- What is the challenge?
- Teacher Toolkit
- How to enter
- Contact us and FAQs
What is the Ash Barty Schools Challenge?
The Ash Barty Schools Challenge is back for 2026 – and entries are open to all primary schools across Australia.
The challenge is a unique opportunity for teachers to spark creativity in the classroom.
It invites students to reflect on the inspiration of Ash Barty and explore what tennis means to them - on and off the court.
The winning school will receive a special visit from Ash Barty in Term 4 2026, where she will interact with students, participate with tennis activities either outdoors or in the classroom and inspire them to keep playing and enjoying the sport.
The school will also receive Little Ash books for their school library, and get one term of free Tennis in Schools Program in Term 2, 2027.
Getting involved
Tennis is more than just a physical game. It’s about strategy, focus and planning. Every point demands thought, preparation and execution - a balance Ash Barty has mastered throughout her career.
Now it’s your turn to think creatively.
Getting involved is simple. Students enter by submitting a creative task – they can do this by completing one of two activities:
- A creative writing piece, or
- A colouring activity.
Each completed activity counts as one entry.
Challenge dates
Start: Tuesday 9 June 2026
End: Sunday 4 October 2026
We will notify the winning school on Tuesday 13 October 2026.
Teacher Toolkit
To support you in the classroom, we’re pleased to provide a complimentary video as part of your Teacher Toolkit for the Ash Barty Schools Challenge, along with the opportunity to express your interest in the Extended Teacher Toolkit.
This extended resource is designed to help students engage with the challenge while developing positive social and emotional learning skills.
The toolkit encourages students to reflect on key dispositions such as persistence, teamwork, kindness and curiosity as they watch, think and respond to the content.
It provides practical resources to help bring these themes to life, making it easy to integrate the challenge into your classroom learning experience.
Complimentary Teacher Toolkit resource includes:
- A Highlight Reel of Ash Barty, showcasing her achievements and career.
The Extended Teacher Toolkit includes:
- Ash’s Journey Video, sharing her story both on and off the court
- Ash’s Journey Quiz – engaging students to actively listen and respond to the content
- Ash’s Match Point Video – highlighting match-winning moments that demonstrate her determination to succeed at the highest level
- Ash’s Visit to Uluru – sharing her experience connecting to Country and the local community during her 2022 Australian Open victory celebrations.
Express your interest in the extended teacher toolkit.
Creative writing activity
Write a creative piece inspired by Ash.
This activity can be tailored to your current classroom writing focus – whether that’s persuasive writing, narrative, poetry or letter writing. Students are encouraged to reflect on Ash Barty’s journey and explore how her story inspires them to achieve their own goals and dreams.
Download the Creative Writing Template.
Colouring activity
Showcase your creativity by bringing Ash to life through colour. Choose from two special scenes – Ash at the beginning of her tennis journey or celebrating her 2022 Australian Open win during her visit to Uluru.
Two templates are available to suit different ages and skill levels, while a bonus template is available to all:
- Template 1: Designed for Prep–Grade 3, featuring bold lines and simpler imagery
- Template 2: Designed for Grades 4–6, with more detailed illustrations
- Template 3: Bonus option, for all ages.
Download the templates
How to enter
There are two ways to submit your entries into the Ash Barty Schools Challenge.
Online submission
Scan all your completed activities and upload it via the online form.
Mail via post submission
Send all your completed activities to:
Ash Barty Schools Challenge
Private Bag 6060
Richmond, VIC 3121
To complete your entry, please also fill out the online entry form. This confirms your acceptance of the challenge terms and conditions, as well as your school’s entry details.
To meet the challenge deadline, ensure your submission is posted by 23 September 2026 at your local post box or post office.
Please note: postage costs are the responsibility of the school or teacher. Please refer to the Australia Post guidelines for instructions on sending a letter, including applicable postage costs: Regular letters - Australia Post.
Contact us
If you have any trouble uploading your submissions or have any questions, please reach out to the Tennis Australia Schools Team at schools@tennis.com.au.
Frequently asked questions
The Ash Barty Schools Challenge is back for 2026 – and entries are open to all primary schools across Australia.
Getting involved is simple.
Students can enter by completing one of two activities:
- A creative writing piece, or
- A colouring activity.
Each completed activity counts as one entry.
The challenge is open to all primary school students across Australia, with entries submitted by teachers on their behalf.
Tuesday 9 June 2026 to Sunday 4 October 2026.
This is a primary schools-only competition. However, P-12 schools are not excluded from the competition.
Simply submit and upload your online entry via the online submission form, however if a teacher/school chooses to send your entries via post, please register your entries via the post link which acknowledges the challenge terms and conditions.
That’s perfectly fine. The challenge is about encouraging students to focus on a creative writing and or colouring activity. Use this opportunity to introduce tennis to your students and have fun with it!
Absolutely – we would love for you to be involved again in 2026. Please note the entry requirements are different this year. No photos or video entries are required.
One complete activity will be counted as one entry. The more entries the better.
All entries will go into the draw to win. The winner will be selected by Ash Barty herself – and the winning school will be contacted directly.
The winning school will receive a special visit from Ash Barty in Term 4 2026, where she will interact with students, participate with tennis activities either outdoors or in the classroom and inspire them to keep playing and enjoying the sport. They will also receive Little Ash books for their school library.
The winning school will also get one term of free Tennis in Schools Program in Term 2, 2027.
For more details, contact us via schools@tennis.com.au.
