Youth Advisory Group

Shaping the future of tennis

The Youth Advisory Group (YAG) is dedicated to understanding the needs and desires of young tennis players and driving positive change within the sport. It serves as a platform for youth voices to be heard nationwide.

We aim to empower young people to:

Take the lead in shaping the future of tennis.
Initiate action and contribute meaningful ideas.
Actively participate in decision-making at all levels: club, regional, and national.

Through YAG, young players have the opportunity to make a real impact and ensure tennis remains engaging, inclusive, and forward-thinking.

Youth Advisory Group outline presentation

Youth Advisory Group Strategic Plan

Break Apart v2

Resources to Learn More

Want to learn more about the importance of youth voice in tennis?

Involving youth in your programs is crucial for the growth of tennis in your club. Giving them a voice in decision-making not only inspires the next generation of players but also encourages greater participation in your community.

Image Preview	Download	Description
	Download PDF	Steps to Give Your Youth a Voice Interested in developing your own youth group? Here are the steps to start the conversation and engage young people in your community, giving them a voice to shape their future in tennis.
	Download PDF	Voice of Participant Summary 2023-2024 This report from Sport New Zealand provides valuable insights into the experiences of participants in sports clubs across the country, offering a detailed understanding of their behaviours, attitudes, and needs within the club environment.
	Download PDF	Youth Voice In Governance This Sport NZ paper guides boards in effectively incorporating young people's perspectives into governance and decision-making.
	Download PDF	Engaging Youth Voice pamphlet from the Ministry of Youth Development (MYD) emphasises the value of listening to their perspectives to inform policies and initiatives that affect them.
	Download PDF	Youth Voices in Active Recreation and Sport Sport NZ's "Youth Voices" report highlights the value of involving young people in shaping their physical activity programs. Providing guidance on effective youth engagement, best practices, and the benefits of youth-led decision-making.
	Download PDF	Shier's Pathway to Participation This framework serves as a tool for organizations to assess and enhance their commitment to youth participation by addressing 15 guiding questions across these levels and stages.
	Link to Article	Eight Ways Your Organisation Can Take a Participant-Centred Approach to Delivering Sport for Young People This article from Sport New Zealand outlines strategies to enhance youth sports experiences by focusing on participants
	Link to Article	Creating Positive Environments for Young Women This article from Sport New Zealand highlights the decline in sports participation among young women (aged 12-17). Emphasising the need for fun, social, and judgment-free environments to keep them engaged.

Have Your Say!

If you are aged 12-24, the Tennis New Zealand Youth Advisory Group wants to hear from you!

Help us make tennis more enjoyable, accessible, and inclusive for young players by sharing your thoughts in this quick survey. Your input will guide real changes in the sport, empowering youth voices in decisions at every level: club, regional, and national.

Participation Survey

Expressions of interest

Are you passionate about shaping the future of tennis? Want to make a real impact on how we engage with Rangatahi? We’re looking for young leaders to join our Youth Advisory Group and help drive innovation, participation and social media engagement.

What’s in it for you?

Be heard: Share your ideas and influence decisions that matter.
Grow your skills: Develop leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities.
Make an impact: Help drive exciting projects that inspire the next generation of players.
Connect & collaborate: Meet other passionate youth and industry leaders.
Real-world experience: Build your resume and gain valuable experience working in sport.

Expression of interest form

Make contact with the group

Tegan Lloyd (Junior and Youth Participation Manager) would love to hear from the youth at your club, make contact with her to find out more about youth involvement in your area and through the Tennis NZ Youth Advisory Group.

Email Tegan

2024 Youth Participation Survey

Meet the team

Ella

Hi, I’m Ella! I’ve been passionate about sports since I was four, playing everything from tennis and netball to touch rugby - basically anything that will get me outdoors. I jumped at the chance to study Sport Management and Sport Marketing at AUT, and now I work as a Marketing Strategist at a sport marketing consultancy. In this role, I collaborate with a diverse range of sports rights owners, brands, and social causes to craft tailored marketing strategies and evaluate the best commercial partnerships for success and growth.

My passion lies in being a voice for youth, empowering them through sports and advocating for inclusivity and getting more youth involved in the sport of tennis. A fun fact about me? I’d choose to watch live sports over a movie or TV series any day.

Ben

Hi, I’m Ben! I am a first year student at Victoria University of Wellington where I am completing a Bachelor of Architectural studies. I have always been passionate about design, but also about the various communities I am part of. Sport is a great way for people to connect and build a sense of community, and I am happy to be helping YAG get more young people involved in the great sport of tennis! A fun fact about me is that I can name all 50 US states in alphabetical order off by heart.

Tanya

Hi, my name is Tanya (22), I work in branding & am passionate about sport being a powerful tool for development. After spending my high-school years in high performance athletics, I jumped at the opportunity to study Sport Leadership and Management to see how I can contribute towards the positive and progressive development of people through sport. Working with Tennis NZ YAG has been a wonderful part of this journey and I am excited for you all to see our growth and vision come to light!

Sadheera

Hi, my name is Sadheera and I am in the participation and development team for YAG. I have been playing tennis since I was 8 years old and I am now fortunate to coach others part time while I study Business and Spanish at the University of Auckland. When I am not on a tennis court, I love to go for bush walks with my dog, learn languages and do hot yoga. Fun fact about me- I was born in Botswana!

Hana

Hi, my name is Hana and am currently a first year student at the University of Sydney. I’ve been playing tennis since I was 8 and joined the YAG team in 2022. My other interests include volleyball, netball and film. Looking forward to working with YAG in the years to come.

Orenia

Hi, I’m Orenia, a 14-year-old Year 11 student at New Plymouth Girls’ High School. Tennis is a big part of my life, I love playing, having fun, and encouraging others to give it a go.

Coming from a Pasifika family, I’d love to see more cultural representation on the court. I know how hard it can be to keep up if you're not in the top squad, but I believe everyone has potential.

With tennis being a family passion, and three younger siblings who play too, I want to help create a space where all youth feel welcome, no matter their skill level. Let’s make tennis for everyone!

Harry

Hi, my name is Harry. I have been a keen tennis player since I was 4 years old. I am currently studying at Auckland Grammar School and working a part time job. I am looking to help youth find a love for tennis and give them an active voice in the tennis community.

Title 2