Emirates, in partnership with the Australian Tennis Foundation (ATF), today brought its Move. Breathe. Belong. program to Glebe, bringing together local students and former Grand Slam champion Casey Dellacqua for a dedicated coaching clinic.
Delivered in Sydney’s Inner West, the program provides weekly, structured tennis coaching sessions to specialist schools supporting young people who face significant barriers to mainstream education, including those navigating trauma backgrounds, anxiety, and school refusal. The Glebe clinic brought together students aged 12 to 14 from MacKillop Education.
For many participants, structured physical activity and the connection it creates plays a critical role in rebuilding confidence, strengthening wellbeing and supporting re-engagement with education.
As program ambassador, Casey Dellacqua alongside tennis coaches, spent the day on court leading coaching drills, mentoring participants, and sharing the positive benefits of physical activity.
Leonie Brennan, Regional Sales Manager at Emirates, said: “Emirates is passionate about ensuring our commitment to Australia extends well beyond the flights we operate into Sydney. For us, the Force for Good program is an opportunity to give back to the communities we serve by supporting young people who need it most.
“Backed by a legacy of strong sporting sponsorships, we know that offering children access to tennis is about more than the game. Through Move. Breathe. Belong., we are helping break down real barriers – giving students navigating trauma or school disengagement a safe space to build confidence, strengthen mental wellbeing, and feel genuinely supported on their journey.”
Casey Dellacqua, tennis legend and Australian Tennis Foundation ambassador, said: “Spending time on court with the MacKillop Education students in Glebe today was a real highlight. Emirates Force for Good is about making sport accessible and giving young people a safe environment to stay active, build trust, and connect with their peers. Watching them gain confidence, support each other through every drill, and enjoy the session speaks for itself.”
Executive Director, Australian Tennis Foundation, Vicki Reid said: “Now in our second year partnering with Emirates, the Force for Good program fills a practical gap for specialist schools that lack physical education staff. By supplying tailored coaching, equipment, and resources, we are supporting Sydney students to build confidence, connection, and wellbeing through tennis.”
The Glebe clinic is one of 14 tennis-based projects delivered across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide under Emirates’ 2026 Force for Good initiative. Now in its second year, the five-year, $2.25 million partnership with the ATF supports young people facing disadvantage – including multicultural communities, low-socioeconomic youth, neurodiverse children, and students navigating trauma or disengagement.
Launched in 2025, the program reached more than 2,000 children in its inaugural year, creating over 6,500 opportunities to play across 50+ schools and community courts nationwide.
Emirates’ Force for Good program builds on the airline’s ongoing commitment to Australia, where it has invested over $230 million in sponsorships, including the Australian Open. The 2026 program will culminate in January 2027 with a special event at the Australian Open.
