21 September 2012 | Tennis ACT

Tennis ACT was host to an Indigenous Tennis Come and Try Day with over 120 students in attendance on Wednesday 12th September. The day was run by Tennis Australia in conjunction with the Evonne Goolagong Foundation and the Government Learn Earn Legend! Initiative. The initiative aims to support young Indigenous Australians to stay at school, get a job and be a legend for themselves, their family and their community.

ACT indigenous students aged between five and fifteen were invited to come along, have fun and give Tennis a go. A few students were selected to receive equipment and further coaching. Evonne Goolagong Cawley was not looking for the child that is the best at tennis, while fitness and athletic ability is taken into account, it is never the deciding factor. Evonne was looking for the children that strive to do their best, and have the willingness to improve their skills in different areas.

Students from Richardson Primary, Ngunnawal Primary, Palmerston Primary, Ainslie School, Forrest Primary, St John Vianney’s Primary, Kaleen Primary and Latham Primary attended the day. All participants received a hat and t-shirt, which were worn all day.

The day kicked off at 10.30am with Evonne showing the children the very first racquet she used and encouraging the students to stay in school and that they can achieve their dreams. 
Ian Goolagong, along with other Indigenous coaches, had the participants aged 9+ engaged in fun tennis activities and game play, while the Hot Shots Tennis coaches had the younger  participants having fun on the Hot Shots court.

At 12:00pm everyone was treated to a BBQ lunch, this was a great time for the participants to interact with each other and have Evonne sign their t-shirts and hats. After a group photo and the afternoon on court session the day concluded at 2.30pm.

The Tennis Come and Try Days have been a successful all over Australia.

The selected students if they continue with their Tennis coaching and stay in school then they have to opportunity to be selected to attend a joint Goolagong, TA state development Camp held in October and November. It is at the state development camps that participants can be chosen for the Goolagong National Development Camp.

For further information please visit:
www.tennis.com.au
www.hotshots.tennis.com.au/
www.deewr.gov.au/Indigenous/Pages/LearnEarnLegend.aspx