8 February 2025 | Tennis Victoria

Tennis Victoria Launches $1 Million Sustainable Regional Tennis Project

Tennis Victoria has unveiled a groundbreaking $1 million investment to transform the future of regional tennis in Victoria. Officially launching at Country Week in Swan Hill on Sunday 9 February 2025, the Sustainable Regional Tennis project is a multi-year commitment in collaboration with Tennis Australia and the Victorian Government.

This initiative represents an unprecedented investment in regional communities, ensuring tennis not only continues to thrive but also provides more opportunities for people to play, coach, and connect through the sport.

Building a Sustainable Future for Regional Tennis

The Sustainable Regional Tennis project is built on five key initiatives designed to address the unique needs of regional tennis communities:

• Community Play and Community Cardio
  Turbocharging delivery programs in over 100 regional clubs to create more playing opportunities and inspire the next generation of tennis leaders.
• Local Champions
  Supporting passionate individuals already delivering tennis in their communities by building their confidence and experience to expand programs and grow participation.
• Business Development Program
  Providing business coaching, team development, and networking opportunities to established operators to help them thrive and grow their programs.
• Club Services Officer
  Introducing a dedicated role to assist clubs with administration, marketing, and digital presence, allowing volunteers to focus on delivering great tennis experiences.
• Pathways from Player to Coach
  Reframing Regional Academies to ensure skilled players can transition into coaching roles and nurture the next generation of tennis talent.

Tennis Victoria CEO, Kim Kachel emphasised the lasting impact of this project:

“At Tennis Victoria, we understand the vital role tennis plays in bringing people together. The Sustainable Regional Tennis project is about more than just building skills on the court – it’s about strengthening communities, creating opportunities, and leaving a lasting legacy in regional Victoria. By investing in programs like Community Play, supporting our local champions, and establishing pathways for future coaches, we’re ensuring tennis continues to thrive in every corner of the state. By supporting people, we’re investing in tennis.” 

Former professional player and Billie Jean King Cup coach Nicole Pratt, who grew up playing in regional Australia, reinforced the significance of this investment:

“Regional tennis for me was huge in the sense that I grew up an hour outside of Mackay, on a farm. The local coach used to travel an hour from Mackay to get there and he would do that once a week.  I wouldn’t be standing here today if the coach didn’t come out and spend time with the regional kids. Regional coaches play a pivotal role in allowing the future generation opportunities.”

Pratt also highlighted the importance of women in coaching and club leadership:

“I think what Tennis Australia and Tennis Victoria have been doing with education programs is really enabling women coaches to have the confidence to provide all the opportunities a family may need and not only the coaches, but community leaders. A Tennis Club does not survive without volunteers.”

This multi-year investment will strengthen regional tennis infrastructure, increase opportunities for participation, and ensure the sport remains a vibrant part of Victorian communities.

Find Out More

To learn more about the Sustainable Regional Tennis project, explore the webpage including, project overview and fact sheet, or speak to our team directly:

• Head of Coaching, Rufus Keown for Coaching: [email protected]
• Community Capability & Education Manager, Michael King for Club Services: [email protected]

Investing in People, Investing in Tennis