National Indigenous Tennis Carnival
9th – 12th May 2024 (Awabakal Country – Newcastle)

After the success of our events in 2022 & 2023, Tennis NSW is excited once again to be presenting the NSW leg of the National Indigenous Tennis Carnival.

This year’s Carnival runs 9th – 12th May, on Awabakal Country at District Park Broadmeadow.

9th May – NITC Schools Event

For Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Students attending school in the Hunter Region. This event is delivered in partnership with The Wollotuka Institute at the University of Newcastle, and combines tennis, cultural activities and student pathway sessions.

• Venue: District Park Tennis, Broadmeadow (Newcastle – Awabakal Country)

This free event includes:

• Traditional and modified tennis activities with professional coaches
• Cultural activities
• Student Pathways information
• Complimentary lunch for participants and teachers
• Prizes and Giveaways

How to get involved:

1. School administrators to register schools attendance, contact [email protected] if your school required information.
2. School administrators to use this link to register your school to be involved by Friday the 22^nd of March
3. Confirmed schools will be sent individual student registration forms that are required to be completed by Friday the 12^th of April (Max 12 per school).

Friday, 10th May
Free First Nations Participation Coaching Course

Opportunity for players, parents, teachers, and community activity providers to learn how to deliver tennis for their local community. This course is delivered in partnership with Coaching Unlimited.

• Venue: District Park Tennis, Broadmeadow (Newcastle – Awabakal Country)
• Time: 10.30pm –5.00pm
• Register: Register here by 12^th April 2024
• Other information:
  • Over 15 years of age (NITC players and/or parents encouraged to apply
  • Free Course & 2 years of coach membership
  • Lunch provided.
  • Travel support (fuel vouchers & one night accommodation)
  • Reimbursement for new compliance documents available
  • Partnering with Coaching Unlimited

11th & 12th May
National Indigenous Tennis Carnival Talent Camp

• Venue: District Park Tennis, Broadmeadow (Newcastle – Awabakal Country)
• Time: Sat 11^th  (9am-4pm) Sun 12^th (8am-12noon)
• Register: – Register here by 31st March for consideration – players will be notified of the outcome of their application by 6^th April
• Other information:
  • Free Event, lunch provided.
  • Ages 10-18 years
  • Players who are playing competitive level tennis at local, regional, state or national level)
    • Green Ball (Max age 12)
    • Yellow Ball (Max age 18)
  • $100 travel support available for participants more than 1 hour from venue

National Carnival 2024 (NSW Team Nominations)

• National Indigenous Tennis Carnival Dates (Darwin): 8th – 11th August 2024.
• Travel may be required on 7th August and/or 12th August.
• Players will need to submit another application for their NSW team nomination.
• More information will be provided when we receive information from Tennis Australia, players who wish to attend are encouraged to participate in this talent camp.

 Past NSW Indigenous Tennis Carnivals

NSW NITC Events 2023

NSW NITC Events 2022

NSW had the opportunity to hold the inaugural NSW Indigenous Tennis Carnival/Come and Try which involved 120 students registered from across the Hunter region.

The carnival celebrated youth, culture, and sport through the delivery of tennis and cultural activities. The day included cultural activities off court through partnerships with the local community including the Evonne Goolagong Foundation, Wollutuka-Newcastle University, Office of Sport Aboriginal Development Officer and State Project Officer, Hunter Aboriginal Education Consultancy Group (AECG), Awabakal Aboriginal Land Council, Winanga-y Dreaming, Yukul Art and Discover Sports Group – Newcastle.

June, 2022

Tennis NSW held the NSW Indigenous State Carnival at Sydney Olympic Park. This event was open for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people who already play tennis at a local or competitive level.

Over the two days, 20 Indigenous youth participated in the carnival celebrating culture and sport through the delivery of  a variety of cultural activities, discussions and tennis.

This event also launched the unveiling of the Tennis NSW Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan. The launch of the RRAP kicked off the Indigenous Tennis Carnival with special guests including the Office of Sport CEO Karen Jones, and the Shadow Minister for Sport and local MP, Julia Finn. The Gadhungal Murring Aboriginal Dance Group conducted the Welcome to Country, smoking ceremony and provided insight into the significance and meaning of their traditional dances before getting the young players up to perform.

Participating in this event provided the opportunity to be selected to represent NSW at the National Indigenous Tennis Carnival to be held in Darwin in Aug, 2022.

National Indigenous Tennis Carnival

In 2018 and 2019 Tennis Northern Territory, in conjunction with Tennis Australia, hosted the inaugural National Indigenous Tennis Carnival. Tennis NSW attended with a team of 20 Indigenous tennis players. In partnership with the Evonne Goolagong Foundation, these players were able to be identified and represent NSW. The carnival involved more than 200 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants from across the country travelling to Darwin to celebrate culture through tennis. Due to the impacts associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, the carnival was cancelled in 2020/2021.

In August 2022, saw 15 players join 230 aspiring First Nations tennis players at the Darwin International Tennis Centre for the third edition of the National Indigenous Tennis Carnival (NITC) alongside Evonne Goolagong Cawley.

Celebrating the cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through tennis, the NITC culminates a focus on culture, community, sport, education and wellbeing over four days.

A huge thanks to all our players who gave 100% in the challenging heat. We look forward to watching the carnival grow each year.

INDIGENOUS PARTICIPATION PILOT PROGRAMS

Through Category 4 of the ATP Cup Legacy Fund, a partnership with Tennis NSW and the NSW Government, pilot Indigenous participation programs have been delivered in the following locations:

• Westside Tennis Club – Northern NSW
• Shoalhaven Tennis Club – Southern NSW
• Kyogle – Northern NSW
• Umina – Central NSW
• Moree – Northern NSW
• Redfern – Sydney Metro NSW

We have partnered with Western Sydney University to support us in the evaluation of these programs which will support the ongoing development and expansion of these programs across NSW.

Evonne Goolagong Foundation

The Evonne Goolagong Foundation is the realisation of Evonne’s dream for life after the pro tour. To give as many Indigenous children the opportunity to be the best they can be. The Evonne Goolagong Foundation uses tennis as a vehicle to attract Indigenous girls and boys in order to promote and help provide high quality education and better health through diet and exercise.

For more information visit http://www.evonnegoolagongfoundation.org.au/

Yarning all Things Tennis

Tennis NSW has established its first Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Youth Communication platform, ‘Yarning all things tennis’ (YATT), where Indigenous youth who play tennis and who may have participated in the Evonne Goolagong Foundation’s program previously, can connect. The YATT community are from across the state, and will use this platform to discuss all things tennis in a safe environment. Topics of discussion include tennis results, yarning about Indigenous matters, player welfare, supporting others and growing the number of First Nations people in tennis throughout NSW.

The YATT will also give young people the opportunity for growth and personal development, whilst gaining an insight into a state sporting organisation. It is a way for Tennis NSW to ensure that young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can participate in decisions that affect them, are taken seriously, and can express their views on their participation in the sport. This is consistent with Tennis NSW’s approach to being a child-safe organisation and in line with the national principles.

Tennis NSW will continue to aim for more accessibility and opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to participate and engage in tennis through educating clubs and coaches, enhancing talent identification, providing pathway opportunities, creating more playing opportunities through community events and leagues, and providing funding for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tennis programs, equipment and coaches.

Sign up to Yarning all Thing tennis here!