25 September 2025 | Tennis West

Tennis West’s regional roadshow continued with the participation team bringing tennis to remote schools and communities across the Kimberley region and reaching towns such as Broome, Derby and Fitzroy Crossing. 

The journey covered over 1,500 kilometres in five days and delivered tennis to more than 170 students, with 60% of participants identifying as First Nations.   

The trip started in Broome with Broome Tennis Club hosting the Kimberley Regional Talent Series for local 13 year and under players. The Regional Talent Series was created off the back of feedback from regional stakeholders and the Tennis West Regional Working Group, identifying the need for further talent identification and tournament pathways.  

In the boys’, Forrest Klunder took top honours defeating finalist Noah Spoor. In the girls’, Mia Tyler defeated finalist Lilly-Anne Richards. The winners of both the boys and girls’ events in each region will be invited to a two-day talent ID camp in Perth at the State Tennis Centre. 

Each day the team visited local schools delivering exciting and engaging activations based on students’ skill levels. The team visited Cable Beach Primary School, delivering tennis to students from year 3 to 6 then hitting the dirt travelling to remote locations such as Nyikina Mangala Community School in Jarlmadangah Burru delivering tennis games and activities to eight students and Looma Remote Community School to two classes both overlooking the stunning Kimberley landscape. 

The evenings saw the team reach the local communities in the region. Tennis West assisted Broome Tennis Club’s coaching programs run by head coach Vinny. The team also facilitated community activations at Fitzroy Crossing and Derby, allowing the local community to try tennis for the first time or participate in Cardio. 

The ‘Come and Try’ drop-in community sessions run in Fitzroy Crossing and Derby were hugely valuable. Not having a coach based full-time in those towns, their exposure and opportunity to play tennis is lower and more infrequent in comparison to the year-round tennis provision in Broome. 

It was important to build connections with the Shire of Derby/West Kimberley and the Sport and Recreation Officers in both those locations to ensure they have the equipment and capability to deliver ongoing tennis. The engagement from both communities was fantastic, with great numbers of kids dropping in to play under the beautiful Kimberley sunsets. 

Tennis West Schools and Pathways Officer Charlotte Connon applauded the attitudes of all the participants and reflected on the success of the trip. 

“It was fantastic to witness so many smiles, enjoyment and improvement throughout the sessions, as we typically start off sessions doing balls skills refining their motor skills. This sets the students up for success throughout the session as we progress into more technical and tactical game-based play activities.” 

“We didn’t come across one student who wasn’t willing to give tennis a go and it was great to see the high engagement levels showed by all the participants, with many students wanting to continue playing after their sessions.” 

“To be able to head out to different remote regions throughout the Kimberley and provide opportunities for children and adults within the communities we visited to experience tennis, some for the first time, and to leave them armed with the skills and the equipment to continue playing is very special,” said Charlotte. 

The aim of the trip was to work towards tennis being delivered more sustainably across the region starting with seasonal delivery and progressing towards sustainable year-round tennis. By identifying Champions within the regions, Tennis West can help to up-skill, provide equipment and resources, and build the tennis volunteer and coach base across the Kimberley, all to support the delivery of sustainable tennis. 

Tennis West would love to build stronger connections and partnerships with our stakeholders across a wider area within the region to support the continued growth of tennis and participation in the Kimberley, with a big focus on providing opportunities for First Nations people to experience tennis. 

Tennis West extends its thanks to the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport for its ongoing support of our regional roadshows through the Inclusive Participation Grant.