The Hon Pat Conroy MP, Minister for Pacific Island Affairs
The Australian Government is increasing support to tennis in the Pacific under a renewed partnership with Tennis Australia.
This will help women and girls play more tennis and excel as athletes, coaches, officials and administrators.
The $1.2 million partnership will be delivered over four years through PacificAus Sports and help strengthen the governance of Pacific tennis organisations, give access to high-performance training and coaching and increase opportunities to compete throughout the region.
This builds on the success of existing initiatives, including the Pacific Women Leaders in Tennis program with an alumni of 40 women who have progressed into senior roles in tennis federations and boards.
The partnership will continue to strengthen connections between Australian and Pacific tennis organisations, bring communities together and support women to take up leadership roles on and off the court.
Quote attributable to the Minister for Defence Industry and Minister for Pacific Island Affairs, the Hon Pat Conroy MP:
"Australia and the Pacific come together through a shared love of sport.
"The Australian Government is proud to build on our successful partnership with Tennis Australia, through PacificAus Sports, to support women's tennis across the Pacific."
Quote attributable to Assistant Minister for Pacific Island Affairs, Assistant Minister for Tourism and Assistant Minister for Northern Australia, Senator the Hon Nita Green:
"Increasing the representation of women in leadership roles makes organisations more resilient and inspires other women and girls to pursue their dreams.
"The Australian Government is committed to backing Pacific women to take on leadership positions – not only within sporting bodies, but across all areas of public life."
Quote attributable to Tennis Australia Director of Government, Social Impact and Stakeholders Relations Vicki Reid:
"We are proud of our strong connection with the Pacific and our collaboration with national federations to empower and develop women and girls in tennis."
"This partnership with proven results, enables women and girls across the Pacific with the opportunity to play, coach and lead. Attracting and retaining more women and girls at all levels of the game helps to create a welcoming, safe, and inclusive environment for all."
About PacificAus Sports
PacificAus Sports is an Australian Government sports diplomacy initiative creating opportunities for Pacific athletes, coaches, officials and administrators to access high performance training and elite competition. The program partners with Australian national sports organisations to support a range of sports, including rugby league, rugby union, netball, football, AFL, cricket, tennis, basketball, and Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth sports. PacificAus Sports also partners with the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) to promote Pacific sport through ABC Television's 'That Pacific Sports Show' and ABC Radio's 'Fresh Off the Field'. The high performance outcomes of PacificAus Sports are complemented by the Australian Government's Team Up program, which focuses on sport for development in the Pacific. For more information about PacificAus Sports follow on Facebook.