# data[].attributes.headline
History of Tennis Queensland & Indigenous inclusion 

# data[].attributes.subject
History of Tennis Queensland & Indigenous inclusion 

# data[].attributes.body
This Tennis Australia page outlines its First Nations Tennis Programs delivered through the Australian Tennis Foundation, showcasing how tennis is used to improve health, wellbeing, and participation among Indigenous youth in remote communities. It highlights partnerships with Tennis NT, Wanta Aboriginal Corporation, and SWIN, along with translated resources, equipment support, and clear pathways to the National Indigenous Tennis Carnival. This source suits the “Historical Context” section as it marks the beginning of structured Indigenous inclusion via tennis, illustrating the evolution of initiative-based outreach that underpins the development of Tennis Queensland’s own First Nations efforts.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
First Nations Tennis Programs | What We Do | Australian Tennis Foundation | About Tennis Australia | Tennis Australia

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Using tennis as a vehicle to help increase the health and wellbeing of First Nations young people in some of Australia’s most remote communities. Jintangka Kamparru…

# data[].attributes.body
Australian Sports Commission. (2024). National Sport Participation Strategy 2024–2032. Sport Australia. Retrieved from https://www.ausport.gov.au/national-sport-participation-strategy-2032#heading-About%20the%20strategy

AFL Queensland. (n.d.). Indigenous community. AFL Queensland. https://www.aflq.com.au/indigenous-community/

Coram, S., & Hallinan, C. (2017). Critical race theory and the orthodoxy of race neutrality: Examining the denigration of an Australian Indigenous athlete. Australian Aboriginal Studies, (1), 99–111. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Chris-Hallinan/publication/317730303_Critical_Race_Theory_and_the_Orthodoxy_of_Race_Neutrality_Examining_the_Denigration_of_Australian_Indigenous_Athlete_Adam_Goodes/links/594ade6d458515225a831512/Critical-Race-Theory-and-the-Orthodoxy-of-Race-Neutrality-Examining-the-Denigration-of-Australian-Indigenous-Athlete-Adam-Goodes.pdf

Department of Health and Aged Care. (2023). National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan 2021–2031. Australian Government. https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/national-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-health-plan-2021-2031

Evans, J. R., Wilson, R., Dalton, B., & Georgakis, S. (2015). Indigenous participation in Australian sport: The perils of the'Panacea'proposition. Cosmopolitan Civil Societies: An Interdisciplinary Journal, 7(1), 53-79. http://dx.doi.org/10.5130/ccs.v7i1.4232

Evonne Goolagong Foundation. (n.d.). Programs. Evonne Goolagong Foundation. https://www.evonnegoolagongfoundation.org.au/

Faa, M. (2020, August 5). Ash Barty helps deliver $100k boost to Indigenous tennis in Queensland during visit to Cairns. ABC News. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-08-06/ash-barty-helps-deliver-$100k-boost-to-indigenous-tennis/12527490

Government of Canada. (2025, February 7). Government of Canada investing $24.2 million in Indigenous sport programs to empower First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. Canadian Heritage. https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/news/2025/02/government-of-canada-investing-242-million-in-indigenous-sport-programs-to-empower-first-nations-inuit-and-metis-communities.html

House of Representatives Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs. (2013). Sport – More than just a game: The contribution of sport to Indigenous wellbeing and mentoring (Chapter 3). Parliament of Australia. https://www.aph.gov.au/parliamentary_business/committees/house_of_representatives_committees?url=atsia%2Fsport%2Freport%2Fchapter3.htm

Lucas, R., Jeanes, R., & Diamond, Z. (2021). Sport for development and Indigenous Australians: a critical research agenda for policy and practice. Leisure Studies, 40(2), 276–285. https://doi.org/10.1080/02614367.2020.1808050

National Library of Australia. (2023, November 21). First Nations sporting greats. National Library of Australia. https://www.library.gov.au/research/research-guides-0/sport-australia-research-guide/first-nations-sporting-greats

New South Wales Rugby League. (n.d.). Indigenous programs. NSWRL. https://www.nswrl.com.au/community/indigenous/

Oliver, P. (2020, February 18). Sport’s role in closing the gap for Australia’s First Nations people. sportanddev. https://www.sportanddev.org/latest/news/sport%E2%80%99s-role-closing-gap-australia%E2%80%99s-first-nations-people

Prehn, J., Guerzoni, M., & Graham-Blair, J. (2024). Cultural identity and social and emotional wellbeing in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. In The Australian Educational Researcher (Vol. 52, pp. 1685–1705). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13384-024-00781-6

Sport New Zealand Ihi Aotearoa. (n.d.). Te Pākē o Ihi Aotearoa, the Māori Outcomes Framework. Sport New Zealand Ihi Aotearoa. https://sportnz.org.nz/resources/te-pake-o-ihi-aotearoa-the-maori-outcomes-framework

The Women’s Game. (2019, April 1). The rise of Barty and the importance of Indigenous role models. The Women’s Game. https://thewomensgame.com/news/the-rise-of-barty-and-the-importance-of-indigenous-role-models-547908

Tennis Queensland. (2025, July 15). Queensland team announced for 2025 National Indigenous Tennis Carnival. Tennis Queensland. https://www.tennis.com.au/qld/news/2025/07/15/queensland-team-announced-for-2025-national-indigenous-tennis-carnival

Tennis Queensland. (2025, June 17). Aunty Roma Pregarc appointed as Tennis Queensland’s First Nations Lead. Tennis Queensland. https://www.tennis.com.au/qld/news/2025/06/17/aunty-roma-pregarc-appointed-as-tennis-queenslands-first-nations-lead#:~:text=Appointed%20in%20March%202025%2C%20her,community%20connection%20to%20the%20role.

Tennis Australia. (n.d.). Indigenous tennis programs. Australian Tennis Foundation. https://www.tennis.com.au/about-tennis-australia/australian-tennis-foundation/what-we-do/indigenous-tennis-programs

Tennis Northern Territory. (n.d.). National Indigenous Tennis Carnival “NITC”. Tennis NT. https://www.tennis.com.au/nt/competitive-play/tournaments/national-indigenous-tennis-carnival-nitc

# data[].attributes.headline
History of First Nations in Australian Sport

# data[].attributes.subject
History of First Nations in Australian Sport

# data[].attributes.body
This chapter from the House of Representatives report Sport – More Than Just a Game (2013) examines participation rates and barriers for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australian sport. It highlights disparities—such as vastly lower engagement rates among Indigenous adults compared to the general population—and explores issues like geographic isolation, racism, and inadequate data tracking across sports codes. This source enriches the “Historical Context” section by providing a broader backdrop against which Tennis Queensland’s First Nations programs can be understood, illustrating the deep-rooted need for targeted Indigenous sport initiatives.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Preliminary pages (PDF 132KB)
Contents, Foreword, Committee Membership, Terms of Reference, List of Abbreviations and List of Recommendations

Chapter 1 (PDF 94KB)
Introduction - Sport's contribution to wellbeing and mentoring

Chapter 2 (PDF 253KB)
Sport as a vehicle to Close the Gap

Chapter 3 (PDF 216KB)
Participation in sport for Indigenous Australians

Chapter 4 (PDF 262KB)
Partnerships, mentoring and culture

Appendix A (PDF 40KB)
Appendix A - List of submissions

Appendix B (PDF 64KB)
Appendix B - List of hearings and witnesses

# data[].attributes.headline
Historical Example of a First Nations Tennis Player

# data[].attributes.subject
Historical Example of a First Nations Tennis Player

# data[].attributes.body
This National Library of Australia page highlights iconic First Nations sporting figures, including tennis champion Evonne Goolagong Cawley, a Wiradjuri woman who became world No. 1 and a Wimbledon champion. Many Indigenous athletes are recognised in sports such as athletics and boxing, Goolagong Cawley’s achievements demonstrate the unique role of tennis in representing First Nations excellence on the world stage. For the “Historical Context” section, this source is valuable because it shows that Indigenous representation in tennis has historically been limited compared to other sports, strengthening the case for programs like Tennis Queensland’s First Nations initiatives to create future pathways.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
First Nations sporting greats | National Library of Australia (NLA)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
First Nations athletes have been involved in some of our most triumphant moments in sport and continue to make a significant contribution to our nation’s sport at all levels.

# data[].attributes.body
The Tennis NT page for the National Indigenous Tennis Carnival (NITC) highlights how the Darwin-based event brings together Indigenous youth from across Australia for tennis, cultural activities, health workshops, and storytelling at the Darwin International Tennis Centre. As a core part of Tennis Australia’s First Nations pathway, the NITC blends sport with community and culture—exactly what your “Historical Context” section needs to show. This source demonstrates how Tennis Queensland’s similar efforts are grounded in a proven national model that integrates cultural experiences with sports development.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
National Indigenous Tennis Carnival “NITC” | Competitive Play Calendar - NT | Compete | Tennis NT

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
INDIGENOUS KIDS FROM ALL OVER AUSTRALIA CONNECTING WITH EACH OTHER THROUGH TENNIS   The National Indigenous Tennis Carnival, also known as NITC, is an…

# data[].attributes.body
This article explores how sport has historically played both a positive and challenging role for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, noting barriers such as geographic isolation, limited infrastructure, lack of community role models, and financial constraints. For “Sociocultural Factors,” this clipping is apt because it explains the underlying social issues that impact Indigenous participation—particularly in tennis, a sport often associated with city-based clubs and cost barriers. Understanding these sociocultural limitations reinforces the importance of Tennis Queensland’s programs in creating inclusive, accessible pathways for Indigenous players.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Sport’s role in closing the gap for Australia’s First Nations people

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Despite ongoing barriers, sport has always played an important part in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australian lives, and continues to improve health and development outcomes.

# data[].attributes.body
The Evonne Goolagong Foundation uses tennis as a vehicle to promote education, wellbeing, and cultural pride among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth. Programs such as the National Development Camp and Indigenous “Come and Try Days” provide opportunities not only to learn tennis skills but also to build self-esteem and connect with community role models. For “Sociocultural Factors,” this source demonstrates the positive cultural and social impact of tennis, showing how initiatives that combine sport with identity-building can strengthen pathways for Indigenous participation in Queensland and beyond.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Evonne Goolagong Foundation is a not for profit organisation, using Tennis as a vehicle to secure greater opportunity for education and health for young Indigenous children of Australia.

# data[].attributes.body
This article examines the impact of Ashleigh Barty, an Indigenous female tennis player, as a role model for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. With few Indigenous women in tennis historically, her visibility as world No. 1 amplifies the importance of representation in encouraging participation. The piece also highlights the broader underrepresentation of Indigenous women in sport—only 23% are regularly physically active compared to 66% of non-Indigenous women. For the "Gender & Representation" section, this source demonstrates how visibility can influence aspirations and how programs must consciously elevate Indigenous female athletes in tennis.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Her father is Indigenous, from the Ngarigo community, and her mother is of English descent.

She is one of many prominent Indigenous female athletes including Lydia Williams and Kyah Simon for the Matildas and Ashleigh Gardner for the cricket national team.

The wave of Indigenous talent couldn't come soon enough - in the latest available data, only 23% of Indigenous women were considered regularly 'physically active', as opposed to 66% of non-Indigenous women.

For a long time, many sports lacked well-known Indigenous female role models. But there are now a growing number of females for Indigenous youth. The most well-known name of them all, Australia couldn't hope for a better role model than Barty.

The world number one has focused on strengthening the identity, values and sense of wider community of Indigenous Australians since gaining the spotlight. Her career rise has been meteoric, to say the least.

Perhaps tellingly, Barty was one of the very few to have a renowned female Indigenous role model growing up.

Barty pulled off her first grand slam singles win of her career last year at the French Open over Czech tennis player Marketa Vondrousova. The momentous occasion was made even sweeter, as Barty was the first Australian woman in 46 years to win the French Open, after Indigenous tennis icon Evonne Goolagong Cawley.

Also last year, Barty became world number one after winning the Birmingham Classic grass court title tournament over Julia Gorges.

It was a memorable career moment, because she became the first Australian woman in 43 years, again after Goolagong Cawley in 1976, to become world number one.

After the achievement, Barty discussed how Goolagong Cawley was the person who inspired her to play tennis.

"Evonne Goolagong Cawley has inspired me on and off the court since I was a young girl," she told the NT News.

"Evonne's outstanding achievements and her passion for helping the Indigenous community are two things I admire."

In the same way that Goolagong Cawley has become a huge mentor for Barty, Barty hopes to be a mentor for youths in the Aboriginal community.

And in 2018 she became an ambassador for Indigenous tennis in Australia, where she assists in promoting the sport to the Aboriginal children. Barty also launched the National Indigenous Tennis Carnival in 2018 in the Northern Territory.

"I'm a very proud Indigenous woman and I think that for me taking on this role is something very close to my heart. I'm very excited," she told the ABC.

"[Sport] is very much driven by AFL ... so if we can get more kids playing tennis and more kids enjoying tennis across Australia within the Indigenous communities, that'd be amazing."

The carnival is a yearly event run in Darwin at the Marrara Tennis Centre and Barty hopes that it will help make a way for future Indigenous athletes.

The annual Indigenous event is primarily focused on becoming a celebration of national culture, giving Aboriginal children a chance to practice and improve their tennis skills.

Barty is not only a proud Australian, but she is an individual who is extremely proud of her Indigenous roots and has always followed in the footsteps of Goolagong Cawley.

And she hopes to continue to pave the path Goolagong Cawley set out for her for the next generation of Indigenous children.

"To make this an annual event will be amazing, for not only tennis across Australia but especially Indigenous tennis," Barty continued.

"To bring all of the kids together to give them an opportunity to showcase what they're capable of."

The importance of "kin and clan" to Indigenous youth was highlighted in a 2013 report to the national parliament, looking at improving wellbeing and educational outcomes in Aboriginal communities and the vital role sport plays.

"The inquiry ... found that one of the greatest influences in sporting participation is from family and friends," the report read.

"This is particularly true in Indigenous communities where the connection to kin and clan can be extremely strong and influential."

Barty is continuing a proud tradition of Australian Indigenous female tennis champions, showing the opportunities for Indigenous youth are greater than ever.

Copyright ©The Women's Game All rights reserved.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The rise of Barty and the importance of Indigenous role models

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
It's hard to believe that Ashleigh Barty is only 24-years-old and she is already Australia's highest ranked tennis player.

# data[].attributes.body
This academic article critiques how sport is commonly treated as a “panacea” for Indigenous disadvantage, rooted in problematic stereotypes that Indigenous Australians are inherently “natural athletes.” It cautions that such narratives can perpetuate inequality by diverting attention from systemic issues like racism, underinvestment, and community-led development. In the context of tennis, this source helps explain why programs—like those run by Tennis Queensland—must go beyond mere participation metrics and instead address cultural safety, representation, and deeper sociocultural inclusion for First Nations athletes.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Indigenous Participation in Australian Sport: The Perils of the ‘Panacea’ Proposition | Cosmopolitan Civil Societies: An Interdisciplinary Journal

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The argument that participation in sport among disadvantaged populations can produce positive outcomes in wide range of areas has been a consistent theme in academic literature. It is argued that sport participation can promote women’s empowerment, sexuality, lifestyle, peacemaking, youth development, poverty reduction and conflict resolution. Similarly, in Australia, participation in sport among Indigenous Australians has been proffered as a ‘panacea’ for many Indigenous problems; from promoting better health and education outcomes, to encouraging community building, good citizenship and entrepreneurship. Parallel to this has been a focus on documenting and analysing sport participation among Indigenous Australians in elite sport which often concludes that Indigenous Australians have an innate and ‘natural ability’ in sports. These two assumptions, first, that sport participation can help realise a wide range of positive social outcomes; and second, that Indigenous Australians are natural athletes, have driven significant public investment in numerous sport focused programs. This paper questions these assumptions and outlines some of the challenges inherent with an emphasis on sport as a solution to Indigenous disadvantage. We highlight how participation in sport has often been tied to ambitious, ill-defined and, in terms of evaluation, often elusive social outcome goals. Second, we also argue that there is limited research to indicate that participation in either elite or grassroots level sport has led to any discernible social progress in addressing inequality. We contrast historical Indigenous participation in a range of sporting codes to demonstrate the influence of factors beyond the ‘natural ability’ and ‘born to play’ propositions. Finally, we outline six ‘perils’ associated with viewing sport as a panacea; including how privileging sport can not only perpetuate disadvantage by reinforcing stereotypes and also contribute to a diversion of attention and resources away from other approaches that have been proven to have a greater positive social impact.

# data[].attributes.body
AFL Queensland’s Indigenous Community program illustrates how Australian football creates deeply rooted engagement with First Nations people—accounting for 9% of AFL lists and engaging around 90,000 participants nationally. The Indigenous Talent Pathway, co-designed and community-informed, fosters leadership, cultural identity, and sporting skills through initiatives such as the KickStart Championships and Flying Boomerangs. For the “Learning from Other Sports and Countries” section, this example shows how tennis could borrow a community-driven, culturally affirming approach to develop First Nations pathways that blend sport, identity, and leadership.

# data[].attributes.body
The NSWRL’s Indigenous Programs—including the KARI Foundation’s Talented Aboriginal Athlete Program (TAAP), Rugby League Days, and the Nations of Origin carnival—offer strong examples of structured, culturally inclusive pathways. These initiatives are co-designed with Indigenous communities, focusing on skill development, leadership, and cultural exchange, with provisions for gender-inclusive opportunities such as refereeing development. For the “Learning from Other Sports and Countries” section, these programs illustrate how collaboration, visibility, and community engagement in pathway development can make a sport more accessible. Tennis Queensland could replicate this model by incorporating co-design principles and culturally informed programming into its own tennis pathways for First Nations athletes.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The NSWRL is committed to the Indigenous community and will continue to engage communities and improve lives. As a proud supporter of Indigenous Rugby League, through its range of carnivals, camps, clinics and projects NSWRL also connects to the wider Indigenous communities.

The programs and partners the NSWRL is involved in includes:

KARI Foundation - the KARI Foundation develops various programs relating to culture (connecting Aboriginal community and educating non-Aboriginal Australia about the Aboriginal community), education, employment and Aboriginal business enterprise, sport and healthy lifestyle, creative and performing arts, families and communities and sector leadership. The NSWRL has partnered with the KARI Foundation to work together to implement programs in relation to these areas.

Deadly Choices campaign - a program backed by Federal Government funding which empowers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to make healthy choices for themselves and their families - to stop smoking, to eat good food and exercise daily. Deadly Choices, in partnership with the NSWRL, also encourages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to access their local Community Controlled Health Service and complete an annual health check with every participant receiving a Deadly Blues shirt.

Clontarf Partnership - the Clontarf Foundation exists to improve the education, discipline, life skills, self-esteem and employment prospects of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and by doing so equips them to participate more meaningfully in society. The NSWRL works with Clontarf across their many programs including their Rugby League days held annually across NSW.

KARI Foundation Talented Aboriginal Athlete Program (TAAP) - a camp designed to expose young male and female Indigenous Rugby League players to NSWRL High Performance programs. Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler has helped conduct clinics at the three-day long camp which also provides information on NRL careers or school-based apprenticeships or traineeships.

NSW Under 16s Koori vs Queensland Under 16s Murri - a team is chosen from the TAAP program to play a match against a Queensland Under 16s Murri team with the winner taking the Steve "Bear" Hall Shield named after the late, long-serving Indigenous Development Officer responsible for many of the Indigenous initiatives at the NSWRL.

PCYC Nations of Origin - the NSWRL facilitates the Rugby League side of the annual tournament with teams representing the different traditional local Aboriginal nations across NSW which participate in a round robin tournament during the State of Origin period.

Indigenous Referees camp - the NSWRL facilitates the training and development of 30 referees for the PCYC Nations of Origin with the hope they will return to their communities to continue refereeing in their local districts.

Ricky Walford Shield - the NSWRL, in partnership with Walgett Primary School, helps facilitate this tournament for Primary School children across Western NSW to honour legendary St George winger Ricky Walford as well as supplying prizes and player of the match awards.

Ronny Gibbs 7s - the NSWRL, in partnership with former Rugby League hardman Ronny Gibbs, helps facilitate this tournament for High School children across western NSW as well as supplying prizes and player of the match awards. This year will be the 25th running of the event.

Reconciliation Action Plan - the NSWRL is currently finalising a Reconciliation Action Plan. A RAP enables organisations to sustainably and strategically take meaningful action to advance reconciliation.

# data[].attributes.body
Sport New Zealand’s Te Pākē o Ihi Aotearoa Māori Outcomes Framework uses the traditional rain cape (“pākē”) as a metaphor to structure Māori wellbeing outcomes within sport. Built on years of consultation with Māori communities, it embeds cultural identity, equity, and wellbeing into the strategic planning of sport and recreation in Aotearoa. For the “Learning from Other Sports and Countries” section, this framework demonstrates how policy-level cultural integration supports lasting inclusion. Tennis Queensland could benefit from a similar framework—one that goes beyond programs to embed First Nations perspectives into its organizational strategy.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Te Pākē o Ihi Aotearoa, the Māori Outcomes Framework | Sport New Zealand - Ihi Aotearoa

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Te Pākē o Ihi Aotearoa (Te Pākē), the Māori Outcomes Framework, provides a framework that weaves together Māori long term outcomes and guiding principles.

# data[].attributes.body
The Government of Canada’s new $24.2 million investment in the “Sport for Social Development in Indigenous Communities” (SSDIC) initiative demonstrates a national commitment to empowering First Nations, Inuit, and Métis populations through culturally relevant, community-led sport programming. Covering 119 Indigenous-led projects, the funding targets social outcomes like youth health, education, and leadership, including specific support for women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals. For the “Learning from Other Sports and Countries” section, this source shows how systemic investment in inclusive, culturally tailored sport initiatives can build stronger, self-determining pathways—an approach Tennis Queensland could adapt for First Nations sport development in Australian tennis.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Government of Canada investing $24.2 million in Indigenous sport programs to empower First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities - Canada.ca

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Government of Canada announces $24.2 million in funding for sport for social development projects in Indigenous communities across the country

# data[].attributes.headline
Organizational Training & Cultural Safety

# data[].attributes.subject
Organizational Training & Cultural Safety

# data[].attributes.body
Coram and Hallinan (2017) use the critical race theory lens to unpack how race-neutral language in Australian sport—such as dismissing crowd booing of Indigenous athletes like Adam Goodes as non-racist—masks systemic discrimination and hinders cultural safety. This source is highly relevant to the “Integration of First Peoples’ Perspectives” section because it advocates for deliberate cultural competence and bias awareness training. Tennis Queensland must ensure that administrators and coaches are not merely avoiding overt racism, but actively learning to recognise and dismantle subtle, structural biases that undermine First Nations inclusion.

# data[].attributes.body
Lucas, Jeanes, and Diamond (2021) offer a critical evaluation of Sport for Development (SFD) policies targeting Indigenous communities. They argue that many programs are grounded in a “positivist” and often neo-colonial framework, and call for decolonising approaches—centered on Indigenous leadership, community voice, and culturally grounded decision-making. This academic insight is crucial for the “Integration of First Peoples’ Perspectives” section, as it underscores that Tennis Queensland must not only include First Nations participants but also ensure Indigenous leadership and cultural governance in program design and delivery.

# data[].attributes.headline
Transformative Benefits of Indigenous Perspectives 

# data[].attributes.subject
Transformative Benefits of Indigenous Perspectives 

# data[].attributes.body
This study, based on the Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children (LSIC), finds that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children with strong cultural identity and knowledge are significantly less likely to experience social and emotional wellbeing issues. It underscores how culturally grounded identity is protective and foundational to mental health. For the “Integration of First Peoples’ Perspectives” section, this source highlights that Tennis Queensland’s programs could yield transformative benefits if they actively support cultural connection—suggesting pathways that nurture identity and holistic resilience, not just sporting outcomes.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Nurturing cultural identity: creating an inclusive school environment for Indigenous youths - The Australian Educational Researcher

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This article draws upon data from the Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children to explore whether Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth (n = 472) feel adequately supported within their cultural identity at school, and what they believe could enhance their sense of support. The confidence of Indigenous youth in their Indigeneity within educational environments has been reported as crucial for fostering positive self-esteem, and contributes to favourable school retention and success, positive relationships with peers and staff, alongside one’s overall health and well being. Our findings indicate that a majority of the sampled Indigenous students do not report having received sufficient support from their schools towards their cultural identity. Participant-identified areas of improvement from schools in this regard include more classes and in-school activities, increased presence and recognition of culture, and greater encouragement and support. These insights are useful for informing educators, schools, and policymakers in developing educational settings that are received as valuing and nourishing Indigenous students and their cultural identity.

# data[].attributes.body
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan 2021–2031 positions sport and physical activity as crucial to holistic wellbeing, cultural safety, and Closing the Gap outcomes. It highlights the importance of embedding Indigenous perspectives across policy systems, ensuring that programs are culturally informed and community-led for long-term impact. For the “Integration of First Peoples’ Perspectives” section, this strategy shows that Tennis Queensland’s First Nations programs must be more than short-term initiatives. Sustainable, systemic integration of cultural perspectives can deliver lasting benefits for both Indigenous communities and Australian sport as a whole.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan 2021–2031

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan 2021–2031 is the new national policy to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over the next 10 years.

# data[].attributes.headline
Tennis Queensland First Nations Strategy 

# data[].attributes.subject
Tennis Queensland First Nations Strategy 

# data[].attributes.body
In March 2025, Tennis Queensland appointed Aunty Roma Pregarc (of Yuggera and Yugambeh heritage) as its first-ever First Nations Lead. Her role is designed to enhance Indigenous representation, build cultural competency among staff, and ensure Tennis Queensland's programs are inclusive and empowering for First Nations youth. This organisational structure signal is a milestone, demonstrating commitment to cultural leadership. For the “Organisation/Program Analysis” section, this clip clarifies the internal capability being built for cultural governance and integration—critical both for accountability and for meaningful program design that resonates with Indigenous communities.

# data[].attributes.headline
Key Challenges (funding, Access, Facilities)

# data[].attributes.subject
Key Challenges (funding, Access, Facilities)

# data[].attributes.body
In August 2020, the Australian Tennis Foundation pledged $115,000 over three years to support Indigenous tennis programs in Queensland, with initiatives delivered through SWIN and the Cairns Regional Council. Tennis Australia’s Indigenous Ambassador Ashleigh Barty emphasised the transformative potential of these funds. However, while this investment addresses immediate needs, it also exposes the fragility of program continuity—highlighting how funding relies on short-term grants rather than sustainable, long-term investment. For the “Organisation/Program Analysis” section, this underscores that one of Tennis Queensland’s major challenges is securing consistent funding linked to equitable access and infrastructure across regions.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Far North Queensland's up-and-coming tennis stars will be among the first to benefit from a series of programs designed to help young Indigenous players hone their skills.

The Australian Tennis Foundation (ATF) has today announced $115,000 to fund Indigenous Tennis Programs in Queensland over the next three years.

ATF ambassador and world number one, Ash Barty, said the initiative was about supporting Indigenous children across a range of areas.

"I think it's incredible to see the pathways that are now available to Indigenous youth," she said.

"It's really special to be able to give people of all ages that opportunity to grow and learn about how much sport has to offer in the way of connecting people and communities."

The announcement comes after Barty, a proud Ngarigo woman, spent a week in Far North Queensland getting to know the region's aspiring Indigenous players.

During the visit, Barty swapped serves with a group of 20 students at Cairns West State School and went on a guided walk through Mossman Gorge with six young players from the Cairns region.

Barty said the programs would help Indigenous children develop through sport.

"This funding provides an opportunity, not just in tennis, but in education and in experiences," she said.

"It's all about giving opportunity to Indigenous youth and providing pathways through tennis to show what our sport can do for our culture."

The first of the programs will be rolled out in Far North Queensland and Toowoomba, in collaboration with local organisations.

'We want to make incredible human beings'

Tennis coach and Jirrbal woman Kieryn Lenoy said it was an amazing opportunity for local players.

"There's always been a lot of talk about growing the Indigenous space for tennis up in the Cairns region, so it's great news that there is funding an investment into this area," she said.

Ms Lenoy will be involved in delivering the Indigenous Tennis Program in Cairns as a mentor.

"Tennis is purely the vehicle for our Indigenous participants," she said.

"If we can get them on board with playing tennis we'd look to provide a holistic approach to supporting them in their pathway through life.

"We don't want to make just fantastic tennis players, we want to be able to make incredible human beings from the program too."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Barty helps announce $115,000 boost to Indigenous tennis

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Far North Queensland's up-and-coming tennis stars will be among the first to benefit from a series of programs designed to help young Indigenous players hone their skills.

# data[].attributes.body
According to Tennis Queensland, the upcoming 2025 National Indigenous Tennis Carnival features a promising Queensland team, selected through regional lead-in events. Last year, Queenslanders dominated both the 18-and-under girls and 14-and-under boys singles finals, showcasing exceptional depth in First Nations talent. This clip signals clear opportunities: local pathways are yielding athletes, and regional engagement is strengthening. For the “Organisation/Program Analysis” section, it underscores how Tennis Queensland can build momentum—by investing further in regional clinics, talent development, and mentorship to sustain and amplify First Nations success in competitive tennis.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Queensland Team Announced for 2025 National Indigenous Tennis Carnival

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Queensland is gearing up for another celebration of talent, culture, and community, with 13 Aboriginal and/or Torres…

# data[].attributes.body
This National Sport Participation Strategy (2024–2032) represents Australia’s first co-designed national sport roadmap, guided by extensive consultation and emphasizing inclusive access for diverse communities. It prioritizes barrier removal, equity, and inclusive participation—values that intersect strongly with First Nations sport pathways. For the “Organisation/Program Analysis” section, this updated strategy allows for a refined evaluation of Tennis Queensland's First Nations programs: while internal leadership and grassroots pathways show promise, achieving long-term impact will require a firm commitment to national participation principles like co-design, equitable access, and cultural responsiveness.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
In partnership with sector stakeholders, the ASC is facilitating the development of Australia's first codesigned National Sport Participation Strategy.

The objectives of the Strategy will be to:

Connect and align stakeholders that support the delivery of sport participation

Reimagine how participation is delivered in Australia, and define the strategic intent of participation

Change the face of sports participation to ensure it reflects the broader representation of Australian society now and into the future

Clarify the roles and responsibilities of the sport participation system across government and sport

Working under the guidance of a Project Steering Group the ASC will create a formal project governance structure, which reflects the diversity of the sport system and maximises the number of Australians contributing to insights, ideas and project outcomes.

What's next

We've been busy behind the scenes working through these responses and experts have spent the past few weeks shaping content, activities and measures for the strategy.

A co-design workshop in Sydney is up next and we will provide another update following this important milestone.

Sport is great, and great things are coming we cannot wait to share more soon.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
In partnership with sector stakeholders, the ASC is facilitating the development of Australia's first codesigned National Sport Participation Strategy.