Tennis NSW has been awarded Gold Tier Status for the second year in a row in the Pride in Sport Index (PSI), a recognition of its ongoing efforts to foster inclusion in the LGBTQI+ community. This prestigious achievement was presented at the 2025 Australian Pride in Sport Awards, held on Wednesday, April 16, at the CENTREPIECE in Melbourne Park.
The PSI is the first and only benchmarking tool created to evaluate the inclusivity of LGBTQI+ individuals in Australian sports and organizations. Tennis NSW’s consistent efforts have placed it at the forefront of the movement towards a more inclusive sporting environment.
Nikita Sayle, Tennis NSW’s Head of Venue & Community Development, expressed her pride in the recognition, stating, “We are extremely proud to be recognised as a leading sporting organisation in LGBTQI+ inclusion by Pride in Sport. As an organisation, Tennis NSW remains committed to growing tennis as the most welcoming, safe, and inclusive sport. We recognise this work isn’t possible without our Member Clubs and partners who are doing really valuable work within the community.”
In addition to Tennis NSW’s recognition, former Tennis Sydney President Tyler Juel was honored as a finalist for the LGBTQ+ Role Model of the Year award. Juel has been a dedicated advocate for inclusive tennis, striving to make the sport accessible and safe for everyone. “I’m so proud to be recognised as a finalist for the important work by Tennis Sydney and Tennis NSW. We can all be role models and allies in our local communities. Thank you Tennis NSW for leading by example to ensure everyone is welcome to have a go on court!” Juel said.
Another key achievement at the event was Collaroy Tennis Club becoming the first club to join the Community Club Pride In Sport Index, a version of the PSI for smaller organizations. The club received Silver Tier Status for its outstanding initiatives in promoting LGBTQI+ inclusion.
Tennis NSW continues to deepen its commitment to LGBTQI+ inclusion by collaborating with LGBTQI+ groups such as Tennis Sydney, Amazon Women’s Tennis, and the Ray Lance Saturday Tennis and Social Group. Many mainstream clubs are also making strides toward creating inclusive venues and providing participation opportunities for the LGBTQI+ community, contributing to a significant shift in the sport’s inclusivity.
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