Philip Roberts is set to take the reigns as President of the Tennis SA Board from tomorrow, with Kent Thiele’s tenure as President coming to an end after over 30 years of exceptional leadership to the game of tennis in South Australia.
Roberts has been on the Tennis SA Board for 17 years and has been Vice President since July 2015. Roberts, a corporate advisor, is also the President of the Adelaide Benevolent Society Board and is on the Board of Wallis Cinemas.
With a passion for tennis, Roberts has been a driving force in the redevelopments of The Drive over the past six years, including being a member of the Joint Steering Committee overseeing the venue build. In addition, Roberts has worked tirelessly behind the scenes on Tennis SA finances and has been a Member Association representative to Tennis Australia.
“I am excited to take on the role of President of the Tennis SA Board,” Roberts said.
“The last few years have really set our sport up for success in South Australia and I am excited about our future as we continue to build on the foundations that have been laid.
“We would of course like to sincerely thank Kent for his time on the Tennis SA Board. His contribution to our sport is unparalleled and we are so grateful for his leadership over the past 30 years.”
Starting on the executive of the South Australian Hardcourt Tennis League in 1993, Thiele became an inaugural board member when Tennis SA was formed in July 1996. After nine years, Thiele became Vice President to the late Bill Cossey AM in 2005, going on to become President in July 2015 on Cossey’s retirement. Thiele was made a Life Member of Tennis SA in 2022.
Whilst Thiele’s time on the Tennis SA Board has come to an end, he looks forward to continuing his involvement in the sport as Chairperson of Tennis SA’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee, Chairperson of Tennis SA’s Reconciliation Action Plan working group and in his newest role as a tennis official.
“I am sad to be leaving the Tennis SA Board, but I am also incredibly proud of the things we have achieved as a team in recent years,” Thiele said.
“When I was elected as President in 2015, I could never have imagined seeing the Adelaide International return so soon, let alone the completion of The Drive redevelopment too. I am truly grateful to have been a part of such an important time for tennis in South Australia and I look forward to continuing my involvement for many years to come.
“The sport is in safe hands with Philip, and I wish him all the very best in his new role.”
Roberts’ move to President has seen Gary Stratford be appointed as Vice President after four years on the Tennis SA Board. A new Board Appointed Director will be selected in the coming months.
As of 1 July 2023, the Tennis SA Board will comprise of:
- Philip Roberts, President
- Gary Stratford, Vice President
- Liz Campbell
- Julie Day
- Col Lawson
- Joanna Lydeamore
- Natalie Morley
- Kerry Morrow
- Brandon Oster
- Board Appointed Director – Position to be filled in the coming months
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