Tennis is Australia’s most popular organised sport, with over 395,000 active participants. Tennis is the sport for all ages, all fitness levels, both sexes, and people with a disability. The Grassroots featured section of Australian Tennis Magazine provides communication to this active player base through a direct mail distribution to all state affiliated tennis clubs and centres.

In 2004, the Australian Sports Commission recognised the importance of Grassroots in Australian Tennis Magazine by honouring the editors, Steven Nicholson and Vivienne Christie, for journalistic excellence in coverage of community sport.

Grassroots provides news on the people and events that are the real heart of the game. Editorial contributions, stories, and photos are received from each of the state tennis administrations, as well as warmly invited from individuals and clubs. Regular state tennis news is provided by Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania, South Australia, Western Australia, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory.

Each edition of Grassroots examines a playing trend from a unique perspective. This feature article is supported by a pictorial Vox Pop with quotes from a related segment of the participation group.

Recent past Grassroots features include the following themes:

• (March 08) Tradition V Progress – Does the past hold back the growth of the game?
• (Jan 08) Clubland – Inside local tennis communities
• (Nov 07) A Star is Born?– Spotting that special talent
• (Sept 07) Family ties– Sharing your love of tennis with the family
• (July 07) Lay it down – Challenges facing court construction
• (May 07) Workout – Turing a love of tennis into a professional career
• (Mar 07) The Big Dry – How the drought can threaten our game
• (Jan 07) Fair Enough? – Are women getting a fair deal in tennis?
• (Nov 06) Too tiny? – How young is too young to start playing?
• (Sept 06) Give it up – How the game helps those in need
• (July 06) Happy Campers –The surprising benefits of holiday clinics and camps
• (May 06) School Rulz – Tennis on the school curriculum
• (Mar 06) On the Ball – Inside the world of ballkids
• (Jan 06) Bloodlines – The delicate balancing act of being a tennis parent
• (Nov 05) On the Line – Officiating the game
• (Sept 05) Basketcase – The secret diary of a busy senior coach
• (July 05) Superheroes – The volunteers who are the backbone of clubs and events
• (May 05) Late Bloomers – Veterans who still enjoy the thrills of elite competition
• (March 05) Don’t ‘Dis’ Us – The exceptional ability of disabled athletes
• (Jan 05) ‘Hit” Country – Life on the grass courts of rural Australia
• (Nov 04) Kids on Court – The boom in coaching young children
• (Sept 04) Killer Mid-Week Ladies – The secret (cut-throat) life of mid-week ‘ladies’ competition

In most cases, back issues are available. Simply order them here.