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Play the season in australia

Tennis: Play the season in Australia

Duration: 25 weeks

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Overview

Playing tennis in Australia

Working overseas

Social life

Reviews

Your pad

FAQs

A week in the life

Prices & dates

Overview

Experience tennis Aussie style! With our Play the Season programme you’ll play, train and party all season long with an Australian tennis club. Plus, you’ll enjoy shared accommodation at the heart of a great city and make friends for life along the way.

Recommended for:

Living like an Aussie, all season long
Improving your game in a club environment
Exploring Oz with your new mates
Boosting your CV with a part-time job

At a glance:

Hand-picked Australian tennis club
Regular matches, training & social events
Shared accommodation
24/7 mentor support throughout your stay

Sporting adventures

The Season allows you to spend 6 months living, working and playing tennis in Australia. You’ll have loads of time to make strong friendships and become fully integrated into Aussie life.

You will be located in the amazing city of Melbourne where you’ll be placed with tennis club that suits your sporting ability and personality! Our centrally located, accommodation puts you at the heart of the city, so get ready to enjoy the freedom and excitement of life in Australia with a group of new mates.

FAQs

1. What type of visa do I need?

Australian Working Holiday Visa

If you would like to obtain paid work during your programme you will need to obtain an Australian Working Holiday Visa. UK citizens aged 18-30 are eligible for an Australian Working Holiday Visa which enables holders to live and work in Australia for up to 12 months. It costs around £150 and can take up to 4 weeks to process so we recommend getting the paperwork sorted well in advance of your departure.

Australian Tourist Visa

If you don’t want to work in Australia you can get an Australian Tourist Visa.

For more information see the Travel & Visa section in the Need to Know area of our site.

2. Do I need to be an elite player?

Absolutely not! We cater for players of all abilities. We will obtain further information on your sporting ability once you have submitted your booking form. This will allow us to match you with a suitable club.

3. How can I find out more general information?

Hopefully, most key pieces of information are available on the website where you can download programme notes, prices and dates. Our Need to Know section also contains lots of useful information. If you have other questions or just want to have a chat, we’re always available either on the phone or via email.

We know that planning a trip overseas can be scary at times and there’s loads to think about. So don’t hesitate to get in touch if you need to discuss anything at all.

Working overseas

You’ll have plenty of spare time between training and competing if you’d like to get a job. As well as enhancing your CV and boosting your bank balance, working overseas will help you meet new people and provide more structure to your time away.

Top tips for getting work:

Plan the type of work you'd like to obtain
Try to gain relevant work experience
Prepare a CV and have two references
Be proactive & persistent in job hunting

Employment options:

Café/bar work: sociable environment
Office work: good rates of pay
Coaching: fulfilling and well paid
Work experience: boost your CV

Working in Australia

You’ll be living close to lots of employment options like offices, shops, bars and restaurants. Contacts at your sport club might also help you to find coaching work.

In addition, your mentor will provide guidance on working in Australia but you should ensure you’re well prepared as the job market can be as competitive as the sports arena!

Your pad

STANDARD ACCOMMODATION
PREMIUM ACCOMMODATION

STANDARD ACCOMMODATION

Choose our Standard Accommodation in Australia and you’ll live in a dorm room in a hostel or lodge. All our Standard pads are centrally located and provide easy access to public transport. This makes it easier to get to your sports club, as well as giving you the chance to try out all the bars, clubs and restaurants in the city centre.

At a glance:

Top quality hostel accommodation
Located close to transport and nightlife
Shared with Sport Lived participants
Meet travellers from around the world

Your place in Australia...

You’ll share a dorm room with other Sport Lived participants. You’ll get fully equipped kitchen facilities, a base for your belongings and large comfortable communal areas, so you can catch up with other Sport Lived participants and travellers from around the world.

NB: Illustrative accommodation pictures.

Bedroom

Kitchen

Bathroom

Dining area

Kitchen

Bedroom

Dining area

Bathroom

Dining area

Bedroom

Kitchen

Bathroom

Bedroom

Kitchen

Dining area

PREMIUM ACCOMMODATION

Choose our Premium Accommodation in Australia and you’ll live in a 4 star apartment in the centre of town. Your club will be easily accessible by public transport and with lots of bars, clubs, restaurants and shops close by there are plenty of places explore.

Four star city centre apartments

At a glance:

4-star fully furnished apartments
Located close to transport and nightlife
Shared with Sport Lived participants
Relax! Most bills are included

Home from home...

Apartments are shared with other Sport Lived participants and include a 24 hour reception plus many mod-cons. Apartments are fully furnished including a TV, linen, kitchen appliances, washing machines, etc. They are also serviced weekly so you can spend your time having fun.

NB: Illustrative accommodation pictures.

Apartment kitchen

Apartment living room

Apartment lounge diner

Premium accommodation

Apartment kitchen

Apartment lounge

Apartment lounge and diner

Apartment lounge diner

Apartment kitchen

Apartment living room

Premium accommodation

Playing tennis in Australia

We have links with a wide range of good Australian tennis clubs who’ll welcome you as a new member. Get ready for plenty of banter- the Aussies love to have a laugh with their new Pommie teammates!

Club structure

Tennis clubs in Australia tend to be fairly large and have lots of members. They can therefore accommodate players of all abilities – from elite athletes to more social tennis players.

Matches & training

You’ll train two to three evenings a week and play matches against other clubs at the weekends.

As well as playing matches for your club, keen tennis players can also enter tennis tournaments organised by regional governing bodies such as Tennis Victoria.

Off the court

With so many members, your club will be a hive of social activity. There’ll be drinks after training and matches, plus social events throughout the season.

Tennis development

Our clubs are selected for their high quality coaching and facilities, helping you return home as a much-improved player.

…and finally

What are you waiting for? Get out there and show the Aussies how it’s done!

Reviews

GREG POLLOR - PLAY TENNIS MELBOURNE

What was the highlight of your Sport Lived experience?

Watching Andy Murray play Roger Federer in the Aussie Open and the opportunity to play tennis at such a welcoming and friendly club. Although, my personal highlight would probably be meeting great people and making some amazing friends with the other Sport Lived participants.

Do you think your Sport Lived experience has changed you as a person? If so, how?

Yes. The experience has helped me to develop as a person by improving my confidence as I became more outgoing. I think this was partly due to the role played by the other Sport Lived participants and the actual sporting programme which provided me with the opportunity to display newly found personal characteristics. It also provided me with an opportunity to develop several other skills, as I managed to get a job with the sports club I attended on the programme, which was made possible thanks to the endeavour of the Sport Lived team, especially Rod Jones and those at my tennis club!

What tips would you give to future Sport Lived participants?

Definitely go on your trip with an open mind. Embrace the new country and cultures which you are in and be prepared to have the best time of your life. Also, go with the intention of getting as much out of the trip as possible, for example if there are sporting or major events on, then go and see them as you may never get the chance again.

Why should someone choose Sport Lived?

You can be a long way from home for a long period of time, which could obviously bring some apprehensions, but there is no need to worry as there is a great structure in place to make sure you never feel unsupported and every aspect of your trip is how you wish it to be. From my personal experience, the accommodation was amazing and I can only hope that one day, I will be able to afford to live in a flat like the one which was supplied by Sport Lived.

How have you improved as a player / coach?

It provided the opportunity to play on a continual basis and I certainly saw improvements in my game. The programme gave me the chance to play against players who were at a very high standard.

...and finally, in a single sentence, I'm glad I went on a Sport Lived programme because

It allowed me to experience a wonderful country and it created a plethora of ‘lifetime memories' which I shared with some brilliant people.

A week in the life...

...of Georgie Da Costa who played tennis with a club in Melbourne.

Monday

Coached the year 7 boys at 3pm, they can be a bit wild, but it’s nothing to worry about. Went and got some movies, then we watched a couple with pizza.

Tuesday

Sunbathed until work then coached the year 6 boys. Had a great night, we played rock, paper, scissors with the bar staff and if you won your drinks were free!

Wednesday

Coached the year 11 boys at 3pm, extremely daunting at first, but they are all very nice and listen to everything! Went to the gym and we watched another movie.

Thursday

I coached three squads, and the 10 – 11 year old boys said I was their best coach ever! All Sportlived people came round to ours for a big night out!

Friday

Everyone has Friday off, so we went shopping, sunbathed, went in the pool and hit the gym. We all went to see a film and got sushi in the evening!

Saturday

Sunbathed then played my tennis match. We won our games and are in the finals of the competition!! Went out in the evening with my teammates, all really nice girls!

Sunday

After a long week we needed a lazy day sunbathing and swimming, then we went for a hit at the local tennis club in the evening before it got dark!

Prices and dates...

Location
Duration
From
To
Price

Melbourne
25 weeks
26/03/2012
16/09/2012
Standard
£ 5695

Melbourne
25 weeks
26/03/2012
16/09/2012
Premium
£ 8295

Melbourne
25 weeks
01/10/2012
24/03/2013
Standard
£ 5995

Melbourne
25 weeks
01/10/2012
24/03/2013
Premium
£ 8795

Melbourne
25 weeks
25/03/2013
15/09/2013
Standard
£ 5995

Melbourne
25 weeks
25/03/2013
15/09/2013
Premium
£ 8795

Australia

Sun, sea, sand and SPORT! Australia’s sporting prowess is as legendary as the Great Barrier Reef and a Sport Lived programme is your chance to experience both.

Australia highlights:

Watch a magical sunrise over Ayers Rock
Catch a cricket match at the MCG
Dive the Great Barrier Reef
Learn to surf at Bondi Beach

Choose your destination city...

Our programmes run to cities across Australia. Click on each city to learn more but be warned, choosing your destination is NOT an easy decision.

Sport Lived in Brisbane

Simon heads up the Sport Lived team in Brisbane and is a thoroughbred Queenslander. He’s travelled the world but made Brissy his home, so hear all about his favourite city.

The weather in Brisbane today is...

Your mentor recommends:

Head to the Gold Coast for a surfing lesson
Enjoy the city centre beach at South Bank
Visit the city's riverfront bars & restaurants
Check out Queensland's beautiful islands

Ed, Ali, and Barney at the Gold Coast

Sport Lived social for the Rugby Academy players in Brisbane

Beautiful one day, perfect the next is the ideal way to describe sunny Queensland. Brisbane is located right at the heart of Queensland and is renowned for its laid-back lifestyle and welcoming atmosphere. It’s hard to go wrong with the tropical climate which leads to long balmy nights spent either on the beach or enjoying a cold drink with friends.

Situated on the magnificent Brisbane River the city is the place to be. It is well known for its bustling night life. Whether you want a couple of drinks in a traditional Australian pub, a night on the dance floor or anything in between, Brisbane has a night spot to suit. Brisbane is very popular among travellers and backpackers as the city is constantly thriving with life.

Brisbane also boasts two of Australia’s best sporting stadiums. The Gabba and Suncorp Stadium host matches of Rugby League, Cricket, Aussie Rules, A League Football, Rugby Union - basically every sport you could wish for!

The city is also just an hour's drive from the stunning Gold Coast, which is known internationally as a popular tourist destination, thanks to its white sandy beaches and crystal clear ocean. Maybe now is the time to take up the opportunity to learn how to surf; or travel up further north to the beautiful rainforests and spectacular waterfalls.

In summary, Brisbane is a fantastic city offering amazing experiences. Your time spent here will be remembered and treasured for life.

Sport Lived in Melbourne

Matt has been part of the Sport Lived team in Melbourne for the last few years. Although he was born in the US, he was raised in Melbourne and considers the city home, making him perfectly placed to tell you all about its attractions.

The weather in Melbourne today is...

Your mentor recommends:

Catch the Boxing Day Test Match
Take a trip along the Great Ocean Road
Have a picnic in the Royal Botanic Gardens
Check out South Yarra's shops and cafés

Sport Lived participants playing golf in Melbourne

Girls night out in Melbourne

Team mates enjoying dinner in Melbourne

St. Patricks night in Melbourne

Clubbing in Melbourne

First things first. Whether it be playing professionally, socially with mates, coaching or simply watching on the telly, Melburnians LOVE sport. It doesn't matter where you are - the heart of the city, a country town, or in the suburbs, you will not only find a pub with a TV screen, but also an enthusiastic Aussie crowd to watch the action. In terms of live sport, we have the famous Boxing Day test match, Aussie Open Tennis, Grand Prix and the Melbourne Cup – Australia’s most famous horse race.

But there’s more than sport. Most importantly, the Melbourne people are an incredible bunch. There's a warm, community sense that vibrates through the city. The locals are typically laid back and welcoming. They love to show off their city and will probably insist on taking you out on the town, exchanging slang words and introducing you to their mates.

This city is famous as the home of culture in Australia and has amazing art exhibitions, markets, music and comedy festivals; shopping, nightclubs and trendy bars. Whatever your taste, you'll find places in Melbourne dedicated to people like yourself.

Book now

Request a brochure

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