1 March 2017 | Tennis Queensland

The Fed Cup Foundation has announced 14 year old Gold Coast tennis player Olivia Gadecki as the inaugural winner of their Scholarship Program, receiving $10,000 across the next two years to assist with tennis costs plus a two year membership of the Fed Cup Foundation.

Gadecki, the Australian 14 & under Champion and National Number One in the 2002 birth year was delighted to hear the news from Fed Cup Foundation President and Grand Slam Champion Judy Dalton. “I was thrilled to receive the call from Judy Dalton confirming my scholarship from the Fed Cup Foundation. The support will be so helpful for reaching my goals. I can’t wait to represent Australia next month at the Junior Fed Cup and strive one day to play Fed Cup for Australia. I think the ultimate for any player is to represent their country”.

This week Olivia departs for Asia and then onto India to represent Australia in the Junior Fed Cup competition. “Olivia is an exciting prospect for us all; a respectful young woman who has impressed with both her talent and dedication to the game. She is a worthy winner of the 2017 Fed Cup Foundation Scholarship.” Said President Judy Dalton.

According to Fed Cup Foundation Executive Director Brigette McGuire, the need for the scholarship program is genuine. “The cost to families to support potential world class tennis players from Australia has never been greater. Private coaching, strength and conditioning training, tennis equipment and travel both domestically and internationally are some of the costs involved and that’s before you even enter a tournament.”

“Our scholarship program is designed to assist female tennis players who demonstrate that they have what it takes to represent Australia on the world stage. We encourage philanthropic bodies and corporate Australia to donate to the Fed Cup Foundation scholarship program today at https://asf.org.au/donate/australia-federation-cup-tennis-foundation/”