Gallipoli Youth Cup honours the ANZAC centenary

The eighth annual Gallipoli Youth Cup is underway, running from Monday 20th through to 26th April at the National Tennis Centre in Melbourne Park.

Being held on the clay courts at the National Tennis Centre, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Junior Grade 4 event was introduced in 2008 and established to give junior athletes the opportunity to honour the values and tradition of the soldiers who fought in the Dardenelles campaign during the First World War.

Launching the event, Tennis Australia Chief Executive Craig Tiley said the tournament continues to be a fulfilling opportunity for junior athletes on court while also honouring a historical occasion.

Tiley stated “the Gallipoli Youth Cup is a high quality junior tournament that gives athletes in Australia and around the world an opportunity to commemorate the Anzac spirit and the commitment of our fallen soldiers.

“In light of the centenary of the landings in Gallipoli next week the tournament marks this special occasion and recognises the relationship between sport, community engagement and an event of national significance.”

The Gallipoli Youth Cup’s School Commemoration Program (SCP) continues to thrive and grow off court. The program aims to educate school children about the events at Gallipoli, the benefits of living a healthy lifestyle and teaching them the values of mateship.

The SCP is organised in association with RSL Victoria, who help to organise and present the education component of the program. This year the program will see 18 schools with close to 1000 children from around Victoria set to participate.

Umit Oraloglu, founding Director of Gallipoli Youth Cup, added “every component of the program benefits our local students and community. It brings further insight into the commemorative anniversary and sacrifices made by the Anzacs through sport and education.”

The Gallipoli Youth Cup and its School Commemoration Program are part of the Australian Tennis Foundation.

The Gallipoli Youth Cup (GYC) was created by Oraloglu and Australian tennis great and tournament ambassador Pat Cash, in partnership with Tennis Australia.

This year all main draw athletes will receive a special commemorative key ring while the singles and doubles winners of the tournament will receive a limited edition figurine. Both gifts contain authentic sand from Gallipoli.

For further information on the Gallipoli Youth Cup please visit gallipoliyouthcup.com.

Image shows (from left): Todd Woodbridge, Oscar Yildiz, GYC Ambassador; John Eren, Victorian Minister for Sport; Umit Oraloglu, GYC founder; Craig Tiley; Michael Annett, RSL Victoria Chief Executive and players Jeanette Lin, Matthew Romios and Ismail Bagdas. Courtesy of Elizabeth Xue Bai.

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