Tennis SA are thrilled to announce the return of the National Indigenous Tennis Carnival – SA for its fourth consecutive year. Scheduled across two dates in May, this year’s carnival promises to be bigger, better, and more inclusive than ever before.
The National Indigenous Tennis Carnival – SA is not just about tennis; it’s about fostering a sense of community, promoting cultural awareness, and providing opportunities for youth across South Australia. With the support of the City of Playford and a dedicated team of organisers, Tennis SA are proud to host two distinct events under the umbrella of the National Indigenous Tennis Carnival – SA.
The first event, the National Indigenous Tennis Carnival – Playford, will take place on Thursday, 2 May at the Playford Tennis Centre. This closed event is specifically tailored for primary school students, with over 300 enthusiastic participants from 20 schools expected to attend. The day will be packed with various activities including Tennis Hot Shots, coaching lessons, tennis games, and Boomerang Painting delivered by Southern Cultural Immersion. Thanks to the generous funding from the City of Playford, students will also receive transport and meals, ensuring a memorable and enriching experience for all.
“The City of Playford has been proudly supporting and hosting the National Indigenous Tennis Carnival at Playford Tennis Centre over the last four years since its launch” City of Playford Mayor Glenn Docherty said,
“In Playford, every 4 in 100 residents are First Nations. This carnival helps our Indigenous youth connect to tennis, build new skills, connect with other young people and hopefully develop a lifelong love of Tennis” Docherty continued.
Following the success of the Playford event, the carnival will culminate with the National Indigenous Tennis Carnival – The Drive on Sunday 5 May. This open event will offer a vibrant mix of tennis, giveaways and cultural activities, with attendees also given the opportunity to engage in a free tennis clinic. The cultural games include Basket Weaving with Micky Barlow, and Aboriginal Children’s Games delivered by Walking Together with Kaurna. It’s not just about playing tennis; it’s about celebrating First Nations culture and encouraging everyone to get involved.
“We are thrilled to see the National Indigenous Tennis Carnival – SA come to life once again”, Tennis SA CEO Debbie Sterrey expresses her excitement,“Tennis SA are deeply committed to providing more opportunities for First Nations youth to play and engage with tennis. These events exemplify our dedication to fostering inclusivity, learning, and community engagement through the sport we love.”
Celebrating culture through tennis, the National Indigenous Tennis Carnival will take place in Darwin in August, with a series of regional events taking the celebration of First Nations culture through tennis across the country.
“The National Indigenous Tennis Carnival has been designed in consultation with First Nations people to provide more opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to access tennis,” Tennis Australia First Nations Lead Kyah Jones said.
“At all carnivals, we are not only celebrating the great game of tennis, but also celebrating bringing First Nations people and culture together creating memories, friendships, connections, positive health and well-being choices and opportunities to learn from others.”
The events across the country will culminate in the NITC in Darwin from 8-11 August 2024. Last year 160 participants travelled to Darwin from every state and territory to participate, including six Northern Territory communities: Utopia, Ngukurr, Warrumiyanga (Tiwi Islands), Jabiru, Palmerston, and Woolianna.
Event Information:
NITC – Playford (closed event)
Thursday 2 May | 10:00am – 1:00pm
Playford Tennis Centre, 50 Spruance Rd, Elizabeth East SA 5112
NITC – The Drive – register here – https://bit.ly/3vsFWz6
Sunday 5 May | 10:00am – 1:00pm
The Drive, War Memorial Drive, North Adelaide SA 5006
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