The New South Wales tennis community is set to benefit from significant investment through a legacy fund, established by the NSW Government and Tennis NSW, as a result of securing the ATP Cup in Sydney.
A minimum of $2.4 million will be available to tennis clubs, associations and councils over the next three years. The NSW Government will invest $1.2 million into the fund, with $1.2 million funds to be matched by Tennis NSW.
Tennis NSW will also provide additional funds and seek further investment to support components of the state’s tennis participation strategy, increasing the total funding available to more than $5 million.
The fund has been established to drive investment into infrastructure and programs to support the growth of tennis participation across New South Wales.
Acting Minister for Sport Geoff Lee said the legacy fund will continue to support community and grassroots tennis across the state.
“This partnership between the NSW Government and Tennis NSW will give us a terrific platform to boost participation in tennis across the State,” Lee said.
“After seeing the stars shine at the ATP Cup, kids will want to emulate their heroes and get involved in tennis. There are 160,000 registered participants in NSW, so the establishment of the legacy fund will continue to ensure the growth of tennis in local and regional communities.
“This funding comes in addition to the investment from the NSW Government to upgrade Ken Rosewall Arena, ensuring the world’s best players also benefit from the legacy of hosting the ATP Cup.”
Tennis NSW CEO Lawrence Robertson added, “This is a momentous time for tennis in NSW. Not only are we honoured to host the ATP Cup, a world-class event in the newly upgraded Ken Rosewall Arena, but we will also be able to deliver a legacy fund that will deliver significant benefits for our sport and leave a lasting legacy for tennis.”
The fund will include four streams, supporting a broad range of infrastructure development and participation initiatives for councils, clubs and associations including:
• An infrastructure funding stream to focus on projects which align with Tennis NSW’s State Venues Strategy, creating a network of facilities that support a sustainable talent pathway and improved access and opportunities for community participants
• Tennis NSW will also commit more than $3 million to develop key tennis hubs across NSW, in addition to $600,000 being allocated for small to medium projects through the fund
• The fund will also focus on delivering participation outcomes with $600,000 allocated to supporting targeted participation programs and Tennis NSW initiatives related to diversity and inclusion, female participation, adult social tennis, youth participation aged 9-14, team tennis, schools and mental health education initiatives for clubs. It also aims to support coach development in regional NSW, as well as regional tournaments and events.
“Tennis NSW is committed to increasing opportunities for participation, promoting tennis as an inclusive sport and encouraging more people to play more tennis more often. The fund will further promote the growth of the game at the grassroots level for people from all backgrounds.
“Tennis NSW is also pleased to inject additional funding to ensure a generational level of investment to support our ageing infrastructure and growing footprint. We are working closely with all levels of government to ensure alignment and leverage fresh opportunities,” Robertson continued.