$2.2 million second serve for school tennis courts

• $2.2 million boost to extend partnership between Palaszczuk Government and Tennis Queensland
• Tennis in State Schools Initiative will run for another 3 years, with EOIs for the next round now open
• Top ranked Australian PWII-1 men’s singles and men’s doubles World Champion tennis players Archie Graham and Mitch James joined Education Minister Grace Grace to make the announcement at the official opening of new and upgraded courts at Daisy Hill SS
• Partnership has already delivered 25 refurbishments at 12 different schools – including the courts at Daisy Hill

A $2.2 million three-year agreement to extend Queensland’s Tennis in State Schools Initiative (TISSI) was today announced by Education Minister Grace Grace and Tennis Queensland CEO Anthony White.

The partnership aims to provide improved tennis facilities at Queensland state schools, and give tennis enthusiasts from the wider community greater access to those facilities.

The announcement was made at Daisy Hill State School, where Member for Springwood Minister Mick de Brenni and Minister Grace officially opened the new and refurbished facilities funded by the TISSI partnership.

They were joined by Tennis Queensland CEO Anthony White and top ranked Australian tennis players in the intellectual impairment category Archie Graham and Mitch James, who leave tomorrow to represent Team Australia at the Virtus Global Games in France.

Expressions of Interest for the new agreement’s initial round of funding are now open to all Queensland State Schools, and will close in mid-August. The initiative will consider a range of proposals, including new courts, improvements to existing courts, and repairs of existing tennis facilities.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Education Grace Grace:

“I’m delighted we are extending the Tennis in State Schools Initiative and thank Tennis Queensland, supported by Tennis Australia, for its ongoing support to keep students and the wider community healthy and active.

“Our initial $1.5 million agreement has provided new and upgraded courts for 12 state schools, and this additional $2.2 million is going to benefit even more students and their communities.

“It was exciting to see a sample of what has already been achieved here today with the new and upgraded courts at Daisy Hill State School, and an honour to meet two of Australia’s elite, top ranking tennis players, Archie Graham and Mitch James.

“I wish them the very best of luck as they head off to the Virtus Global Games tomorrow!”

Quotes attributable to Member for Springwood, Minister Mick de Brenni:

“Every time we invest in sporting facilities, it’s an investment in the health of our community broadly, including everything from physical health to community safety.

“Sports like tennis have an unparalleled ability to change young lives for the better, which is why we’re investing right here at Daisy Hill State School. 

“Our partnership with Tennis Queensland is another example of how the Palaszczuk Government is leveraging the excitement being created by the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and who knows, perhaps a young person from our community will hone their skills on these courts and represent us in green and gold in 2032.”

Quotes attributable to Tennis Queensland Chief Executive Officer Anthony White:

“The TISSI program is a wonderful partnership between the Department of Education and Tennis Queensland.

“It provides children all over Queensland with access to new and upgraded tennis courts so they can learn to play tennis – a true sport for life.

“The initiative also improves accessibility to tennis courts, broadening community use of the upgraded facilities, which is something we are incredibly proud to be a part of.”

Quotes attributable to Daisy Hill State School Principal Deborah Hinton:

“Daisy Hill State School has a long history with tennis, as we’ve realised during historical research for our 150^th anniversary celebrations this year.

“The school was granted permission for a court back in 1919 and now, with the Tennis in State School Initiative, we have brand new and refurbished tennis courts, which give new opportunities for both the school and the community.

“Students participating in tennis learn a range of skills from hand eye coordination through to teamwork and sportsmanship, and we can also share the courts with other schools and community groups.”

Further information:

Successful schools will receive 75% of the project costs from the Palaszczuk Government and Tennis Queensland, with 25% to be met by the school. Once the facilities have been upgraded, they will be available for community use, with Tennis Queensland providing insurance cover for the facilities if the school is affiliated with it. Schools can find out more information about the initiative and apply via the Department of Education’s One Portal intranet site.

You can find out more here.

ENDS

Media contact: Kate Talbot, 0439 803 211