Kai's Passion for Sport, Serving Up Opportunities for Others

Kai is combining his passion for sport with a commitment to disability advocacy, creating opportunities for others while building a bright future of his own.

At 20 years old, Kai is already building a future in the sport he loves.

Kai, who is short statured, works part-time at the Newcastle Community Tennis Centre in Broadmeadow while studying a Bachelor of Business (Sports Management) online. He's also a talented tennis player, a passionate advocate for inclusion in sport and is helping to grow opportunities for people with disability through para-standing tennis.

Kai-landscape-2 (1) — Kai is a passionate advocate for inclusion in sport and hopes to build a career out it.

After being referred to Castle around a year ago, Kai has worked with Employment Success Officer Catherine, who has supported him with resumes, job applications and workplace guidance, helping Kai build confidence and continue progressing towards his career goals.

Kai manages administrative responsibilities at the tennis centre, coordinates bookings and communications, but wants to work towards a more substantial role, ideally in sport.

His ambition is clear.

"I would love to be part of a big sporting body and work in disability programs," Kai said. "Mainly tennis, but also AFL, cricket, something like that."

For Kai, tennis has opened doors to leadership opportunities, community involvement and meaningful work. He's completed the Tennis NSW Future Leaders Program, gone on to mentor future participants and serves on the Tennis NSW Youth Advisory Group.

He’s also helping to raise awareness, and much needed funding, for para-standing tennis, an emerging format of the sport for people with physical disabilities who play while standing.

For several years, he has been advocating for the growth of para-standing tennis alongside comedian and disability advocate Adam Hills. The pair have formed a friendship, creating light-hearted social media content together and collaborating on tournaments, events and promotional activities to raise awareness of the sport.

@adamhillscomedy This was his idea, again: @Kai Ryan ♬ original sound - Adam Hills

In 2024, Kai and his father, worked with Tennis Australia to help establish an affiliated structure for para-standing tennis before hosting the inaugural Oceania Championships alongside the Australian Open in Melbourne. Building on that momentum, they successfully pitched the City of Newcastle to support the growth of the sport locally, leading to Newcastle's first Para-Standing Tennis Come and Try Day.

The 'Come and Try' event returns on 22 August 2026, giving more people the opportunity to get involved and experience the sport for themselves.

"I want to help young people not miss out like I did," Kai said.

Click the image to register for the free event

Kai-landscape-3 — Kai works part-time at Newcastle Tennis Centre and is focused on building a career in sport.

While he's focused on building a career in sport, Kai says his bigger motivation is helping others.

For anyone who may be unsure about pursuing employment or asking for support, Kai's advice is simple:

"Just be yourself. There will be jobs out there for you."

Through his work, study and advocacy, Kai is proving that when people are given the right opportunities, they can create positive change not only for themselves but for their whole community.

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