Olivia Thornton Makes History as First Female CEO of Tennis NSW

Tennis NSW has named Olivia Thornton as its new CEO, effective 11 May 2026. Thornton, the former CEO of Cricket ACT, emerged as the successful candidate following a rigorous national recruitment process, making history as the first woman to lead the organisation.

Originally from the Hawkesbury region and an active member of a regional tennis club, Thornton returns to New South Wales with a mandate to deliver the state’s Vision 2030 strategy.

Her appointment is being framed by the Board as a “fresh start” for the sport, with a heavy emphasis on repairing member relations and fostering a more transparent, grassroots-focused culture.

Highlighting Thornton’s values-driven approach as a key factor in the Board’s decision, Tennis NSW president, Melissa Achten, said: “Olivia understands grassroots tennis, and her commitment to community engagement presents us with a genuine opportunity to deepen member engagement and refocus on what matters most: growing the game from the ground up.” 

Expressing her enthusiasm for the role, and noting her personal connection to the sport, former Cricket ACT CEO, Thornton, added: “As a passionate member of a local tennis club, I am genuinely interested in the opportunity to broaden community access and shape the next chapter of the sport.” 

A Proven Track Record in Transformational Leadership

Thornton arrives at Tennis NSW following a highly successful tenure at Cricket ACT, where she was credited with driving significant participation growth and navigating complex structural changes. Her expertise spans:

• Strategic Financial Management: Ensuring long-term sustainability for state-level sporting bodies.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Bridging the gap between elite high-performance programs and community-level volunteers.
• Cultural Transformation: Building high-performing internal teams to better serve regional associations and clubs.

Strategic Priorities for Vision 2030

As Thornton takes the helm, her immediate commercial and strategic priorities will likely include to 1. increase the “playability” of tennis across NSW by supporting club upgrades and digital booking systems, 2. expand the sport’s footprint in diverse communities, aligning with her stated goal to “foster an inclusive tennis environment.”, and 3. strengthen the relationship between the state body and its various regional affiliates and coaching networks.

The appointment of a leader with deep roots in regional sport suggests Tennis NSW is pivoting away from a top-down administrative style toward a more collaborative, community-centric model.

With the 2027 United Cup and major infrastructure projects on the horizon, Thornton’s leadership will be pivotal in ensuring NSW remains the premier state for tennis participation in Australia.

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