24 March 2019 | Tennis Queensland

New tennis courts will be built and existing facilities upgraded in state schools as a result of a $1.5 million dollar joint initiative between Tennis Queensland and the Queensland Government.

The Tennis in State Schools initiative will focus on improving tennis infrastructure to increase students’ participation in the sport and make it easier for Queensland teachers to deliver effective tennis skills.

The initiative represents Tennis Queensland’s largest ever infrastructure investment in schools. The Department of Education and successful funding applicants will also contribute equally on a third-share basis throughout the three year program.

Tennis Queensland CEO, Mark Handley is delighted to partner with the Queensland government and improve tennis playing facilities for schools and the wider community.

“We are putting more money than ever into schools infrastructure because we believe that improved facilities will lead to more students’ discovering the love of tennis which genuinely is a life-long sport, “ Mr Handley said.

“Tennis Queensland also sees this is an opportunity for state schools, once projects are complete, to reach out further into their communities by opening up courts outside of school hours as a fundraising venture whilst increasing active options for all ages and abilities.”

93,000 school children participated in tennis related P.E classes across Queensland in 2018.

Education Minister Grace Grace said there were close to 900 state schools across the state with a tennis or multi-purpose court, however only 275 have a specifically designated tennis court.

“We have structured the program to ensure that as many eligible schools as possible will benefit,” Ms Grace said.

“We are working on the principle that if you provide the right facilities, students will want to play tennis.