The launch of the first ‘Ash Barty Schools Challenge’ marks a national initiative to encourage primary school children to pick up a racket and take part in tennis.
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, October 15, 2024 | tennis australia
Australian tennis legend Ash Barty has launched his first event, the ‘Ash Barty Schools Challenge’, a national initiative to encourage primary school children to pick up a racket and get involved in tennis.
Barty visited Brookfield Primary School in Brisbane to announce the challenge, which runs from today until April 11, 2025.
The Ash Barty Schools Challenge invites primary school students across Australia to showcase their tennis skills, and teachers are entered into a draw by submitting photos or videos of their students using tennis equipment.
Teachers and students get creative with their entries, demonstrating fun and engaging ways to bring tennis into schools.
Activities range from simple exercises such as throwing and catching a tennis ball or balancing a ball on a racket to more difficult tasks such as hitting a target. For additional inspiration, browse the Challenge website for a variety of sample lesson plans.
The challenge is designed to inspire primary school children across the country to embrace tennis, giving one lucky school the chance to receive a special visit from Barty.
Exciting prizes include ‘Little Ash’ book material for students and school libraries, along with the chance to meet Barty and even take a hit on the court with the sporting icon.
“Tennis has given me so much joy and opportunity, and I want to share that with kids across the country. The Ash Barty School Challenge is all about fun, engagement and encouraging kids to get out and play,” said Barty.
“The purpose of everything I do is to help young Australians discover their passion and follow their dreams. I hope this challenge will help inspire more boys and girls to take up tennis and fall in love with the sport like I did.”
By 2023-2024, as many as 2,805 primary schools will be offering tennis across the country.
How to participate
- Schools must participate or be enrolled in an elementary school tennis program.
- Teacher taking photos or videos of students using tennis equipment
- Fill out the entry form On the Challenge official website
The challenge will take place over the fourth semester of 2024 and the first semester of 2025, with the winning school receiving a visit from Ash in the second semester of 2025.
For more information about the Ash Barty Schools Challenge Visit our website.
