Up to $80,000 to enhance the sustainability and accessibility of tennis venues across New South Wales by supporting small to medium-sized facility upgrades or enhancements.
On this page you will find
What is the Facility Enhancement Fund (FEF)?
The Facility Enhancement Fund (FEF) is an initiative established by Tennis NSW. The FEF aims to stimulate investment in community tennis facilities with the aim to support the growth of the sport by making tennis venues more sustainable and accessible.
Facility Enhancement Fund level of support
- Minimum grant amount: $3,200
- Maximum grant amount: $80,000
- Funding ratio: Up to 40% of the total eligible project value
- Typical project value: Between $8,000 and $200,000
- Total funding available in 2026: Up to $500,000 across NSW
Applicants must secure the remaining project funding through direct co-contributions, partner funding, or eligible in-kind contributions.
Hardship applications
Applicants experiencing demonstrated hardship may apply for between 40% and 65% of the total project value. Hardship requests must be supported by appropriate evidence such as financial records, SEIFA data, community impact information, or documentation relating to natural disasters or other exceptional circumstances.
Applications for increased funding support are assessed on a case-by-case basis by the Assessment Panel.
Facility Enhancement Fund important dates
- Applications close: Monday 20 July 2026, 5pm
- Assessment period: July to September 2026
- Notification of outcomes: From Monday 21 September 2026
- Funding agreement execution: Within two weeks of funding notification
- Project commencement: From October 2026 following execution of the Funding Agreement Project completion and reporting: Within 18 months of executing the Funding Agreement
- Register your interest with GrantHelper
Facility Enhancement Fund objectives
The Facility Enhancement Fund (FEF) aims to stimulate investment in community tennis facilities across New South Wales to support the long-term growth, accessibility, and sustainability of tennis.
The program supports projects that will:
- Increase participation in tennis
- Improve the quality of the participation environment
- Expand the range of tennis activities that can be delivered
- Improve venue sustainability and operational efficiency
- Address barriers to participation and accessibility
The program also supports broader strategic outcomes including:
- Improved quality and utilisation of tennis venues across NSW
- Increased access for women, girls, and diverse communities
- Improved player, coach, official, and spectator experiences
- Enhanced pathways for competitive and performance tennis
Projects eligible for Facility Enhancement Fund support
Eligible projects include small to medium-sized tennis facility upgrades and enhancements that align with the program objectives.
Examples include:
1. Court upgrades
- Construction of new courts
- Major court rectification works
- Drainage and sub-base improvements
- Court fencing, lighting, nets, and net posts associated with new court construction
2. Court conversions
- Court conversions that maintain a primary tennis outcome
- Multi-sport court projects where tennis remains the primary use
- Court conversions aligned with Tennis NSW complementary disciplines policies
Applicants may be required to demonstrate how converted courts will continue to support tennis programming for at least five years.
3. Court resurfacing
Priority resurfacing projects
Projects may apply for up to 40% of eligible costs where resurfacing:
- Supports competitive play outcomes in Tier 1–3 venues; or
- Addresses critical court failure, drainage failure, or sub-base issues
Hardship applications may also apply.
General resurfacing projects
Projects not meeting the priority criteria may apply for up to 15% of eligible costs. These projects are assessed after higher-priority projects if funding remains available.
4. Clubhouse and facility upgrades
- Clubhouse expansions and upgrades
- Roofing, viewing areas, kitchens, kiosks, toilets, and change rooms
- Accessibility improvements such as ramps and pathways
- Seating, shade structures, scoreboards, and PA systems
- Venue fencing, CCTV, and security upgrades
- Fixed hitting walls and permanent signage
5. Sustainability and court access initiatives
- LED lighting upgrades
- Water-saving initiatives
- Solar and battery systems
- Integrated digital court access systems and lighting controls
The following activities and costs are not eligible for support:
- Projects not primarily related to tennis activities
- Retrospective funding requests or projects already commenced
- General maintenance, repairs, or minor refurbishments
- Operational expenses and staff wages
- Portable or non-fixed equipment such as nets, signage, windbreaks, and portable hitting walls
- Feasibility studies, business cases, concept designs, and master plans
- Development approval application costs and fees
- Purchase of land or vehicles
- Office equipment and furniture
- Rent, utilities, insurance, hospitality, or prize money
- Software purchases or ongoing subscriptions
- Roads, car parks, and playgrounds
- Project contingency funded by the grant
Projects pending Development Approval may also be deemed ineligible unless evidence is provided confirming DA is not required.
Other Facility Enhancement Fund important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for Facility Enhancement Fund support
Eligible applicants include organisations responsible for owning, managing, or operating tennis venues in NSW.
Applicants must demonstrate:
- Appropriate tenure or long-term strategic commitment to the venue; and
- That the venue will continue delivering tennis outcomes for the life of the facility improvements.
Eligible organisations include:
- NSW-based incorporated tennis clubs and associations affiliated with Tennis NSW
- Local councils in NSW
- Non-council organisations managing public parklands
- Schools and universities providing public tennis access and programming
- Tennis coaching or venue management organisations operating within affiliated venues
Applicants that are not current Tennis NSW members may still be eligible where the affiliated venue supports the application.
Ineligible organisations include
- Individuals and groups of individuals
- Unincorporated organisations unless specifically permitted
- Organisations without support from the Tennis NSW venue affiliate
- P&C associations, childcare centres, and TAFE colleges
- Sporting organisations not based in NSW
- Local Government Parks Committees
Facility Enhancement Fund assessment criteria
Applications are assessed through a competitive three-stage process:
- Eligibility Check
- Merit Assessment
- Assessment Panel Review
Merit assessment is weighted as follows:
- Project Scope and Objectives — 20%
- Project Need and Strategic Justification — 30%
- Project Budget and Value — 30%
- Organisation Capacity, Deliverability, and Readiness — 20%
Projects seeking larger funding amounts are expected to provide more detailed justification, supporting evidence, and project planning documentation.
How do I get the Facility Enhancement Fund?
To improve the competitiveness of their application, applicants should clearly demonstrate strong project readiness, strategic alignment, and community impact.
Strong applications will typically demonstrate:
- A clear need for the project and how it will increase tennis participation
- Alignment with the Facility Enhancement Fund objectives and Tennis NSW strategic priorities
- Evidence that the project will improve accessibility, sustainability, or activation of the venue
- Strong community benefit, including support for women, girls, juniors, and diverse communities
- Project and investment readiness, including a clearly defined scope, timeline, and budget
- Confirmed co-contributions and secured funding commitments
- Appropriate venue tenure and landowner consent
- Organisational capacity to deliver the project successfully within the required timeframe
- Strong supporting evidence such as participation data, facility condition photos, quotes, plans, and stakeholder support letters
- Value for money and long-term benefit to the tennis community
- Compliance with relevant design, engineering, safety, and Tennis Australia standards
Applicants are also encouraged to engage early with their local Tennis NSW Tennis Development Officer and use the Tennis NSW Project Ready Toolkit to strengthen project planning and investment readiness before applying.
Information to prepare for the Facility Enhancement Fund application
Applicants should prepare the following documentation before submitting:
- Evidence of venue tenure or landowner support
- Landowner consent for the proposed works
- Development Approval or confirmation that DA is not required
- Evidence of confirmed co-contributions and funding commitments
- Asset condition photographs
- Participation data and evidence of community impact
- Contractor quotes and cost estimates
- Letters of support from councils, partners, and stakeholders
Applying for the Facility Enhancement Fund
Applications must be submitted through the SmartyGrants platform.
Register your interest with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
Facility Enhancement Fund resources
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