22 September 2011 | Tennis Victoria

The 2011 Darranggeeyt Festival of Tennis will be held for the first time at the home of the Australian Open, Melbourne Park, on 26 and 27 September.

Now in its third year, the Darranggeeyt Festival of Tennis is aimed at Indigenous children aged 10-18, and caters for all levels of tennis experience. Support for the event throughout the state, and the growing interest amongst Indigenous communities, has seen it move from the Geelong Lawn Tennis Club where it was hosted for the first two years.

“The interest we are finding from many Victorian Indigenous communities and bodies is infectious and a major driver for the Festival’s relocation to the home of Australian tennis at Melbourne Park,” said Lou Smarrelli, the Darranggeeyt Chairman.

The Festival hopes to help increase awareness of and develop a passion for tennis by promoting the lifetime benefits of the game among school age children from Victorian aboriginal communities.

A fun-filled event is anticipated with all participants improving their game, making new friends and enjoying their time on court. The festival is free for participants and on-court activities will include clinics, coaching, talent assessment and tournament play, while off the court there will be  an opening ceremony, traditional games and tours of Melbourne Park.

“By hosting the 2011 event at Melbourne Park, we hope to extend this unique tennis opportunity to even more Indigenous children so they too can experience the world class grand slam tennis facilities at Melbourne Park,” said Nick Hinneberg, Tennis Victoria’s Executive Manager of Tennis Operations.

Tennis Victoria fully endorses the festival, seeing it as a great opportunity to promote tennis to Indigenous communities throughout Victoria.

Event details:

When: 26 and 27 September 2011
Where: Melbourne Park
                Batman Avenue, Melbourne
Time: 9:30am – 4pm

Further information about the Festival and entry forms are available at www.darranggeeyt.com.