Eight women from the Pacific including Cook Islands’ Davina Hosking-Ashford were in Melbourne to graduate from the Pacific Women Leaders in Tennis programme and watch all the action at the Australian Open finals over the weekend.

Tennis Australia’s Pacific Women in Tennis – Emerging on to the World Stage programme is supported by the Australian Government’s elite sports pathways programme, PacificAus Sports.

Designed in collaboration with women leaders across Oceania Tennis, the Tennis Australia Women Leaders in Tennis programme has been adapted to reflect the Pacific context with the objective of increasing the pipeline of female Pacific administrators in tennis through professional development and networking opportunities.

Tennis Cook Islands president Davina Hosking-Ashford was one of the eight women who graduated from the programme.

“It’s been an incredible five-month journey with amazing leaders, coaches and administrators from Pacific Oceania. Absolutely blessed to be picked as one of the first women to pilot this programme. I look forward to continuing my work for tennis in the Cook Islands,” Hosking-Ashford told Cook Islands News.

Tennis Australia’s director of government, social impact and stakeholder relations Vicki Reid said: “Tennis Australia is proud of our ongoing relationship with the Pacific and our partnership with national federations to build the capacity of women leaders in tennis. These women are amazing, they have heart and commitment towards seeing tennis grow and thrive within the communities they play, coach and lead in.”

“It is so important for women to take on leadership roles in their communities, so women and girls have an equal voice and the ability to influence decision making. Having more women in leadership positions helps to create a welcoming, safe, and inclusive environment for all.”

President of Tennis PNG Barbara Stubbings, a participant in the programme, said: “I’m very passionate about women’s voices in sport, we’re half the population so we should be hear.”

“I joined the programme because I wanted to learn a little bit more about myself and how I can improve, and how I can help others improve around me in my tennis community. I wanted to continue to grow as a leader and an administrator.”

The eight graduates also attended the AO Inspirational Series on Thursday 26 January, headlined by Billie Jean King and members of the Original Nine.

“I congratulate these eight women from the Pacific on their fantastic achievement. I am sure they will inspire more women and girls in their communities to get involved with tennis,” Minister for International Development and the Pacific Pat Conroy said.

“The Australian Government is proud to support this programme which is enabling more women to take up leadership roles in sports governance and administration in the Pacific.”