Acing it! Meet the women shaping the future of Pacific tennis

Eleven women from across the Pacific gathered in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea (PNG), in October for the opening workshops of the 2025-26 Pacific Women Leaders in Tennis program, delivered by Tennis Australia in partnership with the Australian Government, through PacificAus Sports.

Now in its fourth year, the initiative aims to support the next generation of administrators as they progress their careers, equipping them with the practical skills and professional networks needed to pursue leadership roles in their communities.

This year’s participants represent eight countries – Fiji, Marshall Islands, Nauru, PNG, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Vanuatu – and a collective wealth of on-court and behind-the-scenes experience in community clubs, national federations, coaching programs, and international competition.

The two-day workshop marked PNG’s first time hosting the regional leadership event. Taking place amid celebrations for the country’s 50th anniversary of independence, it also highlighted the vital contribution of women to PNG’s vibrant sporting culture.

Australian High Commissioner to PNG and Special Envoy for the Pacific and Regional Affairs, Ewen McDonald, said the initiative shines a light on the depth of talent and leadership across the region.

“It is exciting to see the approaches taken by the Pacific Women Leaders in Tennis initiative to promote women’s empowerment and leadership capabilities in the Pacific,” he said. “We thank Tennis Australia for their partnership and PNG Tennis for hosting this initiative in PNG’s 50th year of independence. It is wonderful to see PNG showcasing its incredible talent to the rest of the Pacific and deepening connections through our shared passion for sport.”

The 2025 program is facilitated by Andrea Buckeridge, Tennis Australia’s Head of Women and Girls, and Barbara Stubbings, President of PNG Tennis and Oceania Tennis Federation Board Member. Stubbings’ involvement is especially notable: she was part of the program’s first cohort, graduating in 2023 before returning as a facilitator and mentor.

“PNG’s Barbara Stubbings’ journey from participant to program facilitator shows what’s possible when we invest in Pacific women leaders,” says Vicki Reid, President of the Oceania Tennis Federation. “This partnership between the Australian Government, Tennis Australia, and the Oceania Tennis Federation is creating lasting change across our region.” 

Meet the 2025 cohort

The eleven women who took part in the October workshop represented a mix of coaching, administration, governance and lived sporting experience – and a shared ambition to make tennis more inclusive and sustainable in their communities.

Neilani Ackley – Marshall Islands

Vice President of Women’s Development on the board of the Marshall Islands Tennis Federation, Neilani coordinates community programs that promote participation among women and girls. She is deeply committed to growing the sport at home, and recently took part in governance and coaching workshops facilitated by the Oceania Tennis Federation during their first visit to the Marshall Islands — a milestone supported by PacificAus Sports and Tennis Australia.

Marlaina Aroi – Nauru

A former tennis player, Marlaina remains a driving force in the Nauru Tennis Association’s development activities. She is passionate about promoting tennis within her community and sees the Pacific Women Leaders in Tennis program as an opportunity to strengthen her leadership and bring new ideas to the sport she loves.

Kim Carruthers – Samoa

A long-time contributor to Tennis Samoa, Kim has represented Samoa as a player — including winning bronze in the doubles competition at the 2011 Pacific Games, alongside her sister Steffi. Today, she brings her on-court experience to her leadership role, helping to grow opportunities for young Samoan athletes.

Sandra Constantine – Solomon Islands

As Secretary General of the Solomon Islands Tennis Association, Sandra manages and supports the sport’s activities nationwide. A passionate advocate for women in tennis, she is recognised across the region for her efforts to increase female participation and representation in coaching and administration. “We started our equal opportunities pathway when we noticed there was a drop in player numbers when girls hit their teenage years,” she said at this year’s inaugural Advantage All webinar from the International Federation of Tennis (ITF). “We wanted to give players extra support and give them a vision beyond playing — and now we’re seeing more women coaching and staying in the game.”

Lile Huni – Tonga

A grassroots development coach and active member of the Tonga Tennis Association, Lile works tirelessly to nurture young players and help organise community tournaments. A tennis mum herself, she brings both passion and practical experience to her mission of strengthening the sport in Tonga.

Amanda Korinihona – Solomon Islands

A former Pacific Oceania junior champion, Amanda travelled to the United States as an ITF scholarship recipient, competing across the country while earning a bachelor’s degree and two master’s degrees. She has since worked with the Solomon Islands National Institute of Sport as a performance manager, and with the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and is passionate about supporting and growing the tennis community in the Solomon Islands.

Hari Levo – Papua New Guinea

Hari is a passionate supporter of PNG tennis, and a keen contributor to the development of the game. With Port Moresby hosting the opening session of the 2025 program, she is excited to build relationships with her peers across the Pacific, and to introduce them to her own community and culture.

Clara Opur – Papua New Guinea

A community leader and the first woman to run for election in her local area, Clara is new to tennis but already championing its growth in her own rugby-league-dominated community. For the past few months, she has been organising local tennis activities and encouraging people, especially women and girls, to try the sport for the first time. Clara believes the Pacific Women Leaders in Tennis program will deepen her leadership skills and help her achieve her goal of supporting new opportunities for women and girls in her community.

Naomi Sipiti – Vanuatu

Currently working as a trainee Administration Officer with the Vanuatu Tennis Federation, Naomi is a familiar face at local and regional tournaments. A talented player herself, she recently represented Vanuatu at the 2025 Pacific Nations Cup in American Samoa. “I’m happy to be part of the group flying the national colours,” she said before the competition. “I hope to represent with pride.” Naomi is also completing her ITF Level 1 coaching certification with support from PacificAus Sports and Tennis Australia.

Adelaide Senior – Papua New Guinea

An active board member of the PNG Tennis Association, Adelaide plays a key role in organising events and promoting tennis in Port Moresby. Her enthusiasm and commitment have helped create opportunities for young players, especially girls, to pick up a racket and join the game.

Abigail Tere-Apisah – Papua New Guinea

A trailblazer for Pacific tennis, Abigail was a gold medallist in the 2011 Pacific Games, becoming the first Pacific Islander to win a professional singles title in 2019, and enjoyed a career-high world ranking of #276. An ITF scholarship recipient who studied in the United States, she has returned home to PNG as a coach and mentor, earning her ITF Level 2 certification with support from PacificAus Sports and Tennis Australia.

Ana Tong-Thaggard – Fiji

Ana has been a steadfast contributor to the Fijian tennis community for more than five years. An enthusiastic supporter of her children’s participation in the sport and a tireless volunteer, she helps organise local tournaments, assists visiting Oceania Tennis Federation staff, and encourages more families to get involved in the sport.

From learning to long-term impact

The 2025 cohort will continue with online learning and mentorship in the coming months before the program concludes with final workshops and a graduation event during the 2026 Australian Open in Melbourne. In the months and years ahead, they will use the skills and connections gained through the Pacific Women Leaders in Tennis program to expand coaching and participation pathways in their communities, and strengthen the emerging network of leaders who are shaping tennis across the region. 

Isabelle Gemmel, Tennis Australia’s Head of International Engagement, reflected on the impact the program has had over the past four years. 

“[By the end of the 2025 program], 40 inspiring women from 12 Pacific countries will have participated in this initiative. Each one brings strength, purpose, and a commitment to uplifting their communities, demonstrating how tennis can be a powerful platform for leadership and positive change across the Pacific.”