9 July 2021 | Tennis NSW

Kyah is a proud Aboriginal Women from the Yuin Nation, on the South Coast of NSW and currently lives in Worimi Country, in Forster NSW with her husband and three children. We asked Kyah what NAIDOC Week means to her, and how tennis has given her an opportunity to pursue a career she is so passionate about.

1. What does NAIDOC week mean to you?

NAIDOC Week to me is a week to celebrate the oldest living culture, and a culture I’m so proud to be a part of. NAIDOC Week is a time to celebrate First Nation People and reflect on the past, present and future. This week is a great way for all people to learn and educate themselves by being involved in community events and a time for important discussions to happen within communities, especially this year’s theme “Heal Country”.

2. You have been involved with the Evonne Goolagong Foundation, tell us about the experiences you have had and the impact that this has had on you?

Tennis has shaped my life on so many levels. I’ve been able to travel Australia and the world over the years either coaching or playing tennis. I have made lifelong friends that I’m still in contact with from meeting through tennis and it has given me amazing opportunities. I have been involved with Evonne Goolagong and Indigenous Tennis since the age of eight. I relocated to Melbourne on the first Aboriginal tennis Scholarship through Evonne Goolagong and attended Box Hill Senior Secondary College. I am the National Project Manager of the Evonne Goolagong Foundation which is something I’m very proud of. I always wanted to be the next Evonne Goolagong Cawley, but instead of a professional tennis career I get to work alongside her and continue our passion for Indigenous pathways in tennis together.

3. How did you get involved in tennis and what keeps you involved in the sport?

I started playing tennis at age eight in Forster after my three older brothers started playing. I was the annoying little sister that joined in and I was coached by Jaime McDonagh. Thankfully I did as it led to many opportunities for me, and to this day I’m still coaching at Forster Tennis Club alongside Jaime. I love being involved in tennis for many reasons. I love how rewarding it is coaching and seeing people grow on and off the court, and I love travelling with the Goolagong Foundation and seeing those young Aboriginal kids big smiles and how much fun they are having. Tennis is a great sport as there are so many health and wellbeing benefits, and you can play at any age!