Jetstar Group Chief Executive Jayne Hrdlicka named Tennis Australia President

Tennis Australia has elected Jetstar Group Chief Executive Jayne Hrdlicka as its first female President and Chair, replacing retiring President and Chair, Chris Freeman.

Commenting after being elected to the role yesterday (23rd October), Hrdlicka stated "I am really excited to accept this position and look forward to working with the Tennis Australia Board, management and our Member Associations on growing tennis.

“The future of our sport is very bright. A great foundation has been established and we have some tremendous leadership at all levels of the game. I want to bring that all together in a highly collaborative and transparent environment.”

In a Members’ vote, held during the Tennis Australia Annual General Meeting in Melbourne yesterday, Tennis Australia Board Director of three years, Ken Laffey from Queensland, was re-elected alongside newcomer, Queensland businessman and Tennis Queensland Board member Peter Robertson.

Highly-credentialed audit and risk specialist Janice van Reyk was also confirmed as a Board-appointed director.

Tennis Australia Chief Executive Craig Tiley formally thanked outgoing Chair Chris Freeman for nearly 15 years of service, stating “Chris has made a major contribution to tennis and leaves a tremendous legacy for which we are all extremely grateful.

“I want to congratulate Jayne, Ken and Peter and look forward to working with the new Board.”

Hrdlicka was appointed to the Tennis Australia Board in January 2016 and has an outstanding professional career with experience in a variety of sectors, including aviation, tourism, retail and technology orientated businesses.

Chief Executive of the Jetstar Group since 2012, Hrdlicka will move to become the new Chief Executive of Qantas Loyalty and Digital Ventures from November 2017.

Robertson has been a Director of Tennis Queensland since 2010. He is company director of national bedding company Sleepy’s and founding director of agri-software company Saltbush and niche commercial property developer Renard Developments.

Laffey served on the Tennis Queensland Board between 1999 to 2006 and 2008 to 2014 as a Director and then as President from 2009 to 2014. He was elected to the Tennis Australia board in October 2014 and brought with him a lifetime of experience and involvement in the tennis industry as a player, coach, administrator, facility builder, owner and operator, tournament promotor and director and referee of state and national titles. 

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