11 December 2023 | Tennis Tasmania

Brendon Oliver-Ewen, a cornerstone of the Hobart Out Tennis community, will attend the Newcombe Medal, Australian Tennis Awards tonight in Melbourne, following the announcement of being a finalist for the Volunteer Achievement Award. Brendon’s dedication to the Hobart Out Tennis Club and his instrumental efforts in fostering a harmonious bond between diversity, pride, and the LGBTQIA+ community with Tennis and broader sporting organisations have not gone unnoticed.

“This nomination means much more than just a single award for a single person. What it does is recognise an entire community of Tasmanian tennis players that have embraced our club that we have fought so hard to make people feel included and accepted, Brendon said.”

“I don’t think of me, I think of the mass of people that come together with an aim that is to promote inclusion in sport.”

With professional legal experience as his foundation, Brendon has been instrumental in enhancing the Hobart Out Tennis Club’s stature. From redefining the club’s constitution and crafting compelling grant submissions to forging partnerships with local businesses and orchestrating committee meetings, his efforts have significantly elevated the club’s legitimacy and profile.

“Players feel accepted in clubs and express themselves; I want all LGBTQIA+ players to feel a part of the greater community and become united by the love of tennis,” he said.

His collaboration with the tennis community across Tasmania, and Tennis Tasmania, has been nothing short of inspirational, with a positive influence across the wider sports community.

Congratulations to Brendon and the extended Hobart Out Tennis team for their commendable efforts in dismantling barriers and reinforcing the message that tennis is a sport that embraces all.

The 2023 Newcombe Medal, Australian Tennis Awards will be held in Melbourne on Monday, 11 December 2023. The Australian Tennis Awards are presented to celebrate the achievements and contributions of tennis clubs, volunteers, officials, coaches, schools, and talented junior players across 13 award categories.