The Australian Government is strengthening its support for tennis across the Pacific through a renewed partnership with Tennis Australia, helping more women and girls access high‑performance pathways and leadership opportunities.
The renewed support is backed by $1.2 million in funding from the Australian Government’s elite sports pathways program, PacificAus Sports, to support delivery of Tennis Australia’s Pacific Women and Girls in Tennis program.
The program supports Pacific tennis organisations by strengthening governance, expanding access to high-performance training and coaching and increasing competitive opportunities for players, coaches and officials across the region.
“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,”Director of Government, Social Impact and Stakeholder Relations and President of Oceania Tennis Federation Vicki Reid said.
“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,” Minister for Pacific Island Affairs Pat Conroy MP said.
“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.”
“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,” Assistant Minister for Pacific Island Affairs Senator Hon Nita Green said.
The renewed partnership builds on the success of existing initiatives, including the Pacific Women Leaders in Tennis program which has an alumni of 40 women who have progressed into senior roles in tennis federations and boards.
A new cohort of Pacific women reached an important milestone in their leadership journeys at the Australian Open 2026, marking the completion of the 2025–26 program. The program concludes every year at the AO with final workshops alongside the graduation.
Twelve women from Fiji, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu graduated from the program and were recognised at the AO Pacific Showcase Dinner on Tuesday night. The event provided a unique opportunity to connect with the global tennis community and strengthen aspirations to lead the sport across the Pacific.
Graduates of the Women Leaders in Tennis program also attended one of the most prestigious off-court events, the AO Inspirational Series on Thursday 29 January.
Celebrating the achievement of women in all fields of endeavour, the AO Inspirational Series is also the prelude to a spectacular night of tennis for the Pacific women leaders, watching the world’s top women compete in the semifinals to win a coveted spot in the AO Final.
Back in October 2025, the women from across the Pacific arrived in Papua New Guinea for the beginning of the 2025-26 Pacific Women Leaders in Tennis program.
It was the first time Papua New Guinea had hosted the regional leadership workshop, providing an opportunity to showcase the significance of women’s leadership in PNG through tennis.
A series of workshops focussed on topics including stakeholder engagement, goal setting and public speaking.
Participants also attended a networking event at the Port Moresby Racquets Club, where they had the chance to interact further and meet with the Papua New Guinea tennis community.
“It is exciting to see the approaches taken by the Pacific Women Leaders in Tennis Initiative to promote women’s empowerment and leadership capabilities in the Pacific. We thank Tennis Australia for their partnership and PNG Tennis for hosting this initiative in PNG’s 50th year of independence.”
“It is wonderful to see PNG showcasing the incredible talent in PNG Tennis to the rest of the Pacific and deepening connections through our shared passion for sport,” Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea and Special Envoy for the Pacific and Regional Affairs Ewen McDonald said.
The 2025 Participants
· Neilani Ackley – Marshall Islands
· Marlaina Aroi – Nauru
· Kim Carruthers – Samoa
· Sandra Constantine – Solomon Islands
· Lile Huni – Tonga
· Amanda Korinihona – Solomon Islands
· Hari Levo – Papua New Guinea
· Naomi Sipiti – Vanuatu
· Ana Tong-Thaggard – Fiji
· Adelaide Senior – Papua New Guinea
· Abigail Tere-Apisah – Papua New Guinea
The PNG program was facilitated by Head of Women and Girls at Tennis Australia Andrea Buckeridge and President of PNG Tennis and Oceania Tennis Federation Board Member Barbara Stubbings. Barbara was part of the first cohort of the Pacific Women Leaders in Tennis program, graduating in 2023.
“Women’s leadership is one of the key pillars of the Pacific Women and Girls in Tennis program, alongside talent, coaching, and officiating. With the upcoming Australian Open in 2026, 40 inspiring women from 12 Pacific countries will have participated in this transformative initiative.”
“Each one brings strength, purpose, and a commitment to uplifting their communities, demonstrating how tennis can be a powerful platform for leadership and positive change across the Pacific,” Head of International Engagement at Tennis Australia, Isabelle Gemmel said.
Women coaches and talented junior girls from across the Pacific have also taken part in regional Victorian tennis tournaments and a player development camp focused on building technical skills, confidence and match experience.
In addition, the top eight boys and girls from the Asia-Pacific region competed in the AO Asia-Pacific Elite 14 & Under Trophy.
