Tennis NSW is delighted to announce the appointment of Olivia Thornton as the next Chief Executive Officer, securing one of Australia’s highly regarded sporting administrators through a competitive recruitment process. Olivia will commence with Tennis NSW on 11 May 2026.

This appointment signals the start of the next chapter for tennis in New South Wales, focused on connecting with members, strengthening culture, and growing the game from the grassroots up.

Olivia joins Tennis NSW following a successful tenure as Chief Executive Officer of Cricket ACT, where she developed expertise across transformational change, strategic leadership, stakeholder engagement, financial management, and oversaw strong participation growth. A values-driven leader, Olivia is recognised for building high-performing teams and delivering meaningful community impact across grassroots sport.

Originally from the Hawkesbury region of NSW, Olivia is a proud current member of a regional tennis club. She brings an authentic connection to grassroots tennis which, combined with her knowledge from cricket, provides a deep understanding of the role players, coaches, clubs, associations, volunteers, and regions play across NSW.

Olivia’s appointment also marks a historic milestone, as she becomes the first female CEO for Tennis NSW.

On behalf of the Board, President of Tennis NSW Melissa Achten said the appointment reflected the Board’s commitment to securing a CEO with the skills required to deliver on its Vision 2030 strategy.

“The Board is delighted to appoint Olivia as Chief Executive Officer of Tennis NSW. She is a highly accomplished, values-driven leader with a proven track record of delivering strategic, financial and transformational change. Importantly, this appointment represents a fresh start for tennis in New South Wales. Olivia understands grassroots tennis, and her commitment to community engagement presents us with a genuine opportunity to deepen member engagement, strengthen our culture and governance, and refocus on what matters most: growing the game from the ground up and positioning Tennis NSW for long-term, sustainable success.”

The incoming CEO said she was excited and honoured by the appointment, and that she was energised by the opportunity to contribute to the future of Tennis NSW.

“It’s a privilege to be appointed as CEO of Tennis NSW and to be part of shaping the next chapter of the sport. As a passionate member of a local tennis club, I am genuinely interested in the opportunity to broaden community access, continue to drive growth, and foster an inclusive tennis environment across New South Wales.”