Celebrating Culture, Connection, and Inclusion at the National Indigenous Tennis Carnival

A National Celebration of Culture and Tennis

The National Indigenous Tennis Carnival (NITC) returned to Darwin this August, bringing together more than 160 young First Nations players from across Australia for four days of tennis, culture, and connection on Larrakia Country, hosted at the Darwin International Tennis Centre.

For some, it was their first time picking up a racquet; for others, it was a step toward elite competition. What united everyone was the chance to learn, connect, and celebrate culture alongside tennis. Across the three competition streams – beginner, Future Stars, and Showdown – players also took part in cultural activities, health and wellbeing workshops, and music performances that gave the Carnival its unique spirit.

For many participants, it was their first experience of tennis. For others, it was a chance to compete at the highest level in their age group. At the heart of it all was the spirit of community – young people meeting, learning, and building friendships across states and territories.

Sport4All at the Carnival

Sport4All was proud to be present at this year’s NITC, with Inclusion Coaches John Clarke – Disability Sports Northern Territory and Alex Woodward – Inclusion Coach, City of Darwin attending sessions and connecting with players, families, and community organisations. Learn more about how they are supporting inclusive sport in the NT in our Inclusive Sport in Northern Territory announcement piece.

We were there to listen, observe, and reflect on how inclusion can be strengthened not just in disability sport, but across all communities. Events like the NITC remind us that inclusion is not a program delivered to communities. It is built with them.

Our Reflections

At the Carnival, our Inclusion Coaches John Clarke and Alex Woodward were immersed in the energy of a space where sport and culture came together. From the very beginning, the welcoming ceremony set the tone, weaving tradition through string making, dance, language, and spear throwing. For John, it was a reminder that inclusion is not delivered to a community. It is shaped with it, grounded in culture and connection.

The presence of Evonne Goolagong Cawley AC MBE added another layer of meaning. Her story, from hitting a ball against the wall of her family home in Barellan to becoming a Wimbledon champion, resonated deeply with both coaches. “You couldn’t help but feel her humility and the power of her journey,” John reflected.

For Alex, the Carnival carried an even more personal weight. Growing up in Darwin, she often saw the limitations that remote communities face. Hearing young players talk about their first time on a plane brought that reality into sharp focus. “It made me appreciate how much effort it takes to create opportunities like this,” she said. The hip hop dancers struck her particularly – encouraging self-expression, and showing young people that their voices and stories matter.

Both John and Alex found themselves inspired not just by the tennis on court, but by the authenticity around them. Conversations with coaches from the Evonne Goolagong Foundation, Tennis NT, and Tennis Victoria reinforced that genuine action, not box-ticking, drives lasting inclusion. The energy across the four days, from live performances that had even Evonne dancing to the rising talent on court, was a powerful reminder of the role sport plays as a universal language of belonging.

Why events like NITC matter

The Carnival is not only about recognising sporting excellence but also about celebrating leadership, community, and culture. Awards like the Ash Barty Cup, Deadly Awards, and the Evonne Goolagong Cawley Medal of Excellence highlight the values of teamwork, sportsmanship, and respect.

For the players, it is a chance to dream big – to see pathways into elite tennis, but also into careers in coaching, officiating, and administration. For everyone involved, it is an opportunity to learn and grow through connection.

As Evonne Goolagong Cawley shared during the event:

Tennis made me more positive, more confident in myself. But then I learned about culture too. It made me even stronger. So the combination is just so unreal.

Evonne Goolagong Cawley, AC, MBE

Looking ahead

Sport4All is committed to continuing to walk alongside community-led events like the NITC. By listening, learning, and sharing stories, our Inclusion Coaches help ensure that inclusion is not just spoken about, but embedded in practice. See more examples of our impact on the our impact page.

We thank Tennis Australia, Tennis NT, and the Evonne Goolagong Foundation for welcoming our team to be part of such a significant national celebration of sport and culture.

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