Serving up connection: How Tennis for Resilience is changing the game for mental health

Posted on 8 September, 2026

When former Wallabies and Brumbies prop Ben Alexander co-founded Running for Resilience in 2019, he never thought it would grow into a weekly movement that unites the local community.

In fact, it was only meant to be a one-off mental health run. But seven years later, Running for Resilience (R4R) has become one of the biggest community initiatives in Canberra, promoting mental health and social connection through free physical activity. At its core, it’s so much more than a run club.

Aiming to make the ACT suicide-free by 2033 by reducing stigma around mental health and creating supportive community spaces, R4R now hosts a range of free weekly events including walking, jogging, running, and even specialised spin-offs like Strolling for Resilience.

The movement spans various physical activities and Ben says it has evolved to focus on connecting people through exercise in whatever form it takes.

“Wherever you are in Canberra on any day, if you’re not in a great place there’s an event doing something that you like so you can rock up, participate and have a good chat within a welcoming community,” he explains.

“I truly believe that exercising with someone is one of the best ways to bring people close together.”

It’s no secret that exercise improves and strengthens mental health, but science also shows that community is one of the most powerful motivators for staying active. That’s why Tennis ACT CEO Mark La Brooy approached Ben about starting another event series: Tennis for Resilience.

“We thought it was a really cool concept, a great way to get people active in the community and work towards the big goal of a suicide-free Canberra by 2033,” he explains. “We wanted to connect with him to see how tennis could help.”

“We always see high-performance athletes playing on the big stage, but really tennis at a community level provides an opportunity for people to get out, be active, and socialise, which is obviously another key part of the recipe to keeping people connected and improving mental health.”

Following a successful launch in March 2026, season two of the free weekly tennis program has just kicked off in time for spring.

Open to players of all experience levels – including complete beginners and regulars – the sessions will run across two Canberra venues, with equipment provided for both traditional tennis and POP Tennis.

Taking place at Turner Tennis Club and Melba Tennis Club on Friday afternoons from 4.45 pm, Mark says Tennis ACT hopes to reach even more members of the Canberra community this season.

“The sessions are designed to engage people through the range of formats played. Traditional tennis obviously is great and welcomes those who love the game in its pure form. Alongside this Cardio tennis and POP tennis are great formats for ensuring people of all skill levels can have fun playing together. Both these formats of the sport are also great for those wanting to interact and connect with people while they play.”

With no registration required – a deliberate choice by R4R to lessen the mental load of attending – Tennis for Resilience is open for all ages and abilities.

Complete with weekly giveaways, Ben hopes attendees not only get a “bit of a sweat on,” but also build lasting connections while looking after their mental wellbeing.

“People resonate with the message, and there’s still a long way to go. There’s been some positive improvements in suicide rates, but it’s still very little comfort to the 30 plus families that will lose someone to suicide this year,” he says.

“We still have much more work to go.”

For more information about Tennis for Resilience or other R4R sessions, join the community WhatsApp chat here.

If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health concerns, you can contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.

 Images supplied.