At a recent Women’s and Girls Insight Forum hosted by Tennis Victoria, President, Jacqui Pirone, spoke about the importance of creating environments where girls and women feel inspired, not just to participate, but to lead, learn and shape the future of the game.
At the heart of this shift is local action. At Ascot Vale Tennis Club (AVTC), this vision is being brought to life.
The Challenge
At the entry level in Moonee Valley, girls make up 44% of participants (almost equal to boys). But as is often seen across community sport, that balance begins to shift during adolescence. Participation among girls drops to around 40 per cent at the senior level, highlighting a critical point where many begin to disengage. For AVTC, this isn’t just a statistic—it’s a call to action.
Closing the Gap
Recognising the importance of keeping girls connected to sport, the club has made it a priority to close this gap. Central to their approach is the understanding that representation matters:
- When girls see women in visible roles (as players, coaches, officials and leaders) it reinforces a powerful message: there is a place for them in the game, long term.
- AVTC is actively building pathways that allow girls to grow within the sport whether that’s through coaching, officiating, or leadership roles within the club.
“We have three junior players who now support the coaching program, helping bring through the next generation of players at AVTC,” Rose Micallef said.
The Impact
Today, the club is thriving. Female participation has grown steadily, with women and girls now making up 43% of players, an increase of 10% since 2023.
“This is an important aspect that normalises women being active, skilled and confident in public spaces,” she said.
While progress is clear, the journey isn’t over. AVTC recognises that continued focus and effort are needed to ensure every girl and woman has the chance to participate, lead and thrive. But if the energy at the Tennis Victoria forum (and the story unfolding at Ascot Vale) is anything to go by, the future of tennis is already being shaped by a new generation of women and girls who are stepping forward with confidence.
If you are ready to hit the court and begin your tennis journey today, reach out to our team by visiting ascotvaletennis.com.au or calling us directly at 0414 561 603.