{"id":7623,"date":"2024-02-05T01:49:43","date_gmt":"2024-02-04T16:19:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tennis.com.au\/nt\/competitive-play\/national-indigenous-tennis-carnival-nitc"},"modified":"2026-05-12T11:42:17","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T02:12:17","slug":"national-indigenous-tennis-carnival-nitc","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.tennis.com.au\/nt\/competitive-play\/tournaments\/national-indigenous-tennis-carnival-nitc","title":{"rendered":"National Indigenous Tennis Carnival “NITC”"},"content":{"rendered":"

INDIGENOUS KIDS FROM ALL OVER AUSTRALIA CONNECTING WITH EACH OTHER THROUGH TENNIS<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

2025 NITC – All teams on Centre Court at the Darwin International Tennis Centre
<\/em><\/strong>Photo Credit – Fiona Hamilton, Tennis Australia<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/div>\n

The National Indigenous Tennis Carnival<\/strong>, also known as the ‘NITC<\/strong>‘, 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.<\/p>\n

The NITC was created in collaboration between the Evonne Goolagong Foundation<\/a>, Tennis Australia<\/a>, and Tennis NT.\u00a0 This event relies on the continued support and advocacy from the Northern Territory Government<\/a>, the Evonne Goolagong Foundation, Tennis Australia, and each of the Tennis Member Associations<\/a> from the states and territories of Australia.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/h4>\n

TENNIS<\/strong><\/h4>\n

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:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
HOT SHOTS<\/strong><\/td>\nFor players who have started their competitive play journey, using\u00a0Red Balls<\/strong> and play on a smaller court, representing their team or community.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
FUTURE STARS<\/strong><\/td>\nFor players who are more established in the competitive play pathway, using\u00a0Green Balls<\/strong> and are aged 12 to 14 years in Girl’s and Boy’s events.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
SHOWDOWN<\/strong><\/td>\nAustralia’s top First Nations players who compete for the title in the under 18’s Boy’s and Girl’s events.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\"\"<\/h4>\n

2025 NITC – WA Player on the Multi Purpose Court at the Darwin International Tennis Centre<\/strong><\/em>
Photo Credit – Fiona Hamilton, Tennis Australia<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/h4>\n

CULTURE, HEALTH and WELLBEING<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Culture, health and wellbeing are integrated into the event from Opening Day. The Welcome to Country ceremony on is performed by Larrakia Nation<\/a>.\u00a0 This is followed by a performance from\u00a0Ian Goolagong and a speech from\u00a0Evonne Goolagong-Cawley<\/a> herself.<\/p>\n

NITC is proud to have partnerships with Deadly Choices<\/a> and Danilla Dilba<\/a>\u00a0who are leaders in providing culturally safe healthcare.<\/p>\n

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\u00a0BARKAA, J-Milla <\/strong>and\u00a0Jessica Mauboy<\/strong>! The Indigenous performer is kept as a surprise and is announced at the event.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

2025 NITC – BARKAA performance with players
<\/strong><\/em>Photo Credit – Fiona Hamilton, Tennis Australia<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/h4>\n

AWARDS<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The trophies for the event hold a great cultural significance, hand crafted by Indigenous artists from Tiwi Designs<\/strong><\/a> and presented at the closing ceremony of the event.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/h5>\n
ASH BARTY CUP<\/h5>\n

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\u00a0Ash Barty Cup.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

HISTORICAL WINNERS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
2025<\/strong><\/td>\nQUEENSLAND<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2024<\/strong><\/td>\nVICTORIA<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2023<\/strong><\/td>\nNEW SOUTH WALES<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2022<\/strong><\/td>\nSOUTH AUSTRALIA<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2019<\/strong><\/td>\nVICTORIA<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\u00a0<\/h5>\n
EVONNE GOOLAGONG CAWLEY MEDAL OF EXCELLENCE<\/h5>\n

Individuals play off against the best-of-the-best in the\u00a0Showdown\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>stream and one person will also be hand-picked by Evonne Goolagong Cawley herself to receive the\u00a0Evonne Goolagong Cawley Medal of Excellence.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

HISTORICAL WINNERS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
2025<\/strong><\/td>\nIsaac Elson [NSW]<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2024<\/strong><\/td>\nJadah Dunn [ACT]<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2023<\/strong><\/td>\nJayden Kemp [SA]<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2022<\/strong><\/td>\nAmali Zillman [QLD]<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2019<\/strong><\/td>\nMikayla Zahirovic [QLD]<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2018<\/strong><\/td>\nMikayla Zahirovic [QLD]<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\u00a0<\/h5>\n
ROGER CAWLEY OUTSTANDING SUPPORT AWARD<\/h5>\n

In 2023, the first R<\/strong>oger Cawley Outstanding Support Award<\/strong><\/em> was given, to recognise the efforts of our amazing team of supervisors who take care of the kids during the event.<\/p>\n

HISTORICAL WINNERS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
2025<\/strong><\/td>\nSara Mohammed [WA] \/ Djamika Ganambarr [NT]<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2024<\/strong><\/td>\nAaron Mardi [Jilkminggan, NT]<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2023<\/strong><\/td>\nMalisa Sims [Tiwi Islands, NT]<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

2023 NITC – The first Roger Cawley Outstanding Support Award, awarded to Malisa Sims from Tiwi Islands, NT
<\/strong><\/em>Photo Credit – Scott Barbour, Tennis Australia<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/h5>\n
DEADLY AWARDS<\/h5>\n

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\u00a0Deadly Awards<\/em>\u00a0<\/strong>from their own state or territory and get to go to their state\/territory’s Summer of Tennis <\/strong>event for a ‘money-can’t-buy’ player experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\u00a0<\/td>\nACT<\/strong><\/td>\nNSW<\/strong><\/td>\nQLD<\/strong><\/td>\nSA<\/strong><\/td>\nTAS<\/strong><\/td>\nVIC<\/strong><\/td>\nWA<\/strong><\/td>\nNT<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2025<\/strong><\/td>\nJayde Mitchell<\/td>\nHazel Wright<\/td>\nLuca Toby<\/td>\nJamain Agius<\/td>\nTori Direen<\/td>\nBrock Mitchell<\/td>\nJackson Phillips<\/td>\nJacob Groves<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2024<\/strong><\/td>\nJadah Dunn<\/td>\nOakley Baylis<\/td>\nBilly Brickwood<\/td>\nKiarah Wilson<\/td>\nChase Richardson<\/td>\nNgatatji Bysouth\u00a0<\/td>\nElla Quinlan<\/td>\nDeclan Sambo<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2023<\/strong><\/td>\nXavier Williams-Arena<\/td>\nJacob Issaoui Slade<\/td>\nKelsey Weribone<\/td>\nMalachi Varcoe<\/td>\nHunter Richardson<\/td>\nTyrese Walsh<\/td>\nMitch Durant<\/td>\nKimally Puruntatameri<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

2025 NITC – Deadly Award Winners
<\/em><\/strong><\/span>Photo Credit – Fiona Hamilton, Tennis Australia<\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

2023’s NT Deadly Award winner, Kimally Puruntatameri from the Tiwi Islands, went to the Brisbane International and had a few brushes with fame – <\/span>find out about his experience<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/h3>\n

PATHWAYS<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

See\u00a0Manimba’s<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>story from the 2026 Australian Open<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

See Mya’s<\/strong><\/a> story from the 2025 Australian Open<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

If you are interested in the First Nations Tennis Pathways and getting involved with the NITC<\/strong>, please contact Tennis NT on:
[08] 8981 5609 or TennisNT@Tennis.com.au<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/h2>\n

EVENT INFORMATION<\/h2>\n

2026 National Indigenous Tennis Carnival<\/h4>\n

MEDIA & ACCREDITATION | <\/strong>contact:\u00a0 tennisnt@tennis.com.au<\/a><\/p>\n

The National Indigenous Tennis Carnival is a CLOSED EVENT – spectators will not be admitted<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
WHEN<\/strong><\/td>\nWednesday 5th – Saturday 8th of August 2026<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
WHERE<\/strong><\/td>\nOn Larrakia Country<\/strong> at the Darwin International Tennis Centre\n

9 Abala Rd, Marrara<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The Event Information Pack<\/strong> for the 2026 National Indigenous Tennis Carnival <\/strong>will be published soon.<\/p>\n

Event Policies for Supervisors and Participants:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Participant Consent Form<\/a>
Participant Behaviour Guidelines<\/a>
Supervising Personnel Behaviour Guidelines<\/a>
Supervising Personnel Screening Requirements and Other Matters<\/a>
Member Protection Declaration<\/a>
Terms & conditions of entry for the National Indigenous Tennis Carnival<\/a>
Terms & conditions of entry for Darwin International Tennis Centre<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

VIDEOS<\/strong><\/h3>\n

NITC 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

NITC 2024<\/a><\/p>\n

NITC 2023<\/a><\/p>\n

NITC 2022<\/a><\/p>\n

NITC 2019<\/a><\/p>\n

NITC 2018<\/a><\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

INDIGENOUS KIDS FROM ALL OVER AUSTRALIA CONNECTING WITH EACH OTHER THROUGH TENNIS 2025 NITC – All teams on Centre Court at the Darwin International Tennis CentrePhoto Credit – Fiona Hamilton, Tennis Australia \u00a0 The National Indigenous Tennis Carnival, also known as the ‘NITC‘, is an annual event hosted at the Darwin International Tennis Centre. The […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6376,"featured_media":0,"parent":7504,"menu_order":1000004,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-7623","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tennis.com.au\/nt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7623","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tennis.com.au\/nt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tennis.com.au\/nt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tennis.com.au\/nt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6376"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tennis.com.au\/nt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7623"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.tennis.com.au\/nt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7623\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tennis.com.au\/nt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7504"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tennis.com.au\/nt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7623"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}