Tennis Australia in conjunction with its Member Associations want to continue to provide more accessibility and opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to participate and engage in tennis through educating clubs and coaches, enhancing talent identification, providing pathway opportunities, creating more playing opportunities through community events and tournaments and providing funding for Indigenous tennis programs, equipment and coaches.

Reconciliation Action Plan

Initiatives

National Indigenous Tennis Carnival

The annual National Indigenous Tennis Carnival is held at the Darwin International Tennis Centre, the carnival celebrates youth, culture, music, food and sport through the delivery of tennis, cultural activities and workshops.

The carnival has two types of competitions available, participation and performance to allow participants of all abilities aged between 12-18 years to be involved.

For more information read the NITC 2024 Fact Sheet or get in touch with your state/territory contact.

2024 First Nations Events & Contacts

Racquets and Red Dust Program

Tennis Australia’s First Nations Ambassador – Ash Barty

In April 2018, Australian tennis player Ash Barty was named Tennis Australia’s First Nations Ambassador in a move to attract more Indigenous youth to tennis.

“I’m a very proud Indigenous woman and I think that for me taking on this role is something very close to my heart. I’m very excited,” Barty said.

“If we can get more kids playing tennis more kids enjoying tennis across Australia within the Indigenous communities that would be amazing.

To find out more, visit National Indigenous Tennis Carnival.

Tennis for Schools

With participation options for all schools including regional and remote schools, the Tennis for Schools programs focus on the delivery of tennis in a modified environment which supports maximum participation and caters to the developmental readiness and individual needs of all students.

To find out more, visit https://www.tennis.com.au/schools

Evonne Goolagong Foundation

The Evonne Goolagong Foundation is the realisation of Evonne’s dream for life after the pro tour. To give as many Indigenous children the opportunity to be the best they can be. The Evonne Goolagong Foundation uses tennis as a vehicle to attract Indigenous girls and boys in order to promote and help provide high quality education and better health through diet and exercise.

For more information visit http://www.evonnegoolagongfoundation.org.au/

Partnerships

Buldau Yioohgen Youth Leadership Academy

The Buldau Yioohgen Youth Leadership Academy is a youth centric program that facilitates and encourages young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adolescents to realise their full potential, gain a greater understanding of, and pride in, their heritage and culture, and understand the importance of becoming leaders in their community.

Tennis Australia contributes to the academy through hosting visits, running talks/workshops and supporting employment opportunities for academy members and alumni.

Our commitment

Tennis Australia is committed to increasing opportunities and accessibility to tennis for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through:

• Engagement with Indigenous communities
• Educating clubs and coaches
• Enhancing talent identification
• Providing pathway opportunities
• Creating playing opportunities through community events and tournaments

For further information about Indigenous tennis programs and inclusion, please email [email protected]