Congratulations to Tayla Whitehouse and Sam Von Einem on successfully applying for financial assistance from the Ken McGregor Fund (KMF).
Tayla currently holds an Australian Ranking of 45 and is a member of Glenlea Tennis Club. Over the past 12 months, Tayla has achieved some impressive junior results including making it to the quarterfinals at an ITF Juniors event in Fiji (B2), won a Grade 4 event in Germany and a Grade 5 event in Uzbekistan, plus qualified for the main draw in Traralgon, Victoria (J1). Tayla also made it to the round of 16 at the ITF World Tennis Tour event in Port Pirie ($15K) and the semifinal at Antalya ($15K).
The KMF funding will assist Tayla in travelling overseas for tournaments in order to start building up her ITF ranking.
Sam currently holds the Australian number 1 ranking in the PWII category (People with an Intellectual Impairment) and is a member of Henley South Tennis Club. Sam had a brilliant start to the year claiming the 2019 Australian Tennis Championships Men’s Singles (for the second time) and Men’s Doubles titles. Sam also defended his singles title at the Peter Smith State Tennis Championships in 2018 and has been awarded Tennis SA’s Most Outstanding Athlete with a Disability for the past three years.
Not only does Sam have to raise funds to travel and play tennis, he is also required to have a companion attend tournaments with him. The KMF funding will assist Sam with his companion travel costs and allow him to upgrade his equipment in order to better prepared for future tournaments.
The Ken McGregor Fund aims to support the development of South Australian athletes with a disability and emerging young tennis players by providing the necessary resources and pathways to ensure the greatest chance of success at the top level.
If you wish to play a part in the success of our athletes with a disability and talented juniors, please make a tax-free donation via the KMF online donation page.
Are you an South Australian tennis junior, or athlete with a disability aspiring to be a professional? Apply for KMF funding here in order to be considered at the next KMF Committee meeting on Monday 12 August.
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