MELBOURNE, Australia — On Wednesday, Tennis Australia announced that it has secured nearly one million Australian dollars (approximately $625,000 USD) in funding aimed at encouraging greater participation of women and girls from culturally diverse backgrounds in tennis. This initiative is designed to help these individuals benefit both mentally and physically from engaging in the sport.

The funding, provided by the Australian government, will enable the implementation of programs in around 60 tennis clubs, specifically targeting the inclusion and retention of women and girls from “Culturally and Linguistically Diverse” communities. This effort underscores a commitment to expanding opportunities for underrepresented groups in sports.

Starting in July, Tennis Australia will collaborate with tennis clubs nationwide, overseeing tailored programs intended to assist about 30 women and girls in each of the involved clubs. This initiative is part of an overarching strategy to foster a more inclusive environment in tennis.

Craig Tiley, the chief executive of Tennis Australia, emphasized the organization’s commitment to values such as equality, inclusion, and diversity, saying, “These principles are fundamental to our operations both on and off the court. This new funding from the government reinforces our ongoing efforts to promote tennis among women and girls, particularly focusing on culturally diverse communities.”