4 September 2018 | Tennis West

Eleven students from Clontarf College will fly to Darwin tomorrow to take part in the inaugural National Indigenous Tennis Carnival (NITC), which will be held from 6-9 September at the brand new Darwin International Tennis Centre.

 

The students, aged between12 -18, will be accompanied by teachers and Tennis West staff as they compete against 180 indigenous participants from all over Australia, across 15 world-class courts.

 

The state-of-the-art Darwin International Tennis Centre will be transformed into a booming carnival of culture and tennis during the NITC with more than 4000 people expected to attend the three day event.

 

The NITC will be a celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, bringing together hundreds of individuals and groups to celebrate youth, music, art, food and health through the delivery of tennis, cultural activities and workshops.

 

The carnival will have a strong focus on empowering Indigenous youth through culturally themed workshops and ceremonies.

 

Additionally, a free community concert and opening ceremony will be held on Friday 7 September, headlined by Indigenous hip-hop artist Baker Boy (Danzal Baker), who will be supported by local artists.

 

Earlier this year, Australia’s top ranked tennis player, and world number 17, Ash Barty was announced as an Indigenous Tennis Ambassador.

 

“The National Indigenous Tennis Carnival will be an amazing event, for not only tennis across Australia but especially Indigenous tennis. It will bring all of the kids together to give them an opportunity to showcase what they’re capable of”  Barty said.

 

Tennis West Participation Leader, Brett Marshall, who will be accompanying the students on the trip, is thrilled at the opportunities that events such as this provide.

 

“Events like the NITC not only provide Indigenous students with playing opportunities and career pathways within tennis, but also allow the students to share and celebrate their culture, and promote diversity and inclusion on and off the court” Marshall said.

 

The Clontarf College students were originally selected after showing an enthusiasm for tennis within their school sports program. The students have been training for the last five weeks at Corinthian Park Tennis Club, under the guidance of Head Coach, Nathan Nelmes.

 

The tennis tournament within the NITC will be run for players aged between 10-18 regardless of skill level or ability.

 

The top performing girls and boys in the Performance Tournament will be invited to play at the International Tennis Federation (ITF) 2019 Fiji Open and Oceania Championships in 2020.

 

National Indigenous Tennis Carnival fast facts

• The inaugural National Indigenous Tennis Carnival (NITC) will be held from the 6 to 9 September 2018 at the brand new Darwin International Tennis Centre
• The NITC will celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture by bringing together thousands of individuals and groups to champion youth, art, food and health through the delivery of tennis, cultural activities, music and workshops.

 

Tennis

• More than 180 Indigenous participants from every state and territory will participate in the tennis carnival
• Tournaments will be run for participants 10 to 18 years of age regardless of ability or skill level
• There will be two key streams for participants to choose – Participation and Championship
• The top performing girls and boys in the tournament will be invited to play at the International Tennis Federation’s 2019 Fiji Open and Oceania Championships in 2020.

 

Culture

• Alongside the tennis, the NITC will host a free cultural festival for the general public to attend on Friday 7 and Saturday 8 September
• Award-winning Indigenous musical act, Baker Boy, will feature at a free community concert on Friday 7 September