Tennis SA acknowledges that we are situated on the traditional land of the Kaurna people of the Adelaide Plains and we pay respect to Elders past and present.

We recognise and respect their cultural heritage, beliefs and relationship with the land. We acknowledge that they are of continuing importance to the Kaurna people living today.

And we also extend that respect to other Aboriginal Language Groups and other First Nations in our surrounding tennis communities.

Reconciliation Action Plan (Reflect)

As Ngarigo woman and world No.1 Ash Barty has made history on the global stage, Tennis SA has unveiled their Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RRAP) at the launch of the 2021 National Indigenous Tennis Carnival – SA, the first of it’s kind held in SA.

Endorsed by Reconciliation Australia and Reconciliation SA, the RRAP uses the four core pillars of relationships, respect, opportunities and governance to provide a framework with the aim of ensuring that tennis is a sport accessible to all.

Our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan details our vision to ensure that tennis is accessible, brings communities together and provides more opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to participate and engage in our sport.

Tennis SA’s Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RRAP) is available here.

National Indigenous Tennis Carnival – SA

Held over two days over two days on August 21 and September 2, the National Indigenous Tennis Carnival took place at the Tennis SA Clay Courts and coincided with the launch of our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Reflect.

This day was opened up to First Nations People around the metro area and included a range of activities such as free coaching, an exhibition match and silk painting with Tjimari (local artist).  The day was launched through an exhibition match between two local First Nation Athletes who have competed in the NITC in Darwin, Jayden Kemp and Mia Dodd.  The day came to fruition through consultation with First Nations People and Groups to ensure it was run in a respectful manner, and included a Welcome to Country from Kuma Kaaru. Throughout the year we have continued to engage both Jayden Kemp and Mia Dodd to provide them with more opportunities around Tennis.  For example a few weeks later Jayden completed his work experience with us and was exposed to the opportunities that exist through Tennis.  During the Adelaide International Jayden and Mia were scheduled to play an exhibition match to launch one of the day sessions.  However due to Jayden Isolating we were unable to do this, and instead Mia stepped out on centre court for an interview around her experiences of the NITC and her tennis.  She spoke very well and was invited back to the night session to do it again in front of 3,000 people before Thanasi Kokkinakis’ match, which she loved.  She is also looking at getting involved in a coaching course soon.

Read more on Tennis SA’s National Indigenous Tennis Carnival and RRAP here.

Success Stories

At the recent 2021 SA Sports Awards, Tennis SA was recognised as the winner of the Reconciliation Award on the back of the National Indigenous Tennis Carnival – SA held in September 2021. Tennis SA were thrilled to be recognised and excited to continue to provide opportunities for First Nations People.

Read more here

Further Opportunities

Are you an Indigenous Tennis Player and want to find out more on how you can be involved in tennis?  We are excited to be able to provide a pathway which extends to the National Indigenous Tennis Carnival in Darwin later in 2022.

View our flyer to find out more information, and register here.

Contact Shane Leathem, Schools and Pathways Lead for more information.

Email – [email protected]