice.
• Has shown exceptional commitment to the sport of tennis.
• Has shown respect for the best traditions of tennis.
• Has brought credit to the sport of tennis with absolute professionalism.
• Has represented the sport of tennis as a competitor, administrator or volunteer with pride.
• Has remained up to date with current coaching knowledge and teaching practices.

IAN OCCLESHAW AWARD

The Board of Management will nominate a coach for the Ian Occleshaw.

The prestigious Ian Occleshaw award was struck in memory of our inaugural TCA Legend. The award will be presented to a person, coach or otherwise, who has committed an outstanding act or made a significant contribution to tennis coaching or to the game of tennis in the spirit and to the standard of the late great Ian Occleshaw.

TCA CLUB/CENTRE COACH OF THE YEAR 

(George Gilmour Memorial Trophy)
The George Gilmour Memorial Trophy is awarded to a club/centre coach who actively engages with their local community and club/centre to grow the game of tennis.

• Holds a Tennis Australia coaching qualification - Club Professional, Master Club Professional or High Performance.

• Provides successful coaching programs and pathways which cater for the needs of all players.
• Has demonstrated great loyalty and fosters a strong partnership with the club/centre.

• Seeks and fosters positive relationships with local schools conducting tennis in schools or in school coaching programs. 

• Has a proven track record of providing outstanding coaching at all levels for over 20 years.
• Demonstrates connecting tennis and the club with local community to promote the game.
• Implements innovative diverse and inclusive programs which encourage all individuals to participate in tennis and club/centre life.
• Executes a  marketing plan to assist in developing and growing tennis within the community.

Nominations can be submitted by a club/centre, another coach or self-nominated.

RISING STAR AWARD

This award recognises the achievement of a young, aspiring career driven coach, 35 years and under for their outstanding, innovative and industrious approach to tennis coaching and the tennis industry.
All Tennis Australia Junior Development, Club Professional, Master Professional and High Performance coaches are eligible to nominate.

Nominations can be submitted by a club/centre, another coach or self-nominated.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR AWARD

This award recognises the achievement of a young, outstanding, assistant coach considering a career in tennis coaching. TCA head coaches can nominate a Junior Development or Club Professional coach or a coach currently actively involved in either course. The assistant coach must be 25 years and under and must have worked for the head coach for a minimum of 2 years