National Indigenous Tennis Carnival “NITC”
INDIGENOUS KIDS FROM ALL OVER AUSTRALIA CONNECTING WITH EACH OTHER THROUGH TENNIS
2025 NITC – All teams on Centre Court at the Darwin International Tennis Centre
Photo Credit – Fiona Hamilton, Tennis Australia
The National Indigenous Tennis Carnival, also known as the ‘NITC‘, is an annual event hosted at the Darwin International Tennis Centre. The NITC is more than tennis – it brings together Indigenous kids from every state and territory across Australia to connect with each other through sport, cultural activities, health workshops, and ultimately getting to know each other and sharing stories about themselves and their own communities.
The NITC was created in collaboration between the Evonne Goolagong Foundation, Tennis Australia, and Tennis NT. This event relies on the continued support and advocacy from the Northern Territory Government, the Evonne Goolagong Foundation, Tennis Australia, and each of the Tennis Member Associations from the states and territories of Australia.
TENNIS
For many players, the NITC is the pinnacle of the Indigenous tennis pathway, and for some players it is the beginning of their journey. Participants at NITC span across three streams of tennis:
| HOT SHOTS | For players who have started their competitive play journey, using Red Balls and play on a smaller court, representing their team or community. |
| FUTURE STARS | For players who are more established in the competitive play pathway, using Green Balls and are aged 12 to 14 years in Girl’s and Boy’s events. |
| SHOWDOWN | Australia’s top First Nations players who compete for the title in the under 18’s Boy’s and Girl’s events. |
2025 NITC – WA Player on the Multi Purpose Court at the Darwin International Tennis Centre
Photo Credit – Fiona Hamilton, Tennis Australia
CULTURE, HEALTH and WELLBEING
Culture, health and wellbeing are integrated into the event from Opening Day. The Welcome to Country ceremony on is performed by Larrakia Nation. This is followed by a performance from Ian Goolagong and a speech from Evonne Goolagong-Cawley herself.
NITC is proud to have partnerships with Deadly Choices and Danilla Dilba who are leaders in providing culturally safe healthcare.
The event also has a regular highlight of Indigenous musical artists to perform a special private concert for the participants. The NITC has been honoured to have artists such as BARKAA, J-Milla and Jessica Mauboy! The Indigenous performer is kept as a surprise and is announced at the event.
2025 NITC – BARKAA performance with players
Photo Credit – Fiona Hamilton, Tennis Australia
AWARDS
The trophies for the event hold a great cultural significance, hand crafted by Indigenous artists from Tiwi Designs and presented at the closing ceremony of the event.
ASH BARTY CUP
All of the tennis being played across the event contributes points towards a state or territory’s total. The winning state/territory are awarded the coveted Ash Barty Cup.
HISTORICAL WINNERS
| 2025 | QUEENSLAND |
| 2024 | VICTORIA |
| 2023 | NEW SOUTH WALES |
| 2022 | SOUTH AUSTRALIA |
| 2019 | VICTORIA |
EVONNE GOOLAGONG CAWLEY MEDAL OF EXCELLENCE
Individuals play off against the best-of-the-best in the Showdown stream and one person will also be hand-picked by Evonne Goolagong Cawley herself to receive the Evonne Goolagong Cawley Medal of Excellence.
HISTORICAL WINNERS
| 2025 | Isaac Elson [NSW] |
| 2024 | Jadah Dunn [ACT] |
| 2023 | Jayden Kemp [SA] |
| 2022 | Amali Zillman [QLD] |
| 2019 | Mikayla Zahirovic [QLD] |
| 2018 | Mikayla Zahirovic [QLD] |
ROGER CAWLEY OUTSTANDING SUPPORT AWARD
In 2023, the first Roger Cawley Outstanding Support Award was given, to recognise the efforts of our amazing team of supervisors who take care of the kids during the event.
HISTORICAL WINNERS
| 2025 | Sara Mohammed [WA] / Djamika Ganambarr [NT] |
| 2024 | Aaron Mardi [Jilkminggan, NT] |
| 2023 | Malisa Sims [Tiwi Islands, NT] |
2023 NITC – The first Roger Cawley Outstanding Support Award, awarded to Malisa Sims from Tiwi Islands, NT
Photo Credit – Scott Barbour, Tennis Australia
DEADLY AWARDS
The staff of the event keep a look out for participants who display great qualities such as leadership, sportsmanship and other attributes from each state or territory. A player is then nominated for the Deadly Awards from their own state or territory and get to go to their state/territory’s Summer of Tennis event for a ‘money-can’t-buy’ player experience.
| ACT | NSW | QLD | SA | TAS | VIC | WA | NT | |
| 2025 | Jayde Mitchell | Hazel Wright | Luca Toby | Jamain Agius | Tori Direen | Brock Mitchell | Jackson Phillips | Jacob Groves |
| 2024 | Jadah Dunn | Oakley Baylis | Billy Brickwood | Kiarah Wilson | Chase Richardson | Ngatatji Bysouth | Ella Quinlan | Declan Sambo |
| 2023 | Xavier Williams-Arena | Jacob Issaoui Slade | Kelsey Weribone | Malachi Varcoe | Hunter Richardson | Tyrese Walsh | Mitch Durant | Kimally Puruntatameri |
2025 NITC – Deadly Award Winners
Photo Credit – Fiona Hamilton, Tennis Australia
2023’s NT Deadly Award winner, Kimally Puruntatameri from the Tiwi Islands, went to the Brisbane International and had a few brushes with fame – find out about his experience.
PATHWAYS
The NITC also provides the start of a pathway for aspiring ballkids – from their State/Territory straight to the Australian Open! Ballkids is a unique pathway where indigenous youth have the opportunity to broadcast their skills on the big stage, developing leadership and teamwork skills, as well as make friends for life at the Australian Open.
See Manimba’s story from the 2026 Australian Open
See Mya’s story from the 2025 Australian Open
Careers in tennis start at any time, from any skill level. At the event, kids are also shown the range of career opportunities that are opened up through tennis, whether it be through coaching, officiating, administration and more.
If you are interested in the First Nations Tennis Pathways and getting involved with the NITC, please contact Tennis NT on:
[08] 8981 5609 or [email protected]
EVENT INFORMATION
2026 National Indigenous Tennis Carnival
MEDIA & ACCREDITATION | contact: [email protected]
The National Indigenous Tennis Carnival is a CLOSED EVENT – spectators will not be admitted
| WHEN | Wednesday 5th – Saturday 8th of August 2026 |
| WHERE | On Larrakia Country at the Darwin International Tennis Centre
9 Abala Rd, Marrara |
The Event Information Pack for the 2026 National Indigenous Tennis Carnival will be published soon.
Event Policies for Supervisors and Participants:
Participant Consent Form
Participant Behaviour Guidelines
Supervising Personnel Behaviour Guidelines
Supervising Personnel Screening Requirements and Other Matters
Member Protection Declaration
Terms & conditions of entry for the National Indigenous Tennis Carnival
Terms & conditions of entry for Darwin International Tennis Centre
Group photo at the National Indigenous Tennis Carnival Opening Ceremony and Welcome to Country at the Darwin International Tennis Centre for the National Indigenous Tennis Carnival on Thursday, August 10, 2023. MANDATORY PHOTO CREDIT Tennis Australia/ SCOTT BARBOUR
VIDEOS
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