The third edition of the National Indigenous Tennis Carnival came to an end in Darwin on Sunday, with Indigenous tennis legend Evonne Goolagong Cawley, Larrakia Traditional Owner Aunty June, and Tennis NT President Steve Rossingh on hand to present the champions with their trophies.
The team from South Australia were awarded the Ash Barty Cup for participation and effort. The team performed admirably on court and were also recognised for the special friendship they forged with the team from Canteen Creek, north-east of Alice Springs.
South Australia also won the Future Stars tournament and was represented in the 18-and-under girls’ final by Keeral McKenzie who fell to eventual winner Amali Zillmann (Qld) 7-5 6-4.
Fourteen-year-old Madison Ah Chee from Clare, SA was selected as one of eight First Nations ballkids to be part of the Australian Open 2023 Ballkid Squad.
“I’ve loved this week, it was my first time and I’ve loved every moment,” Ah Chee said.
“I was really nervous. I didn’t think I would have a very big chance because there were so many kids there and they were really good, but it feels great to be selected.
“I haven’t been to Melbourne or the Australian Open before. I am definitely looking forward to being there.”
South Australian co-captain Jayden Kemp was proud to lead his team at the National Indigenous Tennis Carnival.
“Last time I was here I was thinking more about the tournament, but this time it was about meeting new people, having fun and seeing the other states,” Kemp said.
“The kids from Canteen Creek, we loved them! We had a little bit of a hit with them and then they really stuck on to us. It was really good to hang out with them and to learn their culture as well, it is quite different to ours.
“It’s such an honour to have won the Ash Barty Cup. It shows that South Australia has good morals, we respect others and do everything this tournament wants us to do, so it was a huge honour.”
Co-captain Mia Dodd was also honoured to be a part of the winning South Australian team.
“It’s a real honour to win the Ash Barty Cup. We came second a couple of years ago in 2019, so for this year to win it, it’s something really special. We aren’t a big team, so for a small team to win really shows how much we care about what we are doing,” Dodd said.
“The kids from Canteen Creek were absolutely amazing. Not only did they put in effort to get to know us, but we put in a heap of effort to get to know them. It was a great experience.”
Tennis SA CEO Debbie Sterrey congratulated the team on their success in Darwin.
“We are so proud of our South Australian team and their success at the National Indigenous Tennis Carnival,” Sterrey said.
“It is clear that they represented themselves and the state with an enthusiasm and positivity that was truly recognised and appreciated by those in attendance.
“The National Indigenous Tennis Carnival is a key piece of the pathway for our junior Indigenous tennis players and we are so glad that they have enjoyed the experience, both on and off-court, in Darwin.”
National Indigenous Tennis Carnival 2022 final results
Team South Australia
Madison Ah Chee (Clare, SA)
Jamain Agius (Ingle Farm, SA)
Mia Dodd (Prospect, SA)
Jayden Kemp (Wynn Vale, SA)
Keeral McKenzie (Torrensville, SA)
Namallari McKenzie (Torrensville, SA)
Sam Todd (Tea Tree Gully, SA)
Sophie Todd (Tea Tree Gully, SA)
Matthew Fitzgerald – Team Manager
Jessica Gardner – Team Manager
Ash Barty Cup (participation and effort award)
South Australia
Future Stars tournament
Winner: Team South Australia
Madison Ah Chee (Clare, SA)
Jamain Agius (Ingle Farm, SA)
Sam Todd (Tea Tree Gully, SA)
Sophie Todd (Tea Tree Gully, SA)
18-and-under girls’ championship
[1] Amali Zillmann (Qld) def [2] Keeral McKenzie (SA) 7-5 6-4
First Nations Australian Open Ballkid
Madison Ah Chee (Clare, SA)
Additional information on the 2022 NITC
- More than 230 participants travelled to Darwin for the 2022 National Indigenous Tennis Carnival from every state and territory
- NT participants came from nine communities including Canteen Creek, Groote Eylandt, Tiwi Islands, Lajamanu (WANTA), Jabiru, Arlparra, Palmerston, Alice Springs and Woolianna
- A Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony was conducted by Larrakia Traditional Owner, Aunty June
- Participants took part in a variety of cultural activities throughout the event including string making with Trent Lee, Laughing Yoga with Nadine Lee and dance workshops with Indigenous Outreach Projects
- Participants attended a private screening of Sunshine Super Girl, based on the life of Evonne Goolagong Cawley, at the Darwin Entertainment Centre.
- Participants and public were treated to a special performance by acclaimed music duo Electric Fields, supported by Yung Milla and Indigenous Outreach Projects
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