Since 2010, the Ken McGregor Fund (KMF)* has distributed nearly $81,000 to help assist South Australia’s emerging young tennis players and player’s with a disability.
Recent recipients who have benefited from a KMF grant and spring boarded their international careers include Chloe Hule, Brad Mousley, and Henry de Cure.
The KMF provides a significant boost to players like Chloe Hule, in that she was able to purchase top of the range tennis shoes, running shoes, racquets, grips and pay tournament entry fees.. “Just the little things that made a big difference in the end” said Hule.
“At the time that I received the funding, it was the final ATL round in Adelaide, and the next day I believe I was off to Melbourne to play the nationals and teams event. So, the money helped me cover that expense for the duration of my stay in Melbourne” said Hule.
“At the time that I received the funding from KMF I was young and still had a lot of learning to do on and off the tennis court. This kind of support ensured I was able to work much harder towards achieving my dreams” explained Hule, who is currently has a Tennis Scholarship at the University of Colorado, Boulder.
Another local KMF recipient who has had a stellar start to the year is Brad Mousley. Winning two Men’s Doubles titles (Canberra ITF and Launceston ATP Challenger) and making it to the Men’s Doubles Quarter Finals at the 2017 Australian Open.
Mousley is greatly appreciative of the funding received from the KMF as it has helped him travel overseas to Turkey in 2015 to play Futures events in order to improve his Singles and Doubles ranking. Just this year, 21yr old Mousley’s Doubles ranking has dropped from 329 to 113.
Henry de Cure has also benefited from KMF, which has assisted in his dreams of representing Australia at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics. Much travel is required for de Cure to gain valuable wheelchair match experience.
“Being the first athlete with a disability training with the Tennis Australia’s National Academy in SA, the past 18 months has provided me with improved game performance and professionalism. Which will put me in good stead for the seven new tournaments I’ll be playing this year, two in England, three in Europe (France, Italy and Belgium), two in Brisbane and Canberra” said de Cure.
We invite you, our supportive tennis community to also play a part in the future careers of our South Australian emerging stars by making a tax deductible donation of $2 or more. Every dollar helps!
*The Ken McGregor Fund is a registered project with the Australian Sports Foundation Ltd.
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