Rally as One, a national program to support bushfire affected communities was launched today by the Australian Open (AO) and Australian Tennis Foundation (ATF).
In
January the global tennis community came together to raise more than $6
million as part of Tennis Australia’s Aces for Bushfire Relief
initiative.
The
fundraising efforts were showcased worldwide at Rally for Relief, a
spectacular night of tennis and entertainment led by Roger Federer, Serena
Williams, Rafael Nadal, Caroline Wozniacki, Nick Kyrgios and Petra Kvitova,
just prior to the Australian Open.
“As
the bushfires raged across Australia in January it was heart-warming to see so
many of our global tennis family eager to offer support and raise funds to help
those communities suffering such devastation” Tennis Australia CEO Craig
Tiley said.
“Through
the Rally as One program we look forward to helping these
communities rebuild, and to contributing in a meaningful way to their health
and wellbeing.”
The funds raised will be used to help rebuild vital infrastructure
in some of the areas worst affected by the bushfires in January, as well as
deliver programs to support families and build resilience in kids.
“It was heartbreaking to see so many communities devastated by the
bushfires that swept across the country in January,” Australian Tennis
Foundation Executive Director Vicki Reid said.
“Rebuilding homes and community infrastructure is a long and
difficult road and we wish to support the people in the community during this
time. We’ve designed Rally as One to help communities come
together, celebrate community spirit and promote social cohesion, knowing they
have the support of the entire global tennis community.”
Rally as One kicks-off
this week at Kangaroo Island, SA where 48% of the island was devastated
by the bushfires in January.
A $40,000 contribution from the Australian Tennis
Foundation will support rebuilding the hall, clubrooms and kitchen of the Stokes
Bay Tennis Club and Community Hall, along with the playground,
tennis courts, nets and fences.
As part of the launch, primary students from the Kangaroo Island Community Education, Parndana Campus were presented with brand new racquets and had a hit of beach tennis.
Kangaroo
Island is the first stop in a series of Rally as One events, with
trips to Yeppoon
in Queensland, Cobargo in NSW, and Mallacoota and Cudgewa
in Victoria all scheduled for the coming months.
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