TENNIS Australia’s First Nations Tennis Ambassador and former world No.1 Ash Barty has launched the National Indigenous Tennis Carnival in Newcastle, set for Darwin in August, with a lead-in event on offer at Sydney Olympic Park in May.
The pinnacle event for young First Nations players, regional and metro events will take place in every state and territory leading up to the 2023 National event, including at Sydney Olympic Park on May 13-14, to provide more opportunities for First Nations youth to play tennis.
Ngarigo woman Barty has joined forces with Tennis Australia’s First Nations Lead and Yuin woman Kyah Jones, to encourage more than 140 Indigenous youth aged between 9-15 years to get involved in tennis.
“It’s incredible [to see so many First Nations youth trying tennis for the first time], this is what it’s all about,” Barty said.
“I’m so appreciative of my journey across tennis and beyond now, but to still be connected and able to contribute in ways like this, I love it.
“I’ve had different role models, starting with my mum and sisters, and then Evonne [Goolagong Cawley] and Cathy Freeman, they are both great role models in a sense of what they did but also their contribution after they retired, it’s something I would really love to emulate.”
