184 Indigenous kids from every state and territory around Australia. Two female Indigenous tennis icons in the house. Live performances from ARIA award-winning artist Jessica Mauboy and hometown hero, rapper J-MILLA. This was an event that will stick in the memory of everyone lucky enough to be there… it might take a few weeks to come down back to earth.
The National Indigenous Tennis Carnival celebrated it’s fifth year this year and is held on Larrakia Country in the NT. The event is more than tennis, it brings together Indigenous kids from urban to remote areas of Australia, and provides an opportunity to connect with each other, connect with culture, and take part in activities delivered by local artists.
Lynette Fejo of Larrakia Nation opened the event with a Welcome to Country, supported by the Garramilla dancers. After some tennis, everyone came back together for a part of the event called the “Cultural Exchange” – where teams share something about their cultural background. Ian Goolagong, who is one of the event’s beloved cultural advisors, closed the Cultural Exchange with a beautiful song.
The National Indigenous Tennis Carnival was attended by Evonne Goolagong Cawley and Roger Cawley, as always, they have been drivers of the event since the beginning. Kids were thrilled to have time with Evonne as she and Roger love to watch the kids play tennis.
On Friday, Evonne Goolagong Cawley had a surprise for the kids on Day 2… Evonne led proud Ngarigo woman and tennis superstar Ash Barty to the court to greet the kids. After thunderous applause and shock, Ash had a bit of Q&A time with the kids, and spent the rest of the day getting involved in the event activities alongside the kids. Watching Ash Barty get involved in the event was a highlight – Barty decorated a mural artwork, took part in ball kid training, and had a spin on the DJ decks. But the fun was not done, Friday night was not done with surprises and special guess Jess Mauboy tore up the stage and got everyone dancing at the concert.
Saturday was no less exciting. A huge day of tennis with most finals being played, the kids all got together to support their teams and the friends they had made. Again we ended the day with a musical act – welcoming back local rapper J-MILLA to perform to the kids. It was an exciting show with the kids getting into the performance from J-MILLA and his crew.
Sunday (day #4) this year had still more tennis to fit in, with doubles actions going right until the closing ceremony. In the Closing Ceremony, Evonne Goolagong Cawley and Tennis NT President Steve Rossingh celebrated everyone involved in a special award presentation.
Evonne Goolagong Cawley herself presented 14-year-old Jadah Dunn (ACT) with the Evonne Goolagong Cawley Medal of Excellence for her outstanding leadership on-and-off court.
Additionally, 8 participants, one from each state and territory, were announced as the winners of the supervisor and staff voted ‘Deadly Awards.’ Deadly Award winners will receive a money can’t buy experience at a Summer of Tennis event in 2025 – check out what NT’s 2023 Deadly Award winner got up to last year.
NT Team Palmerston lead by Alex Capill from Tennis Palmerston were crowned Hot Shots Tennis Champions with special guests Rorey and supervisor Nicky Mayer from Gove Peninsula Tennis Club travelling all the way from Nhulunbuy to join in.
“We have had a wonderful four days at the National Indigenous Tennis Carnival, and it has been great to see the participants immerse themselves in the different activities on and off court,” Tennis NT CEO Tania Tandora said. “It was an absolute delight to have Ash join Evonne at the event this year and to see the smiles on the kids’ faces when she walked on to Centre Court is a moment we won’t forget. “There has been some great tennis played throughout the carnival, and to see everyone take part in the cultural activities, as well as enjoy the fabulous concerts with Jessica Mauboy and J-MILLA, has been a pleasure. “Many of our participants are at different stages in their tennis careers, but we hope that this is an event that they look back on and remember no matter what their future holds.”
National Indigenous Tennis Carnival 2024 results
18-and-under singles championships
Girls: [3] Amali Zillmann (Qld) d [4] Giselle Kawane (Qld) 6-0 6-1
Boys: [1] Quincy Khan (NSW) d [2] Isaac Elson (NSW) 7-5 5-7 [10-4]
14-and-under singles championships
Girls: [1] Lola Grigor (Vic) d [2] Laylah Shawcross (Qld) 7-5 6-4
Boys: [2] Ryan Bolger (Qld) d [1] Preston Shawcross (Qld) 4-6 6-1 [10-5]
Hot Shots Tennis champions
Palmerston (NT)
Futures Stars champions
South Australia
Deadly Award winners
Jadah Dunn (ACT)
Oakley Baylis (NSW)
Declan Sambo (NT)
Billy Brickwood (Qld)
Kiarah Wilson (SA)
Chase Richardson (Tas)
Ngatatji Bysouth (Vic)
Ella Quinlan (WA)
Roger Cawley Supervisors Award
Aaron Mardi (Jilkminggan, NT)
Evonne Goolagong Cawley Medal of Excellence
Jadah Dunn (ACT)
Ash Barty Cup
Victoria
ABOUT the National Indigenous Tennis Carnival
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