Australian Government To Encourage Citizens To Play Tennis On Australia Day

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 30th October 2012

Australian Government To Encourage Citizens To Play Tennis On Australia Day |

The Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Sport, Senator Kate Lundy, today announced a new partnership with Tennis Australia at the Parliament House launch of Australian Open 2013 on January 26.

The Minister launched a $250,000 pilot program, jointly funded by the Government and Tennis Australia (TA) that will begin on Australia Day at Australian Open 2013. The program brings the Minister’s portfolios of sport and multiculturalism together under the theme of ‘Do Something Australian on Australia Day – Play Tennis’.

Every year our national day falls within the Australian Open, this year coinciding with the women’s final. Tennis has a strong community and cultural presence with more than 2500 tennis clubs and centers Australia wide. The sport has grown from a tradition of local community play and has also enjoyed an outstanding level of performance on the international stage.

Tennis is arguably the most international of sports as well as the most culturally diverse, reflecting Australia ’s strong tennis roots and the sport’s appeal to multi-cultural communities.

In 2013 the partnership between Tennis Australia and the Federal Government will take the first step in what is planned to be a five year program. On January 26 2013, Australia Day and Australian Open Women’s Final Day, Melbourne Park and a select number of suburban and regional tennis clubs will host multi-cultural celebrations.

As the project expands we look forward to hundreds of tennis clubs throughout the country becoming the hub for citizenship celebrations each Australia Day, all taking place against a background of tennis based leisure activities available to all – families, seniors, people with a disability and in particular, to our multicultural communities.

As the partnership and project matures the aspiration is that even beyond these community congregations the concept of tennis-themed Australia Day celebrations will be evident in the backyards and streets of homes and towns across the nation.

We look forward to communities across the country congregating at their local tennis club on Australia Day and this becoming an integral part of Australia ’s national day every year.

“There are no barriers to tennis and we know that tennis, out of all the sports, best reflects the cultural diversity of Australia in 2012.

“Whether it’s at the Australian Open, at a local tennis club or in your own backyard – do something Australian on Australia Day – play tennis!” Minister Lundy continued.