ACT Performance Pathway
For ACTs next generation of pros – discover opportunities to train, compete and shape your journey to the top of the game.
Super 10’s
Super 10s is a national program that brings together promising young tennis players aged 10 and under. Players participate in exciting team-based competitions – a nurturing space to compete, learn and build friendships with other standout players in their state.
Who can participate
For ACT event information and selection criteria please see relevant links: Super 10’s
Super 12’s
ACT National Development Squads
Designed to complement a player’s regular training – accelerating growth and prepare players for the next level of competition.
The National Development Squads (NDS) offers high-performance training for players aged 9 to 18 years of age. Designed to be complementary to an athlete’s regular sessions with their private coach, this program provides an opportunity for accellerated growth and exposure to ACT’s top junior players.
Who can participate
Selection to the NDS is based on evaluations by Tennis Australia and by invitation only, along with recommendations from Tennis Australia coaches and private coaches.
Potential participants are expected to meet certain entry criteria related to their:
- Universal Tennis Rating (UTR) and Colour Ball Rating (CBR)
- Training and Tournament Volume
- Tournament Results
- Australia Rankings
- Adherence to TA and ACT behavioral values
Further information regarding the ACT criteria is available below:
National Development Program
Empowering promising athletes through a holistic lens – with high-performance training and personal development to succeed in tennis and life
Tennis Australia’s National Development Program (NDP) is designed to provide comprehensive support to young Australian tennis players from 11 to 18 years of age, prioritising both their athletic and personal development journeys.Working in collaboration with players’ private coaches, this program offers several key benefits:
- Financial assistance – Covering travel and accommodation costs for national and international tournaments. (NDP Full & Wild Card Athletes Only)
- Coaching excellence – Access to high-quality coaching and training from certified Tennis Australia coaches.
- Physical optimisation – Customised strength and conditioning programs aimed at enhancing physical performance.
- Nutritional guidance – Support and education to ensure optimal health and maximise on-court performance.
- Sports psychology – Opportunities to develop resilience and various skills to navigate challenges during competitions.
- Wellbeing support – Mentorship and guidance for personal development and planning beyond tennis.
Who can participate
To qualify for the National Development Program, candidates must meet specific criteria set by Tennis Australia, including age, tennis ranking/rating, and performance in national and international events.
Further information regarding the ACT criteria is available below:
ACT Representative Opportunities
Throughout each year there are many representative opportunities for ACT players to strive towards. These opportunities provide our leading athletes with the chance to test themselves against the best players in Australia.
10&U Green Ball National Championship
The 10&U Green Ball Nationals provides a world-class tournament experience for Australia’s best young players – helping to shape their love of the sport through positive early competition.
Who can participate?
The ACT has two positions for boys and two for girls to participate in this National event. In order to win one of these two positions, players will need to be part of the ACT Green Ball points race held across the calendar year.
More information can be found here
Austrailan Open Super 10’s National Camp
The Super 10s AO National Camp is a developmental experience that combines unique Australian Open experiences with meaningful training and competitive play opportunities, inspiring young athletes to grow, connect, and strive to be the best version of themselves every day.
Who can participate?
The ACT has two positions for boys and two for girls to participate in this National event. Players can also qualify for the camp by making the quarter finals or better at the 10&U Green Ball National Championships.
Selection Criteria
- Participated in Super 10’s & 12’s over the past 12 months
- Is born in the relevant birth year for the upcoming camp (eg the 2026 Camp was for players in the 2015 birth year)
- Is the player appropriately developing their weapons (skill, power, movement, competitiveness) to align with the TA Player Development Matrix
- Does the athlete demonstrate effort to develop and implement the following character traits: Effort over outcome, Humility and Respect, Self-Regulation and Perspective, Honesty and Ownership & Act with Courage.
- Is the players current UTR and/or Colour Ball Rating at a National Level.
National Tours & Camps
These opportunities provide unique and exceptional experiences, giving young players the chance to test themselves nationally and internationally. National Tours & Camps are run yearly for each birth year, and are designed for athletes aged 11 to 16.
These opportunities are generally offered to players ranked in the top 2 – 10 nationally in their birth year.
Who can participate?
- Endorsed by Tennis Australia Selectors, in consultation with each state environment.
- In good standing with Tennis Australia* (e.g. no outstanding invoices or suspensions).
- Demonstrate physical readiness to compete.
- Maintain excellent behaviour throughout the tour or camp.
- Willing to engage in wellbeing and personal development activities.
- Commit to completing assigned schoolwork, athlete reviews and reflection sessions.
12’s & 14’s Australian National Championships
Each year the best players in Australia have two opportunities (clay and grass) to come together and compete for the Australian National Championships.
Who can participate?
DIRECT ENTRY:
The top 24 players in Australia on UTR for the respective age group will be accepted into the draw. This list will be made when entries close.
STATE QUALIFYING:
Each state/territory will run a qualifying event where the winner will receive a wild card into the National Championship draw. In the ACT, for players to be eligible for the state qualifying event they must:
1. Enter directly into the Nationals event.
2. Meet the minimum UTR requirement: 12&U Boys: 4.5, 12&U Girls: 3.5, 14&U Boys: 7.0, 14&U Girls: 5.0
All players meeting the above two requirements will be placed into the ACT qualifying event draw automatically.
12U & 14U Tour Finals
The De Minaur Junor Tour provides and exciting, age-specific tour where players have the chance to qualify and compete in the national tour finals.
Who can participate?
Anyone can participate in the year-round tour. To gain acceptance to the Tour Finals, players can qualify through the following methods:
- Finish in the Top 24 on the points race for their respective age category
- Be ranked in the Top 10 players based on their UTR for their respective age category
More information on the De Minaur Tour & Tour Finals can be found here
16U & 18U National Championships
Each year the best players in Australia will have the opportunity to come together and compete for the Australian National Championships.
Who can participate?
Main Draw
16 Players are accepted into the main draw. This list is made up of 10 players being accepted directly into the draw based on UTR (at close of entries), 2 players being given a national wildcard by selectors, and 4 players who win their way through the qualifying draw.
Qualifying Draw
16 Players are accepted into the qualifying draw. This list is made up of 14 players being accepted directly into the draw based on UTR (at close of entries), and 2 players being given a national wildcard by selectors.
Australian State Teams Championships
The Australian State Teams Championships is the most prestigious event that 11/u, 13/u and 15/u ACT athletes can be selected for. The event involves teams from all States and Territories around Australia, as well as international teams from New Zealand and Pacific Oceania.
Who can participate?
Teams within each age group consist of 2 – 3 players, and are selected based of the following:
-
National Rankings
- UTR
-
Commitment to training and competitive play
-
Behavioural conduct
- Tournament results
-
Player head to head results over the last 6 months
NSW State Teams Championships
The ACT is fortunate to have an invitation each year to the 10&U, 12&U and 14&U NSW State Teams Championships. These events provide a great team-based opportunity for to compete against the some of the best NSW players from each of their state regions.
Who can participate?
Teams within each age group consist of 4 players, and are selected based of the following:
-
National Rankings
- UTR
-
Commitment to training and competitive play
-
Behavioural conduct
-
Player head to head results over the last 6 months
National School Sports Championships – Bruce Cup & Pizzey Cup
These events provide all ACT primary and secondary school children with an opportunity to represent the ACT at the National School Sport Championship.
Attendance at trial events is mandatory for selection in teams, this process is organised and run by School Sport ACT. For enquires and more information please head to their website School Sport ACT.
For further enquiries please contact:
Tom George – National Development Head Coach ACT ([email protected])
Nathan Price – Talent Development Manager ACT ([email protected])
ACT