18 April 2018 | Tennis Victoria

– Gary Clark resigns after an amazing contribution to the sport
– Tennis Victoria Vice President Dr Emma Sherry appointed as new President

Tennis Victoria today announced Dr Emma Sherry is the new Tennis Victoria President.

This follows the retirement from the Board and as President, of Mr Gary Clark.

Mr Clark said, “I have recently reflected upon my time on the Tennis Victoria Board since 2011 and as President since 2016. I believe it is an appropriate time for me to stand down and allow others to lead the organisation into its next era.”

“When I initially came onto the Board, I did so with the hope of being part of a period of significant change and progression. I am proud that this has been so”.

“I am delighted to be handing over the Presidency to Emma. I congratulate her on being the first female President of Tennis Victoria.”

“It is a sign of the maturity and the good governance of the organisation that the transition to Emma’s Presidency has been seamless.”

“Tennis Victoria has established an unwavering commitment to good governance.  Under Emma’s leadership this will continue.”

“It is also important to acknowledge the quality of our current Board. The Tennis Victoria Board is comprised of a skills based, diverse and gender balanced set of Directors who have the capacity to take our sport forward over the forthcoming years.”

Mr Clark concluded, “I thank the Tennis community of Victoria for the honour of serving as a Board Director and as the President of the organisation.”

Mr Clark has been an outstanding contributor to tennis at all of local, state and national levels over many years.  As well as his contribution to Tennis Victoria’s good governance and Board restructuring and composition, and amongst many other achievements, he has been integral to:

• The adoption of a new Tennis Victoria Strategic Plan to 2020, within his first year as President, fully aligned with Tennis Australia’s national participation vision for the sport.
• A 61% increase in connected participants from 167,594 to 270,605 in his time as President, with Victoria representing 40% of all registered tennis in Australia from 26% of the population.
• Tennis Victoria’s recent and significant staffing expansion to support local tennis, and especially coaches and regional tennis.
• Championing the concept of a win-win club and coach relationship being vital for overall venue success.
• Tennis Victoria taking a strategic focus to the “big picture” issues at hand, including the future of junior competition on the back of the huge success and number of ANZ Tennis Hot Shots players, and doing so in a collaborative and consultative manner together with all local clubs, centres, associations, coaches and councils.
• The ongoing success of the amazing annual event that is Tennis Victoria Country Week.
• Highly engaging and well-attended regular Victorian Community Tennis Forums, now recently including satellite venues and online live streaming.

Dr Sherry was unanimously appointed by the Tennis Victoria Board as its new President and Chair unopposed.  She is a leading academic with extensive experience in the Australian and Victorian sporting industry and its governance, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

“Gary’s contribution to tennis in Victoria has just been immense”, Dr Sherry said, “I have been delighted to serve as Vice President to him over the past 18 months.”

“I am proud to be following in his footsteps. I look forward to leading the Board, and working together with Tennis Victoria’s management and all of our affiliates and stakeholders, for a bright future for our great game. Tennis is such an integral part of the Victorian sporting community across both metropolitan and country areas“, Dr Sherry added.

“As an ANZ Tennis Hots Shots mum, and with experience in examining many junior sport development programs, I am acutely aware of the importance of providing great experiences for boys and girls that will see them take on the sport for life.  And there’s no better sport for all ages, genders and backgrounds than tennis.”

The Tennis Victoria Board has also appointed Mr Peter Owen, a leader within the Victorian tennis coaching industry, to the casual Director vacancy on the Board arising from Mr Clark’s departure.

Background
Tennis Victoria’s purpose is to have more people playing tennis, more often, for life; in full support of Tennis’s national vision of ONE Million connected Australians.  To achieve this, a prime part of its role is to service the 882 affiliated clubs, centres and associations across the metropolitan and country regions of the state, and support their amazing volunteers, administrators and coaches that tirelessly drive the game at the local level.

The Tennis Victoria Board comprises:
Dr Emma Sherry – President
Associate Professor and Department Chair – Management and Marketing, Swinburne University of Technology
Member of Fitzroy Tennis Club

Mark Da Silva – Vice President
Principal, Hoyle Da Silva Lawyers
President, Bayside Regional Tennis Association
Life Member, St Andrew’s Gardiner Tennis Club

Phil Crouch – Treasurer
Former Vic/Tas Head of Retail Sales Development, ANZ
Member of Greythorn Park Tennis Club

Matti Clements
Deputy Director, Australian Institute of Sport

James Copes
Chief Financial Officer, National Embedded Networks

Maria Keys
Director, Keys Consulting Services
Vice President, North Suburban Night TA
Secretary, Royal Park Tennis Club
Life Member, API/Royal Park TC & NSNTA

Simon Meadows
Chief Executive Officer, Barker Trailers
Director, Cobaw Community Health Service
President and Life Member, Kyneton & District Tennis Club

Anna Speedie
Mayor, City of Wodonga
Member of Wodonga Tennis Centre

Peter Owen
Director Tie Break Enterprises & Tie Break Consulting
Director Toptenn Tennis Promotions
Director Tennis Coaches Australia – Victoria