10 February 2026 | Tennis Victoria

For the first time at this year’s Country Week in Shepparton, Tennis Victoria is piloting an Inclusion Hub which is a dedicated, welcoming space designed to support connection, visibility and belonging for everyone, with a particular focus on LGBTIQA+ communities, First Nations peoples, and people with disability.

The Inclusion Hub is a multi-purpose, tented space where players, officials, volunteers and spectators are invited to stop by, have a chat, be their authentic selves, and engage in open, respectful conversations about inclusion and allyship. The space is intentionally non-judgemental and low-pressure, there are no expectations, no right or wrong questions, and everyone is welcome.

Traditionally, spaces such as Pride hubs, Elders rooms, and sensory or reset areas are delivered separately. For this pilot, Tennis Victoria is exploring a combined model, a single, inclusive environment that can flex to meet different needs while fostering shared understanding, education and awareness. Within the hub, there is space for a yarn, quiet reset moments, and informal learning, recognising that inclusion looks different for everyone.

The Hub also provides opportunities to learn more about being an ally in sport and how tennis can continue to grow as a safe, welcoming environment for all. To support visibility and representation, the space includes fun and meaningful giveaways, including Pride pins and Sunflower badges as part of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Initiative, helping to raise awareness that not all disabilities are visible.

Tennis Victoria is proud to be joined across the week by inclusion partners Proud 2 Play and CM Sport, who will be present on different days to connect with the community and share their expertise.

Adam Watson, Inclusion Manager at Tennis Victoria, said the Inclusion Hub is about creating a space where people can simply be themselves.

“We want people to feel comfortable stopping by, whether it’s to ask a question, learn something new, or just take a breather, and to know they’re welcome here exactly as they are.”

The Inclusion Hub reflects Tennis Victoria’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that everyone, regardless of identity, background or ability, feels they belong in tennis, both on and off the court.