$2.2 million agreement sees extension of Queensland’s Tennis in State Schools Initiative

The Queensland Government and Tennis Queensland have agreed to a $2.2 million three-year extension of Queensland’s Tennis in State Schools Initiative (TISSI) with the partnership aiming to provide improved tennis facilities at Queensland state schools, and give tennis enthusiasts from the wider community greater access to those facilities.

Tennis Queensland Chief Executive Anthony White advised “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.”

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

Minister Grace enthused “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.”

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.

Daisy Hill State School Principal Deborah Hinton shared “Daisy Hill State School has a long history with tennis, as we’ve realised during historical research for our 150th 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.”

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.

Successful schools will receive 75% of the project costs from the Queensland 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.

More information here.

Image. Queensland Tennis State Schools Initiative Credit: Tennis Australia