What is Future Leaders?

Tennis Victoria’s Future Leaders Program enables our next generation of volunteers to work closely with their local tennis clubs to create welcoming environments on and off the tennis court. The program is grounded in the belief that diverse perspectives and lived experiences strengthen leadership, improve decision-making, and help build more inclusive and welcoming tennis communities across Victoria.

Program Information

The Future Leaders Program is designed for Year 9, 10 and 11 students who are passionate about tennis and want to develop their leadership skills. In 2026, the program introduces a project stream model, where participants select a stream aligned to their interests and carry out a real-world project at their club, supported by a dedicated stream mentor and a small group of peers.

Inclusion statement

Tennis Victoria is committed to building a Future Leaders cohort that reflects the communities we work and play in. We strongly encourage applications from young people of all backgrounds, including women and girls, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTIQA+ individuals, people with disability and people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

Express your interest to become a Future Leader in 2026 now!

Click here to fill out an expression of interest to be involved in the 2026 Future Leader’s Program.

Program Cost

The 2026 Future Leaders Program is $300 per participant.

Club and Participant Benefits 

• Develop real leadership and project management skills transferable to all areas of life
• Build confidence and grow as part of a community of like-minded young tennis people
• Work on a project that creates genuine impact for your club and the broader tennis community
• Receive dedicated guidance from an experienced stream mentor
• Strengthen your club’s future by investing in its next generation of leaders
• Gain fresh perspectives and new approaches that clubs can draw on long after the program ends
• Be recognised for your contribution at a graduation hosted by Tennis Victoria

Project Streams

In 2026, Future Leaders participants select a stream aligned to their interests and complete their project in a small peer group led by a dedicated stream mentor. Streams span areas including, club operations, digital innovation, volunteering, and more – with final streams confirmed prior to applications opening in July.

Time commitment varies by stream and will be confirmed at the time of registration.

Program Structure

The 2026 program runs in two phases – a design phase and a club execution phase.

Step 1: Application – July 2026

Applications open in July 2026. As part of your application, you will nominate your preferred project stream and seek club endorsement.

Step 2: Online Information Session – August 2026

Participants are invited to attend an online information session in mid-August, where they will find out everything they need to know about the program structure and camp.

Step 3: Melbourne Camp – Sunday 27 September (afternoon) – Tuesday 29 September, 5pm

Participants attend a three-day residential camp in Melbourne to build connections, develop leadership skills, and work with their dedicated stream mentor to develop a project strategy and plan.

Step 4: Project Finalisation – Friday 11 December, 5pm, Tennis Victoria offices

Participants come together in person at the Tennis Victoria offices to refine and finalise their project plans alongside their stream mentor, before moving into execution.

Step 5: Project Execution – December 2026 – February 2027

Participants carry out their project. A mid-program online check-in with their stream mentor group is scheduled in January to support progress and tackle obstacles and challenges.

Step 6: Graduation – Sunday [DATE TBC], March 2027

Participants and their projects are celebrated at a graduation event hosted by Tennis Victoria.

Did you know?

Future Leaders has been running since 2001, and since that time we’ve had over 609 graduates from the program, who have given back over 24,360 hours of volunteer time to over 140 local tennis clubs across Victoria.

The Australian Open Experience

• All Future Leaders Graduates each year are also given the opportunity to attend a fun and action packed morning at the AO! Find out what last year’s Future Leader graduates got up to at the AO Experience, proudly presented in collaboration with Infosys. Click here for more information.
• A selected group of Future Leader graduates may also be selected to get involved in the Tennis Victoria Australian Open (AO) Work Force program. Implemented as a pilot program at this year’s AO, the selected Future Leaders volunteered to support the Kids On Court initiative, which has seen over 1,700 Hot Shots Tennis participants from 160 clubs, hit the main stage. To learn more about the AO Work Force program click here.

Don’t take our word for it

2025/26 Future Leader’s Graduation – Grace Park Hawthorn Club