25 March 2025 | Tennis West

The new TA Ready2Rally program made an exciting debut in Western Australia with a successful Gala Day event on recently, bringing together approximately 40 girls and 13 STARS Mentors from seven STARS Foundation schools. This marks the beginning of a four-week program in select schools, where local tennis coaches are leading engaging sessions designed to introduce more teenage girls to the sport.

Building on the success of a similar initiative in the Northern Territory in 2024, the WA rollout is a collaborative effort between Tennis Australia, the Australian Tennis Foundation, Tennis West, and STARS Foundation. The response so far has been overwhelmingly positive, with participants praising the fun, interactive, and welcoming nature of the sessions.

Beyond learning new skills, the program fosters friendship, confidence, and a love for the game in a judgement-free environment. The joy and enthusiasm seen on the court highlight its impact in encouraging teenage girls to try something new alongside their peers.

Helen Owies, National Women and Girls Lead for Tennis, has a first hand experience of these events, and is excited about where it can lead us:

“The Ready2Rally program is all about creating a fun, social, and inclusive tennis experience where teenage girls feel comfortable engaging in fun activities and trying something new. Seeing the excitement, laughter, and confidence grow on court at the Gala Day was incredible, and it’s fantastic to now see the program continue in schools with local coaches leading the way.”

“It’s inspiring to see the impact of Ready2Rally first-hand, with both the girls and their STARS Mentors embracing the program with such enthusiasm. This collaboration with Tennis Australia, ATF, Tennis West, and STARS Foundation is just the beginning of what we hope will be a long-term initiative to connect more teenage girls with the joy of tennis.” 

With strong community support and an exciting start, Ready2Rally WA is set to continue making a positive difference, empowering more girls to step onto the court and into the game.