Murlpirrmarra Connection, in partnership with Remote Tennis Services Australia, provides a unique Indigenous Tennis & Learning program for students living in remote and regional communities across Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
Tennis is used as a conduit to develop valuable life skills, instil positive health and wellbeing messages, and provide a culturally safe space for participants. Supporting young Indigenous people to stay engaged in their education and offering schooling options, training and work experience pathways, is a key part of the program.
The Indigenous Tennis & Learning program is supported by the Australian Government, endorsed by Tennis Australia and Tennis West, and has proudly named Ian Goolagong as its Ambassador.
Since the beginning of 2022, Murlpirrmarra Connection has engaged over 3000 students across 75+ communities through the Indigenous Tennis & Learning program.
Our Mission Statement:
- To introduce tennis, tennis tuition and the lifelong pathways that the game of tennis has to offer to remote and regional Indigenous children, young people & communities.
- Engaging remote & regional Indigenous children and young people through tennis to offer brighter educational, health, wellness and employment options and pathways.
Our Process:
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1) Initial Engagement: Indigenous Tennis & Learning Personnel visit your remote / regional school or community and deliver tennis tuition and offer secondary educational options to local students. |
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2) Product Delivery: Indigenous Tennis & Learning personnel obtain and deliver tennis rackets, balls, and tennis coaching aids. |
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3) Local Service Providers: Local interested community members (Teachers, Coaches, Local Elders etc.) are welcomed and signed to deliver ongoing Indigenous Tennis & Learning activities and refer students and parents requiring educational support to Murlpirrmarra Connection. |
Our Hubs:
Service Providers have been engaged across 20 communities spanning the Mid-West, Kimberley, Goldfields and Pilbara, who deliver the Indigenous Tennis & Learning program to participants after school on a weekly basis. We prioritise employment of local community members and 45% of the team employed are Indigenous. Regional Managers have also been set up to oversee the program in these regions. All personnel working in the program receive AATC accreditation.
The program operates within the local school / community context and workshops are provided throughout the year by Ian Goolagong, Darren Patten and Jarron Kretschmann to engage more students. The workshops feature tennis coaching clinics, mentoring, cultural learning, art and cooking and are a valuable way to enhance the program.
All participants are encouraged to stay engaged at school and an avenue is provided for participants who would benefit from educational and employment support through Murlpirrmarra Connection. Currently 41% of our supported students have originated from the Indigenous Tennis & Learning program.
Sustained Engagement:
Please contact Murlpirrmarra Connection for information on how you can support this valuable program.
