CONNECTING THROUGH TENNIS

Indigenous children at the Darwin International Tennis Centre for the National Indigenous Tennis Carnival on Friday, August 11, 2023. MANDATORY PHOTO CREDIT Tennis Australia/ SCOTT BARBOUR

What an event! For all of the latest news on the 5th National Indigenous Tennis Carnival, held in 2024, read our wrap up. 

The National Indigenous Tennis Carnival, also known as NITC, is an annual event hosted at the Darwin International Tennis Centre. The National Indigenous Tennis Carnival is more than tennis, it brings together Indigenous kids from every state and territory across Australia to connect with each other through tennis, cultural activities, health workshops, and ultimately getting to know each other and sharing stories about themselves and their own communities.

The National Indigenous Tennis Carnival was created in collaboration between the Evonne Goolagong Foundation, Tennis Australia, and Tennis NT.  This event relies on the continued support and advocacy from the Northern Territory Government, the Evonne Goolagong Foundation, Tennis Australia, and each of the Tennis Member Associations from the states and territories of Australia.

If you are within the NT and interested to find out if your school or community could be a part of this event, contact us at [email protected] 

If you are from outside of the NT, get in touch with your state or territory’s Tennis Member Association. 

TENNIS
For many players, the National Indigenous Tennis Carnival is the pinnacle of the Indigenous tennis pathway, and for some players it is the beginning of their journey. Participants span across three streams of tennis – some players from more remote communities have had little exposure to tennis before, and so will play in a beginner level competition. More established players are in the “Future Stars”. The top players participate in the “Showdown” stream.

CULTURE, HEALTH and WELLBEING
Culture, health and wellbeing are integrated into the event from Opening Day. The Welcome to Country ceremony on is performed by Larrakia Nation.  This is followed by a performance from Ian Goolagong and a speech from Evonne Goolagong-Cawley herself. National Indigenous Tennis Carnival is proud to have partnerships with Deadly Choices and Danilla Dilba who are leaders in providing culturally safe healthcare.

The event also has a regular highlight of Indigenous performers. Past musical acts have included Eurovision 2024 entrants Electric Fields, 2024 National Indigenous Music awards “Artist of the Year” BAARKA, local Darwin woman and multi-Aria award winning Jess Mauboy, and our crowd-favourite Palmerston hip-hop musician J-MILLA.

AWARDS
All of the tennis being played across the event contributes points towards a state or territory’s total. The winning state/territory are awarded the coveted Ash Barty Cup.
Individuals play off against the best-of-the-best in the Showdown stream and one person will also be hand-picked by Evonne Goolagong Cawley herself to receive the Evonne Goolagong Cawley Medal of Excellence.
In 2023, the first Roger Cawley Outstanding Support Award was given, to recognise the efforts of our amazing team of supervisors who take care of the kids during the event.
Multiple Deadly Awards are nominated by the staff at the event, to recognise participants who display leadership, sportsmanship, and look out for other participants through the event. Last year’s NT Deadly Award winner, Kimally Puruntatameri from the Tiwi Islands, went to the Brisbane International and had a few brushes with fame – find out about his experience.

PATHWAYS
The National Indigenous Tennis Carnival also provides the start of a pathway for aspiring ballkids. Read up about Lorenzo Retchford from Palmerston, as he talks about his experience at the Australian Open. 

Careers in tennis start at any time, from any skill level. At the event, kids are also shown the range of career opportunities that are opened up through tennis, whether it be through coaching, officiating, and administration.

MEDIA & ACCREDITATION |  contact:  [email protected]

The National Indigenous Tennis Carnival is a CLOSED EVENT – spectators will not be admitted

Exceptions may be considered by prior arrangement for parents or legal guardians of participants. Contact your Member Association representative for more information.

EVENT INFORMATION

Information Pack:

National Indigenous Tennis Carnival Info Pack – NITC 2024 Info Pack v3 

Event Policies:

Participant Behavioural Guidelines
Supervising Personnel Behavioural Guidelines
Emergency Management-Plan
Event Management Plan

Terms & conditions of entry for approved accredited visitors:
Terms & conditions of entry for Darwin International Tennis Centre
Terms & conditions of entry for the National Indigenous Tennis Carnival

Group photo at the National Indigenous Tennis Carnival Opening Ceremony and Welcome to Country at the Darwin International Tennis Centre for the National Indigenous Tennis Carnival on Thursday, August 10, 2023. MANDATORY PHOTO CREDIT Tennis Australia/ SCOTT BARBOUR

See NITC 2023 on Youtube