The Tennis West Participation Team recently travelled to the Pilbara, delivering tennis to schools, teachers, and communities across Tom Price and Newman. Across the week, more than 350 kids experienced the fun of tennis, while teachers and community members gained valuable upskilling opportunities to help grow the game locally.
The week began at Tom Price Senior High School, where the team introduced students to blue and yellow ball tennis through their PE classes. With limited court space available, the team also worked with school staff to demonstrate how tennis can be delivered in smaller areas, ensuring students can continue playing regularly.
Tuesday saw the team split between Tom Price Primary School (Years 1–4) and North Tom Price Primary School (Years 3–6), reaching a wide range of students across both campuses.
That evening, teachers and community members gathered at Tom Price Tennis Club for an upskilling session, followed by a lively Community Come & Play event. Participants enjoyed Pickleball, POP Tennis, and Hot Shots (red and yellow ball tennis). Adding a special highlight, the team bumped into Toni Cooke, Women & Girls Lead from Tennis Queensland, at Hamersley Gorge. Toni later attended the upskilling session with her family and spoke about Learn 2 Lead and Women Leaders in Tennis opportunities, inspiring participants to take their involvement further.
On Wednesday morning, the team met with the Tom Price Shire and Local Government to deliver a Health Indicator Tool Chat (HIT Chat), focusing on the role tennis can play in promoting health and wellbeing. In the afternoon, it was back to the courts at Tom Price Tennis Club for Cardio Tennis, Community Play, and Pickleball Social Play, with activities open to all ages and abilities.
The final day in Newman kicked off with Hot Shots sessions at Newman Primary School, before moving to the shire tennis courts to upskill local Ngurra Kujunka Recreation Officer Lando, along with Ngurra Kujungka and YMCA Staff, equipping them with tools to run tennis in their schools and programs.
That evening, the team joined in the popular Night Fields program at Boomerang Oval. With around 60 kids taking part, the atmosphere was buzzing as our tennis staff took its place alongside football and community activities, thanks to the YMCA and West Coast.
Across the four days, the Tennis West Participation Team delivered tennis to over 350 children in the Pilbara, while also empowering local teachers and community leaders to continue growing the game. The trip highlighted the power of tennis to connect people, inspire new players, and build stronger sporting communities in regional WA.
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.
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