9 January 2025 | Tennis Victoria

Over the past few months, the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup and Norman Brookes Challenge Cup have travelled across regional Victoria, making memorable stops along the way.

Supported by the State Government through Visit Victoria, the popular tour celebrated tennis and community, offering fans of all ages the opportunity to experience the excitement of the Australian Open. The charity events and open days brought local communities together at their tennis clubs and attracted future participants of our beloved sport.

Tennis Victoria CEO, Kim Kachel said, “AO on the Road is a fantastic initiative that brings the excitement of the Australian Open to our regional tennis communities. It’s a great way to connect with tennis lovers across the state and showcase the incredible work happening at local clubs.”

The journey began in Bacchus Marsh back in October 2024 and continued through Castlemaine, Pomonal, Mt Beauty, Warrnambool, Morwell, Red Hill, and Mount Eliza. Along the way, ‘Norm and Daphne’ made additional stops, giving fans the chance to see the iconic trophies up close.

To kick off this year’s regional tour, fans in Bacchus Marsh were welcomed to the club for a day of tennis and fun. Made even more special with the attendance of Australian tennis legend and former Davis Cup captain, John Fitzgerald. Tennis Victoria CEO, Kim Kachel gave Fitzy the seven-time grand slam champion a warm welcome before fans were treated to some history of the club followed by meet and greet, a BBQ lunch and photos with the trophies – a line made up of fans of all ages lasting the full hour. The event brought the community together, highlighting the excitement and energy surrounding the sport.

Next, the tour made its way to Castlemaine, where Norm and Daphne visited the Castlemaine Lawn Tennis Club. The community gathered to celebrate tennis with an array of family-friendly activities. The day featured junior tennis matches and pickleball, along with a delicious BBQ lunch that brought everyone together. The event not only showcased the community’s love for tennis but also reinforced their passion for staying active and connected.

The tour then headed to Pomonal Tennis Club set against the picturesque backdrop of the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park, where the community has recently opened its newly refurbished courts. This event was particularly special, as it marked the recovery of a community devastated by bushfires in February of 2024. The new courts were built with the support of the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation’s Ride to Remember and the Ararat Rural City Council. John Fitzgerald once again made a memorable appearance, inspiring the crowd with his words. “This community has gone through a lot, and to see what they’ve done here to build these tennis courts is just amazing,” said Fitzgerald, acknowledging the hard work and resilience of the Pomonal community.

In November, the trophies stopped by Mt Beauty Tennis Club to enjoy a day of tennis for all. From Hot Shots for the kids to Come & Try adult coaching, with a side of social play and of course food for the festivities, it was a day not to be to be missed. John Fitzgerald met with the community speaking of his experiences in the sport and then posed for photos with fans and the converted trophies rounding out a successful event.

Following that, the trophies travelled southwest to Warrnambool for a charity-driven event that kicked off at 3 PM. The afternoon was filled with live music, cardio tennis sessions, and plenty of fun for all ages. This vibrant community event provided a chance for fans to enjoy tennis, celebrating the love of the sport with Fitzy, Norm and Daphne, all while supporting a good cause through Ski For Life.

In Morwell, the visit was not just about celebrating Australia’s premier sporting event but also a tribute to the region’s historical connection to tennis. Sir Norman Brookes, one of most iconic figures in tennis, opened the original Morwell tennis site back in 1959. As a result, the Morwell Tennis Club has always held a special place in the history of Australian tennis. “It’s special for Morwell. We have a long history with the Sir Norman Brookes trophy,” said Glenn Palmer, Vice President of the Morwell Tennis Club. The community’s connection to this prestigious trophy was commemorated with pride and passion, linking past and present tennis traditions.

The tour then continued into December, stopping in Red Hill, where the Community Open Day featured a festive Christmas party atmosphere. A BBQ, live music, and open courts with tennis activities from Elite Tennis Academy and a guest appearance from made Sam Groth MP – Member for Nepean and fastest serve on record, made for an exciting day. The event also featured an exhibition match between the academy’s coaches, with a special surprise appearance from Santa, who added a touch of magic to the festivities, delighting kids and adults alike.

Finally, the trophies then made their way to Mt Eliza for the last stop in this year’s regional tour. The day’s activities connected the excitement of the 2025 Australian Open with the local tennis community, engaging them in tennis while leaving lasting memories. Mt Eliza Fire Brigade kept Santa cool as they delivered the iconic trophies to Mt Eliza Tennis Club aboard their fire truck. The trophies proved to be a winner, with many taking the opportunity to get an up-close look at the silverware. With Better Tennis leading the on-court activities, the event served as a fitting final stop for the regional tour.

As it has for several years, the tour concluded at the 69th Inter-Regional Country Championships, held earlier this January. Mount Prospect District Tennis Association hosted the largest, team representative tournament in Victoria running across three days. “This event is a critical pathway for Juniors” said Tennis Victoria CEO, Kim Kachel. “The Australian Open trophies provide a tangible reminder of the aspirational pathway and link to a grand slam, inspiring our players to dream big and see the incredible pathways available through tennis.”

Now, the trophies are on their way back to Melbourne Park for the 2025 Australian Open, where they will soon be in the hands of their next champions.

Thank you for joining us around Victoria. We will see you next at the AO!