John Millman joins students as Emirates launches nationwide initiative to support young people through tennis

(NEWS) BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA, 2025-Sep-05 — /Travel PR News/ — Emirates has expanded its community impact in Australia with the launch of its Force for Good program, a five-year initiative aimed at supporting disadvantaged children and young people through tennis. In partnership with the Australian Tennis Foundation, the airline is investing $2.25 million to provide opportunities for participation, skill-building, and wellbeing across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth.

As part of this initiative, 250 primary school students from low socio-economic and multicultural backgrounds gathered at Brisbane’s Pat Rafter Arena for the Schools Future Fit Program, which introduced them to tennis and related activities.

The event featured on-court coaching, pickleball demonstrations, and mental health workshops, while tennis legend and Australian Tennis Foundation ambassador John Millman joined students in fun coaching sessions. Emirates cabin crew and mascots also participated, adding to the celebratory atmosphere.

With 11 community initiatives planned for 2025, the program will engage about 3,000 children and create more than 10,000 opportunities to play, ensuring access to tennis for those who might otherwise miss out. The initiative builds on Emirates’ longstanding partnership with Tennis Australia and underscores its ongoing commitment to contribute to local communities beyond aviation.

Emirates continues to strengthen its support for disadvantaged children worldwide through a series of impactful initiatives in 2025. In April, the airline launched a donation-matching campaign via the Emirates Airline Foundation, pledging to double contributions up to USD 10,000 in support of 13 grassroots NGOs across nine countries, providing access to essential needs such as food, housing, education, and healthcare. In July, Emirates introduced its Aircrafted by Emirates 2025 Collection, a limited run of 167 handmade bags and luggage crafted from upcycled aircraft materials, with proceeds channeled to children’s programmes through the Foundation. These initiatives, aligned with the UAE’s Year of Community 2025, reflect Emirates’ commitment to creating direct, transparent, and lasting impact in the lives of children while promoting sustainability and innovation.