29 June 2018 | Tennis Australia

Sixteen of the most inclusive tennis deliverers from around Australia are set to share in more than $60,000 funding as part of the AO Community Grants program which invests funds back into diverse and inclusive tennis communities around Australia.

In March 2018, applications for the fourth round of AO Community Grants opened with all affiliated tennis clubs, coaches and not-for-profit organisations invited to apply for funding of up to $5,000 to help run tennis programs that promote inclusion and diversity with a goal to improve the health and wellbeing of participants.

Since introducing the AO Community Grants program in 2016, Tennis Australia has provided 89 programs run by not-for-profit organisations, clubs, and coaches with more than $310,000 in funding.

Tennis Australia Head of Inclusion and Diversity Kerry Tavrou believes a focus on community is essential to ensuring physical activity and tennis remains welcoming, accessible and inclusive for everyone.

“The applications we received for round four of the AO Community Grants program were of a very high standard highlighting the strength of the community in helping improve the tennis landscape to be even more inclusive.

“For this current round of the grants, the focus was on providing more opportunities and access to underrepresented groups, including; Indigenous Australians, culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, LGBTI people and communities, older adults aged 65+ and people with disabilities.

“We hope with this funding, these programs can continue to provide increased access and sustainable participation opportunities for even more participants in our broad and diverse communities,” Tavrou continued.

AO Community Grants round four recipients