More than 160 First Nations youth participants from across the country gathered in Darwin last week for the sixth edition of the National Indigenous Tennis Carnival (NITC). Held on Larrakia Country at the Darwin International Tennis Centre, the four-day celebration ran from 6-9 August, bringing together tennis, culture, health, education and community.
Evonne Goolagong Cawley, a fourteen-time Grand Slam champion and proud Wiradjuri woman, officially opened the event on Wednesday 6 August, alongside Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley. Sixteen First Nations players traveled from NSW to join 16 teams representing every state and territory. Among them were 12 communities from the Northern Territory, including Dhalinybuy, Milyakburra, and Gangan, some of the most remote areas in the country.
Following on from the NSW Talent Camp event held in Lake Macquarie earlier this year, the carnival combined competition with a range of cultural and wellbeing activities off the court, including mural and pillar painting, string making, spear throwing, weaving, wellbeing sessions and employment opportunities.
NSW players competed in both the Future Stars and Showdown events, contributing to a week that highlighted the heart of Tennis Australia’s Indigenous tennis pathway. The carnival provided a powerful opportunity for young people to build friendships and celebrate their heritage through tennis. Bringing culture to life, participants were also treated to a surprise performance from acclaimed First Nations rapper Barkaa.
Goolagong Cawley personally awarded 17-year-old Isaac Elson (NSW) the Evonne Goolagong Cawley Medal of Excellence, praising his well-deserved recognition for leadership, sportsmanship and positive attitude displayed both on and off the court.
“Winning that award is something special – I don’t have words to say. It’s just an awesome feeling. I’ve worked very hard, and I’m really appreciative of Evonne and Roger and everyone who has helped me along this path and has guided me to the positive side of everything.” Isaac said.
NSW RESULTS:
18U Boys Singles Championships: Quincy Kahn (NSW) defeated Isaac Elson (NSW) 1-6 6-4 [10-4]
14U Girls Singles Championships: Hazel Wright (NSW) defeated Namallarri Mckenzie (SA) 6-2 6-0
14U Boys Singles Championships: Will Brooks-Gay (Vic) defeated Oakley Baylis (NSW) 6-1 6-2
NSW Deadly Award winner: Hazel Wright (NSW)
Evonne Goolagong Cawley Medal of Excellence: Isaac Elson (NSW)
Futures Stars champions: NSW
NSW TEAM:
Noah Baylis
Oakley Baylis
Ryan Budda-Deen
Louis De Beger
Isaac Elson
Mahala Hitchings
Maddison Honeyman
Jacob Issaoui Slade
Quincy Khan
Carla Mazzella
Clay Nicholls
Alessandra Ostojic
Ruby Pade
Ayva Quigg
Lula Ross Rawlings
Hazel Wright