Tennis continues to be a powerful platform for inclusion and building confidence, as demonstrated by two inspiring Future Leaders projects led by young people using the sport to make a meaningful difference.
At Terrigal Tennis Club, 15-year-old Lalie Conway partnered with Special Olympics Australia to deliver a Come and Try Day designed to increase awareness and inclusive sporting opportunities for people with disabilities. Living with autism herself, Lalie organised the event to create a welcoming and supportive environment for participants of all abilities. The day attracted more than 50 participants aged five to 40 and was supported by a dedicated team of volunteers, local businesses and Terrigal Tennis Club, which provided courts and equipment.
Reflecting on her experience, Lalie said the Future Leaders Program gave her the confidence and support to turn her passion into action.
“Being a Future Leader gave me the opportunity to explore and follow through with something I am passionate about. I had the support from Adam and the team who guided me through this,” Lalie said.
“Being in this program gave me the opportunities to do things I never thought I could do and taught me so much for the future.”
With activities focused on fun and fundamental tennis skills, the event was a huge success, reaching full capacity and sparking strong interest in future inclusive programs. Lalie hopes this is just the beginning of her advocacy work and is encouraging others to get involved.
“Anyone who is serious about tennis, coaching or a career at Tennis Australia should do the Future Leaders Program.
“I will always advocate for people with disabilities and want to make tennis more inclusive, and this program has started me on that pathway.”
Meanwhile, at Meadows Tennis Club, Audrey Mackey brought her love of tennis and storytelling together through her project Tilly and the Tennis Cloud. The children’s picture book follows a young girl navigating self-doubt at her first tennis tournament, using self-affirmation and perseverance to overcome her “negative cloud.”
Designed to build confidence and resilience in young girls, the book aims to encourage youth participation in sport, with aspirations to be shared in Illawarra primary schools and local libraries. Audrey described the project as one of her most rewarding experiences, combining creativity with a message that can genuinely impact young lives.
She credits the Future Leaders Program with helping bring her idea to life. “If you’re thinking about joining the Future Leaders Program, do it,” Audrey said. “It pushes you to turn your passion into something real and meaningful. With the support of an incredible network behind you, you can create a project that positively impacts your community. You’ll surprise yourself with what you’re capable of.”
Together, these projects highlight the passion, leadership and creativity of the next generation, and the powerful role tennis can play in building inclusive, confident and connected communities.
To learn more about Future Leaders, please visit our website HERE.
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