14 March 2011 | Tennis Queensland

The Bligh Government has teamed up with Tennis Australia and Tennis Queensland to provide a $1.8 million fighting fund to re-build flood affected tennis facilities.

Sport Minister Phil Reeves today launched the Flood Fightback Plan – Tennis Infrastructure Program with Tennis Queensland President Ken Laffey and Member for Toowoomba North Kerry Shine while inspecting damaged courts at the Toowoomba Tennis Association, which can directly benefit from this program.

“Just last month the Member for Toowoomba North Kerry Shine and I visited the Toowoomba Tennis Association to see firsthand what clubs needed to get them up and running again,” Mr Reeves said.

“The Bligh Government will provide $900,000 towards the fighting fund to assist tennis clubs get back on their feet after the floods.

“Tennis Australia and Tennis Queensland together will match the Queensland Government’s contribution with a further $900 000.

“This $1.8 million fund will help clubs repair clubhouses and facilities now, and allow them to plan for the future impact of flooding.”

Mr Shine said the Flood Fightback Plan – Tennis Infrastructure Program would provide a welcome boost for Toowoomba’s tennis community.

“Sporting clubs are the heart and soul of many local communities, and this program will benefit clubs like the Toowoomba Tennis Association that were badly affected by January’s flood,” Mr Shine said.

Mr Laffey said some affected clubs have been left with repairs worth hundreds of thousands of dollars to clubhouses and court surfaces.

“We’ve identified a significant number of clubs from all around Queensland that were affected to varying degrees by the floods,” Mr Laffey said.

“Tennis court bases are expensive to replace, and this funding will provide the shot in the arm many clubs need to get players back on court.

“We understand how important these clubs are to flood-affected communities, and both Tennis Australia and Tennis Queensland are committed to working with the Queensland Government to provide assistance as soon as possible.”

Tennis clubs will be eligible if they have suffered severe damage to infrastructure from the recent floods; are in need of reconstruction or repair; and do not have insurance or other means of funding all of the works.

Sporting clubs, other than tennis clubs, affected by the floods can apply for the Queensland Government’s Sport and Recreation Flood Fightback Plan which provides grants of up replace or repair damaged equipment and infrastructure.

For more information, visit www.sportrec.qld.gov.au or call the Community Recovery Line on 1800 173 349.