Australian Open invests in community tennis

Tennis Australia’s ongoing investment in community tennis initiatives has seen the AO (Australian Open) Community Grants program focus on improving diversity and inclusion during the past 12 months.

Grand Slam champion Sam Stosur today visited one of the AO Community Grants recipients, Vicky Lee, Head Coach at Templestowe-based Slamin Tennis & Fitness, to congratulate her on her achievement.

Stosur stated “Vicky’s program caters for emergency services workers so they can access tennis programs at any time of the day and fit tennis in with their unique schedule,” Sam Stosur said.

“In particular, Vicky’s program focusses on the wellbeing of these workers who can experience traumatic events on a daily basis. Her tennis program provides both a physical and mental escape as well as helping them to keep fit.

“AO Community Grants are a great initiative from Tennis Australia and I’m so glad that I could be a part of this today.”

Tennis Australia Chief Executive Craig Tiley believes a focus on community is essential to ensure tennis remains accessible for everyone, adding “AO Community Grants are a great way to directly support programs that are working to improve the health and wellbeing of diverse communities across Australia.

“Being able to invest back into the community highlights the wider impact that the Australian Open has on local sporting groups.

“We all know the positive impact tennis can have on communities across Australia and how it can be used as a vehicle to connect and engage those who can face participation barriers.

“Successful applicants were chosen because they demonstrated a willingness to undertake projects which deliver tennis opportunities to communities in inclusive and engaging ways.”

Tennis Australia introduced the AO Community Grants program to help strengthen inclusion and diversity throughout the sport.

The grants range in value from $1,000 to $10,000 and are awarded to applicants who focus on delivering programs to communities in need.

A new round of AO Community Grants are now open until 31st August 2017.

Click here for further information on the AO Community Grants program.

Image: Vicky Lee coaching (top) and having received the Tennis Victoria Excellence in Coaching Award in the MLC Hot Shots category in 2013 (below). 

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