Fawkner Park Tennis Centre and the Victorian Tennis Academy have joined the rapidly growing Rally4Ever movement to assist local communities through their love of tennis.
Following the vision of former professional tennis player Louise Pleming, the team at Fawkner Park Tennis Centre worked closely with the Rally4Ever team to deliver a tennis day for recently released refugees back in February, and built the inspiration for a new and ongoing program at the centre, to service the community.
“We were inspired by Louise’s vision to use tennis as a tool to help those struggling with mental health issues in the community. We have a team committed to helping our local community, so we felt that Rally4Ever’s vision aligned with ours.” explained Manager Bronte Goodwin.
The session from February then grew to the first Victorian Rally4Ever program, which brought together participants from different backgrounds and those struggling with mental health issues, through the enjoyment of tennis.
“The Rally4Ever Community Play program helps drive social connection, build communities and helps with both physical and mental health. Regardless of their level and experience, people were able to play together.” said Goodwin.
Goodwin and the team at the Victorian Tennis Academy, through the help of Pleming, reached out to 15 different Mental Health and Community Organisations and even had three participants attend after seeing Pleming’s Australian Story on the ABC.
“We’re looking forward to building on our first few sessions of the program and reaching out to more people in the local community.”
Weekly sessions are taking place across Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. For more information on upcoming sessions and to attend, visit www.rally4ever.org/
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