Darwin to host largest celebration of First Nations tennis
More than 160 young First Nations tennis players from across Australia will gather in Darwin next week as the National Indigenous Tennis Carnival (NITC) returns for its seventh year from August 5-8.
Held on Larrakia Country at the Darwin International Tennis Centre, the four day celebration is the country’s largest gathering of young First Nations tennis players, bringing together sport, culture, health, education and community.
As the pinnacle event of Tennis Australia’s First Nations tennis pathway, the NITC provides opportunities for both experienced players and those picking up a racquet for the first time.
Fourteen-time Grand Slam champion and proud Wiradjuri woman Evonne Goolagong Cawley has helped shape the event since its inception.
“This amazing event is the most significant gathering of Indigenous tennis players in our country, and it will be great to see kids of all ages enjoying the sport I love so much – whether discovering it for the first time or having the opportunity to develop and improve their skills,” Ms Goolagong Cawley said.
“It’s incredible to see how tennis can have such a positive impact on communities. The celebration of culture, improving the health and wellbeing of everyone involved and promoting education are all so important to me.”
The NITC will welcome participants from every state and territory, including nine teams from the Northern Territory representing Darwin, Palmerston and remote communities including East Arnhem, Arlparra, Groote Eylandt, Jabiru, Jilkminggan and the Tiwi Islands.
“The National Indigenous Tennis Carnival continues to grow every year and has become a powerful celebration of tennis, culture and community,” Tennis NT CEO Tania Tandora said.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to see young people from every corner of Australia come together to learn from one another, strengthen their connection to culture and enjoy everything our sport has to offer.
“Tennis NT is incredibly proud of the strong relationships we continue to build with schools, communities and local mentors across the Northern Territory, creating opportunities for young people to develop their tennis skills and for teachers and community leaders to grow their confidence in delivering tennis opportunities.
“We want every young person who attends the event to leave with new friendships, greater confidence and opportunities that can help shape their future.”
This year’s event places a strong emphasis on health, wellbeing and career pathways, recognising the important role sport plays in improving health and education outcomes for First Nations communities.
Participants will take part in sessions focused on on healthy choices, career and employment opportunities, alongside cultural exchange activities and workshops.
Cultural experiences
Off the court, they will immerse themselves in a range of cultural experiences, with new activities this year including bush tucker workshops, painting, woodwork, weaving, dance and First Nations cosmology.
The tournament side features two streams of play, with a performance competition including the competitive showdown, alongside participation opportunities through Hot Shots tennis and future stars for beginner and intermediate players.
The NITC follows 24 regional and state based First Nations tennis events held throughout 2026, with more than 1000 participants taking part across Australia. Together, these events continue to grow participation, strengthen community connections and provide more opportunities for young First Nations people to engage with tennis.
