6 September 2019 | Tennis Victoria

Tennis Victoria was thrilled to see the state’s team venture to sunny Darwin for the second-ever National Indigenous Tennis Carnival.

Team Victoria (Alexis Pagett, Brodie Murray, Camellia Clarke, Jaika Thompson, Lewis Murray, Liam Williams, Nola Willshire, Rhys Bergman, Sunil Handy and Toby Radford) had a successful campaign, culminating in the squad being awarded the Ash Barty Cup (participation and effort award).

After finishing as the runner up in 2018, Victoria’s Toby Radford, was thrilled to salute with a victory.The championship final for 18/u boys’ saw Toby Radford (VIC) def Charlie Pade (NSW) 6-2 6-1, while the 14/u boys’ final had Liam Williams (VIC) def Jayden Kemp (SA) 6-4 6-4.

“I feel honoured. This is my second year back, last year I was the runner up and pretty disappointed. I wanted to come back firing this year and get the job done, so I am pretty happy with this result,” Radford said.

“Our team wasn’t expecting to win the Ash Barty Cup. It wasn’t a very big team, but obviously we tried hard every match and got our results, which helped us to claim the cup.

“It has been good to catch up with everyone. Just getting to know everyone and learn more about the culture here, it’s been really good.”

The Victorian team did an outstanding job and everyone involved should be proud of their efforts.

For more on the NITC, click here

Additional information on the 2019 NITC:

• More than 180 participants travelled to Darwin for the 2019 National Indigenous Tennis Carnival including 84 from NT, 42 from Queensland, 20 from NSW, 10 from WA, 10 from Victoria, 9 from ACT, 6 from Tasmania, and 3 from SA
• NT participants came from 6 communities including the Clontarf Boys Program from Nightcliff Middle School and as far as Numbulwar which is an 11-hour drive
• The event was not only focused on tennis, but provided a culturally immersive experience which saw participants getting the opportunity to take part in the Djuki Mala workshop and concert, learn basket weaving, jewellery making, painting, sculpting and didgeridoo making
• The event is a pivotal part of the Indigenous tennis pathway and provides an opportunity for not only elite Indigenous tennis players but those trying the sport for the first time
• A mural was also created at the event to recognise and celebrate the achievements of Indigenous tennis players Evonne Goolagong Cawley and Ash Barty and inspire participants attending the Darwin event